"Call Me Mrs. Miracle" by Debbie Macomber is a Good Read for the Christmas Season

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber is a cute Christmas story about how Mrs. Miracle helps several people:  Gabe, a little boy who is living with his aunt Holly while his father is in the service in Afghanistan, a father and son who run a department store who have trouble celebrating Christmas since their wife/mother and daughter/sister were killed in an accident on a Christmas long ago, and a lonely business woman.  Holly wants to make it a special Christmas for Gabe, but the only toy he really wants is a robot that costs $250.

This is a happy little story for Christmas that is slow moving but actually has a bit of a surprise ending.  I liked it all right in spite of it being fairly predictable.  It was made into a Hallmark movie and for those who bake/cook, it gives some recipes!  (3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Susannah’s Garden" by Debbie Macomber

Sorry, cats weren't cooperating to model for me today.

Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber is a romance novel that covers young love, missed love, love in marriage and love after death.  Susannah is bored with her life, which although is good, isn’t really happy.  Susannah struggles with her college age daughter, her mother, her anger towards her dead father and her sense of missing something in her marriage.  Susannah wonders if she married the wrong man and seeks to find her first love in her hometown while getting her mother moved into an assisted living facility with the “help” of her daughter.  As Susannah hunts down her first love, hangs out with her best friend from high school, and packs up her parents things, she makes some enlightening discoveries which made the ending very interesting.

I loved the cover and liked some of Debbie Macomber’s other books so chose to read Susannah’s Garden.  I think the title and cover of this book are misleading.  For example, the cat belongs to a neighbor and is mentioned only once.  “Susannah’s garden” was mentioned twice and not until the last third of the book.  I would have chosen “Stupid Susannah,” “Judge Dad” or “Peace with the Past” instead.  I kept thinking Susannah was stupid through most of the book.  I liked this book okay, but it is all about relationships and the most action was when Susannah’s mother moved into the assisted living facility so it’s not a page turner.  My favorite character was Vivian, Susannah’s mother.  I felt sad for her having to leave her home just because she got lost one day and claimed to see her dead husband.   

If you want a good book about a garden, I recommend either The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain or Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah.

 
Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

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"Morning Comes Softly" by Debbie Macomber

A delightful and heartwarming read, Morning Comes Softly by Debbie Macomber is my favorite novel of hers. It’s a romance about a Montana cowboy who puts an ad for a wife in a paper so that he can raise his brother’s three children who became orphans when their parents were killed in an auto accident. Who would answer such an ad? One lonely frumpy librarian from Louisiana named Mary is who. Travis thought she was like Minnie Mouse and was very disappointed when they first met; however, she managed to bulldoze her way into his heart. She met all the requirements mentioned in the ad that he and the children wrote: she could cook, sew and sing.

There is a lot of humor in this book which I loved; however, it also dealt with some serious issues such as dealing with grief, anger, bitterness, marital issues, and parenting. It is a light, enjoyable and entertaining read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good family story with romance and a happy predictable ending.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

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"Family Affair" by Debbie Macomber is a fun read!

Family Affair by Debbie Macomber is a light romantic comedy that would be a good beach read.  It’s about Lacey, a woman whose lost her self-confidence after a divorce but with the assistance of her cat, finds love again with her neighbor, Jack.  Having been through a divorce, Lacey was able to comfort Sarah, Jack’s sister, when she was betrayed by her live-in boyfriend.  It finishes with a cute touch:  recipes for cat treats you can make for your cat!

This is a cute short book that is a fun read, only 99 pages.  I thought it was funny how Lacey talked to her cat and how she compared Jack to his tomcat that was named Dog.  Entertaining with a happy ending.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help Canine Lifeline (a dog rescue organization that saved our dog, Abby) by leaving a comment on any of our blogs in March. We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month.

"The Perfect Christmas" by Debbie Macomber

The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber is a delightful quick-read about a woman, Cassie, seeking a husband. She is so desperate that she hires Dr. Simon Dodson, a matchmaker for $30,000 with a money-back guarantee if he doesn’t find her a suitable match. Through three tasks he had her perform before introducing her to the guy he found for her, Simon discovered she was compassionate, flexible, loved children, could cook and had a sense of humor.

This was a light, fun and amusing read. I liked this book as a break from the more serious stuff I have been reading. It's a very entertaining read. Reading about Cassie's experience as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army brought back memories from when I did that one year.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Shirley, Goodness And Mercy" by Debbie Macomber

I enjoyed reading Shirley, Goodness and Mercy by Debbie Macomber.  It is a cute Christmas miracle story about a lonely 60-yr.-old man who felt he had wasted his life with major screw ups along the way.  Christmas time annoys him and he feels like he's hit bottom, but happens to go inside a church and his "prayer" reaches heaven.  Three angels are assigned his case and with their help, he turns his life around and people he's hurt greatly in the past forgive him.  If you like happy endings and a light fun read, this is a book for you.  If you liked the TV show, "Touched By An Angel" you'll love this book! 

(Karen's review 12/23/09)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"One Simple Act" by Debbie Macomber

If you want to be inspired to become more focused on others, read One Simple Act—Discovering the Power of Generosity by Debbie Macomber.  It inspired me from a Christian perspective to not only be more generous with money, but with so much more such as kindness, time, encouragement, forgiving, hospitality, gift giving and simply listening.  Debbie has written many Christian fiction books but wanted to share what she has learned about being “extravagantly generous.”  One Simple Act is loaded with scripture and practical examples of putting each principle into practice as well as some scientific research that lists physical and emotional benefits to those who practice an attitude of gratitude.  It is very well organized and a pleasure to read! 

 

This is the second book I have read in two weeks that has inspired me to be more focused on others.  I think God is telling me something here!  Generosity basically comes from thankfulness for all God has given us and compassion comes from empathy.  I am now going to look for ways each day to do a good deed, brighten someone’s day, show a little kindness and spend more time with people—yes, that means less time on the computer and less time with my nose in a book!  (The first was Season of Life--A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood by Jeffrey Marx.)  I don’t own many books, but this is one I would like to have.  I highly recommend it!

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber

After reading several murder mysteries and then The Hunger Games I was ready for something uplifting so chose Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber.  This is contemporary fiction that I found to be heart warming and inspirational.  It’s about Ann Marie, owner of a bookstore and a terrier named Baxter who is a widow and gets together with a group of other widows who all make a list of 20 wishes which change their outlook and their life.  The main plot is about Ann Marie reluctantly volunteering to be a lunch buddy to a very shy 8-yr.old girl, Ellen, once a week at the school and how that not only changes her life, but how each of them make the others wishes come true.  This book is all about relationships and moving out of your comfort zone to live life. 

This book is full of romance, mother-daughter relationships, dealing with grief and moving forward with your life.  I liked this book because I loved the main story line about Ann Marie, her dog, her relationship with her stepdaughter and Ellen and think any woman would enjoy it.  The romance in it was also humorous.  It was a delightful read!  It inspired me to start a wish list too.

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?