Twelve Days of Christmas (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

50. Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
      Topic/Theme: first book you see in a bookstore

Synopsis:

Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.
To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won’t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie’s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain’s gruff façade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain—and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love.  

My Review:

This was one of my favorite Christmas stories I have read. When Julia starts getting aggravated with a neighbor, she tries to come up with a way to handle the situation. With the help of a friend, they come up with the idea of killing him with kindness. At the same time, a company that Julia's applying for couldn't decide on whether to hire her or another person. The company decides that the position will go to whoever can get the most views and comments on his or her blog. Julia decides to call her blog, the Twelve Days of Christmas, as a way of recording how her twelve days of kindness campaign with Cain goes. Of course, it goes without saying that the twelve days are the twelve days leading up to and including Christmas. The kindness campaign doesn't get off to a great start, but she's determined to not give up. The blog, on the other hand, is a hit. Slowly and surely, Julia begins to crack his shell. She soon realizes that there's more to him than meets the eye. As much as they hate to admit it, they start to feel attracted to each other and they start having dates. As the blog continues to grow each day, Julia struggles to come clean about how she's been chronicling not only her kind acts, but their relationship as well. Once the media gets involved, Cain finds out by accident and everything that they have worked for comes crashing down, as Cain thinks she was only putting on an act. In Cain's defense, he has struggled with the hurt and pain of a past relationship in which he was taken advantage of, among other things, and has a hard time trusting others. He also has struggled to come to terms with his mom's death and I can't blame him. I can't imagine how much it hurts to lose a parent or a child. It's a grief that goes on and on. While they start fixing things, Cain's grandfather becomes the hero in salvaging their relationship. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas was another heartwarminging tale from Debbie Macomber. She has this way of keeping a truth of reality to her characters. It can be hard to capture the essence of real life situations and what people really go through. Debbie never fails to deliver. The overall theme was that people aren't always what they seem. We don't know what a person is going through and have no place to judge based on how they act or seem like on the outside. 

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

❤Meg❤

Silver Linings (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

27. Silver Linings by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:
Since opening the Rose Harbor Inn, Jo Marie Rose has met fascinating people from all walks of life, but none have piqued her interest quite like handyman Mark Taylor. Jo Marie and Mark are good friends - and are becoming something more - yet he still won’t reveal anything about his past. When Mark tells her that he’s moving out of town, Jo Marie is baffled. Just when she is starting to open herself up again to love, she feels once more that she is losing the man she cares about. As she grapples with Mark’s decision and tries to convince him to stay, she welcomes two visitors also seeking their own answers.
Best friends Kellie Crenshaw and Katie Gilroy have returned to Cedar Cove for their ten-year high school reunion, looking to face down old hurts and find a sense of closure. Kellie, known as Coco, wants to finally confront the boy who callously broke her heart. Katie, however, wishes to reconnect with her old boyfriend, James - the man she still loves and the one who got away. As Katie hopes for a second chance, Coco discovers that people can change - and both look to the exciting possibilities ahead.


My Review:

High school reunions are a time for reuniting with former classmates, some of which you may not have seen in awhile. It's a time for rekindling old relationships with your friends. A time to reminisce about your high school days and to just enjoy yourself. For Kellie and Katie, they have a slightly different agenda.

Kellie's, aka Coco, mission is to confront the guy who broke her heart and embarrassed her in front of her friends in high school. It's her way of getting closure of being hurt since then. She's in for a surprise when she realizes that he's changed since then. Let's face it, most guys can be jerks and immature in high school and most females can hold grudges for a long time. It seemed that that was the case. Coco basically just wanted answers for his actions and she gets more than that.

Katie wants to get back together with the one who got away. She needs to explain why she left and hopes he'll understand and forgive her. His parents, especially his mother, never approved of the relationship and scared Katie away. In kind of a crude way, she gave Katie an ultimatum essentially and Katie didn't have the heart to tell James. What Katie didn't expect was that James has moved on. It seemed that Katie has good intentions, but was too late in doing so. I will say that Katie and James's story was heartfelt and genuine.

Jo Marie is finally ready to commit to Mark and it becomes clear that they both love each other. When Mark suddenly gets ready to leave town and subsequently does, Jo Marie is left lost and confused. When she finds out why he left, Jo Marie is left heartbroken, feeling like she's lost another love of her life. What happens next is left up in the air and this story ends in a cliffhanger that you would never expect.

This is book four of out of a five book series. Click below to read my book reviews on the first three:

The Inn at Rose Harbor
Rose Harbor in Bloom
Love Letters

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Love Letters (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

26. Love Letters by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:
Summer is a busy season at the inn, so proprietor Jo Marie Rose and handyman Mark Taylor have spent a lot of time together keeping the property running. Despite some folks’ good-natured claims to the contrary, Jo Marie insists that Mark is only a friend. However, she seems to be thinking about this particular friend a great deal lately. Jo Marie knows surprisingly little about Mark’s life, due in no small part to his refusal to discuss it. She’s determined to learn more about his past, but first she must face her own - and welcome three visitors who, like her, are setting out on new paths.
Twenty-three-year-old Ellie Reynolds is taking a leap of faith. She’s come to Cedar Cove to meet Tom, a man she’s been corresponding with for months, and with whom she might even be falling in love. Ellie’s overprotective mother disapproves of her trip, but Ellie is determined to spread her wings.
Maggie and Roy Porter are next to arrive at the inn. They are taking their first vacation alone since their children were born. In the wake of past mistakes, they hope to rekindle the spark in their marriage—and to win back each other’s trust. But Maggie must make one last confession that could forever tear them apart.

My Review:

Time keeps rolling by in this third installment of the Rose Harbor series. Jo Marie is going strong with the inn. As much time as Jo Marie and Mark spend together, Jo Marie still isn't ready to admit that she's falling in love with him. Her own back story unfolds even more in this book. She receives a love letter kind of thing from her late husband, but doesn't have the heart to read it because she knows what that will mean: that Paul's really gone. Paul died with three other comrades in the Middle East as they were serving our country not long before Jo Marie buys the inn. Since only three bodies have been found up until this point, she has held hope that maybe he's still alive. When news comes in that all have been found, it gives her a sense of closure and she can finally grieve properly. As Jo Marie gets the courage to read the letter, it's heartbreaking, but also gives her the confidence to let go, that it's okay to love again.

Ellie comes to town to meet the guy she's fallen in love with online. She's not sure exactly what she's getting herself into, but believes that he could be the one. Following behind Ellie is her mother unexpectedly. Her mother is overprotective and doesn't want her to get hurt (like Ellie's dad did to them). Even though Ellie's old enough to make her own decisions and choices, her mom just can't let her go quite yet. As their story comes out through the course of this book, it's good to see and understand where both Ellie and her mom's views come from. As in all cases, they come to a general understanding. The transformation of both ladies is inspiring.

Maggie and Roy come to Cedar Cove for a couple's vacation, getaway type of thing. They haven't had time alone together since they had children. The whole idea of the trip is to fix and work on their marriage. They've lacked in communication in recent years and it's become tense between them. Maggie hasn't forgiven Roy for a past mistake, but she's the one hiding a secret now: a mistake she made to get back at Roy. Throughout the story, they attempt to come full frontal with their past by owning up to their mistakes and figure out ways to move on from that: to trust each other again. They learn that forgiveness isn't always easy, but in order to move on, it can be so powerful. And that compromising is important as well. Time will only tell if their marriage will work out. 

The takeaway here (from Maggie and Roy's story) is that it's important for couples to spend time alone with each other, like going on dates still, even when married, to grow in the relationship. It may be even more important to do this after having children.

Check out my book reviews on the first two books of the rose Harbor series:
The Inn at Rose Harbor
Rose Harbor in Bloom

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Rose Harbor in Bloom (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

24. Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Since moving to Cedar Cove, Jo Marie Rose has truly started to feel at home, and her neighbors have become her closest friends. Now it’s springtime, and Jo Marie is eager to finish the most recent addition to her inn. In memory of her late husband, Paul, she has designed a beautiful rose garden for the property and enlisted handyman Mark Taylor to help realize it. She and Mark don’t always see eye-to-eye - and at times he seems far removed - yet deep down, Jo Marie finds great comfort in his company. And while she still seeks a sense of closure, she welcomes her latest guests, who are on their own healing journeys.
Annie Newton arrives in town to orchestrate her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. While Annie is excited for the festivities, she’s struggling to move on from her broken engagement, and her grandparents themselves seem to be having trouble getting along. Worse, Annie is forced to see Oliver Sutton, with whom she grew up and who has always mercilessly teased her. But the best parties end with a surprise, and Annie is in for the biggest one of all.
High-powered businesswoman Mary Smith, another Rose Harbor Inn guest, has achieved incredible success in her field, yet serious illness has led her to face her sole, lingering regret. Almost nineteen years ago, she ended her relationship with her true love, George Hudson, and now she’s returned to Cedar Cove to make amends.

My Review:

In this second book, Jo Marie has settled into the inn and more healing awaits. At the recommendation of a fellow innkeeper, Jo Marie employs the local handyman Mark to make improvements (particularly to construct a rose garden). A man who keeps to himself, Jo Marie is determined to get to know more about him. Mark comes across as being a bit callous and rough around the edges. But he's built a wall so big that no one can get in. They don't always see eye to eye, but Jo Marie likes having him around.

A new season brings new guests. Annie comes to town to get everything ready for her grandparents' anniversary celebration. Annie's being pushed past her limits as she's still reeling from a recent breakup, dealing with her grandparents' bickering, and wanting everything perfect for the big event. In the process, Annie is forced to be around someone who tormented her relentlessly as a child and hasn't gotten over all the hurt. As time goes on, she realizes that people can change as they grow up and that he didn't realize how much it bothered her. And Annie finally understands that her grandparents didn't want to make a big deal about their anniversary. They didn't know how to tell Annie that since she was so excited and chose to act like they didn't get along to see if that would put off the celebration. True love conquers all. How Annie's story turns out is incredible.

Mary comes back to town to find her true live who she left years before. She's battling cancer and has been told that there's nothing more that can be done. She wants to reconcile with George and explain why she really left. As they attempt to mend the fences, they each have their concerns. George is ready to start a new relationship until Mary tells him that she had been pregnant with his child all those years ago, but gave her up for adoption. Mary is hesitant about having a relationship with him since she wants to spare him from watching her slip away from the cancer. They reconcile and attempt to start fresh. Their story is remarkable as once again, true love always wins. Sometimes going through so much pain and heartbreak is worth it in the end.

Since this is the second book in the Rose Harbor series, I recommend to read them in order. There are five books in this series and as of this writing, I have read four. The next two book reviews for this series will be posted this week. I will be linking to the previous one/ones in each post.

Rose Harbor Series:
1. The Inn at Rose Harbor

I just wanted to remind you that I do reply to all (except for an occasional one) comments in the comment section as a reply to your comment.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

The Inn at Rose Harbor (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

21. The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book that's guaranteed to bring you joy

Synopsis:

Jo Marie Barlow first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases a local bed-and-breakfast - the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn - ready to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine. Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come home to care for his ailing stepfather. The two have never seen eye to eye, and Joshua has little hope that they can reconcile their differences. But a long-lost acquaintance from Joshua’s high school days proves to him that forgiveness is never out of reach and love can bloom even where it’s least expected. The other guest is Abby Kincaid, who has returned to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Back for the first time in twenty years, she almost wishes she hadn’t come, the picturesque town harboring painful memories from her past. And while Abby reconnects with family and old friends, she realizes she can only move on if she truly allows herself to let go.

My Review:

As a way of coping with her husband's death, Jo Marie decides to purchase an inn. She feels like the inn will help her heal, by starting over Ina new town. She has a lot to learn about managing an inn, but with the support of another innkeeper in Cedar Cove, it's not long before she gets a grasp of things. 

Jo Marie not only wants the inn to be a place of healing for herself, but for her guests as well. Joshua comes to Cedar Cove to help with his stepfather's care in his final days. Even though they haven't gotten along (moreso after Josh's mom died), Josh is the only one family his stepdad has left. With the help of an old friend, he is asked to look past all the hurt and pain and attempt to make things good again. And if a relationship (with Josh's friend) blooms in the meantime, then so be it. It turns out quite interesting, but you're going to have to read this book to see what happens. 

Abby is back in town for her brother's wedding. The town she's run away from and never looked back. She was involved in an accident that killed her best friend as a teen. Even though it was a complete accident, Abby's been living with guilt and hasn't been able to let it go and move on with her life. And hasn't faced her classmates since that day, as she believes they'll blame her for what happened. A chance encounter with one of them leads to a reunion type of thing with the rest and Abby realizes that they cared about her. Being back forces Abby to face what she's been avoiding: visiting her friend's grave and her friend's parents. It's not easy, but Abby realizes that she needs forgiveness to truly accept what happened, to heal her pain, and to move forward. Abby's story is heartbreaking and heartfelt at the same time. Her story will resonate to anyone who's ever felt guilt (and let's face it, we all do) over losing someone. 

Fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series will enjoy the Rose Harbor series.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

A Girl's Guide to Moving On (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

18. A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book published in 2016

Synopsis:

When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back - including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.
Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures - until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.

My Review:

As the story of Cassie, Nichole and Karen continues, it's time for Nichole to take the spotlight. When Nichole learns that her husband has been cheating on her, she gets support from an unlikely source: her mother-in-law Leanne. Unbeknownst to everyone, Leanne's own husband has been cheating on her for years. They both file for divorce and get apartments right across from each other. To help them deal with the pain, Leanne comes up with a plan. With Nichole's help, they create a list of rules to follow:

1. Don't allow yourself to wallow in your pain. Reach out. Volunteer. Do something you love or something to help others.

2. Cultivate new friendships.

3. Let go in order to receive.

4. Love yourself.

These rules seem simple, but they are hard to do, except for maybe the first one. The divorce process is different for both ladies. Leanne's is simple and over with fairly quick. Nichole's is more drawn out and more extreme.

Throughout the process of moving forward, both Nichole and Leanne befriend new men in their lives. For Nichole, that would be Rocco. They meet by accident, literally, but come to mean more than that. From the outside looking in, they're complete opposites. Rocco is a mechanic and owns a tow truck company and is a husky fellow. He reminded me of one of those security guards that you don't want to mess with. But the more you get to know him, the more oh realize that o. The inside, he has a caring and tended heart. I liked how Rocco handled Owen (Nichole's son with her ex), as well as the whole Jake situation. My favorite character just happened to be Kaylene (Rocco's daughter); she had a great supporting role when jt came to Rocco and Nichole.

For Leanne, Nikolai was tne new man in her life. Nikolai was from the Ukraine and a student in her ESL night class. He showed his appreciation and love for Leanne by gifting her with a loaf of bread after each class. While I couldn't understand that at first, I came to appreciate the symbolization of the gesture (apparently a loaf of bread symbolizes love in Ukraine). What I didn't like was the whole expecting Leanne to love him back without hesitation, even though they had a language barrier. Saying that, I kind of felt that Nikolai shouldn't have been jealous of Sean (Leanne's ex). I get why he didn't want her involved with him on any level, but it really wasn't his call. On the other hand, I understand why Leanne wanted to be there for Sean at a time when he needed it the most and had no one else to turn to. I felt that they shared a friendship with each other, even though the love they shared didn't exist anymore.

Once again, Debbie Macomber told a genuine and heartfelt story. She definitely doesn't disappoint. A Girl's Guide to Moving On is a follow up to Last One Home, however they can be read as stand alone novels as well. If you want to check out my review of Last One Home, click here.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Last One Home (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

17. Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Growing up, Cassie Carter and her sisters, Karen and Nichole, were incredibly close -- until one fateful event drove them apart. After high school, Cassie ran away from home to marry the wrong man, throwing away a college scholarship and breaking her parents’ hearts. To make matters worse, Cassie had always been their father’s favorite -- a sentiment that weighed heavily on her sisters and made Cassie’s actions even harder to bear.
Now thirty-one, Cassie is back in Washington, living in Seattle with her daughter and hoping to leave her past behind. After ending a difficult marriage, Cassie is back on her own two feet, the pieces of her life slowly but surely coming together. Despite the strides Cassie’s made, she hasn’t been able to make peace with her sisters. Karen, the oldest, is a busy wife and mother, balancing her career with raising her two children. And Nichole, the youngest, is a stay-at-home mom whose husband indulges her every whim. Then one day, Cassie receives a letter from Karen, offering what Cassie thinks may be a chance to reconcile. And as Cassie opens herself up to new possibilities -- making amends with her sisters, finding love once more -- she realizes the power of compassion, and the promise of a fresh start.

My Review:

After reaching rock bottom and able to finally rid herself of her abusive ex-husband, Cassie wants to start a better life for her and her daughter Amiee. She also became estranged from her family when she ran away from home at eighteen for all the wrong reasons - to marry the boyfriend her parents didn't approve of just because she was pregnant. After her mom dies, she's given, what Cassie thinks, a chance to mend the relationship with her sisters. They, Karen and Nichole, don't know if they're willing to forgive Cassie and put the past behind them and give Cassie a much deserved second chance. They obviously don't know what Cassie has been through since that night and only know what she put her family through when she left and aren't sure if Cassie has changed. Although it takes some work, time and patience, all three of them begin to realize how much they need each other.

In the meantime, Cassie decides to start volunteer work with a Habitat for Humanity type of company in the community. It's not exactly what she expects at first, as she butts heads with the manager, Steve. Both are stubborn in their own ways, but when an unfortunate accident occurs, Steve starts showing his softer side. As his story starts to unfold, I can see why he was the way he was. You'll have to read this book to find out. Cassie also discovers that it's okay to ask for help and not to just rely on herself for everything. 

Debbie Macomber's books never fail to disappoint. She has a way of creating compelling characters. What I enjoyed about this particular book was that it showcased the importance of family. No family is perfect and we may not always get along with each other, but at the end of the day, they'll always be there for you. Just like Cassie and her sisters, my mom and her sister weren't on speaking terms for a few years. While I won't get into the circumstances, eventually they worked it out and became closer than they ever were, in my opinion. 

 Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Charming C's #atozchallenge

Day 3 of the April A to Z Challenge

A Book Extravaganza

Classic: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Synopsis: The poverty-stricken Raskolnikov, a talented student, devises a theory about extraordinary men being above the law, since in their brilliance they think “new thoughts” and so contribute to society. He then sets out to prove his theory by murdering a vile, cynical old pawnbroker and her sister. The act brings Raskolnikov into contact with his own buried conscience and with two characters -the deeply religious Sonia, who has endured great suffering, and Porfiry, the intelligent and discerning official who is charged with investigating the murder - both of whom compel Raskolnikov to feel the split in his nature. Dostoevsky provides readers with a suspenseful, penetrating psychological analysis that goes beyond the crime - which in the course of the novel demands drastic punishment — to reveal something about the human condition: The more we intellectualize, the more imprisoned we become.

Other: Curious George by Margaret and H.A. Rey

       Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

       Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber

♥Meg♥

Dashing Through the Snow Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

36. Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book set during Christmas

Synopsis:
Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead. At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.

My Review:
This was a light and easy read during the holiday season. While Dashing Through the Snow doesn't compare to some of Debbie Macomber's other works (particularly her series'), it is the perfect pace for a stand alone title. It seems that everybody rushes around during the holiday season, especially the last couple of days before Christmas. I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but when I'm rushing to get stuff done, things tend to go wrong and get in the way. This is exactly what happens in this story. Ashley and Dash may seem like two completely different people, but as the saying goes, opposites attract and they end up falling in love with each other. The story had it's laughable moments and I couldn't put this book down. I enjoyed its bittersweet ending.

Taking this off from Debbie Macomber, what one word do you want to incorporate into 2016? She chose the word joy. My word is change.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Starlight Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

24. Starlight by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: a popular author's first book

Synopsis: 
At a magical Christmas fete, Karen McAlister meets a man she cannot ignore—the first man to interest her in a long while. Before she laid eyes on Rand Prescott, Karen would have said her life was complete and content . . . much to the dismay of her widowed father, who would love to see her married and settled. But everything changed that enchanted night: The stars, the moonlight, the music, and the champagne all conspired to throw two people together. But the fates are determined to pull them apart. Long ago, Rand Prescott erected a steel façade around his heart. He never had any intention of maintaining any kind of relationship with a woman. Independent, proud, and nearly blind, Rand felt he had no capacity to return a woman’s love. But that was before he met Karen. In one night, she shattered all of his preconceived ideas about romance and threatened to break through his walls. Rand is convinced that Karen deserves better than the love of a blind man. Can he ever accept this beguiling woman into his life—and into his soul?

My Review:
As Debbie Macomber's one of my all-time favorite authors, this book was good. Like I recently wrote about, a writer gets better with each book (this goes for any craft/career). I find this to be true of any great author or any writer for that matter. What I like about Debbie Macomber (and just like fellow writer Karen Kingsbury) is that she keeps it real. Both authors manage to write about everyday issues in a believable way, if that makes sense.

In Starlight, there's Rand who's guarded and put up a wall so thick that no one can get in. And then there's Karen, who falls in love at first sight, but has some doubts. Disabilities, like Rand being almost completely blind, can hinder relationships in that they may not necessarily believe or think that normal people will accept them for who they are. I can understand Rand keeping his guard up, especially about having children (valid fears in his case). He did come across as being too mean at times, although I did appreciate him coming around in the end. Even though, I'm not married yet, this novel represented what happens in the first year of marriage filled with doubts and getting adjusted to living together - issues of course that get straightened out with time.

I personally enjoyed Matthew's character and role. This was a man who knew his health was declining and wanted both of his daughters to be married and happy. With Karen, Matthew just wanted to have a granddaughter. He played a great supporting role who did whatever it took so Karen (along with her sister) would be able to live and thrive if something happened to him.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

Meg
                                           

Author Spotlight: Debbie Macomber

Author Spotlight Week 2

This time, I have chosen one of my favorite authors, Debbie Macomber.

     Debbie Macomber is an American best selling novelist. Debbie Macomber has over 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide, but she is best known for her Cedar Cove Series. The acclaimed series, as you may know if you're a fan, has been made into a television series and is featured on the Hallmark Channel. Cedar Cove will be starting its third season in July. I had just seen some previews for the first season of the show right after starting the first book in the series. Right away, I knew I wanted to read all the books in the Cedar Cove Series before watching the tv show that was going to be based on the books. Just like in movies, I always believe that the book is better than the movie/tv show. A few of her other novels have also been made into movies - Mrs. Miracle, Call Me Mrs. Miracle, Trading Christmas and Mr. Miracle.

"In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope." (www.http://debbiemacomber.com/about-debbie/debbies-bio)

     I wanted to copy that above sentence from Debbie's page because it tells exactly why I love her books and why she easily became one of my favorite authors and why she's one of the best authors out there today. To be honest, I think Debbie Macomber writes about real situations in a true sense in fictional way. Her characters can be pretty close to what real people go through and experience throughout their lifetime. There's not many authors who can make realistic characters go through realistic situations and feelings, as well as do it in a way that is captivating to readers.

     In addition to writing, Debbie also happens to own a tea room and a yarn shop in Port Orchard, Washington. She lives with her husband, Wayne, there and spends winter in Florida. She has a passion for knitting and is a spokesperson for World Vision's Knit for Kids charity initiative.


Links for More Information:
Debbie Macomber website: http://debbiemacomber.com/
Debbie's Tea Room, Victorian Rose Tea Room: http://victoriantearoomandgifts.com/
Debbie's Yarn Shop, A Good Yarn: http://agoodyarnshop.com/
Knit for Kids Charity: http://agoodyarnshop.com/
Cedar Cove Series: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/cedar-cove
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieMacomberWorld
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/debbiemacomber



Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥