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Reading Rescue, December 2007: Books by Debbie Macomber
By Anne Allen and Mary Anne Fulmer
 The
holidays are here, and we have so much to do. We forget that we really
need some down time to re-group. There is no better way to make yourself
smile and be renewed than by reading a good book by one of our favorite
authors, Debbie Macomber.
Ms. Macomber has had a few obstacles in her life on the
way to being a marvelous writer. She is dyslexic and has only a high
school education, but she was determined to succeed. Debbie Macomber
also has a husband, four children and many grandchildren. Her first
attempt at being published was dismal. Harlequin publishers said her
writing was not up to their caliber. This did not stop her. She sent the
same book to Harlequin's biggest competitors, Silhouette. They bought
the book, Heartsong, and she never looked back. She has written
over 150 novels.
One of the best series of books she has written is about
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy. They are three angels who give the
Archangel Gabriel a very bad time. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy,
published in 1999, was the first in the series. Greg Bennett, a
slime-ball capitalist, hits rock bottom. He prays for help and wouldn't
you know it, these three angels are sent to help. They have their work
cut out! Greg left his pregnant girlfriend, betrayed his brother and
business partner, and ignores his dying mother. On Christmas eve, he
gets the opportunity to redeem his soul and will discover that he is
worthy of a second chance. This book is short on duration, but there is
no way that you won't smile and really feel the Christmas spirit.
In 2007, the trio still rolls on in Where Angels Go,
and they are called upon to answer three special requests. All the
requests seem simple: find a little boy a dog, help a lady get over the
pain of divorce, and give a dying man peace about his wife's fate after
he has gone to his rest. The angels find that the chosen recipients come
with problems that make the gifts hard to grant. Fortunately, the angels
work for someone who is extremely good at miracles. You will smile, but
also you will cry tears that will cleanse as you hurt with these people.
It is an altogether good book; no murder, no mayhem, no bad language,
just a good, fun, uplifting read!
Another series written by Macomber is called Cedar Cove.
In 6 Rainier Drive, the main characters, Justine and Seth, owners
of the Lighthouse Restaurant, have mixed reactions to the loss of the
business. The restaurant had been torched by an arsonist. The story goes
on to include a list of characters that live in Cedar Cove and what is
going on in their lives. This is a good-spirited, gossipy book that
those new to the series will have no trouble following and seasoned
veterans of the series will feel it is a treat! Reading this book will
make you smile.
In the latest Cedar Cove series, 74 Seaside Avenue
the focus is on chess champion, Bobby Polgar and his hairdresser wife
Teri. Bobby has dropped out of an international tournament because he
has received veiled threats from the Russians. He is concerned for Teri.
There are some sad issues in this book, but Debbie Macomber handles them
with her warm and compassionate style. It is a page-turner, and you will
be looking for the next book in the series.
The Shop on Blossom Street (The Knitting Book #1)
takes place in Seattle. Lydia is a two-time cancer survivor who operates
a shop called "The Good Yarn." She sees this as a symbol of the new life
that she plans to lead. Lydia starts a knitting class, and four very
different women attend. This book is fast-paced, and all four women find
happiness and fulfillment through their growing friendships.
In the third book of the Knitting Books Series, Back
on Blossom Street, Lydia is still teaching knitting classes. Fellow
knitters include: Collette, 31-year-old widow suffering over the loss of
her husband; Alix, engaged to Reverend Jordan Turner and very stressed
over wedding plans; and Julia, Lydia's niece, a victim of a carjacking.
Lydia also has problems. She feels she will never have a child of her
own and is very sad. What happens is predictable for a Macomber novel.
There is a happy ending for all.
The Wyoming Kid, shows a country side of Debbie
Macomber. The book is a sequel to Denim and Diamonds, written 18
years ago. The main character shows a lot of growth in this second book
and is now less hostile. He does have a romantic side! The small town
that is the setting for the story, is very likeable. This is an upbeat
book with a good storyline.
Susannah's Garden is a book about the intricate
dynamics of a family. Susannah at age 50 is not satisfied with her dream
life. She seems to have it all -- a devoted husband, two teenage
children and a rewarding career. Susannah has a definite problem. She
frequently dreams of a former high school sweetheart who has
disappeared. On a pretext of going home to help her aged mother,
Susannah returns to her hometown of Colville. She really wants to find
her former sweetheart, Jake. There are many problems including moving
her mother into a nursing home and trying to keep her daughter away from
a shiftless "townie." She gets help from private investigators and
learns the truth about Jake's disappearance. This book will make you
laugh, and you will also cry, but it is a wonderful, heartwarming story.
Macomber tells the story of Rorie in the book A
Little Bit Country. Rorie has a very nice life in San Francisco. She
has a relationship with a pleasant, predictable man, and all is well
until she goes on vacation. Her car breaks down on an Oregon country
road, and she is rescued by Clay. Rorie falls for Clay, but he is
engaged to another. She is devastated when Clay marries. At the wedding
she drinks a lot of champagne and proposes to Luke, a lifelong friend.
He insists that Rorie loves him and not Clay. Luke refuses to renege on
the proposal. What will Rorie do?
Dianne needs a man for only one night. In Be My
Valentine, she finds Steve. He is a stranger, but she is desperate!
Dianne makes him an outrageous offer, one he can't refuse! Will it lead
to more than one night? The characters in this book are warm and funny.
You will cheer for Dianne and Steve.
The final two selections are about my favorite time of
the year, Christmas. The Christmas Letters is about Katherine
who, as a side-line, writes Christmas letters for busy people. She has a
run-in with Dr. Wynn Jefferies. He wrote a book about children, and his
philosophy is that children have no boundaries. Katherine's sister is an
advocate of Jefferies. In fact, she thinks he is great! Katherine
strongly disagrees. This book will help you capture the moods of
Christmas. All your emotions will be challenged. They do come to accept
that Christmas is the time for sharing. This book will be perfect for
your holiday enjoyment.
Finally, There's Something About Christmas is a
story set in a small town in the state of Washington. Emma, a reporter,
learns to love fruitcake. She has to interview three finalists in the
fruitcake contest. They live in three different locations, and she must
go by airplane to reach them. She hates to fly! Oliver is her pilot.
Poor Emma! Everything happens to her at once. First, Oliver kisses her,
then she gets thrown out of her apartment for trying to save a stray
dog, then Oliver gets thrown into very cold water trying to rescue her,
and Emma doesn’t want to fall in love. She does decide that fruitcake,
Oliver and Christmas are the best. She finds that life is like a
fruitcake: full of unexpected delights!
As always if you have questions or comments, please
e-mail mfulmer@pennlib.org or
call (724) 744-4414.
Winter reading starts on January 14th and so does story
time signups.
Everyone at the library -- Mitzi, Dawn, Cindy, Donna O,
Pat, Sandy, Donna G, Janet, Amy, George, Lucy, Dee and Loretta -- wish
you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
See you in the library!
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