🎄Festive Read ~ The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber

 

Sphere
18 October 2022

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Will they find their happy-ever-after this Christmas?

Peter and Hank are lifelong friends, but when it comes to their jobs they couldn't be more different. Peter is a small-town pastor and is devoted to helping the community, while Hank runs the local pub and is never too far from a party. But this Christmas, everything is about to change . . .

Having never settled down, Peter and Hank believe their demanding jobs are keeping them from finding love. Convinced that the other has it easier, they hatch a plan to swap places the week before Christmas to put their theories to the test and find time for themselves.

But as Hank quickly becomes overwhelmed by nativity plans, and Peter struggles to control the rowdy festive pub-goers, they each begin to worry they're in over their heads. Luckily, church assistant Grace is on hand to help Hank navigate a church/life balance, and a young woman seeking shelter at the pub might be exactly what Peter needs to realise there's more than one way to help his community . . .

This Christmas, will Peter and Hank's stunt fall flat, or will it open their eyes to the possibility of love at last?

🎄My Review

One thing that is always guaranteed when reading one of Debbie Macomber’s Christmas stories is that you will be taken right into the heart of the festive spirit with an array of characters who come springing into life from the very beginning. The Christmas Spirit is no exception and the story comes across with all the warmth and humour we have come to associate with this lovely writer.

When life long friends Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax swap roles in the lead up to Christmas it makes for interesting reading especially as Peter’s normal role is that of pastor in a small town, whilst Hank’s clientele are usually the ones who spend time in his bar. Each man is at a particular crossroads in life and each think that it is their lifestyle which is preventing them from finding a special someone to share their life with however, this lovely story shows that sometimes love is waiting when you least expect to find it.

The Christmas Spirit is a lovely, warm-hearted festive story which has all the right ingredients for a gentle escapist sort of read and is just a perfect pick-me-up in the run up to Christmas when life can get a little bit too hectic.

🎄Best Read with..a peanut butter and jelly sandwich 

About the Author

Debbie Macomber is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of over 100 books, and one of today’s most popular writers. In addition to fiction, Debbie has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children’s books. The beloved and bestselling Cedar Cove series became Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series, and was ranked as the top program on US cable TV when it debuted in summer 2013. Debbie also owns her own tearoom and a yarn store, A Good Yarn, named after the shop featured in her popular Blossom Street novels. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington (the town on which her Cedar Cove novels are based) and winter in Florida.

Twitter @debbiemacomber #AWalkAlongTheBeach

Facebook

@BooksSphere

Website

Blog Tour ~ A Mrs Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber

🎄 I'm thrilled to be one of the blog's starting off this festive Blog Tour  🎄

Arrow Books
14 November 2019

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour

An uplifting festive novel from the Number One New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Laurel McCullough is in desperate need of help. Her beloved grandmother has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the baby she and her husband Zach have longed for now seems like an impossible dream.

So when the kind-hearted, and a little bit unbelievable, nurse Mrs Miracle appears at the door, Laurel couldn’t be more relieved. She invites the nurse into her life and it’s not long before they become the dearest of friends.

When her grandmother’s condition begins to improve, and as Laurel and Zach continue their desperate quest for a child, Laurel soon realises that there is more to Mrs Miracle than meets the eye…

What did I think about it..

I always know that Christmas has arrived when I read my first Debbie Macomber book of the season and A Mrs Miracle Christmas has to be one of my favourite stories.

Laurel and her husband Zach live with Laurel's grandmother, Helen, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, so when Mrs Miracle arrives from a care agency to look after Helen, it seems like the answer to their prayers. Mrs Miracle soon has Helen coping better and their shared interest in knitting and chatting makes life much more settled. With her grandmother calmer, Laurel once again turns to the sadness in her marriage as she and Zach seem to be unable to have a child of their own, and even though they have had opportunities nothing seems to have worked out.

What then follows is a lovely family story which looks at those cross generational relationships which are so important, and also the sadness and tension caused within a marriage by the burden of infertility. Whilst the story covers some thoughtful topics there is also an air of warmth and wisdom which is so reminiscent of this author's ability to deliver a good story. And really its all those little special details which make these stories so special, from Christmas baking, and mouth watering Snickerdoodles, to choosing and decorating a special Christmas tree, to spending time with a basket of yarn and a good old chat between much loved friends.

Mrs Miracle is absolutely fabulous, every home should have one, and her ability to bring comfort and sound common sense makes this such a wonderful story and it takes no time at all to become emotionally attached to all the characters. A Mrs Miracle Christmas continues the theme of the Miracle series which is now well established and the legions of fans who follow this series will be delighted with this latest novel and will, no doubt, recognise a few other well loved characters.

If you've had a stressful afternoon there is no better antidote than a huge cup of tea and a copy of A Mrs Miracle Christmas ♡ 

About the Author

Debbie Macomber is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers. In addition to fiction, Debbie has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children’s books. The beloved and bestselling Cedar Cove series became Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series, Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, which was ranked as the top program on US cable TV when it debuted in summer 2013. Hallmark has also produced many successful films based on Debbie’s bestselling Christmas novels. Debbie Macomber owns her own tea room, and a yarn store, A Good Yarn, named after the shop featured in her popular Blossom Street novels. She and her husband, Wayne, serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, and she is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington (the town on which her Cedar Cove novels are based) and winter in Florida.

Website

Twitter @debbiemacomber #MrsMiracleChristmas

@arrowpublishing

Blog Tour ~ Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber

Jaffareadstoo is excited to be hosting today's stop on the Cottage by the Sea Blog Tour

Arrow Publishing
9 August 2018

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book and the invitation to be part of this blog tour 

What's it all about..

Rocked by tragedy, Annie Marlow returns to the one place she knows she can heal: the cottage by the sea where she spent many happy childhood holidays with her family. 

There, Annie meets Keaton, a local painter with a big heart; Mellie, the reclusive landlord Annie is determined to befriend; and Britt, a teenager with a terrible secret. With them her broken spirit starts to heal. 

Then events threaten Annie’s new idyll. And when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap, she is torn between the excitement of a new journey and the pull of the haven – and the man – she has come to call home. Will she be able to make her new-found happiness last?

What did I think about it..

When Annie Marlow suffers a personal tragedy she returns to the place where she spent happy summers with her family. Hiring the cottage by the sea helps to heal the wounds which threaten to engulf her and with a new job and making new friends, Annie starts to feel hopeful again. However, the future is a scary place, and Annie needs to start to trust again before her heart can heal.

This is a lovely entertaining read which looks at the dynamics of family and friendship and shows that friends really are the family we choose for ourselves. Annie's interaction with the people who call the small seaside resort of Oceanside home makes for a quietly thoughtful story, which is reflected in Annie's burgeoning relationship with gentle giant, Keaton, and of her lively encounters with  Millie, her belligerent and, somewhat eccentric, landlord.

This is the type of story which this author does so well and Cottage by the Sea is up there with the best of its genre, which, it must be said, Debbie Macomber has, over the years, made her own. Throughout the whole of the story I found that I was smiling at the gentle way everything is allowed to unfold with quiet emphasis on observation and gentle humour.

There is much to enjoy in Cottage by the Sea as it's a lovely read, which is just perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden. I found myself racing through the story, quite engrossed in life at Oceanside and completely at ease with the characters who make this story rather special.

About the Author

Debbie Macomber is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers. In addition to fiction, Debbie has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children’s books. The beloved and bestselling Cedar Cove series became Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series, Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, which was ranked as the top program on US cable TV when it debuted in summer 2013. Hallmark has also produced many successful films based on Debbie’s bestselling Christmas novels. Debbie Macomber owns her own tea room, and a yarn store, A Good Yarn, named after the shop featured in her popular Blossom Street novels. She and her husband, Wayne, serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, and she is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington (the town on which her Cedar Cove novels are based) and winter in Florida. 

Website

Twitter @debbiemacomber #CottageByTheSea

@arrowpublishing

Facebook

Christmas Blog Tour ~ Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be starting off the Merry and Bright Blog Tour today

Arrow
16 November 2017

Thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Merry Smith is relying on her temping job at Matterson Consulting to last until Christmas but she keeps getting on the wrong side of her grumpy boss, Jayson Bright, who seems to be determined to find fault with everything Merry does. Merry's sweet nature doesn't let too many things get the better of her as her life at home, although fraught with difficulties, is filled with warmth and love. On the other hand, Jayson Bright is finding that the pressure of keeping his business afloat in a competitive market, means that he has little time for love and, it would seem, that he isn't very good at personal relationships. However, fate has a funny way of intervening and in Merry and Bright there are a whole heap of surprises to discover about life and love.

I really enjoyed this festive story which has such a lovely warmth to it that you can't help but be drawn into the whole concept of finding love in the most unexpected of places. Merry and Bright is written with a lovely light touch which gets right into the heart of family life and which shows that the true spirit of Christmas comes from being with those we love. The warmth of Merry's life is shown in direct contrast to Jason, who, although he has so much materially, he has little love in his life and he comes across as a rather lost and lonely figure.

There is no doubt that this talented author really knows how to hold the reader's interest, and with fine attention to detail, and a lovely array of characters, she gives exactly what her readers love to find in a wonderfully, festive read.

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers. In addition to fiction, Debbie has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children’s books. The beloved and bestselling Cedar Cove series became Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series, Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, which was ranked as the top program on US cable TV when it debuted in summer 2013. Hallmark has also produced many successful films based on Debbie’s bestselling Christmas novels. Debbie Macomber owns her own tea room, and a yarn store, A Good Yarn, named after the shop featured in her popular Blossom Street novels. She and her husband, Wayne, serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, and she is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington (the town on which her Cedar Cove novels are based) and winter in Florida.


Find the author on her website and Twitter @debbiemacomber

Follow the Blog Tour on Twitter  #MerryandBright @arrowpublishing

Amazon UK

~****~

Blog Tour ~ Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be hosting today's first stop on the 


Any Dream Will Do Blog Tour

Arrow Publishing
10 August 2017

What's it all about..

Shay Benson adored her younger brother. She did all she could to keep Caden on the straight and narrow. But one day her best intentions got Shay into the worst trouble of her life. By protecting Caden, Shay sacrificed herself.

Drew Douglas adored his wife. But since losing Katie, all he could do was focus on their two beautiful children; everything else came a distant second.

Shay and Drew are each in need a fresh start, and when they meet by chance it’s an unexpected blessing for them both. Drew helps Shay to get back on her feet, and she reignites his sense of purpose. 

But when a devastating secret is uncovered, Shay and Drew’s new lives are threatened. It will take all of their strength, faith and trust to protect the bright future they dream of.

What did I think about it..

There's something about a Debbie Macomber story which guarantees a delightful read and which is infused with wonderful characters who get right into your heart and soul.

Meeting Shay Benson is like discovering a decent and trustworthy friend who is down on her luck and who you immediately want to see set back on the righteous path that she so well deserves. When Shay meets with Drew Douglas for the first time you get a sense of how the story will pan out but the journey they each take is filled with this author's trademark skill in drawing the best out of her characters.

I really enjoyed getting to know both Shay and Drew and followed their relationship with great interest and felt an emotional connection to them as each struggled to come to terms with how the community around them viewed their burgeoning relationship.

Filled with quirky characters who add light and shade Any Dream will Do is about the bonds of friendship, the prejudices of a small town who are resentful of strangers, and of the danger of family commitments when those obligations go beyond propriety.

Beautifully written with a fine eye for detail and a good dollop of sweet romance, Any Dream will Do is a delightful read by an author who has the unique ability of holding the reader in the palm of her hand. Infused within the pages is such a warm and wonderful story that you can't help but keep turning the pages, always wanting to read just a little bit more about those characters who very soon become as familiar as friends.

About the Author

Debbie Macomber is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers.In addition to fiction, Debbie has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children’s books. The beloved and bestselling Cedar Cove series became Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series,Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove, which was ranked as the top program on US cable TV when it debuted in summer 2013. Hallmark has also produced many successful films based on Debbie’s bestselling Christmas novels. Debbie Macomber owns her own tea room, and a yarn store, A Good Yarn, named after the shop featured in her popular Blossom Street novels. She and her husband, Wayne, serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, and she is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington (the town on which her Cedar Cove novels are based) and winter in Florida.

More about the author can be found on her website by clicking here 

Twitter @debbiemacomber

Buying links:

Amazon UK 

Amazon US

My thanks to Becky at Cornerstone, Penguin Random House for the invitation to be part of this tour and for my review copy of Any Dream will Do

~***~