MrsK Books: Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Mr. Miracle: A Christmas Novel (Signed Book)

ISBN: 9780553391152

Publisher's Synopsis:

Harry Mills is a guardian angel on a mission: help twenty-four-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track—and, if the right moment strikes, help her find love. Posing as a teacher at a local college in Tacoma, Washington, Harry is up to the task, but not even he can predict the surprises that lay in store.
After trying to make it on her own, Addie has returned home to Tacoma for the holidays, but this time she plans to stay for good, enrolling in the local community college to earn her degree. What she doesn’t plan to do is run into Erich Simmons.
Addie and her next-door neighbor, Erich, are like night and day. Growing up, he was popular and outgoing while she was rebellious and headstrong, and he never missed an opportunity to tease her. Now she intends to avoid him entirely, yet when they’re suddenly forced to spend Christmas together, Addie braces for trouble.
Perhaps it’s the spirit of the season or the magic of mistletoe, but Addie and Erich soon find they have more in common than they thought—and that two people who seem so wrong for each other may actually be just right. With a little prompting from a certain angelic teacher, the two are in for a holiday miracle they’ll never forget.

MrsK's Review:

My Holiday Pick!

As an educator, during the Christmas season I look forward to just the right books that will give me a break from my everyday routine. Whether I am returning to a "trustworthy" friendship found with a previous Christmas read or I am "unwrapping" my newest delight, I know that I will always be satisfied with one of Mrs. Macomber's stories. All of the comforts of home are "blended" together creating the perfect environment of joy, love, inspiration, and hope. The best review would be... treating yourself with a few moments of "tender-loving-care"... choose one of these titles and begin your personal Holiday retreat!

Meet the newest "guardian angel on a mission." Harry Mills is assigned to a Washington state college. This is his first assignment, so being in human form can be a bit of a challenge. Even an angel doesn't have all of the answers... and somethings can get a bit "out-of-hand" when new feelings and experiences are so inviting.

Meet Addie, she has just signed up for a college literature course. Not only does she have reservations about taking a reading course, she is assigned the Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol. Even at 24, reading this classic can lead to a few "ghosts" from your past. For Addie, just walking back into a classroom can be daunting... unless, of course the instructor just happens to be an angel on assignment for your personal touch of Grace. What isn't expected is the discovery of a friendship that will begin "lighting-up" her daily routines. Something as wonderful as a Christmas tree or mistletoe will bring her a "joy like no other."

Meet Addie's next door neighbor, Erich. How well do you know the neighbor who tormented you as you were growing up? Even though your mother's were best friends... neighbors can be those you want to run away from. That is until an accident could keep your mother from her anticipated cruise just because someone needs to stay home to take care of Erich. Would you be willing to be that someone? Seriously, looking after... cooking for... providing your free time... for someone you have never liked? Well, doing for others is what the Christmas spirit is all about... right? Erich has no reservation in being nasty about the arrangement. He is totally adamant about no Christmas cheer, no lighted tree, no Holiday outings! A complete true to life Scrooge... or is he?

Meet Harry's assigned class, they will be those characters that cause you to smile. Each one with their own set of troubles and yet, each one "hand picked" for this precise moment in time. There are two "running start" high school students who help to keep the course on track. There is Danny who is taking the course because his parole officer thought it could get his future jump-started. Danny will always have a "vocal" insight to share. There is Andrew, a returning vet who has Tommy as his rehab companion. Andrew is edgy and reserved. The character that brings a quiet hope to the classroom mix. Jonas is the college's janitor, he has reservations about Harry until he learns about the kindness that was given to Elaina. Elaina works at the campus cafeteria. For Elaina, listening outside the classroom door is a risk that she is willing to take. It's an opportunity to learn English, to have a chance at a future.

Added to these delightful characters is Celeste from the latte stand. As her name suggests, she is so much more than a "people" person working at a drink stand...

"Celeste looked toward Harry as if expecting him to say something... 'You say your mother is disappointed?'

'That's putting it mildly... My father died this summer, and the thought of spending this first Christmas

without him was huge for her. The cruise was just the escape she needed.'

'Perhaps there's a way for your mother and her best friend to go on that cruise after all...'

'What about you?... Couldn't you be the one to help Erich?"

Celeste is the balanced ingredient for perfection, the perfected "Heavenly comrade" for Harry and everyone within this story. A character not to be forgotten.

Just as in A Christmas Carol, or any well written story, there must be those characters that create havoc to the plot. You know them, they are the fellow students, the co-workers, the neighbors or family members who are so self-centered that they do not "see" their words or actions affecting those around them. Officer Brady Witall is the campus security guard who strives to put Harry's job at risk.

"Might I remind you (Harry) that unless it's a matter directly related to Addie or another one of your students,

you're unable to use any spiritual powers to counteract Dr. Conceito?"

In-spite of Celeste's warning, any form of interaction with Dr. Conceito (don't love this name choice) will end in disastrous humility for Harry.

"Remember (Harry), your time here is probationary.

I realize coming to Earth has been something you've been waiting a long time for, but you need to prove yourself if you're going to stay longer than the time it takes to teach this one class."

Many moments of joy dear readers, a book that you will share but do not want to give away... you will want to revisit Mr. Miracle in the seasons to come,

MrsK

Beautifully crafted, delightfully entertaining, perfect Holiday retreat!
Added to my shelf

Don't forget these "trustworthy" Holiday friends...

$Trading Christmas\The Forgetful Bride$ Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story

Mrs. Miracle and Starry Night are "What's on my reading wish list this season!"

Meet the Author:

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber's novels have spent over 750 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Eight of these novels hitting the number one spot.
In 2014, Macomber's all-new hardcover publications will include Blossom Street Brides (March), Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Inn Novel (August) and Mr. Miracle (October) and paperback editions of the #1 bestseller Starting Now (April) and her acclaimed Christmas novel, Starry Night (October).

In addition to fiction Macomber has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two acclaimed children’s books.

Macomber's 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 cable when it debuted in summer 2013. Hallmark is now filming a second season of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove which will premiere this July 19. In addition, Macomber’s upcoming Christmas novel, Mr. Miracle, will be made into an original movie premiering on Hallmark Channel in fall 2014. Previously, Hallmark Channel has produced three successful Christmas movies based on Macomber's bestselling Christmas novels, Mrs. Miracle, Call Me Mrs. Miracle and Trading Christmas.

Macomber owns her own tea room, Victorian Rose Tea Room & 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.

Check out Debbie's Inspirational Recipes

I received this book for free for this book review.

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)