Book Spotlight - Once upon a Time by Debbie Macomber

From Publisher
 God has a story for your life . . .

Debbie Macomber has inspired readers with her stories for decades. Now for the first time, she helps each of us to understand that life is a story, part of a grand narrative that God is writing day by day.

With chapters that cover the importance of literary elements such as characters, setting, backstory, and conflict, Macomber uses the structure of a story to illustrate God’s hand in our lives. Each chapter has a storytelling prompt—a searching question that will help frame our story—and a sidebar that pulls an idea out of the chapter and expands it with practical tips.

Once Upon a Time shares Debbie’s love of story and helps showcase the big picture of the story God is writing through us

Book Spotlight The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

From Goodreads:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes a heartwarming new series based in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, where a charming cast of characters finds love, forgiveness, and renewal behind the doors of the cozy Rose Harbor Inn.

Jo Marie Rose 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.

A touching novel of life’s grand possibilities and the heart’s ability to heal, The Inn at Rose Harbor is a welcome introduction to an unforgettable set of friends.(less)

Paperback, 330 pages

Published August 14th 2012 by Ballantine Books

ISBN

0345528921 (ISBN13: 9780345528926)

edition language

English

Debbie's Blog

What other's are saying:

http://www.vibrantnation.com/our-blog-circle/book-review-the-inn-at-rose-harbor-by-debbie-macomber/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-review-the-inn-at-rose-harbor-by-debbie-macomber

http://www.escapewithdollycas.com/2012/08/10/review-the-inn-at-rose-harbor-by-debbie-macomber/

http://1girl2manybooks.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/the-inn-at-rose-harbour-debbie-macomber/

http://romancing-the-book.com/2012/08/review-the-inn-at-rose-harbor-by-debbie-macomber.html

Book Review of 1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

From Goodreads:

My Take:
I want to apologize first for this being published without a review.  I was alittle preoccupied yesterday as My first Grandbaby was born!!

Anyway this was actually the first book that I have read by Debbie Macomber.  I liked it but I did find it pretty formualic.  I knew exactly what couples were going to get together and pretty much what was going to happen.  I realize that this was the last book in this series and I would like to read the rest of the series but I ddin't feel lost at all.  I did find thsi book a cute holiday read and I think if you like romances you would like it. 

I got a review copy from Netgalley.
The people of Cedar Cove know how to celebrate Christmas. Like Grace and Olivia and everyone else, Beth Morehouse expects this Christmas to be one of her best. Her small Christmas tree farm is prospering, her daughters and her dogs are happy and well, and her new relationship with local vet Ted Reynolds is showing plenty of romantic promise.
But…someone recently left a basket filled with puppies on her doorstep, puppies she’s determined to place in good homes. That’s complication #1. And #2 is that her daughters Bailey and Sophie have invited their dad, Beth’s long-divorced husband, Kent, to Cedar Cove for Christmas. The girls have visions of a mom-and-dad reunion dancing in their heads.
As always in life-and in Cedar Cove-there are surprises, too. More than one family’s going to have a puppy under the tree. More than one scheme will go awry. And more than one romance will have a happy ending

Christmas Letter by Debbie Macomber-Audio

Christmas Letter by Debbie Macomber - audio

From Shelfari:
Celebrate Christmas on Blossom Street with a brand-new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber! Katherine O'Connor often spends her days at a cozy cafe on Blossom Street in Seattle -- where she writes Christmas letters for other people. She's good at making their everyday lives sound more interesting. More humorous. More dramatic. But for Dr. Wynn Jeffries, who also frequents the cafe, Christmas means lies and deception. In fact, the renowned child psychologist recommends that parents "Bury Santa Under the Sleigh." Katherine, however, feels that his parenting philosophy is one big mistake -- at least, based on her four-year-old twin nieces, who are being raised according to his "Free Child" methods. She argues with Wynn about his theories, while he argues that her letters are nothing but lies. They disagree about practically everything -- and yet, somehow, they don't really want to stop arguing. As the days -- and nights -- move closer to Christmas, Katherine and Wynn both discover that love means accepting your differences. And Christmas is about the things you share

My Take:

First and Formost  I really didn't like the narrator.  There was just something about her voice that didn't sit well with me.  I also thought she could have shown more emotion in parts but most of the book was read monotone.

I have only read one other book by Debbie Macomber (the first one in the series about the angels) and i wasn't that impressed with it so I never really sought out her books.  When I joined the Christmas Reading Challenge I decided to give this book a try.

I still will probably not actively seek out any of Macomber books but I thought that this book was exactly what I expected.  Light fluffly romance.   No real character develpment but there were several funny moments.  I did feel as if the ending was a bit rushed and I forsee quite a bit of trouble in the future for these people if they don't slow done and spend some time really getting to know each other but that's not what romances are about so for what it is it was a fair book.

I gave it 3 stars on  GoodReads and Shelfari. 

Challenges:
Christmas Reading Challenge