A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber's A Turn in the Road is the eighth book in her Blossom Street series, and, in my opinion, the best in the series since the first book. This time, she takes characters out of Blossom Street, injecting some new life into the series. Since Macomber and her husband drive from Washington to Florida every year, she took her characters on that same road trip.

Bethanne Hamlin was introduced in A Good Yarn at the time her husband left her for a younger woman. Bethanne pulled her life back together, and built a successful party business, Parties, from scratch. She has five stores in the Seattle area, with possibilities for franchises in the future. She's quite content with her home, her business, and her friends in the community. She's helping her son plan his wedding, and her daughter, Annie, is one year away from her MBA. The only fly in the ointment is her ex-husband, Grant, who is now divorced from his second wife, and wants to get back together with Bethanne.

Bethanne still has a warm relationship with Ruth Hamlin, her ex-mother-in-law. When she sees her one day at a cafe, she stops to visit, only to learn Ruth has plans to drive across country to Florida for her 50th class reunion. Impulsively, Bethanne offers to drive with her, thinking she'll have time to ponder her relationship with Grant. When Annie's boyfriend unexpectedly leaves for Europe, she wants to escape, and offers to go too.

Each woman has a reason for going on this trip. Bethanne wants to think about Grant, and the possibility of a life with him again. Ruth hopes to meet up with a high school sweetheart, although, at the same time, she fears meeting him. And, Annie just hopes to leave thoughts of her old boyfriend behind, while encouraging her mother to reconsider life with Grant.

All plans are thrown out the window when Annie encourages them to visit Grant's hometown. It's there that Bethanne meets Max. He appears to be just another biker to Ruth and Annie, and they're terrified when he shows up later at a lake where they were stranded. But, there's more to Max than meets the eye, and Bethanne seems to understand that. So, how can she make a decision about Grant when she's enjoying her time with Max?

A Turn in the Road is a wonderful story of three women seeking answers. It contains all the humor and romance you'd expect from Macomber, along with the interesting road trip. Although I started out as a fan of Bethanne and Ruth, Bethanne thought, "Annie added spontaneity and adventure to the trip." She did, and, without Annie, this trip wouldn't have ended up the way it did. As I said before, this book is one of my favorite Macomber books. Bethanne Hamlin deserved happiness, and it was wonderful to see her happy ending.

Debbie Macomber's website is http://www.debbiemacomber.com/

A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber. MIRA. ©2011. ISBN 9780778329831 (hardcover), 336p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - Library book

Family Affair by Debbie Macomber

The cover of this little novella is the most attractive part of Debbie Macomber's Family Affair.  Originally written in 1994 as a request to write a story about a cat, this book actually shouldn't have been republished.  Although I normally love Macomber's books, this one doesn't do much for her reputation. 

Lacey Lancaster is still unhappy and insecure a year after her divorce from the husband who cheated on her.  Although her friend, Jeanne, is pushing her to ask for a raise at the decorating business where she works, she lacks confidence in herself.  But, when her cat, Cleo, mates with the neighbor's cat, Dog, and becomes pregnant, Lacey doesn't hesitate to tell her attractive neighbor, Jack, she expects him to take some of the responsibility for the kittens.  Since Jack has been trying to get to know Lacey for quite a while, he readily agrees.  But, Lacey sees Jack as just another two-timing man like her ex.

Unfortunately, this early effort from Macomber reads like an early effort.  Jack is not well-developed, and Lacey comes across as a wimp, or, as she refers to herself, as a "worm." As I said, I'm normally a fan of Debbie Macomber's books.  I'd recommend skipping this one.

Debbie Macomber's website is http://www.debbiemacomber.com/

Family Affair by Debbie Macomber.  HarperCollins, ©1994, 2011. ISBN 9780061997129 (hardcover), 122p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me this book, in hopes I would review it.

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

I'm sure Debbie Macomber needs no additional publicity for her books, but Call Me Mrs. Miracle is such a warm Christmas story that it's hard not to love it.  Macomber's letter to her readers said the success of Mrs. Miracle, the Hallmark movie last Christmas, led to a demand for a sequel.  Since Miracle on 34th Street is one of Macomber's favorite Christmas movies, she decided to place Mrs. Miracle in the toy department of a New York City department story.   That's all the inspiration she needed for this enchanting book.

Finley's is the last family-owned department store in New York City, and this year, Jake Finley, son of the owner, J.R. Finley, is in charge of the toy department.   His father is already upset at the risk Jake took in buying a large quantity of an expensive toy.   But, Jake's mysterious new saleswoman, whose name badge says Mrs. Miracle, assures him the robots will will be a hit, selling out.  Jake doesn't need another bad Christmas.

Jake's mother and sister were killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve twenty-one years earlier.  Now, he and his father escape the city and the holidays as soon as they can after their busy Christmas rush.  Neither of them have celebrated since the tragedy in their lives.

But, a chance encounter in a coffee shop puts Jake in the path of Holly Larson, a woman who loves Christmas.  It's going to be a difficult one for her this year, though, with her brother in Afghanistan, her parents in Haiti, and her own responsibility for her brother's eight-year-old son, Gabriel.  She just can't seem to bond with Gabe, until Gabe meets Mrs. Miracle, and sees a robot at Finley's. 

If you believe in Christmas miracles, and love delightful holiday stories, you'll want to pick up Debbie Macomber's story.  It's filled with surprises, needy people, and love.  And, you might want to check out the November 27th showing of Call Me Mrs. Miracle, starring Doris Roberts, on the Hallmark Channel.

Debbie Macomber's website is http://www.debbiemacomber.com/.

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber.  MIRA, ©2010. ISBN 9780778328193 (hardcover), 253p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - Library book