Category Archives: Debbie Macomber

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

17910542

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
Have you ever done something aggressive/out-of-the-ordinary to get ahead in the corporate world? If so, what did you do?

Carrie Slayton is a society page columnist for a major newspaper. Although she’s grateful to have a job at this prestigious newspaper, she finds her work unfulfilling and boring. Dressing up to cover stories about the rich and famous, wining and dining at social and charitable events, is not what she wants to do with her life.

Carrie approaches her boss. Can’t he allow her to write more meaningful stories? Her boss gives her an impossible task – do an exclusive interview with author Finn Dalton – if she’s successful writing this story, then she can write more meaningful stories for the newspaper.

Carrie is floored. Finn Dalton is a world-famous novelist – his book, Alone, has been on the best-seller list for months. However, nobody has been able to find the elusive Finn Dalton. Nobody has even seen a picture of him! Reporters trying to find Finn always reach a dead end. Carrie is determined to find him – this story could make or break her career.

Finn enjoys his hermit-like life in the Alaskan wild. The only companionship he needs is from his big pet dog, Hennessey. He loves living alone, surviving in his secluded log cabin. Besides, he doesn’t trust women – all women are out to manipulate men to get what they want. His mother abandoned him when he was a child, and he’s never gotten over that heartache.

This book was great! It’s a sweet, heartwarming, emotional read. Like most of Debbie Macomber’s books, it’s a novel that most Christians can read and not get offended. I especially loved the characters. Finn is so stubborn, not willing to admit his feelings for Carrie. Carrie loved her career, but, her feelings for Finn are totally unexpected. There’s just something about a big, strong, rugged, handsome man living alone in the wilderness…living off the land…the whole concept is intriguing and sexy!

I also loved reading about Alaska. It’s a place I’d like to visit one day and by reading this book, you’ll get a good taste of what life in Alaska is like. This is a romance that you need to read. It’ll be sure to light up your holiday season!

Thanks so much to Ballantine Books/Random House LLC for providing me with a free review copy!

Have you ever done something aggressive to get ahead in the corporate world? If so, what did you do?

– See more at: http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/category/debbie-macomber

Marriage Of Inconvenience (Book One In The Manning Brides)

8 Replies

Have you ever had a best friend of the opposite sex for several years, without having a romantic relationship with that person? Did either one of you have a secret crush on the other?

The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber

Marriage Of Inconvenience is the first book in The Manning Brides collection. Jamie Warren wants to have a baby. However, there’s just one problem – who will be the father? Rich Manning, her best friend since high school, seems like the perfect choice. After all, he’s good-looking and she figures his genes will make a great baby. She wants to do artificial insemination, however, Rich doesn’t want to be just a sperm donor. He wants to do what’s right for his child. Therefore, since Jamie wants to have a baby, he suggests their getting married. Stunned, Jamie finally agrees to the marriage. After all, it won’t be a “real” marriage – they’ve signed an agreement and will plan to divorce once Jamie is pregnant with their child.

Marriage between Jamie and Rich is weird, after all, they’re best friends, not lovers. The marriage forces both Jamie and Rich to see one another in a new light. Also, they keep their marriage a secret from most of their family members, and Rich and Jamie continue to live in their separate homes. However, Rich finds himself jealous when he spots Jamie with a platonic male friend. After all, even though their marriage is only for the convenience of their future baby, she is still his wife. Shouldn’t she treat their “marriage” with more dignity and respect?

This book was a light, whimsical, feel-good story. Although it’s not Christian fiction, I think most Christians would still enjoy this book since nothing offensive happens. I really thought it was interesting how Rich and Jamie could be friends for so many years, but, not be romantically involved with one another.

So, have you ever had a best friend of the opposite sex for several years, without having a romantic relationship with that person? Did either one of you have a secret crush on the other? Leave a comment!

26525EB

~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Reader Compared Me To Debbie Macomber! :-)

6 Replies

I received the following email recently from a reader:

Hi Cecelia ~
I must tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed Cheasapeake Weddings–John’s Quest, Milk Money and Bittersweet Memories. I don’t know which is my favorite. I’ve enjoyed them all! I love the way you write–so clean, sweet and memorable. Reminds me of Debbie Maccomber.

~Beverly Taylor~

Thanks for the awesome email, Beverly! I enjoyed hearing about how much you enjoyed my stories and I loved that you compared me to Debbie! She’s a great author, and I’ve never had anybody to compare me to her before!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Twenty Wishes By Debbie Macomber

2 Replies

Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira Books; Reprint edition (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778326314
ISBN-13: 978-0778326311

From the back cover:
What Anne Marie Roche wants is to find happiness again. At thirty-eight, she’s childless, a recent widow, “alone.” She owns a successful bookstore on Seattle’s Blossom Street, but despite her accomplishments, there’s a feeling of emptiness.
On Valentine’s Day, Anne Marie and several other widows get together to celebrate…”hope.” They each begin a list of twenty wishes, things they always wanted to do but never did.

Anne Marie’s list includes learning to knit, falling in love again, doing good for someone else. When she volunteers at a local school, an eight-year-old girl named Ellen enters her life. It’s a relationship that becomes far more involving–and far more important–than Anne Marie had ever imagined.

As Ellen helps Anne Marie complete her list of twenty wishes, they both learn that wishes “can” come true…but not necessarily in the way you expect.

This was a light, slightly inspiring read. Anne Marie is depressed since her husband has suddenly died…right when they were in the middle of reconciling. When her step-daughter comes to Anne Marie for help, she’s confused – her stepdaughter has always held nothing but distain for her. In the midst of her stepdaughter’s crises, Anne Marie bonds with an eight-year-old child through a school lunch buddy program. Meanwhile, Anne Marie’s friends are going through their own difficult times, struggling with troublesome romantic relationships. I also found it interesting that one of Anne Marie’s friends, Barbie, has a love interest who is in a wheelchair. This story was heartwarming and emotional. If you like inspirational romances, then you’ll probably enjoy this book.

I did not purchase this novel. I received it at the annual Romance Writers of America conference last July. The author, Debbie Macomber, attended this event and even signed the book for me! 🙂

~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Secular Title

3 Replies

143761 8111016

A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira (May 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778322955
ISBN-13: 978-0778322955
From Amazon.com
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Macomber revisits the cozy Seattle yarn store of 2004’s The Shop on Blossom Street in another heartfelt tale of crafts and camaraderie. After a slow beginning, this sequel clips along satisfyingly, as shop owner Lydia, a cancer survivor, and her no-nonsense sister, Margaret, meet three new and conveniently quite different friends and bond over the complications of life. Overweight, depressed teenager Courtney Pulanski has found herself plopped into a new town for her senior year, living with her grandma while her dad works in Brazil. Bethanne Hamlin, a recent divorcée, and Elise Beaumont, who’s been single for years, are both still suffering from their broken marriages. Serving as sounding boards and sources of endless support for each other, the women find friendship and, of course, resolution for their problems (the latter a little too easily). Readers will miss The Shop on Blossom Street’s spirited Jacqueline, who plays a minor role here, and a few things—like the character of Elise’s ex-husband, Maverick—strain credibility. But the author’s trademark warm treatment of the lives of women will satisfy her readers. Despite occasional draughts of treacle and a too-easy denouement, this should be another Macomber bestseller. (May)
============
This is the first novel I’ve ever read by Debbie Macomber and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although this is not an inspirational title, it was sweet, for the most part, and I could see lovers of inspirational fiction enjoy this novel.
Courtney is still hurting over the death of her mother four years ago. When her father has to go out of the country to work, she is forced to move, spending her senior year in a new school. Her grandmother signs her up for a knitting class and she bonds with the older women.
Lydia has found comfort and solace by knitting. Knitting provided an outlet while fighting bouts of cancer. Now, cancer free, she wants to share her joy of knitting with others, so she opens a yarn shop. Her life changes when Brad, her current boyfriend, wants to give his relationship with his ex-wife another chance.
Bethanne’s husband has recently divorced her, and she’s left struggling to make a living for herself and her teenaged children. She discovers that she has untapped business skills which enable her to support herself, helping her to heal from her breakup.
Elise has yet to forgive her ex-husband for his gambling habit. Due to circumstances, the two abide together in their daughter’s home. After over thirty years of separation, they find that their attraction still sizzles.
All of these women find comfort with one another while knitting every week in Lydia’s shop, making socks for and sweaters for sweethearts as well as family members.

~Cecelia Dowdy~