A Mrs. Miracle Christmas: A Novel

Debbie Macomber

Oct 2019 · Sold by Ballantine Books

About this ebook

NOW A HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Mrs. Miracle shows an ordinary family that they are blessed beyond belief in this uplifting holiday tale from Debbie Macomber, the queen of Christmas stories.

As the holiday season begins, Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband, Zach, have been praying for a baby that seems more and more like an impossible dream, and they’ve had to move in with her beloved grandmother, Helen, who’s having trouble taking care of herself. But when Laurel contacts a local home-care organization for help, there are no caregivers available.

Then Mrs. Miracle appears at the door. No stranger to lending a helping hand to a family in need, Mrs. Miracle reveals herself to be nothing short of a godsend. Helen’s even convinced she’s an angel! And Laurel can’t help but notice that with Mrs. Miracle’s companionship, Helen is noticeably happier and more engaged, decorating the family Christmas tree and setting up the nativity. In the meantime, Laurel and Zach encounter curious signs, all pointing toward the arrival of a special baby.

As Christmas approaches, there appears to be even more to Mrs. Miracle than meets the eye. In a classic tale of Debbie Macomber’s signature seasonal magic, Laurel, Zach, and Helen experience a holiday of heavenly proportions.

Ratings and reviews

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber is touching Christmas story. I began reading it and did not stop until I finished. A Mrs. Miracle Christmas has Debbie Macomber’s delightful writing which drew me right in. Her characters are developed, and the story moved along at a steady pace. Mrs. Miracle is sent by Gabriel to help Helen, Laurel and Zach. Helen has been praying for her granddaughter who has lost faith as well as hope after failed IVF treatments and an unsuccessful adoption. Zach still has hope, but he is not the praying type. Helen, Laurel’s grandmother, has dementia and her life has shrunk to the point where she sits in a chair trying to knit and watching television. With Mrs. Miracle taking care of Helen, her life expands. Helen finds new activities and new friends with her favorite being the kindly Mrs. Miracle. I thought Laurel and Zach’s struggles were realistic. I could feel their turmoil and sadness. There are some bright moments for the couple along with angelic guidance. There were humorous scenes that had me laughing out loud. I especially enjoyed Mrs. Miracle mentioning her friends, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy. Mrs. Miracle enlists their assistance for a job or two. I like the inclusion of this segment of the Twenty-Third Psalm, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” We see how important it is to never lose hope or faith. God does listen to our prayers and He answers them in His own way and when He feels it is time. We need to remember that patience is a virtue (like Mrs. Miracle, I struggle with this one). It also tells us that we should be grateful for what we do have instead of what we do not have. I am guilty of this as well. A Mrs. Miracle Christmas is a heartwarming Christmas tale that will lift your spirits and touch your heart. I was happy for the epilogue that beautifully wrapped up this touching tale. A Mrs. Miracle Christmas is an uplifting story with heavenly help, grandmotherly guidance, holiday happenings, a spirited Christmas Eve service and the mysterious Mrs. Miracle.

Dreaded Dumps But Good Characters and Story Although I am a voracious reader of feel-good stories (mostly) and this author has been publishing for decades, I hadn't read one of her books until this one. I loved how she tackled tough issues like infertility and dementia with a sure but deft touch, making it so the heavy themes did not detract from the holiday vibe of this book. These weighty subjects could have easily bogged down the story. Instead, they became the foundation for miracles and character growth. The story certainly had that wonderful holiday feel that you want from a book set at Christmas. The people involved in this story are decent, good people who are having a hard time. Those kinds of stories pull at the heartstrings as we want characters like that to ultimately have a better life and triumph. But one thing surprised me, and not in a good way. Frankly, I was surprised at the large information dump in the first scene (and others scattered throughout). I normally associate the dreaded data dump with early-career authors or those who are self-published, with no guiding hand from a judicious editor to make sure the author doesn't make this rookie mistake. But once I got past the info dump sections, I quite enjoyed the characters and the heartfelt family drama. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Mrs. Miracle is a Christmas tradition and I was thrilled to get to read this beautiful, miraculous story! ’It was the season, after all, and this year, for sure. The season of miracles.’ This was such a heartwarming story. I loved each and every one of these characters as they struggle with their own heart aches, losses, and longings. Laurel was living a life not quite complete and unable to totally let go of the heartache past disappointments had hurled at her. Zach only wanted his wife to find complete happiness in all things and went to extraordinary lengths to make it so. Nana, suffering from dementia, often lost herself in past memories as well as those of her husband who had died years before. And Mrs. Miracle was hope and joy in every word and action.

About the author

Debbie Macomber, the author of It's Better This Way, A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women's fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is, as well, the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.