Want a NOOK? Explore Now
"Snow Angels," by Fern Michaels
The only way irresistibly handsome Olympic skier Max Jorgenson wants to spend Christmas is. . .alone. But when social worker Grace Landry stumbles into his log cabin during a snowstorm, an unexpected magic rekindles his heart, his hopes, and the sweetest of Christmas dreams. . .
"The Presents of Angels" by Marie Bostwick
Ex-Rockette Kendra Loomis doesn't regret giving up New York's bright lights to be a Vermont minister's wife. But their small town's Christmas countdown is becoming a major stress-fest--and the only way she can save the day is to prove that giving is the most precious gift of all. . .
"Decorations" by Janna McMahan
All Michelle Duncan wanted for Christmas was a new life. And by helping her ailing mother she found one--as manager of a charming holiday craft store. She never expected that the fringe benefits would be muscular sculptor Baxter Brow--and one last chance to make all her wishes come true. . .
"Miracle on Main Street" by Rosalind Noonan
New York City policeman Joe Cody and his wife Sheila can't afford much of a holiday for their two kids. He's sure not expecting much yuletide joy while working on Christmas Day--until a desperate wish and several unexplainable events open his eyes to a wonderland of blessings and love. . .
With typical modesty, Michaels does not claim to be a great writer; however, she admits proudly to being a born storyteller. Her bulging bookshelf proves she is all over the map, producing with equal facility hot historicals, lighthearted contemporary capers, adrenaline-laced thrillers, and heartwarming tales of family and friendship. She is especially adept at writing stories about women who prevail in hard times – a reflection, perhaps, of her own struggles in her marriage and early career.
Raised to believe that the fortunate in life have an obligation to give back, Michaels devotes a lot of time to philanthropic concerns. She has established a foundation that grants four-year scholarships to needy students and has set up pre-schools and daycare centers for single mothers. She is also an avid animal lover and has been known to own as many as five dogs at a time.
In 1993, Michaels picked up stakes and moved from her home in New Jersey to a 300-year-old plantation house in Charleston, South Carolina. She and the dogs share the house amicably with a friendly ghost whom Fern has dubbed Mary Margaret. In addition to stopping clocks and moving pillows from room to room, Mary Margaret has been known to occasionally leave flowers on Michaels's nightstand!
Her first "sort of, kind of job" was in market research. Michaels recounts the gig's low-point in our interview: "I had a partner and we were testing a new pressurized drain cleaner. All you had to do was put this can in the drain, squeeze and supposedly the drain would open right up. It did, all right.
"The whole wall collapsed, and stuff that was in there for a hundred years flew everywhere. The lady didn't tell us the drain backed up to her kitchen drain and disposal. The company didn't care that we smelled like a sewer or that our clothes were ruined. The lady got a new bathroom, and we both got fired."
Michaels reveals some of her sources of inspiration: "Inspiration comes from everywhere. The title for Finders Keepers came from a cartoon with two chipmunks that my grandson was watching. I had a title but no story. I finally came up with one to fit that wonderful title.
"Names for characters sometime come from television. I had a character named Metaxis which is odd to begin with. There is a news anchor on T.V. who has that same last name. Sometimes it will just be a word someone says in passing, something I read or saw. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It's almost like, okay, I need something here, stay alert and it will happen."
PatPC
Posted January 9, 2010
For those who like romance stories, these delightful ones will add much Christmas cheer to the holiday season.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2009
Snow Angels was wonderful, decorations was wonderful, Miracle on Main Street was touching and The presents of Angel's I did not read, it did not capture me enough to read it! I would not have bought this book new $7.99.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged."Snow Angels," by Fern Michaels. Following the death of his wife, Olympic skier Max Jorgensen became a recluse; that is until three angels, Grace Landry and her two little girls, seek shelter from a storm. ----------------
"The Presents of Angels" by Marie Bostwick. Former Rockettes dancer Kendra Loomis is happy to be pregnant and loves her husband, the town pastor Andy, and her teenage stepdaughter Thea, but she has doubts about Christmas in Maple Grove Vermont rather than Rockefeller Center.----------
"Decorations" by Jana McMahan. After her husband Randy dumps her, Michelle Duncan starts over caring for her mother in Asheville and working at a Christmas store with no thought of men until she meets her sculptor neighbor Baxter Brow.--------
"Miracle on Main Street" by Rosalind Noonan. On Christmas Eve NYPD cop Joe Cody works a drug overdose case that depresses him even more than the fact he and his wife Shelia cannot afford much for their kids for the holidays; he wishes for a miracle and gets one as he learns what a true gift is.----------
These are four entertaining warm holiday contemporary dramas in which each offer nothing new but are fun to read story lines starring charming casts who find the Yuletide spirit.-----------
Harriet Klausner
Anonymous
Posted November 22, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 30, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 31, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted February 5, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted February 17, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 22, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
"Snow Angels," by Fern Michaels
The only way irresistibly handsome Olympic skier Max Jorgenson wants to spend Christmas is. . .alone. But when social worker Grace Landry stumbles into his log cabin during a snowstorm, an ...