Well, time to lighten things up with a seasonal offering… the WRONG season… but holiday fare all the same. The Doctor’s Christmas Wish… well it happens at… Christmas… this is part of the Village Green series by Renee Ryan. It is a Love Inspired book, so definitely faith based.

This contemporary Christian romance has a bit of an unusual premise. Keely O’Toole (who is a mix of Irish and Italian) has returned home (to Village Green) to take up the position of mother to her cousin’s six year old daughter Felicity (or Flicka). Her cousin has been imprisoned after embezzling funds for 12 years. Father is out of the picture.

Keely is running a restaurant, raising a child who is hurting and planning the Christmas parade. Here enters her neighbour, Dr. Ethan Scott. High school nemesis (in her eyes), ex army doctor who now runs a private practice with a childhood friend (who is also the husband of his sister, Keely’s best friend).

There are widowers and orphans a plenty in this Christmas tale. Though the orphaning happened post childhood. Two engagements ended abruptly, one in an accident resulting in death and the other with a heart who has not yet let go of the past. This book really does focus on the idea of releasing a lost love but not forgetting that love… when is it time to risk your heart again? Can you really say good bye? What happens to the love for the first person? 

This book is definitely a journey of faith and healing. A lovely afternoon read on a rainy day, I think. Well worth the time, this story is full of holiday romance and healing with a strong and lovely message.

I have to say… Phoebe’s Groom (the title) feels a bit like a spoiler, does it not? Well, it is from the Love Inspired series so… yah… not so much a spoiler as a rather expected progression. Anyway, Phoebe’s Groom by Deb Kastner brings us back to the small town Serendipity. Specifically a part of her series – Email Order Brides, though there was not much of emailing in this book. (my previous review based on this town HERE)

My first, not complaint, but moment of questioning comes from the beginning of each chapter where the main character, pastry chef Phoebe Yates posts a status update (I assume to something like Facebook). Usually there is a corresponding post from her temporary boss in Serendipity and owner of the local cafe, “Auntie” Jo. My question is… do the other main characters (broken hearted widower Chance Hawkins and teenage daughter Lucy) not have accounts as well? Some of her posts are rather obviously about them and if they WERE on the internet too would lead them to quicker conclusions… just a niggle in the back of my brain. 

Now I did find the family interesting. (and yes there is a play on Sadie Hawkins dance and their last name in the book!), having lost wife/mother in a car accident Chance and Lucy are definitely broken spirited individuals. Chance is so traumatized he can’t face getting into a vehicle and Lucy is acting out as she tries to find her way into becoming a teenager. 

Phoebe is at a crossroads, her previous relationship ending because she simply did not feel she was truly in love, a job awaiting her at a rather elite restaurant in New York. But what Phoebe truly wants is to follow her faith and find a love that is sustaining. 

Phoebe and Chance spend a lot of time figuring out where their heads are, where their hearts are and in Chance’s case returning to God and faith. 

This story is actually rather plausible, a death due to a drunk driver leaving a family fractured, a woman on the search for herself takes a temporary position in a small town before her next long term job opens up, the moment of emergency is even something that could happen. (I won’t share and spoil the book) Love and faith and forgiveness, all wrapped up with a wonderful woman whose positive outlook on life is just what Serendipity needs. Do check out this wonderful lighthearted romance. 

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell is the first in the Love Blossoms in Oregon Series. A historical romance, this story deals with the emotional pain that can be the difficult and strained relationship with one’s mother. The need for faith and trust and a love of God to renew and build anew torn relationships and broken hearts.

Love and a faith in God and a willingness to simply lay down your problems and worries at God’s feet help our main character, widow Katherine to not only mend her relationship with her mother who has traveled to Oregon to join her and her two daughters but to see the chance for love with Micah. A God fearing widower with a young son.

I love that not only do you follow Katherine and Micah’s story but two of their children as well, Lucy and Zachary as they all come to understand not only their own hearts and minds but how love can bloom in another’s after loss. Life is not simple in the 1880’s and loss of spouse or child common. Faith becomes difficult to hold onto when you are constantly attempting to stay strong in the face of adversity.

There is a boardinghouse full of characters with minor stories of their own to read about as well. Katherine is a woman in need of strength while at the same time trying to find a way to give all to the Lord and be weak in His eyes. The imagery of a dandelion blowing in the wind is so beautiful.

“Katherine Galloway’s soft exhales sent the dandelion fluff dancing on the warm current of air, but it didn’t bring the anticipated relief. Gripping the stem, she sat in the grassy field with her eyes closed and waited. Why didn’t it come? It had always appeared years ago when she needed it. How long had it been since her mind had drifted away to a place where nothing could hurt her? Fifteen years? Twenty?

She shook her head and an errant curl tickled her cheek.

More. Many more. But always her memory returned to those times when the dandelion fluff had carried her away to a place where mothers were loving and kind, and little girls didn’t need to be afraid of cutting words or sharp voices.”

A Christian Historical Romance, this is a lovely book of heartfelt characters and redemption. For ALL characters there is a chance for peace and love, acceptance and joy…

Blowing on Dandelions