Every once in a while a storyline sneaks into my heart and
nestles there long after I finish the last page. THE GIFT
OF A CHARM is that kind of poignant love story. A misplaced
charm bracelet leads you on an intricate journey into the
hearts and lives of a group of people as they endeavor to
find its owner, their destiny, while tugging on your heart
strings.
To Holly O' Neill, a single mom, raising Danny, her 10-year-old son, is her life. His
father never wanted a child,
leaving Holly to have Danny alone. Holly loves her job
at Secret Closet in Greenwich Village. It is a vintage
designer clothing consignment shop with a wealthy client
base. Their merchandise comes from chic affluent women and
their prices are not for the faint of heart. Holly has
just unpacked an Anna Bowery Dress, a lovely black silk
dress with tiny delicate crystals that grace a full tulle
skirt. This is a special dress. Bowery was a famous
socialite in the 1960's, always rubbing shoulders with the
Kennedys and Frank Sinatra. Holly adores the dress but
where would she ever wear it? She has no social life.
Holly is a beautiful, auburn-haired beauty with emerald-
green eyes who dreams about a one-time love but so far it
has evaded her. Unpacking a classic Chanel red velvet
jacket, Holly decides she must try it on. It is a beauty with
exquisite workmanship and fits perfectly. She discovers a small zipper inside the
lining and pulls out a beautiful silver charm bracelet
filled with many charms. Having one herself that she
cherishes, she knows she must reunite this one with its
owner. But how?
Greg Matthews experiences a close relationship
with his parents. Proud of their close and loving marriage,
Greg is looking for the same for himself. Is it time to
propose to his girlfriend, Karen? It's been three years. He has been working on
Wall Street, making tons
of money for himself and the clients who already have too
much money. He has been to all the galas and big events in
the city. He hates his office as it is like "being in a
cube." The panic and stress is everywhere around him.
What he truly loves is to take photographs of New York, the
city he adores. Greg knows he has the passion and talent to
go into the photography business. Today is the day. He
quits his job and feels relief and happiness. When he
shares his news with Karen she is upset and annoyed. She
complains bitterly that he has added responsibilities onto
her shoulders without asking her opinion. She makes him
feel like a loser and their relationship hits the rocks.
The charms are clever clues and take Holly all over New York
during the Christmas Holidays. The finale is a tear
jerker/hurray/Happy New Year that is sweet and sparkles and
I have re-read many, many pages again. THE GIFT
OF A CHARM is a
keeper. You have a new and loyal fan, Melissa Hill.
From Melissa Hill, author of A Gift from
Tiffany's, comes The Gift of a Charm-another New
York Christmas love story to restore your faith in
miracles
Holly O'Neill knows that every charm
bracelet tells a story. Many years ago she was sent one with
just a single charm attached. The charms have been appearing
ever since, often at challenging times, as if her mysterious
benefactor knows exactly when she needs a little magic in
her life.
As a result, Holly's bracelet is her most
prized possession. So when she finds someone else's charm
bracelet, she feels she has to try to reunite it with its
owner-even if the only clues she has to follow are the
charms themselves.