A mix-up with Emily Merkle's name tag has her working at
Finley's Department Store as "Mrs. Miracle." She is just
there as part-time help during the Christmas season. Emily
is working in the toy department and is an excellent
salesperson with a very grandmotherly aura about her.
Jake Finley is managing the toy department of his father's
store, working his way up through the ranks to know every
aspect of the business when he eventually takes over.
That's the way his father wants it. Jake went over his
buyer's head this Christmas and purchased 250 Intellytrons,
billed to be the hottest toy on the market. His dad is not
pleased and does not mince words letting him know it.
Holly Larson's world is turned upside down when her brother
Mickey's reserve unit is called up to active duty in
Afghanistan. Their parents are away for 12 months in Haiti
helping earthquake victims. Holly is the only one left to
care for eight-year-old Gabe, her brother's son. Christmas
this year just won't be the same. Holly and Gabe get off to
a rocky start, but things are getting better now.
When Holly's, Jake's and Mrs. Miracle's lives come together
in the toy department, a true Christmas miracle happens.
Debbie Macomber does a superb job of intertwining
their lives to make a young boy's Christmas as special as
it could ever be and to help others heal from the sadness
of events in their past. This is truly a heartwarming,
inspirational story that will touch your heart and remind
you what Christmas is really all about.
A second Mrs. Miracle story, look for this one at
Christmastime as a movie too on the Hallmark Channel. An
added bonus in the book is a few recipes that Macomber has
included that are mentioned in the story. I'm sure they're
just as good as they sound.
Jake Finley's in a bind. His father recently placed him in
charge of the toy department in the family's flagship store
in Manhattan. J.R. Finley hopes the experience of running
the store's busiest department during the holiday season
will provide his son with the tools he needs to one day head
up the entire chain of Finley's department stores. On a
hunch - and against all advice - Jake orders 500 units of
Intellytron the SuperRobot. However, there's only two weeks
left until Christmas and he's only managed to sell three of
the $250 toy. Jake's going to need a real old-fashioned
miracle if he has any hope of selling the remaining 497
Tellys and restoring his father's faith in his abilities.
Although he doesn't recognize it, Jake's prayers are
answered in the form of grandmotherly Emily Merkle - Mrs.
Miracle according to her mislabled name tag - the new
employee in the toy department. Despite Jake's initial
reservations, Mrs. Miracle shows a real knack for dealing
with people. And, somehow ever since her arrival, Telly
seems to be moving off the shelves. But can they sell all 50
before Christmas?
But Jake Finley's not the only person in need of a divine
intervention. Holly Larson needs a few miracles, too. First
she needs to prove to herself that she can take care of her
nephew Gabe while her brother's serving his tour of duty in
Afghanistan. Tougher yet, she has to make Gabe enjoy her
company. Then she has to figure out a way to be available to
Gabe without raising the ire of her demanding
fashion-designer boss. And last, and most important, she
must find a way to raise $250 dollars to buy Gabe Telly the
SuperRobot, the one present he really wants for Christmas -
other than his father's return for the holiday.
Events seem to throw Holly and Jake together and - with Mrs.
Miracles help - the two young people hit it off and grow
closer together. However, there's one great chasm between
them - Christmas. Holly loves everything about the holiday
but Jake has hated it ever since his mother and sister were
killed in a car crash on that very day. For 21 years, he and
his father have studiously avoided celebrating the special
holiday. Getting Jake and J.R. to put the past behind them
and reminding them of the joy of Christmas may be the
biggest challenge off all. And it might even be beyond Mrs.
Miracle's abilities...