Shirley, Goodness and Mercy

November 15, 1999
Facing financial ruin and forced to reassess his totally self-centered, wasted life, 60-year-old vintner Greg Bennett wanders into a San Francisco church and, uncharacteristically overwhelmed by his failures, asks for forgiveness. What he gets is Archangel Gabriel's impulsive, wacky trio of angelic prayer ambassadors, who manage to help him atone for the past and put his life back together--all in time for Christmas. Borrowing heavily from the parable of the Prodigal Son--there's even a resentful "other son"--Macomber produces a story that is both emotionally touching and lightly sprinkled with humor. In a timely but uncommon move, she uses a hero who is somewhat older than the norm. Despite its brevity, obvious heavenly "coincidences," and not always admirable hero, this novella has all the charm of Touched by an Angel and will please readers who have been patiently waiting for another of Macomber's "holiday angel" books and should appeal to fans of inspirational romance fans as well. Macomber (Promise Texas, Mira: Harlequin, 1999) is a best-selling author of sweet, contemporary romances and lives in Port Orchard, WA.

Copyright 1999 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.