This title was packaged in Macomber’s “Glad Tidings” book. It tells the story of Emma, a rookie reporter/ad salesperson for a small newspaper who desperately wants to snag a “real” story, not just the obits she’s been forced to pen. One day Emma gets her big break: a series of stories about Washington State’s three national fruitcake competition finalists. Unfortunately Emma’s no fan of fruitcake. To make matters worse, the finalists are just far enough from home that she needs to fly in a small plane with sexy pilot Oliver Hamilton. Oliver’s dog Oscar adds some cute moments to the story, too.
As the three trips unfold, we see Emma’s increasing attraction to Oliver, and Oliver’s desire to protect her. We’re also treated to three interesting vignettes about the fruitcake finalists and what fruitcake taught them about life. Through her journey, Emma discovers she really does like fruitcake. And she likes Oliver even more!
As usual, Macomber’s secondary characters were colorful and memorable. To add another layer, the relationship between Emma’s friend and coworker Phoebe and their boss is explored.Oliver was a bit alpha for my taste, but then again I’m not an alpha hero kind of girl.
I realize this is fiction, but I’m a stickler for reality. (Poor me, huh? LOL) The thing that really stood out about this story is why in the world would a small paper who used its cub reporters for ad sales go to the trouble and expense to cover the fruitcake stories? Sure, the plane rides were a barter (I fly your reporter if you give me ads), but it still didn’t seem terribly believable to me.
Overall though, it was a cute story, and it even comes with fruitcake recipes and a series of quotes.
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
re:
I read this last year and it was cute but a little off the wall
Karen
My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus.
I read this ....
I read this around Christmas time...I really liked both stories...I love Debbies characters...everyone seems so real most of the time.
Terri
Got Books?
Fruitcake recipes? And
Fruitcake recipes? And that's supposed to be a selling point? (wink!)
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST, Harlequin Blaze, April 2008
UNLEASHED, Harlequin Blaze, November 2008
Join me on my blog at www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com
or my web www.loriborrill.com
Lori
Well...no, at least not for ME, but maybe for somebody (laughs). Of course what are the odds that single fruitcake-loving person read this review (laughs harder)?
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Hi Jill,
Debbie's Christmas stories are usually very enjoyable for me. My favorites are the ones with Shirley, Goodness & Mercy, my kind of Angels! I enjoyed this book last year, thought the fruitcake theme was good because most people don't like fruitcake. I used to make some every year after perfecting a recipe with a carrot cake as the base. Since people are not thrilled with fruitcake I quit making them! Now it is cookies for my oldest grandson.
Glad we could start using the Dream Team as a tag so I can people easier. How are you liking the new website?
Have a great weekend.
Take care, happy reading,
Donna M, Dream Team member
The Angels
Unfortunately those books weren't in the batch I bought, Donna, but I'll definitely have to track them down.
Ah the new site... Grumbled about it a lot at first, but now I'm finding it MUCH easier to keep up with my circle of buddies. It's also easier to read book reviews of authors I like to track. I hope you're adjusting to the site okay, too.
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com