Debbie Macomber

 

Almost Home

Anthology

Authors: Debbie Macomber, Cathy Lamb, Judy Duarte, Mary Carter

ISBN: 978-1420108866

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

5 Hearts

 

This anthology boosts a 1996 novella from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber, but the other three lesser known authors have brand new never released stories in the book.

 

While all of the stort stories are great romantic stories, the first story in the book, Whale Island by Cathy Lamb was just outstanding. The author's wit and charm came through in flying colors throughout the story. The story was written in the first person, which I generally don't like that much, but the author was well versed and made the text flow. I couldn't put the story down. I found the hero and heroine so true to life characters I could easily picture their romance happening and the two sticking together forever.

 

The other three stories were equally interesting and fun to read. There were heartwarming romantic stories that you don't get to read often enough these days. Judy Duarte's Queen of Hearts, was a little slow to get into at first, but I simply enjoyed the way Judy wove the letters from the advice columnist's readers into the fabric of the story that soon I was engrossed in the story and couldn't put it down until the very end.

 

The Honeymoon House featured two sets of friends that just knocked my socks off. I just loved Kate's friend Amanda and her relationship with her on again-off again fiance, as well as Kate's relationship with Andy.

 

Debbie Macomber has long been a favorite of mine. Her inspirational stories full the need for any romantic at heart. I liked the fact that the lead heroine, Katie, has a conscious and worries for the bride-to-be, even as she gets carried away with the moment, with the groom.

 

Delightful stories every one, I think that the traditional romance novel lovers will like this collection of stories.

 

Description:

The Marrying Kind by Debbie Macomber

High school sweethearts Katie and Jason haven't seen each other in ten years - and now she's walked back into his life. With one look, the love they shared comes flooding back - only now the odds seem stacked against them.

 

Whale Island by Cathy Lamb

Family secrets and imposing friends are making Chalese feel like an outsider in her very own home on beautiful Whale Island. But it's only when a shocking revelation makes her feel truly lost that she opens her heart to the possibilities the past offers - including a chance at love with the last man she expected.

 

Queen Of Hearts by Judy Duarte

Her high school reunion is coming up, and advice columnist Jenn Kramer couldn't be dreading it more - until she lays eyes on Marcos. Jenn hardly noticed him when they were kids, but know he's all grown up.

 

The Honeymoon House by Mary Carter

It doesn't get more romantic than Andy Beck's cottage on Martha's Vineyard. But love is the last thing on his mind - he just wants to get the cottage ready for his best friends honeymoon. At least that's the plan, until he finds the gorgeous Maid of Honor ransacking his house - in the most irresistible way.

 

Married in Seattle

Author: Debbie Macomber

Re-issue: First Comes Marriage and Wanted: Perfect Partner

ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2679-3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

3 Hearts

 

Description:

How to meet and marry a man in Seattle. There are all the usual ways, of course, but here's how Janine Hartman and Meg Remington did it.

 

Janine: My grandfather Hartman arranged a husband for me! Zach Thomas, the intended groom, was just as outraged as I was. But Gramps insisted we'd be Òa perfect match.Ó First Comes Marriage, according to him.

 

Meg: My teenage daughter, Lindsey, had the nerve to place a personal ad on my behalf—Wanted: Perfect Partner. Worse, Steve Conlan, who answered the ad, was perfect, according to her.

 

Does Grandfather know best? Did a teenage matchmaker get it right? You decide!

 

My View:

Keep in mind that these books are some of Debbie's earlier works, written in the early 1990s. Both stories included in this book are light hearted and easy reads. They are fun for what they are, but not especially convincing for real life. Doesn't have to be though, just something to read on a rainy winter day for the fun of it.