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Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy is a holiday story conveniently sold in a hard cover format that still manages to be stocking size. I thought at first that it would be a romance, but it isn’t; rather, it centers on one man who finds resolution and redemption during the Christmas season, with the help of three angels. Yep, their names are Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy.
Greg Bennett is a man who has been successful in business but has managed to screw up nearly everything else in his life. He deserted his pregnant girlfriend in college and destroyed his relationships with his cousin (and former business partner) and his brother. Now it’s nearly Christmas, and it looks like he might lose his business too. He owns a well-respected winery, but his crop was lost to fan leaf disease, which means that he has to tear out all the old vines and replant with fresh ones. Unfortunately, no bank in Napa Valley will give him a loan, and the San Francisco banks don’t seem to be any more helpful. Although he hasn’t uttered a prayer in years, Greg suddenly finds himself in a church sending up a heartfelt plea to heaven.
The Angel Gabriel, who is apparently in charge of answering prayers, hears Greg’s. At first he can’t help thinking that Greg has caused many of his own problems. When his three most trouble-making angels, Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy come to him with a request to visit earth, he tells them they can help Greg and gives them Greg’s “file.” Gabriel figures they will take one look at it and decide to stay in heaven where they belong.
You can probably guess what happens from here. The angels go down to earth, and by the end of the book Greg has resolved most of his problems and reconciled with those from whom he had been estranged. The solutions to Greg’s problems are all obvious and can be seen from a mile away.
Although this book is short and predictable, I still found it entertaining. I liked Greg, and I wanted to see things work our for him. I didn’t like the angels quite as much. I never could figure out if they were supposed to be bumbling teenagers or naive middle aged women. Fortunately, they aren’t around much.
But then in a book this length, no one is around much. If you are interested in a quick light read while you wait in the doctor’s office or take an hour train ride, this could work to your advantage. Everyone is busy during the holidays, and sometimes it’s nice to sit down with a short heartwarming book that can be read in a sitting. But is an hour’s read worth $12.95? If you are a devoted Macomber (or angel) fan, perhaps you can persuade someone else to put this in your stocking.
Grade: C+
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: N/A
Review Date: 29/09/99
Publication Date: 1999
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.