ANY DREAM WILL DO

Shay Benson adored her younger brother, Caden, and that got her into trouble. When he owed money, Shay realized she would do anything to help him avoid the men who were threatening him, and she crossed lines she never should have crossed. Now, determined to start fresh, she finds herself in search of a place to stay and wanders into a church to escape from the cold.

Pastor Drew Douglas adored his wife. But when he lost her, it was all he could do to focus on his two beautiful kids, and his flock came in a distant third. Now, as he too is thinking about a fresh start, he walks through his sanctuary and finds Shay sitting in a pew.

The pair strike up a friendship—Drew helps Shay get back on her feet, and she reignites his sense of purpose—that, over time, turns into something deeper, something soulful, spiritual, and possibly romantic. Even Drew’s two children are taken with this woman who has brought light back into their lives. Perhaps most important, Shay learns to trust again as she, in turn, proves herself trustworthy to her adopted community.

But Caden’s return to town and a disastrous secret threaten to undo the life Shay has tried so hard to rebuild. It will take the utmost courage and faith if she and Drew hope to find healing and open their hearts to a brighter future. 

Release Date: August 8, 2017

Ballantine Books

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Debbie Macomber's newest release is a sweet romance filled with second chances. I honestly don't read many sweet romances any longer, as I usually like a bit more heat to my stories. However, I found myself really enjoying Any Dream Will Do as I read Shay's story.

I love watching characters grow over the course of a book, and I'm pretty sure Shay Benson grows and changes more than any other character I've read in some time. Thanks to some bad choices Shay made to protect her brother Caden, Shay ends up serving time in prison and when she gets out the first place she sees is Pastor Drew Douglas's church. I loved that for the first time since his wife's death, Drew saw someone he connected with and wanted to help.

Shay was so bitter and full of attitude as Any Dream Will Do began. I loved seeing her going from a woman with a huge chip on her shoulder to a woman who found her place in the world, both in her career and even with a relationship. The slow growth of the relationship between Drew and Shay made me believe in their relationship lasting. I loved that Drew's kids loved Shay every bit as much as she loved them and she was so very protective of them both.

Shay's brother Caden is still a part of her past that comes back to haunt her and her new life. I loved that Shay made great friends with some of the homeless men in the area, and they wanted to help her find her brother and keep her safe from him at the same time. Shay went from a completely closed off person to someone who became a true friend to people in all walks of life. Shay is one of my favorite characters I've read from Debbie Macomber.

Any Dream Will Do was a very satisfying sweet romance. I loved seeing Shay work so hard to make her second chances count. I loved seeing her find love and family for the first time, and find real friends. Fans of Debbie Macomber will adore Any Dream Will Do, and fans of sweet romance will find a wonderful new story.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (B) 

Mr. Miracle: A Christmas Novel

 Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber celebrates the most wonderful time of the year in this heartwarming Christmas novel of romance, hope, and the comforts of home—coming soon as a Hallmark Channel original movie!

Harry Mills is a guardian angel on a mission: help twenty-four-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track—and, if the right moment strikes, help her find love. Posing as a teacher at a local college in Tacoma, Washington, Harry is up to the task, but not even he can predict the surprises that lay in store.

After trying to make it on her own, Addie has returned home to Tacoma for the holidays, but this time she plans to stay for good, enrolling in the local community college to earn her degree. What she doesn’t plan to do is run into Erich Simmons.

Addie and her next-door neighbor, Erich, are like night and day. Growing up, he was popular and outgoing while she was rebellious and headstrong, and he never missed an opportunity to tease her. Now she intends to avoid him entirely, yet when they’re suddenly forced to spend Christmas together, Addie braces for trouble.

Perhaps it’s the spirit of the season or the magic of mistletoe, but Addie and Erich soon find they have more in common than they thought—and that two people who seem so wrong for each other may actually be just right. With a little prompting from a certain angelic teacher, the two are in for a holiday miracle they’ll never forget.

Random House

October 7, 2014

I've been a pretty big Debbie Macomber fan for many years. I was given a review copy thanks to the publisher through NetGalley.

Let me start by saying I loved Addie Folsom so much. She is moving home to start over and she is such a strong character, even if she didn't feel it at the beginning of the story. Addie has moved back home and is going to school to get her final credit to earn her high school diploma. While I didn't love Erich Simmons as much when we first met him, I did feel chemistry between Addie and Erich from the beginning. There was really major growth for both of these characters over the course of this story and I think it came partly from the time they spent together.

One of the best examples of their growth as individuals and as a couple came when they were at the class Christmas party. “When it was her turn, she introduced Erich. “Erich and I grew up next door to each other.” “We weren’t always friendly,” Erich went on to explain. “It’s only been in the last couple of weeks that we’ve learned to get along.” He smiled at Addie.”

Harry Mills honestly made me think of Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life just a little bit, even knowing he was "younger" in appearance.  One of the reasons he reminded me of Clarence is from the prologue when he first arrives on earth.

“ In preparation for his earthly visitation, Harry had carefully studied human behavior and had learned about ways to gently guide his charges. Of course, he knew all about free will, to, but frankly, he wasn’t overly concerned. Just how difficult could it be to give a nudge to those in need of a bit of subtle direction?”

His heart is completely pure and all he wants to do is help his students be the best they can be. He had a few bumpy moments in the beginning, but it was fun to see him finally get his footing with people on earth. Part of Harry's bumpy road included the French teacher pursuing him. I didn't really feel like it helped to add anything to him helping Addie and Erich, but could see it as important to him learning to be human. I did like he had another angel, Celeste, to help him along the way. In fact, she was one of my favorite characters in the book.

Mr. Miracle felt like the first book in a new series to me. I'm looking forward to seeing how Harry can help some of the other students in the class, especially Danny and Andrew.

Overall, I feel like Mr. Miracle was a sweet Christmas story. I'm looking forward to watching the Hallmark movie when it premiers to compare the book to the movie.

Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat in Nashville, TN

Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat

A three-day destination event in Nashville, TN with one of America's most popular writers

AUGUST 9-11, 2013

Random House is hosting a Fan Retreat at the famed Opryland Resort in August, right when the new novel, Rose Harbor in Bloom, is published. You’ll get an early copy of the book, plus access to tons of fun activities.

At the Fan Retreat, you can:

• Sleep in or get up early, and enjoy a delicious breakfast
• Start the day with a fitness class and a chance to win a Fitbit  activity tracker
• Sip Celestial Seasonings at a tea party where I'll be answering your questions
• Hop on a bus tour to see Nashville's landmarks and homes of the stars
• Meet with knitting instructors, use yarn and notions from Universal Yarn or give back through World Vision's Knit for Kids
• Dance to your favorite tunes at the Sock Hop Dinner
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with Goo Goo Cluster, the original Southern confection made in Nashville
• Relax at one of the three heated pools
• Shop at local outlets
• Reconnect with friends at an inspirational breakfast

Preeminent knitting designer Nicky Epstein and Rick Hamlin, the executive editor of Guideposts magazine, will be there, and as a special treat for readers, Nicky will be hosting two Knitting Classes. Enrollment is limited, and open on a first-come, first served basis for Early Bird ticketholders.

Whether you’re traveling to the Fan Retreat with your best friend, your daughter, or your spouse, this weekend offers you a chance to reconnect with loved ones and be inspired. You can learn more about the Fan Retreat and get tickets at MacomberRetreat.com.

For questions and inquiries: pr@randomhouse.com

Early Bird tickets (first six weeks of on-sale period) will be $325.

This package price provides access to all Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat events, including: Tea Party with Debbie; Bus Tour of Nashville; Early autographed Copy of ROSE HARBOR IN BLOOM; Opening Cocktail & Dessert; Saturday Breakfast Voucher; Fitness Dance Party; Knitting Class(es); Saturday Lunch; Sock Hop Dinner & Dance; Sunday Inspirational Breakfast; Gift Bag (filled with amazing goodies).

The Inn at Rose Harbor

The Inn at Rose Harbor is the newest release from Debbie Macomber. From the back cover.~

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes a heartwarming new series based in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, where a charming cast of characters finds love, forgiveness, and renewal behind the doors of the cozy Rose Harbor Inn.

Jo Marie Rose first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases a local bed-and-breakfast—the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn—ready to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine.

Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come home to care for his ailing stepfather. The two have never seen eye to eye, and Joshua has little hope that they can reconcile their differences. But a long-lost acquaintance from Joshua’s high school days proves to him that forgiveness is never out of reach and love can bloom even where it’s least expected.  

The other guest is Abby Kincaid, who has returned to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Back for the first time in twenty years, she almost wishes she hadn’t come, the picturesque town harboring painful memories from her past. And while Abby reconnects with family and old friends, she realizes she can only move on if she truly allows herself to let go.

A touching novel of life’s grand possibilities and the heart’s ability to heal, The Inn at Rose Harbor is a welcome introduction to an unforgettable set of friends.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of The Inn at Rose Harbor thanks to NetGalley. I’ve been a fan of Debbie Macomber for years and was excited to read her newest book early. The official release date is set for August 14, 2012.

I really enjoyed The Inn at Rose Harbor. Jo Marie Rose bought the bed-and-breakfast following the death of her husband to move on with her life. I’m not sure Jo Marie was prepared for how her life would change thanks in part to being with her guest. Both Joshua Weaver and Abby Kincaid would rather be anywhere but in Cedar Cove when they arrive for their stays at Rose Harbor Inn. I loved watching the changes that came over both as each of their stories progressed.  Joshua’s changes come thanks to an old high school friend Michelle, and finding forgiveness for his ailing stepfather. Abby’s changes again start because of old high school friends, but she had a few more ghosts to deal with to come full circle. I also really loved the handyman Mark who comes to Jo Marie’s aid on more than one occasion. I see a budding romance between the two that I think will grow over many books in this new series.

While you don’t have to read the Cedar Cove series before reading The Inn at Rose Harbor, I really think the series gives you a great background to the town and so many of the characters that appear in The Inn at Rose Harbor. Macomber gives her readers another strong story from Cedar Cove and I can’t wait for my next visit to Rose Harbor Inn.