Former musician, Melody Staff, spends Christmas at a bed and breakfast in the village of Mistletoe Meadows. While everyone sings familiar carols of Christ drawing near, Melody stumbles over misplaced notes. Her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis has scared off her fiancé and thrust her life into a grand pause. She’s not sure her heart will ever sing again.Quentin Oxford has endured a … a devastating year. His preteen daughter suffered a stroke, and they’ve grieved his wife’s sudden death, but the Lord coaxes a surprising refrain from Quentin’s heart as God rewrites his and Melody’s score into a holiday love song that will last for Christmases to come.
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What I think you should know:
Mistletoe Melody is a contemporary inspirational romance novella. It is set in a charming town that loves all things Christmas and Mistletoe. The town’s commerce centers around THe Mistletoe mile and is famous for its proposals.
What you might need to know:
Melody has recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Janie is a teenager who is recovering from a stroke.
What I thought about this book:
Melody was a strikingly realistic character, she is struggling to cope with the diagnosis and the loss of control over her life and her dreams. I enjoyed how Stacey Weeks, the author portrayed the loss. I also loved Quentin’s character. He was a great redemption story and such a protective Dad, which is something I find endearing, I know many parents jump to conclusions and will do anything to protect their children. I really enjoyed this book and how it was a short, but endearing story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Deep, thought provoking book.
When God allows pain and sufferings our way, what is our reaction to it?
Do I shrink back from it or do I reach out.
Melody’s life was palatable and she went through moments of struggle both physically and mentally. But the promise of love and that Jesus walks through our pain with us was her turning around story.
Quentin had seen it all; pain, death, effects of wrong decisions and decided to guard his heart and his daughter’s until Mel walked into their lives. I enjoyed reading how protective he was and how his heart was in the right place. He also had to learn to give it up to God who holds our lives in his hands.
Even though things around them was failing God was the strength of their hearts.
I recommend this books to people going through a hard time and trying to figure things out, especially those dealing with illnesses and all those who love a good faith story.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Melody has a lot going on in her life. It made me think of how life throws us curves and God is watching to see what we do with those curves. Sometimes we can get angry at our circumstances and close ourselves off from everyone. I think Melody was trying to do that so people wouldn’t find out about her diagnosis of MS. She is so afraid that Quentin will reject her that she keeps her distance from him. It is sad how she feels that she can’t trust him enough to tell him how she feels or about her illness.
I did like learning about mistletoe and all the different kinds there were. I had no idea you could make tea from mistletoe. All I knew about it was when you stand under one, you are suppose to kiss the person standing under it with you. The author really did her research on mistletoe and it intrigued me to study more about it.
Quentin is a wonderful character who is raising his daughter by himself. She has health issues as well that is hard to deal with. I was surprised at how young his daughter was to have such intense health problems. His back story about his ex-wife helps readers understand why he is so protective of his heart. His faith has carried him through some difficult days and made him stronger to face whatever comes his way.
Their story is filled with trust, secrets and learning to let go and allow God to heal wounds. I loved how each character found their strength in faith and it makes for a great lesson in being set free from things that hold you back from God’s blessings and to remember our hope is in the Lord.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Generally speaking, short stories are not my choice of reading material. Charles Dickens is one of my favorite authors, after all. For the most part I gravitate toward full-length novels because I love detail and I want to spend enough time with the characters to get to know them and to hear their story in its entirety. As a result, short stories rarely satisfy me. However, since these two stories were both Christmas-themed, I wanted to read them in-season and decided to sign up to review them.
To my surprise, I enjoyed both “Mistletoe Melody” and “Mistletoe Mission” very much! Author Stacey Weeks has created the festive town of Mistletoe Meadows, complete with mistletoe tea and the Mistletoe Mile row of shops that are open year-round. What better time to go there, though, than Christmas? Of the two stories, my favorite was “Mistletoe Melody”, which should be read before “Mistletoe Mission” because otherwise the latter will contain spoilers. Even though “Mistletoe Melody” was predictable, I found myself absorbed by the story, and I loved the Staff family’s focus on courting rather than dating. Melody Staff’s recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis struck a chord with me as someone who has multiple chronic illnesses. The spiritual healing that she experiences as she comes to realize that her (and our) hope is in God and that a “sacrifice of praise…is the best kind of worship” spoke to my heart. I loved how Melody works with Janie and, in doing so, helps heal herself too. Melody’s insight into how God reaches out to us when we find ourselves metaphorically paralyzed by fear and grief is one of the best explanations I’ve read: “This is how God pursued us, but we didn’t listen to Him. God called us from heaven and mankind resisted. God sent prophets, but we closed our ears. Finally, God sent Jesus, God in the flesh. Only then, when He came and dwelt with us in difficulty and pain did we have the courage to reach for His hand and accept the forgiveness that comes only through Him. That’s why Jesus came. He meets us in our pain and leads us out toward God.”
Both stories felt complete and unrushed, which is often not the case in my experience with short stories. “Mistletoe Mission” is also a contemporary romance but is gratifyingly different, featuring some of the same characters but focusing on new ones. Emily’s perseverance in trying to win a spot on Mistletoe Mile for her business, Magical Mistletoe Marriages, is inspiring. Battling superstitions and sabotage, she also struggles with her own heart at the reappearance of her first love: “What an odd pair they made, a wounded event planner and a jilted minister. What was God thinking putting a Christmas Eve wedding in their hands?” I did not predict how this story would play out, and I was delighted by the ending. I also appreciated that, through the narrative, Weeks speaks about missionary work and practical aide for missions. At the end of both stories is a note from the author, and “Mistletoe Mission” also includes a short devotional. Although both are Christmas stories, the lessons within reach far beyond December and are worthy of reading and pondering regardless of the season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
There is a lot packed into this little novella. At Melody’s request, her family is spending the holidays at an inn in Mistletoe Meadows. One that is run by family friends, and the son Quentin and his daughter Janie are overseeing during the season.
Melody and Janie develop a fast bond over music. Both women are struggling with their physical limitations. Melody’s bitterness at what her disease has taken from her life has also stolen her ability to praise.
In a town filled with Christmas abundance, Quentin and Melody must let go of their pain to embrace a promising future. One that may not look the same but is just as sweet and hope filled.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.