Nebraska schoolmarm Maggie Comings is haunted by sins of the past, convinced she’s unworthy of love and deserving of the tragedies she’s endured. She decides the only way to have a family is to accept a loveless, arranged marriage through the Westward Home and Hearts matrimonial agency. Then, a month before Christmas, a stranger shows up at her schoolroom door with his little girl. He hires … Maggie to care for his daughter, Isabelle, while he conducts business in the area. As Maggie tries to bring Christmas cheer to Isabelle, she is inexplicably drawn to the sad, trusting child and her handsome, mysterious father.
Daniel Raleigh, a private detective working for the matchmaker, Milly Crenshaw, has promised his wife on her deathbed to remarry quickly and give Isabelle a new mother. While investigating Milly’s brides, he realizes Maggie Comings will be a perfect mother for his daughter. But Daniel carries his own secret—one that links him to Maggie’s past—and it will take a miracle for her to trust him with her heart.
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This is such a heartfelt story and I must admit, it brought tears to my eyes quite often as I was reading. This is a clean Christian romance and at the center of it all is a little girl in need of a mother. The circumstances surrounding her birth, a man who has promised on his wife’s deathbed to quickly find another mother for their daughter and a school teacher with a secret she keeps close to her heart, makes this story one that will keep you reading, not wanting to put the book down.
Amidst all the emotional scenes, there are also ones filled with fun and humour, with it all taking place at Christmas time. I loved Maggie and Daniel’s characters and as for Izzy, she was simply adorable. Well written and a story worth reading a couple of times!!
Maggie suffered in her young life, but she’s a good teacher who wants her own family. Daniel and his five year old daughter Izzy lost his wife Helen, her mother, and the love of his life. I thought he moved on rather quickly from Helen, but he promised he would marry again for their daughter’s sake and he sees something in Maggie who is applying as one of the mail-order brides he has been hired to investigate for Westward Home and Hearts Matrimonial Agency. Izzy was so precocious as the littlest angel in Maggie’s school play. Daniel was hardworking, but secretive with all his business trips. I didn’t see his big secret coming. This was a sweet second chance at love Christmas romance.
Maggie Comings was a school teacher who struggled with some things in her past. She felt unlovable and wasn’t as trustworthy of the men around her. Daniel Raleigh is a widowed single father of adopted daughter, Izzy. In his previous investigations he found a lead to his future with Izzy’s mother if only she could let love in. Absolutely beautifully written holiday romance set around the holidays.
Unforgettable and Heartwarming!
Every moment of this soul lifting and sometimes gut wrenching story, illustrates the power of love and faith to overcome any obstacle and make one believe in and accept life’s unexpected blessings.
What a beautiful romance for Christmas reading!
I completely enjoyed this historical romance with it’s sweet message of love and faith. Hurting hearts can be healed.
Author Elaine Manders’ feature of a matchmaking service for mail-order brides makes for an interesting situation. After a difficult past, Maggie Comings has signed up with the agency to find a spouse while she teaches at a one-room school house. Widower Daniel Raleigh hides his true intent as he and his young daughter, the precious Izzy, temporarily move in next door to the school teacher. A charming story unfolds as he courts the reluctant woman, and Izzy and Maggie develop a strong relationship.
The holiday seasonal details of another time are fun to experience, then the amazing conclusion is stunning. A warm and touching story for anytime, but especially sweet to read during the celebration of His gift of forgiveness and grace to us all. I highly recommend Maggie’s Christmas Miracle….a delightful novella!
Favorite quote: “our rules are important. Unless they get in the way of God’s rules.”
Another incredible book from Elaine! Filled with inspiration, a gripping storyline, and unforgettable characters! I love the twist on this “mail order bride” story and the secret was definitely worth waiting for!!
Maggie’s Christmas Miracle was a heartwarming and fascinating historical Christian fiction read that drew me in from the beginning. Daniel’s and Maggie’s story brought them to life with their strong characteristics along with hidden secrets. My heart broke at times due to Maggie’s past yet she was the most charming and caring individual. Daniel’s adoration for Izzy and hard work gave way to admiration. This story is written in a winsome way with vibrant descriptive dialogue and picturesque scenes that had me right in the midst of all the happenings. I wanted to cheer, provide comfort and even tell a couple individuals to mind their own business. There are surprises, disappointments, spoiling, compassion, learning to let go and opening the heart to God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy, trusting others and feeling loved.
I appreciate how Manders brought in characters from her earlier books I’ve read. However, Maggie’s Christmas Miracle is definitely a standalone novella in the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series. Elaine Manders has become one of my favorite historical Christian authors as her books are action packed, realistic to life and not preaching but gently interweaving God’s amazing love, forgiveness and grace into each story.
This book has well written emotions throughout. Some painful and some exciting. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving the emotions and plot together. Also, the twists were quite surprising. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it.
Loved this Christmas story! It had a different twist for a mail order bride romance. The characters were real and grew as the storyline unfolded. I will not provide a spoiler, except to say you will not be able to put this book down. I highly recommended it. A must read if you believe in miracles and love.
In these tough times, reading a sweet book about good people treating others well was just what I needed. It could use a bit more editing. It filled purpose taking the reader to a place where good things were focused on – a world we need to hope for. No violence, explicit gratuitous unnecessary sex, or foul language. What a relief.
Maggie has a full life. She is also looking to her own future and that includes finding a husband to start a family with. Faith or Daniel has other plans for her. They will include a secret, a plan and little Izzy. As the plan moves along things go so smoothly. That is until Maggie gets in her own way to her hearts happiness.
I have enjoyed every Elaine Manders’ book I’ve read, and Maggie’s Christmas Miracle is no exception. Daniel is a swoonworthy hero. Yes, he’s good-looking, but what makes him so attractive is his integrity and love for his little girl. He is an intelligent man with strong principles. Maggie is delightful. A difficult life growing up makes her skittish and distrustful of people, especially men. Tidbits about her background are sprinkled through the story, creating intrigue and empathy for this young woman. Her struggles are realistic as she tries to rely on her faith in God, but understandable has trouble doing so. Description and dialogue effectively evoke the era, giving me a greater appreciation for modern conveniences. (can’t imagine having to make a fire in the stove to cook or bake). The ending is wonderful with a bit of a twist I never saw coming but should have. Don’t wait until Christmas to read this. Highly recommended.