Thanksgiving Prayer / A Handful of Heaven

by Debbie Macomber, Jillian Hart

Before Claudia Masters even meets Seth Lessinger, she leaves him a message from the Psalms: "May the Lord give you the desire of your heart." She knows there's something different about this man. Something special. And meeting him only confirms it.

For his part, Seth, who is a new Christian, immediately recognizes that Claudia is the woman for him—the woman he wants to marry and take back to Alaska. But Claudia is torn between Seth and her life in Seattle. How can she give up everything familiar, everything she's always worked for? And yet, she can't bear the thought of losing this man she's come to love…. Only when she acts with faith and hope does she find her true destiny.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Christian Fiction, Holiday, Contemporary Romance

442 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed many Debbie Macomber books, and this has been the worst one. I found the message to be very disappointing and dangerous. The main character is pressured into marrying a man she has known 6 days and uprooting her entire life because he says he's heard from God. However, she has received no such message herself and friends and family are wary. Instead of coming off as a man of God, Seth is manipulative, uncompromising, horny, needy, and churlish. It's every criticism of Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre but in a modern setting where an intelligent medical student has more options and better council. To boot, Seth pursues another woman he knows he doesn't love but is in love with him immediately because he "needs" to get married, although this has apparently not concerned him for the 1st 36 years of his life. This ends up taking a toll on all involved, and Claudia ultimately just gives in without Seth making any changes to his own life and previously skeptical trusted friends are happy about it. I'm sure this message was likely not Ms. Macomber's intention, but I've been thinking over this for a while and can come to no other conclusion.

[Deborah Vespo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this a three, even though the first by Debbie Macomber would have been a 1. I really didn't like the main character Seth, he had very little substance to him and I found myself annoyed with him when he was angry with Claudia over not wanting to move to Alaska after knowing him for only 6 days. She was going to medical school and had dreams of being a really good doctor and he wanted her to move to Alaska because of what? - He was handsome and a good kisser? He needed to have a little more to him than that.... not to mention when she goes to be with him and drops everything in her life to go live in Nome, Alaska - land in the middle of nowhere, he hooks up with and decides to marry someone else after he was suppose to be so much in love with her. He was as wishy washy as Romeo in "Romeo in Juliet."

I liked the second read "A Handful of Heaven". I believe this was the first Julian Heart book I've ever read. Paige McKaslin and Evan Thornton have known one another for years. They both live in a small town and both have worked hard to rebuild their lives and raise their kids by themselves after going through rocky marriages and having their spouses walk out on them. Evan is an absolute gentleman and a very like-able guy! He falls hard for her and it takes a lot of patience and persuading for her to fall back. Cute story.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seth comes to Washington from Nome, Alaska, meets Claudia, proposes, then is angry when she won't marry him within a week. But he's PRAYED about it! She's to give up her studies as a doctor and move to a town of a few thousand just to be with him.

Please.

P.S. She goes.

P.P.S. I gave it a poor rating because I just couldn't stomach it.

[Marissa Joyce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow... Seth is one scary dude. Controlling, impatient, unwilling to compromise on anything... WHY are we supposed to be pulling for him? Run! Run away Claudia! Gods will is NOT for you to be bossed around by an emotionally abusive man for the rest of your life!

[Don · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now that the holidays are near, it's time to explore those seasonal books I've intentionally avoided all year long.

I was happy to find that a Thanksgiving book had been added to the BARD collection and so I decided to start with that. Surprisingly, I ignored all of the warning signals which should have kept me away from this one. It consists of two stories, the first of which was written by Debbie Macomber who wrote the worst book I read during the 2012 holiday season. In addition, this is a Harlequin novel and I usually have no interest in those.

Let's begin with the Debbie Macomber novella which serves as the title story. In it, we meet Claudia, a medical student who takes a job as a maid in a hotel so that she can earn the money she needs to continue her studies. For reasons I never fully understood, she leaves a message containing a Bible verse for Seth, one of the hotel guests. They meet and the rest, as they say, is history. Claudia is immediately attracted to Seth and he takes full advantage of the situation since he apparently believes that they are meant to be together and that the Bible verse and other similar happenings are signs from God that they belong with each other. Seth insists that they must marry and that Claudia must forgo her long sought after medical career and move with him to his home state of Alaska. Claudia is torn between her professional responsibilities and the man she loves. What will she choose to do? Well, if you care, you'll simply have to read the book.

Is it worth it? No, no, a thousand times no! For one thing, Seth is so demanding, overbearing and controlling that I truly believed that Macomber was setting him up as an abuser. He makes it very clear that it's his way or no way. He does this so early and so often that i simply could not understand why Claudia would even begin to love him. Her reaction to him does not seem consistent with the elements of her personality. Yes, both are born again Christians and are trying to find out what God wants them to do, but the whole relationship is founded on so little that the rest of the story simply makes no sense at all.

hart's contribution is a bit better. It tells of a self assured divorcee who falls in love with a man even though this was the furthest thing from her mind. Both of them have, for different reasons, come to distrust the opposite sex. And yet their attraction to each other can't be denied. while much of this story is contrived and extremely formulaic, Hart at least creates characters I came to care about. I didn't love the story, but I felt compelled to finish it simply because I cared enough to want to learn (verify might be a better word) the outcome.

I don't recall a Thanksgiving scene in either story, though there might have been one; my mind wandered a good bit as I read. all I can say is that the moment for which I was the most thankful was the one when Kristin Allison stopped reading and I knew that I was done with these trite, ridiculous stories.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories by Debbie Macomber are always good, heartwarming stories. This one is about a young women who is attending med school in Seattle who meets and falls in love with a man who has a business and lives in Alaska. He can't live in big cities and she wants to finish med school. Compromises have to be made.

This book also includes A Handful of Heaven by Jillian Hart. This was a good story of two divorced people who had been hurt by their marriage and were afraid to trust love again.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to read during Thanksgiving season. It was very inciteful.

[Lea Illig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only made it through Thanksgiving Prayer. Was disappointed and didn't read A Handful of Heaven.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice light read for the holiday.

[Kayrene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanksgiving Prayer...another good story from the great DM, and A Handful of Heaven a good, light romance too. However, if Claudia was my daughter, I would have urged her to run from a man that's angry with you for not dropping your entire life after six days and moving to the wilderness. Seemed a bit possessive, and frightening. But, hey, it's fiction! It's a tale to take us away from it all. Enjoyed them both very much. Realized after I started this book, that I had read them both before. Still finished it again.

[Judie Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because Thanksgiving is so close. This book was actually 2 books in 1.

Thanksgiving Prayer By Debbie Macomber and also A Handful of Heaven by Jillian Hart

I enjoyed both stories. Good clean love stories with twists and turns. Believable characters and settings. They both show that that love comes in mysterious way.Never give up trying to find the one who is meant for you.

enjoy reading.

[Monica Gearhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! Two stories in one is nice, and even though the story has ended, I'm still wanting more. I love the romance that wasn't there at first to the romance being there.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only read the first half of this book. I do plan to read the "Handful of Heaven" part later and will add to the review at that time. Unfortunately I could not find the Thanksgiving Prayer as a book by itself.

I enjoyed this. It is my first Debbie Macomber, but not my last. I have a bunch of hers on my shelf at home waiting for me to read them. This was an easy and fun read. Back and forth I went. Will they get married? Won't they? They will! Yeah! They won't! Sadness. It kept me wondering until almost the end. This was a light read, nothing heavy and I recommend it.

I liked the Christian emphasis right from the start...
"A prayer came to her lips as she silently petitioned God on behalf of whoever occupied this room. When she finished she released a soft sigh. Once, a long time ago, she remembered reading that no one could come to the Lord unless someone prayed for them first. She wasn't sure how scriptural that was, but the thought stuck with her. Often she found herself offering silent prayers for virtual strangers." (pg 15)

Ashley's unshakable faith had taught Claudia valuable lessons. She had been blessed with material wealth, while Ashley struggled from one month to the next. But of the two of them, Claudia considered Ashley the richer." (pg 16)

There is considerable kissing in the book and a couple times the couple talks about not letting things go to far. For that reason I recommend it only for adults and it would probably be best for married adults (women). Men wouldn't like this book, I don't think. I am not sure what my unmarried daughters would think... but they would probably rather not be tempted to have impure thoughts. There are enough things to struggle with in our thought lives... there is no reason to add to that by reading books that will stir things up.

Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
A book set around a holiday other than Christmas

[Heather Talley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Books like this are the reason 0 stars should be an option. What is with this trope of man sees pretty woman, God gives man a sign, man is entitled to woman marrying him and giving up everything for him? Claudia knew Seth for mere days before he proposed to her asking her to give up her life, friends and family. When Claudia very understandably is taken aback and wants time to decide Seth becomes manipulative and pressures her acting like she's in the wrong for daring to reject him because for good Christian men with a sign from God no doesn't have to mean no. Women if no one has told you: You matter. Your dreams matter. You goals matter. Your aspirations matter. Your accomplishments matter. No one has any right to ask you to give any of them up least of all someone you barely know. If they truly love you they will support you and find a way to make it work. I could rant for ages on the numerous issues I had with this book but it's not worth it so I'll wrap up with you can't claim humans have freewill then immediately throw it away with an F* your freewill God has a "plan".

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2 for 1 book. #1 Thanksgiving Prayer by Debbie Macomber. Claudia Masters is going to become a doctor. It has been her plan forever. Then along comes Seth, and she knows he's something special. Is he special enough for her to give up everything familiar, everything she's worked for? When she acts on faith and hope does she find her true destiny.
#2 A Handful of Heaven by Jullian Hart. Paige McKaslin always been a giver, a responsible woman. She has mothered her son, her sisters, cousins and her customers at the diner she owns. One of her regular customers, Evan Thornton is also, a single parent with two sons in college and an empty house. She sees herself in the same position when her son goes off to college next year. Neither of them wants to be alone. Could life still hold someone for her to love and love her in return?
Both were good religious romance stories.

[Carey Michels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanksgiving Prayer was such an infuriating book. Seth was such a frustrating character. He refused to change anything in his life and expected Claudia to change everything. He was mad that after a week of knowing her she wasn’t ready to say I love you. He goes back to Alaska, immediately gets with and proposes to someone else. After a lot of drama, Claudia gives up her whole life for them and they get married? 1.5 stars

Handful of Heaven- Paige and Evans love story was sweet. You could tell they really cared for each other and wanted to next for each other. This story was a good 3 stars

Combined I would say this was about 2.5 stars.

[Kate Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claudia wants to become a doctor, but when she meets Seth Lessinger, her plans for herself are upset when--after barely a week--he proposes. But he lives in Nome, Alaska. How is this going to work when she's in Seattle?

When Claudia decides to visit him in Nome, things don't go well and she ends up working as a medical assistant for an overworked doctor. Then Seth becomes a patient after badly injuring his leg. And then Claudia discovers he's proposed to someone else.

Now what? Such complications when the wrong people love the right people, but neither seems to know it.

[Debbie Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the second story but the first was another of Debbies confusing stories. The man Seth is a complete and total jerk for the entire book Excpt for the last few chapters but because he throws out the L word Claudia ditches everything she has worked for to be with the man who has zero respecf for her. Why does the author think this is a good thing. Oh and the nice respectful young man she meets later ends up with the best friend. I wont read this again and i Definitely do Not recommend it

[Shari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite Debbie Macomber books. I also hated Seth. He was self absorbed and wanted his way or the highway. I would have dumped him a lot sooner. I did appreciate the strong Christian message about trusting and trying to hear God's plan for life.

I realize this was written in 1984 and Debbie's writing has improved several times over. I really enjoy all of her books that are current. This was typical of the Harlequin romance novels of the 80's. I am glad Debbie's writing has outgrown these romance novels.
I did not read the other story included in the book.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not a fan of the first book by Debbie Macomber. The main male character was impatient and did things that left me wanting Claudia to choose someone else. This is the first book by this author that I haven’t liked.

[Charity Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute easy read for the holidays. This Debbie Macomber has a spoken "Christian" theme to it. Bonus book A Handful Of Heaven by Jillian Hart is good too.

[Penni Echeverria · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Didn't like the characters or their decisions

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the first story by Debbie Macomber but DNF'd it after that

[Gwen Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story from Debbie Macomber, but the one by Jillian Hart was repetitive covering the same topic over and over. It was rather exhausting and frustrating.

[Taniesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

From what I gather this is an earlier piece of hers... I thought the guy was a complete jerk and was not rooting for him one tiny bit.

[Phyllis Ferrier]

Both stories were very good.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved both stories.

[Gwen Susanek]

Very good!

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like Seth the one of the main characters was a stalker. It was a horrible read, the only reason I finished was to see how it ended. One to get rid of.