Maggie's Miracle: A Novel

The Red Gloves #2

by Karen Kingsbury

Years after one magical summer, a high-powered attorney reconnects with a grieving man from her past -- and learns that the miracles she prayed for could be right beside her.




Megan Wright spent one unforgettable summer week with a boy when they were both teens. And despite a lifetime of heartache and bad choices, she has never let go of his magical definition of love, even if she has trouble believing in it. After college Megan settled for a relationship of convenience. Now she's a high powered attorney and, after the death of her husband two years ago, has been looking for help with her lonely young son.

Across town, Casey Cummins is still dealing with the tragic loss of his wife. His search for meaning and hope leads him to contact the Manhattan Children's Organization, who connects him with a fatherless child. Life suddenly takes a series of unusual twists, and soon Megan will learn that the teenage boy from all those years ago actually kept his promise, and the miracle she prayed for as a girl is only a breath away.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christmas, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Inspirational, Contemporary

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2003

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and uplifting Christmas read! It reminded me of a Hallmark movie 😍

[Jenn Custer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read from Karen Kingsbury's Red Glove Christmas series. Each of them has been memorable.

Summary:

Megan Wright spent just a week with him the summer of their 14th year. But despite a lifetime of heartache and bad choices, she never let go of young Kade's magical definition of love. After college Megan settled for a relationship of convenience. Now it's been two years since her husband's death and she is a high-powered attorney, looking for help with her lonely young son. Across town, Casey Cummins is still dealing with the three-year-old tragic loss of his wife. His search for meaning and hope leads him to contact the Manhattan Children's Organization, who connect him with a fatherless child. Now life is suddenly taking a series of unusual twists. How could Megan know that the teenage boy from all those years ago actually kept his promise? Or that the miracle she prayed for as a girl is only a breath away? The prayers of her little boy are about to be answered, and in a strange and mysterious way that only heaven in all its glory could've brought about

I loved the characters in this story especially Maggie's son Jordan. A typical second grader he is full of fun and yet still full of hope. He knows what he is missing in life and believes with all his heart that God will fulfill his dream.

This is a delightful Christmas story that warms the heart and shows how miracles can happen in everyday lives. It's a quick read and one you will find you can't put down until you have reached the end.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful heartwarming story by Karen Kingsbury. I love how God used a little child to bring healing and faith to the adults.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected at all. When I saw the red glove series on Karen's website I thought the series was more geared towards young teens, so I really never thought to read this. So once I picked up the book I had a hard time putting the book down the book is about a young boy who doesn't quite feel loved and wants a Daddy. The story at first really broke my heart, but the more I read the book did not disappoint at all, Karen does an amazing job at getting right to the point and to the matter of the heart. Unlike most of Karen's book this one was very short read, I read it very quickly and so enjoyable. All i say is grab some tissues and your favorite drink and find a quite place this book will be worth the read.

I was given a copy from netgalley for my honest opinion

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maggie is the most unlikable protagonist I've ever encountered. And that's saying something because I read Twilight. She was such a hag towards her son that I couldn't "feel" for her or want her to get her ~miracle. Casey and Jordan were too good for her. Just because you don't ~*~believe in love~*~ doesn't mean you can't treat your child like an actual HUMAN BEING instead of some annoying little imp running around your apartment and getting in the way of your job. (And don't even get me started on Maggie's horrible mother.) The "instalove" was laughably unbelievable, which is saying something because...seriously, on Christmas Eve, you find out your kid's social service-assigned friend/mentor is a boy you met once half your life ago...get engaged to him the next morning, marry him the following Valentine's Day are expecting a baby before the next Christmas?

Besides an unlikable protagonist, it was yet ANOTHER paint-by-numbers Christian romance (with a side of creepy, the more I think about it). Are the people who write these books given a Mad-Libs ap where they fill in the character names, city, character jobs, trauma-stopping-them-from-coming-to-Jesus, etc and these books pop out once the blanks are filled in? I ask because EVERY CHRISTIAN NOVEL I've read has seemed like ever other one I've ever read.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little Christmas story. It was a little predictable, but it's a nice read when you're busy and don't have a lot of time to pick up something bigger and heavier.

[Kaylee Bickford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an AMAZING Christian romance Christmas book! A movie was made of this book the movie is called Maggie’s Christmas Miracle. I loved that movie so I figured I would also love the book, and I did it’s kinda different from the movie but it’s just as good!

[Perrilyn Pringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I called it. So cute, not gonna lie.

[Rebecca Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and simple story of love, healing, loss, grief, and so much more... Giving without strings attached...

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it ❤️

[Robin Sterzinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good day read for sitting in the sun and believing in love.

[Lala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical love story. Such a cute story. Christmas Miracles 😁

[Wildman736 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hallmark movie adaptation is a must watch for the Christmas season. This book did not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the red glove series.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you that have ever loved so much at one time but had to watch that time in your life slip by, there is hope that you will one day find it again. Best-selling author Karen Kingsbury takes readers into the hearts of Maggie and Jordan Wright who are finding themselves trying to find a way to get through the death of her husband and Jordan's father due to a sudden heart attack. Jordan is dealing with it much harder as an eight-year-old boy who was loved dearly by his father, but the love Maggie shared with him was simply a business transaction in the marriage. She only had that perfect love once in her life as a young girl searching for answers and finding it on the shores of a lake one summer.

Maggie has since resolved to give up on love forever and find a way to move forward in her life as a busy district attorney. But she can see that Jordan needs more time than she can find to give him. His grades are suffering and he has now taken his problems directly to God in a letter. Knowing his mother always has the right answers, Jordan believes that his special prayer for a new daddy must be written out and mailed by his mother. He knows beyond a doubt that God will hear him and answer his prayers.

Casey Cummins understands that level of grief that Maggie and Jordan are feeling. He too, lost his wife Amy and his unborn son due to delivery complications. He knew that he would never find a love like that again, but there is still an empty place in his heart for helping others. He learns about Healing Hearts, a program that places grieving children with single adults as a way of helping them through their struggles and that feels like the perfect answer for managing his own grief. Now he prays that God will provide him with just the right child for him and hopes he won't have to wait too long.

I received Maggie's Miracle by Karen Kingsbury compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions here are strictly my own. This is the second book in the Red Glove Series and is bound to ignite a spirit of love and hope in your heart this Christmas season. It is about believing not only in miracles but the power of prayer to restore those broken places in our hearts and find hope once again. There is also a list of activities to inspire you to incorporate them into your Christmas season and give back some hope and love to those that are hurting. I love the idea of reading this book a chapter a day starting at Thanksgiving as a way of encouraging and inspiring us all to be better people. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. While these are part of a series, they can be read as a stand alone and in any order.

[Melissa (Vacation Mode) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan Wright's father died from a heart attack two years before the story opens. At eight years old, Jordan desires nothing more than to have a Daddy in his life. His mom, Megan, is a district attorney, and although she tries hard to be there for Jordan, she can't be both mommy and daddy to this grieving little boy. He writes a letter, asking God to bring him a Daddy for Christmas. Megan reads the letter and is at a loss for an answer, since she has stated that she doesn't believe in love anymore.

Casey Cummins fulfilled his lifelong dream when he opened his café, Casey's Corner. Still grieving from the loss of his wife and infant son two years previously, he has not allowed himself to move on and find love again. He decides to become a mentor in the Healing Hearts program, an organization that pairs children who have lost a parent or parents with a special friend. Casey is paired with Jordan, and the two hit it off immediately. Will God answer Jordan's prayer in the way he imagined? Or will all three of them be surprised by a Christmas miracle?

Maggie's Miracle is a treasure. Karen Kingsbury has a gift for writing touching, emotional fiction that reaches readers' hearts. I love to be surprised by a book's ending, and this one does just that. The characters are warm, yet not without fault. The faith message is subtle and permeates every situation. My heart went out to Jordan, a young boy who just wants a daddy to throw a ball with and to love him. I could feel the depth of his desire as he pleads with God to bring someone into his life, and also his joy when Casey becomes his friend.

I recommend Maggie's Miracle to you as a sweet and moving novel for this Christmas. It is part of The Red Gloves Series (a list of Projects is included at the end of the book), which encourage readers to reach out to those less fortunate during the holidays. The first in the series, Gideon's Gift, focuses on the homeless, as this second focuses on children without parents. Make sure to put Maggie's Miracle on your reading list this holiday season.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the red glove series of books. I make a point of reading them each year during November or December. This book is about an eight year old boy, whose older father had died, and his mother worked too much to pay attention to him. His mother learns of a Healing Heart program for grieving children. At first it's a way for her to give her son attention, so she can work more. Then the mom is brought into the picture. This is a sweet story.

[Christie Brumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie's Miracle is one of those rare treasures that come along when you least expect it in your life. It made my heart smile double time. I still have a smile on my face. This is right up there on my list of greats. Wow....this book is a miracle

[AlegnaB † · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the first book in the series, this was a tearjerker.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story.

Megan/Maggie is a prosecuting attorney in the DA's office in New York City. She invests her time and energy into her cases. Jordan, her eight year old son, is stuck at home after school with his grandmother. She would rather watch her soap operas than to keep an eye on him. Since his father passed away, there is no one to spend time with him. Jordan writes a letter to God asking for a new daddy.

Casey, a widower grieving the loss of his wife, spends his time jogging through Central Park and working in his café. He decides to volunteer in a program that connects grieving children with single adults to spend time with them and help with homework once a week. Through the program, Casey gets to know Jordan and Maggie.

What I most liked: how the main characters - Megan, Jordan, and Casey - interacted with each other. I also like how once Megan realizes her son is wanting a new daddy because he feels alone, she starts to make time to for him. I thought the characters were well written, especially Jordan.

What I least liked: the amount of time Megan and Casey spent on remembering and reflecting on the past. This took up a huge portion of the story. I felt some parts of this were longer than what was needed. Once the entire past was revealed, the story moved forward in the present.

Books by this author: This is the second book I've read by Karen Kingsbury; the first one was Gideon's Gift. Maggie's Miracle is my favorite of the two. I'm likely to read the rest of the series.

My major take away of the author's message: Christmas miracles happen when you expect/believe for them. When you pray and do something to bring about a miracle for someone else it can bring about one for you too.

Can this be read out of order? Yes. There are no connecting/returning characters. This is more of a stand alone. One does not need to read Gideon's Gift in order to understand this story. In fact, the concept of giving red gloves is explained better in this story.

Why 4 stars? Overall I enjoyed the story and recommend it.

In Summary: This is a sweet story with good character development. Too much time is spent reflecting on the past. After the past has been revealed, the plot moves forward at a decent pace.

Warnings/side-notes: No warnings. This can be read outside of the Christmas season.

[Jack Vasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book of the Red Gloves series tells a complete story. I read this first in the series, but I didn't notice anything missing. It can stand alone and the series can be read in any order. The series ties together around gifts of red gloves, but they are unique in each story.

I saw the Hallmark movie first. Several times. And I always cry. Likewise with this book. There are some differences. I'm hard pressed to say, what most people do about books and movies, that the book is better. Maybe they are equally good. The book is fairly short and a quick read, so it's not like there is a lot of space for more details than the movie.

If you read the book and watch the movie, you'll know what's coming in whichever you do second. I didn't in the movie when I watched it first. I was totally caught off guard. Reading the book after the movie, of course I knew, but I also think there were more clues.

Either way, the ending is very powerful. There is another series based on Godwinks. This story is a definite Godwink, but this author focuses on it, and others in the series, as Christmas Miracles. I think this book is also fictional.

Obviously, this is a Christian book, and a Christmas story, but there is almost no preaching, or if there is, it is woven into the story well enough that it's not that noticeable.

I would have like there to be more relationship building between Megan and Casey. There were activities, but except for a couple of brief conversations, the story doesn't chronicle a lot of conversation between them. This is one book that I really could have enjoyed being longer.

Mature themes: no, not at all, unless you want to count backstory deaths and marital difficulties especially as to how they affect the children. No sex. No language. No violence.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie's Miracle: A Heartwarming Tale of Grief and Healing

Maggie's Miracle is a charming and heartwarming tale that explores the depths of grief and the power of human connection. I stumbled upon this book during a difficult time in my life, seeking comfort in its pages.

The story revolves around Jordan, an 8 year old who is grappling with the loss of his father, and Megan a single mother who is seeking support for her young son. She discovers a program that brings her together with Casey, a man also navigating his own grief. Their paths intertwine as they form an unlikely bond, finding comfort and healing in each other's company. And discovering a shared history.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to evoke genuine emotions. The characters are relatable and well-developed, each facing their own unique challenges. Megan's determination to provide for Jordan, despite her personal struggles, is admirable. Casey's empathy and understanding offer a much-needed support system. Their journey together is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

While the book is largely heartwarming, there are a few minor details that bothered me. The suddenness of Megan's "instalove" for Casey felt a bit rushed, lacking the necessary build-up. However, this doesn't detract significantly from the overall story.

Overall, Maggie's Miracle is a heartwarming quick read that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and healing can be found. If you're looking for a comforting and uplifting story, I highly recommend giving this book a try.

[HL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it’s great to read or listen to an uncomplicated, yet deeply heartfelt story. This book is another fantastic Kingsbury Christmas story with a unique twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. If you love kids, moms and dads, then this story will be a favorite that’s listened to and reread, probably yearly. We could all do with a Christmas miracle this year and every year.
Kingsbury brings us along on another miracle ride that has me shouting, “I believe in miracles, too”, especially Christmas ones. Consider that love is powerful and a little boy writes God asking for a daddy and also asking for his mom to believe in love, again. You know this will be a recipe for light and laughter. Kingsbury’s characters are people you feel you know or have met before. This book or audiobook would also make a great Christmas stocking stuffer. Share the joy of hope found in these pages with family and friends. If you read or listen to this story as a family, expect to spark some great discussions.
Do you believe in love? Do you believe in miracles? Here you will find both. You may cry a little, laugh a lot, so what are you waiting for?

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie’s Miracle, by Karen Kingsbury, was very enjoyable for me. The book was based around 2003, but also flashbacked to the early to mid 90’s. Manhattan, New York is where the main characters live. Throughout their stories though, the setting changes to Lake Tahoe, California and even all the way to Port-au-Prince, Africa. The characters in this story have very interesting and heart-grabbing backgrounds. Throughout the book, the author did an amazing job of tying their stories together and having a lovely ending to tie it off. The way this book was written, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and never wanted to stop. I would say that my most memorable, favorite part of this book is the relationships made because of how their stories connected and intertwined. This book is so good, 5/5 stars and beyond, I totally recommend this to readers who like stories about relationships, real love, and miracles. Tate.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wright at the age of fourteen spent an unforgettable summer week with a boy. She never let go of his magical definition of love, even though she has trouble believing it.

Casey Cummins tragically lost his wife. He contacts a Children's Organization, who connects him with a fatherless boy.

What a story. I'm enjoying this series, even though it's in the middle of summer right now. Christmas stories are good any time of the year.

My dad died when I was ten, so I identified with Maggie's son. I only wish I could have had a "big friend" like Casey Cummings.

[Vibeke Hiatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have read this in one sitting. Trust me, I wanted to. I've loved the Hallmark adaptation ever since I watched the premier all those years ago. My husband and I have watched it together every years since. I was afraid I wouldn't love the book as much, but it turns out there was no reason to worry. The book and movie are just as different as they are similar, in all the right ways. Kingsbury has a gift for making the spiritual aspects of the story sound natural, which I greatly admire. I guess I'll be checking out more of her stories.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about Megan Wright and her son Jordan, who wrote a letter to God asking him to send him a daddy for Christmas. She is a high powered DA whose work keeps her from home, and Jordan finds himself constantly getting into trouble. Casey Cummins is a widowed restaurant owner still grieving the loss of his wife and son. He signs up to be a mentor in the Healing Hearts program and is paired with Jordan, providing the father figure that he so desperately wanted. Full of snow, ice skating, and hot chocolate, it’s a cozy Christmas read!

[linda murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars Isn't Enough!

I love Karen Kingsbury's books, all of them, but this Red Gloves series is so heartwarming, and leaves me so emotional! In Maggie's Miracle we meet two broken people and a little boy, who just wants a family and prays for a dad, while his mother doesn't believe any longer in love. Meanwhile, Casey has lost his wife and baby, and is having a hard time moving on. When Casey signs up to be a Special Friend to a boy needing a man in his life, the three of them find a miracle at Christmas that only God could make happen!

[SOMDReigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a quick heartwarming story then this book is for you! Karen Kingsbury books feed your mind and spirit. She does a very good job of weaving important subjects into great stories. A very talented and inspirational writer. Maggie’s Miracle is a reminder that priorities need to be adjusted and time taken to be a family. It’s about grief and how God is always there. I really enjoyed Maggie's Miracle and look forward to reading all the Red Glove Novels!

[Zenobia N Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOD Still Works Miracles

It's amazing (and disheartening) to think that one's childhood experiences can inform their perception of love. It's good, however, that miracles still exist and that GOD is able to reconfigure our misconceptions of love. What I like most about this book is that it begins and ends with a child's prayer. What is painful is that many people live in love less marriages feeling they don't deserve to be loved, or never realizing that love.