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Season of Joy
As the holiday season approaches, wealthy CEO Calista Sheffield wants to give instead of receive. So she volunteers at a downtown Denver shelter, never expecting that her own scarred heart will be filled with hope and healing. The mission's director, handsome Grant Monohan, has devoted his life to helping those in need. But his harrowing past�and what he sees every day�makes him wary of Calista. Unless she shares her painful history, he'll never believe they can have a future. But a future with Grant at the shelter is the only Christmas gift Calista truly wants.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2012
13 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Carmichael
12 books158 followersVirginia was born near the Rocky Mountains and although she has traveled around the world, the wilds of Colorado run in her veins. A big fan of the wide open sky and all four seasons, she believes in embracing the small moments of everyday life. A home schooling mom of six young children who rarely wear shoes, those moments usually involve a lot of noise, a lot of mess, or a whole bunch of warm cookies. Virginia holds degrees in Linguistics and Religious Studies from the University of Oregon. She lives with her habanero-eating husband, Crusberto, who is her polar opposite in all things except faith. They've learned to speak in short-hand code and look forward to the day they can actually finish a sentence. In the meantime, Virginia thanks God for the laughter and abundance of hugs that fill her day as she plots her next book.
Fair warning: I read everything! Well, maybe not erotica and horror, but I do read widely and often. I don't usually review every book I read (more often, I don't review) but my reviews cover everything from children's lit to Christian romance to YA to women's fiction to crime procedurals to mysteries to... you get the idea!
Fair warning: I read everything! Well, maybe not erotica and horror, but I do read widely and often. I don't usually review every book I read (more often, I don't review) but my reviews cover everything from children's lit to Christian romance to YA to women's fiction to crime procedurals to mysteries to... you get the idea!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 19, 2012
Inspirational romances are often set in small towns, Amish settlements, or medical locales. Few take place within the nitty-gritty day-to-day activities of a downtown shelter, the first clue Season of Joy is a special book. With her debut, Virginia Carmichael gives the reader a glimpse into a world where love and faith are tested daily. Themes of loneliness, loss, healing and hope are explored in a style both wry and compassionate.
The romance between the strong but lonely heroine and wary hero as well as interactions with colorful secondary characters keep the reader turning the pages quickly. An excellent understanding of "the least of these", both the poor in material goods and those poor in love and companionship, make this romance more than a just Christmas-themed story. Virginia Carmichael has given readers a gift for the season and beyond. Looking forward to more from her in the future.
The romance between the strong but lonely heroine and wary hero as well as interactions with colorful secondary characters keep the reader turning the pages quickly. An excellent understanding of "the least of these", both the poor in material goods and those poor in love and companionship, make this romance more than a just Christmas-themed story. Virginia Carmichael has given readers a gift for the season and beyond. Looking forward to more from her in the future.
November 20, 2012
I’m sure I’ve told y’all before, I don’t read very many contemporaries. Scratch that. I don’t finish reading very many contemporaries, but I believe Virginia Carmichael is persuading me to broaden my horizons a little more.
Shelter For Everyone
As the holiday season approaches wealthy CEO Calista Sheffield wants to give instead of receive. So she volunteers at a downtown Denver shelter, never expecting that her own scarred heart will be filled with hope and healing. The mission’s director, handsome Grant Monohan, has devoted his life to helping those in need. But his harrowing pass–and what he sees every day–makes him wary of Calista. Unless she shares her painful history, he’ll never believe they can have a future. But a future with Grant at the shelter is the only Christmas gift Calista truly wants.
There are so many things to love about this story and I’m not even sure where to begin, so I think I’ll bullet point them.
1. First, just look at this cover. It’s Christmasy and inviting. Kind of gives me that ‘home for the holidays’ feel.
2. I wasn’t two sentences in before recalling what it was like to walk into a shelter to volunteer, and then I wasn’t even a few pages in before guilt hit me, because I was, unintentionally, one of those ‘holiday’ people Grant Monohan talks about. Curious? You’ll have to read the book.
3. Awesome, awesome cast of characters and I’m not just talking about the hero and heroine. Virginia did her homework and created a well rounded group of supporting characters who are so realistic they jump off the page, even the ones who have very little dialogue. Writers, listen up, if you want to see great examples of non-cardboard characters, study this book.
4. I didn’t think I’d like Calista. Let’s face it, she’s a CEO. A successful CEO, which means she probably stepped on a lot of people in her climb up the ladder. And she’s gorgeous. Okay, so I didn’t just think I wouldn’t like, I thought I’d hate her. But remember what I said about well-rounded characters? Virginia has given this very unlikable stereo-type a very likable personality. And flaws, realistic flaws.
5. Grant Monohan is perfect! I fell in love with him by page 20, maybe even before.
6. The conflict is right on. It’s enough, but not over dramatic.
7. This book inspired me to live out my faith, to be the only example of Christ some people may ever see. That’s huge in my book!
8. Season of Joy was nominated for Romantic Time’s 2012 Series Romance, and it’s well deserved. AND let me add that this book is the only inspirational book nominated. Does that say something or what?
All right, so, my review is a little late, but I think you can still purchase this book at the stores. If not, you can buy it from Harlequin.com and of course Amazon.
Shelter For Everyone
As the holiday season approaches wealthy CEO Calista Sheffield wants to give instead of receive. So she volunteers at a downtown Denver shelter, never expecting that her own scarred heart will be filled with hope and healing. The mission’s director, handsome Grant Monohan, has devoted his life to helping those in need. But his harrowing pass–and what he sees every day–makes him wary of Calista. Unless she shares her painful history, he’ll never believe they can have a future. But a future with Grant at the shelter is the only Christmas gift Calista truly wants.
There are so many things to love about this story and I’m not even sure where to begin, so I think I’ll bullet point them.
1. First, just look at this cover. It’s Christmasy and inviting. Kind of gives me that ‘home for the holidays’ feel.
2. I wasn’t two sentences in before recalling what it was like to walk into a shelter to volunteer, and then I wasn’t even a few pages in before guilt hit me, because I was, unintentionally, one of those ‘holiday’ people Grant Monohan talks about. Curious? You’ll have to read the book.
3. Awesome, awesome cast of characters and I’m not just talking about the hero and heroine. Virginia did her homework and created a well rounded group of supporting characters who are so realistic they jump off the page, even the ones who have very little dialogue. Writers, listen up, if you want to see great examples of non-cardboard characters, study this book.
4. I didn’t think I’d like Calista. Let’s face it, she’s a CEO. A successful CEO, which means she probably stepped on a lot of people in her climb up the ladder. And she’s gorgeous. Okay, so I didn’t just think I wouldn’t like, I thought I’d hate her. But remember what I said about well-rounded characters? Virginia has given this very unlikable stereo-type a very likable personality. And flaws, realistic flaws.
5. Grant Monohan is perfect! I fell in love with him by page 20, maybe even before.
6. The conflict is right on. It’s enough, but not over dramatic.
7. This book inspired me to live out my faith, to be the only example of Christ some people may ever see. That’s huge in my book!
8. Season of Joy was nominated for Romantic Time’s 2012 Series Romance, and it’s well deserved. AND let me add that this book is the only inspirational book nominated. Does that say something or what?
All right, so, my review is a little late, but I think you can still purchase this book at the stores. If not, you can buy it from Harlequin.com and of course Amazon.
March 2, 2017
4.65 stars - mild pg13 - 218 pages
Great story. Loved mature H & h and their respective faiths & flaws. Fun, colorful secondary characters. Good writing style. Nice romance. The heroine yearned for purpose in her successful but sad & lonely life; she wanted to feel joy. The Hero was a yummy, flawed "man of God". None of us is perfect. And God is a God of second chances.
Liked that the story revolves around an inner city mission that provides food, shelter, parenting classes, addiction counseling, career training, etc. for those who are in need. I think there is a perception that shelters are full of drug addicted schizophrenics. Quite often however, they're just good people who have fallen on rough times or not had the opportunities and nurturing, cushy lifestyles of most of us. I liked how the story highlighted the harshness and the fears of life, but also the tenderness, the dignity, the hope and the joy ...... not only for those having to rely on the shelter for basic necessities, but also for those of us who have plenty of material things. No matter our situation in life, we all need the hope and love and abundant life God offers.
This story was gritty reality and tender romance all in one. It inspired me to just trust God more, to take more faith leaps and to reach out to those in need. It's nice to have a yummy romance story that can also inspire you to live the life God called you to. {This was definitely a Christian romance, but it did not seem overly "preachy" to me.}
p.s. - Author also writes books under name of Mary Jane Hathaway
Great story. Loved mature H & h and their respective faiths & flaws. Fun, colorful secondary characters. Good writing style. Nice romance. The heroine yearned for purpose in her successful but sad & lonely life; she wanted to feel joy. The Hero was a yummy, flawed "man of God". None of us is perfect. And God is a God of second chances.
Liked that the story revolves around an inner city mission that provides food, shelter, parenting classes, addiction counseling, career training, etc. for those who are in need. I think there is a perception that shelters are full of drug addicted schizophrenics. Quite often however, they're just good people who have fallen on rough times or not had the opportunities and nurturing, cushy lifestyles of most of us. I liked how the story highlighted the harshness and the fears of life, but also the tenderness, the dignity, the hope and the joy ...... not only for those having to rely on the shelter for basic necessities, but also for those of us who have plenty of material things. No matter our situation in life, we all need the hope and love and abundant life God offers.
This story was gritty reality and tender romance all in one. It inspired me to just trust God more, to take more faith leaps and to reach out to those in need. It's nice to have a yummy romance story that can also inspire you to live the life God called you to. {This was definitely a Christian romance, but it did not seem overly "preachy" to me.}
p.s. - Author also writes books under name of Mary Jane Hathaway
June 6, 2013
After spending years of climbing the corporate ladder, pretty and successful CEO Calista Sheffield decides she wants to experience a different sort of holiday season, one of giving rather than receiving. So she volunteers at the downtown Denver Shelter, never expecting her wounded heart will be filled with hope and healing.
The shelter’s handsome director, Grant Monohan, is a person who has devoted his life to helping those less fortunate. He expects beautiful women like Calista to show up to volunteer during the holidays, usually actresses, models and other celebrities who arrive with an entourage of assistants and cameramen to record the volunteering for posterity. He knows that women like her don’t stay long. Once the Christmas holidays are over, he assumes she will be gone.
The strength of this novel were the real, believable and well-developed characters. I cared about these characters and empathized with them.
This was one of those books that was truly a “joy” to read. I also liked that it takes place during the holiday season, although it is a book that can be read anytime.
This was an enjoyable read with believable and well-developed characters. Carmichael has a pleasant, easy-to-read writing style and I look forward to reading more books by her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a beautiful Christian romance.
The shelter’s handsome director, Grant Monohan, is a person who has devoted his life to helping those less fortunate. He expects beautiful women like Calista to show up to volunteer during the holidays, usually actresses, models and other celebrities who arrive with an entourage of assistants and cameramen to record the volunteering for posterity. He knows that women like her don’t stay long. Once the Christmas holidays are over, he assumes she will be gone.
The strength of this novel were the real, believable and well-developed characters. I cared about these characters and empathized with them.
This was one of those books that was truly a “joy” to read. I also liked that it takes place during the holiday season, although it is a book that can be read anytime.
This was an enjoyable read with believable and well-developed characters. Carmichael has a pleasant, easy-to-read writing style and I look forward to reading more books by her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a beautiful Christian romance.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY: As the holiday season approaches, wealthy CEO Calista Sheffield wants to give instead of receive. So she volunteers at a downtown Denver shelter, never expecting that her own scarred heart will be filled with hope and healing. The mission's director, handsome Grant Monohan, has devoted his life to helping those in need. But his harrowing past—and what he sees every day—makes him wary of Calista. Unless she shares her painful history, he'll never believe they can have a future. But a future with Grant at the shelter is the only Christmas gift Calista truly wants.
REVIEW: I really liked both the characters and setting of this story. Rarely do you find a story set in a large city in a downtown mission for the homeless and impoverished. The author gives an excellent inside look at the inside operations of a large city mission. Both Calista and Grant have backgrounds that should have held them back from achieving large goals, but both have overcome them. Each is work focused and has let their personal life become dominated by work. Calista moves past her loneliness to reach out to others and Grant overcomes his wariness to develop a romantic relationship. The minor characters add depth to the storyline and I especially enjoyed Marisol.
The emphasis on "the least of these" made for a strong theme throughout the story and was perfect for Christmas time.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "I think once pride gets center stage, God's truth is hard to hear over the noise."
"..when the heart first loves, it only sees perfection. With time, the love remains but the heart knows the truth--no one is perfect. Only God."
REVIEW: I really liked both the characters and setting of this story. Rarely do you find a story set in a large city in a downtown mission for the homeless and impoverished. The author gives an excellent inside look at the inside operations of a large city mission. Both Calista and Grant have backgrounds that should have held them back from achieving large goals, but both have overcome them. Each is work focused and has let their personal life become dominated by work. Calista moves past her loneliness to reach out to others and Grant overcomes his wariness to develop a romantic relationship. The minor characters add depth to the storyline and I especially enjoyed Marisol.
The emphasis on "the least of these" made for a strong theme throughout the story and was perfect for Christmas time.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "I think once pride gets center stage, God's truth is hard to hear over the noise."
"..when the heart first loves, it only sees perfection. With time, the love remains but the heart knows the truth--no one is perfect. Only God."
January 30, 2013
Interesting premise and heartwarming characters.
March 10, 2023
I read this for a reading challenge set in a large city. I live near Denver and briefly lived in the city attending college. Having worked for a nonprofit organization I understand the challenges of obtaining adequate funding. The characters were believable and the storyline was well written. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting an uplifting story with romance not being the focal point.
December 14, 2023
Hoopla. Love Inspired just a fun book to read.
January 4, 2013
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
This book follows the typical Harlequin-esque romance formula. There's a busy business woman named Calista who volunteers at a local shelter. And then there's the handsome man with a hidden past that enters the picture. Romance shouldn't be in the picture, but it is, and at the end of the day love overcomes all obstacles, no matter how cliche they are.
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+One plus that I did appreciate in this novel was that the Christian themes were relatively subtle. When I realized that this book was to do with a mission worker, I was a bit put off. I'm not anti-Christian, but I don't personally follow that path. I was pleasantly surprised that there were no preachy moments or lengthy Bible quotes, which I have encountered in other romances.
+ I don't wish to spoil anything, so I'll keep it to the minimum. I didn't see the fire coming. I thought I knew exactly where the plot was headed, but this threw me for a loop. Well played, and a tip of the hat to you.
At the end of the day, there's nothing unique about this book. It's a romance novel that, to me, will be lost on my shelf among the others. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my thing, either. If you enjoy Harlequin romance- great! You might really like this book! But if you're looking for a different read from the usual, you might want to pass this one up.
This review can also be found on my spiffy new blog, Bitches n Prose.
This book follows the typical Harlequin-esque romance formula. There's a busy business woman named Calista who volunteers at a local shelter. And then there's the handsome man with a hidden past that enters the picture. Romance shouldn't be in the picture, but it is, and at the end of the day love overcomes all obstacles, no matter how cliche they are.
---
+One plus that I did appreciate in this novel was that the Christian themes were relatively subtle. When I realized that this book was to do with a mission worker, I was a bit put off. I'm not anti-Christian, but I don't personally follow that path. I was pleasantly surprised that there were no preachy moments or lengthy Bible quotes, which I have encountered in other romances.
+ I don't wish to spoil anything, so I'll keep it to the minimum. I didn't see the fire coming. I thought I knew exactly where the plot was headed, but this threw me for a loop. Well played, and a tip of the hat to you.
At the end of the day, there's nothing unique about this book. It's a romance novel that, to me, will be lost on my shelf among the others. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my thing, either. If you enjoy Harlequin romance- great! You might really like this book! But if you're looking for a different read from the usual, you might want to pass this one up.
This review can also be found on my spiffy new blog, Bitches n Prose.
November 27, 2015
I enjoyed the third book in the Denver Downtown Mission 'series' so much that I knew I wanted to read about what happened before Sabrina met Jack. This was a nice introduction to the Mission and its purpose, and director Grant. I liked his character, though at one point, I was frustrated enough with a choice he made that I wanted to shake some sense into him . . .
I really liked Calista, too. I loved how she was still fairly new in her walk with Christ, and how she knew that she wanted MORE than what she had as a CEO of a big corporation: how she wanted her life to have real meaning and purpose, and how she sought that through serving others and trying her best to follow God's leading.
The whole book was centered on the theme of John 10:10 . . . that Jesus came to give us not only life, but *abundant* life. I really liked how both Grant and Calista were able to find a more abundant life.
I really liked Calista, too. I loved how she was still fairly new in her walk with Christ, and how she knew that she wanted MORE than what she had as a CEO of a big corporation: how she wanted her life to have real meaning and purpose, and how she sought that through serving others and trying her best to follow God's leading.
The whole book was centered on the theme of John 10:10 . . . that Jesus came to give us not only life, but *abundant* life. I really liked how both Grant and Calista were able to find a more abundant life.
October 8, 2013
I am not really a romantic fiction kind of woman; I'm more of a mystery/classics/non-fiction kind of woman. And the genre title "Christian Romantic Fiction" usually sends me running in the opposite direction.
This book, however, hooked me. It was well-researched and well-written and packed with charming details. It was a lovely diversion, and a perfect antidote to the hustle of the holiday season.
Don't skip the open letter at the end of this book -- it, like this book, is well worth your time.
This book, however, hooked me. It was well-researched and well-written and packed with charming details. It was a lovely diversion, and a perfect antidote to the hustle of the holiday season.
Don't skip the open letter at the end of this book -- it, like this book, is well worth your time.
December 19, 2013
I recently spent an enjoyable few days reading Season of Joy by Virginia Carmichael.
After spending years of climbing the corporate ladder, pretty and successful CEO Calista Sheffield decides she wants to experience a different sort of holiday season, one of giving rather than receiving. So she volunteers at the downtown Denver Shelter, never expecting her wounded heart will be filled with hope and healing.
Read more: http://catholicfiction.net/book-revie...
After spending years of climbing the corporate ladder, pretty and successful CEO Calista Sheffield decides she wants to experience a different sort of holiday season, one of giving rather than receiving. So she volunteers at the downtown Denver Shelter, never expecting her wounded heart will be filled with hope and healing.
Read more: http://catholicfiction.net/book-revie...
May 28, 2014
Was really enjoying the story right up to the last few pages - where 1 sentence left a bad taste in my mouth - an it didn't even add anything to the story - in the end he tells her they will have to get rid of the pet and she agrees. Ok ...I give... The Kitty was evil and liked to eat her shoes, but regardless I just felt it gives the impression that our pets are disposable.... Just P*s**d me off.
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December 27, 2014Category: Inspirational Romance
November 7, 2015
Well written seasonal Christian Inspiration Romance novel.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews