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Miracles and Marriage
Zoe Blackstone has always wanted to be a mother—but a looming medical condition has placed a cruel deadline on her dreams. With time running out, she knows she needs a partner who’s willing to help her become a mom before it’s too late. She never expected that person to be her boss.
Jedidiah Cal Callahan is grieving the loss of his last remaining family member. When Zoe confides in him about her ticking clock, he offers a they’ll get married in secret and try for a baby together. No strings. No expectations. Just a practical arrangement between two adults.
But as their secret marriage deepens into something more, their hearts get tangled in the most unexpected ways. And when it seems the dream of a baby might not come true after all, they discover that love—real, lasting love—was the true miracle they never saw coming.
Jedidiah Cal Callahan is grieving the loss of his last remaining family member. When Zoe confides in him about her ticking clock, he offers a they’ll get married in secret and try for a baby together. No strings. No expectations. Just a practical arrangement between two adults.
But as their secret marriage deepens into something more, their hearts get tangled in the most unexpected ways. And when it seems the dream of a baby might not come true after all, they discover that love—real, lasting love—was the true miracle they never saw coming.
- GenresRomance
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
808 people want to read
About the author
Barbara McMahon
408 books175 followersBestselling, award winning author Barbara McMahon has written more than 80 novels which have sold more than 16 million copies world wide in more than fifty countries in twenty-eight languages.
Known for her heartwarming, emotional stories, she excels in capturing those feelings when first falling in love. She has won or been nominated for every major award in the romance genre from a double nomination in the RITA to winning the Bookseller's Best, National Readers Choice Award and the prestigious HOLT Medallion, among others.
Barbara lives in West Michigan with her husband and two fur babies. Her favorite passtimes are genealogy research and taking her dogs on walks in the wood behind their home.
Known for her heartwarming, emotional stories, she excels in capturing those feelings when first falling in love. She has won or been nominated for every major award in the romance genre from a double nomination in the RITA to winning the Bookseller's Best, National Readers Choice Award and the prestigious HOLT Medallion, among others.
Barbara lives in West Michigan with her husband and two fur babies. Her favorite passtimes are genealogy research and taking her dogs on walks in the wood behind their home.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 12, 2025
Zoe is not ready to give up her dream of having a child even though her doctor tells her a hysterectomy is the only solution to solve her very severe monthly cramping. Zoe takes a couple of days and heads to her family's seaside cottage, When her boss Jedidiah tracks her down to her family's seaside cottage, he learns of her problem. Jed recently lost his last family member and suggests that he could be the father of her baby. His only condition is that Zoe marry him to protect his rights as a father. I received a free advanced review copy of this ebook. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love that Zoe is an independent successful and modern woman. I also love that this isn't an insta-love, but a more believable love story. This is a charming romance.
August 7, 2025
This story is a good different. Zoe had worked for Cal for a few years, and she was one of his most trusted employees. Once a month Zoe started having pain and cramping so bad she could hardly live with it. Zoe wanted a baby so bad, that she was hoping to find a good man that wanted children also before she couldn’t have any children. I felt bad because Cal never let any of his personal feelings out to anyone. It was heartbreaking when he finally opened up to Zoe one day about a past relationship. There was a caring and sweet man that Zoe finally got to know. Cal wanted children and talked Zoe into trying to have one with him which was so out of character for him. I did get frustrated with Zoe at times as she was so stubborn about thinking Cal didn’t want things without talking to him. I was glad Zoe had her twin sister Chloe to talk to and help her emotionally. Zoe and Cal’s relationship was up and down, but I was always hoping they would find love. I strongly encourage you to read the book.
September 29, 2025
Miracles and Marriage by Barbara McMahon is a simple romance wherein two people marry for the expressed purpose of having a child, no love involved, until there is. Nothing here but good feels. Zoe usually gets deathly ill during her period, akin to having a migraine that lasts several days. Her doctor has just told her that the only actual cure would be a hysterectomy. She’s called in sick to work at a premiere security company and for the first time her boss, Cal, notices. She is invaluable to him and he needs her so he figures out where she is and goes there to see what is going on. Even as oblivious as he is, he sees that something is seriously wrong. After she explains, he offers to help find her a man. That didn’t work well, nor did her sister’s attempt. Then he offers himself. He is still smarting from his last girlfriend aborting their baby without telling him. Then his uncle dies, and Zoe offers to come with him. She doesn’t want him to face it alone. The man had essentially been his father.
Two good characters, each with their own problems, whose failure to communicate nearly ruins everything. Several months go by and Zoe doesn’t get pregnant despite their best efforts and she decides to schedule the surgery. She had been warned she might not be able to get pregnant. So be it. Finally Cal steps up and tells her how he feels. Is it too late? McMahon writes some of the best feel-good romances around. A book by her can always lift your day. They are not great literature but they are extremely readable with likable characters who tend to be in situations the reader is somewhat familiar with. Totally worth the read.
I was invited to read Miracle and Marriage by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Bookfunnel #BarbaraMcMahon #MiraclesAndMarriage
Two good characters, each with their own problems, whose failure to communicate nearly ruins everything. Several months go by and Zoe doesn’t get pregnant despite their best efforts and she decides to schedule the surgery. She had been warned she might not be able to get pregnant. So be it. Finally Cal steps up and tells her how he feels. Is it too late? McMahon writes some of the best feel-good romances around. A book by her can always lift your day. They are not great literature but they are extremely readable with likable characters who tend to be in situations the reader is somewhat familiar with. Totally worth the read.
I was invited to read Miracle and Marriage by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Bookfunnel #BarbaraMcMahon #MiraclesAndMarriage
October 12, 2025
A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE FOR A BABY
The story is part of the Making a Family series, but each book will read well as a stand-alone. These books can be read in any order.
Zoe Blackstone is one of eleven children and a twin to Chloe. At twenty-six years old, she still thought she had plenty of time to find a man, fall in love, and have a family. But fate isn’t working in her favor. With a rare medical condition and horrific cramping each month, her OB/GYN is recommending she have a procedure, but it will prevent her from ever having children. Zoe is an analyst for Protection, Inc.
Jeidiah ‘Cal’ Callahan was raised by his maternal uncle, Hal Larkin, who never married, but never made Cal feel unwanted. Cal graduated from high school, attended college, and served in the military, where he utilized his training to create a company, Protection, Inc. At thirty-six years old, he loses Uncle Hal, who was only fifty-nine, and with another crisis in his personal life, he feels lost.
The story’s plot will have Zoe going with Cal to Richmond, Virginia, to help him make arrangements for the funeral. Along the way, these two do what they have never done before: they share personal information. Zoe wants to have a baby, and Cal wants to be a father. Can a marriage to produce a child be enough? What happens if they can never conceive? If things don’t go as planned, will that jeopardize their working relationship?
I liked the characters; both had a desire for a child and to become parents, but what about the adults and their relationships with each other? How do they feel towards one another—what does the future hold? The story has a good balance of angst and desire. Until they are honest with themselves and with one another, they will be walking a tight rope—the truth of how they each feel will give them the safety net.
The story is part of the Making a Family series, but each book will read well as a stand-alone. These books can be read in any order.
Zoe Blackstone is one of eleven children and a twin to Chloe. At twenty-six years old, she still thought she had plenty of time to find a man, fall in love, and have a family. But fate isn’t working in her favor. With a rare medical condition and horrific cramping each month, her OB/GYN is recommending she have a procedure, but it will prevent her from ever having children. Zoe is an analyst for Protection, Inc.
Jeidiah ‘Cal’ Callahan was raised by his maternal uncle, Hal Larkin, who never married, but never made Cal feel unwanted. Cal graduated from high school, attended college, and served in the military, where he utilized his training to create a company, Protection, Inc. At thirty-six years old, he loses Uncle Hal, who was only fifty-nine, and with another crisis in his personal life, he feels lost.
The story’s plot will have Zoe going with Cal to Richmond, Virginia, to help him make arrangements for the funeral. Along the way, these two do what they have never done before: they share personal information. Zoe wants to have a baby, and Cal wants to be a father. Can a marriage to produce a child be enough? What happens if they can never conceive? If things don’t go as planned, will that jeopardize their working relationship?
I liked the characters; both had a desire for a child and to become parents, but what about the adults and their relationships with each other? How do they feel towards one another—what does the future hold? The story has a good balance of angst and desire. Until they are honest with themselves and with one another, they will be walking a tight rope—the truth of how they each feel will give them the safety net.
October 14, 2025
This book puts a new spin on the marriage of convenience trope. Zoe has horrific cramps each month and her doctor has told that the only cure is a hysterectomy. She has always wanted a baby, so she decides to see if she can find will be a father for her child. I liked how she wanted a father, not just a sperm donor. Her boss, Cal, has always wanted a family too, and offers to be the father of her child if she agrees to marry him. So they get married for the express purpose of having a baby. Zoe is so hyper-focused on the contract they made that she interprets everything Cal says or does through it. She thinks Cal only sees her as the vehicle for his baby, but I think that's because she has reduced herself to that. She refuses to move in with him, and only agrees to being together when she is 'most fertile'. The contract is so big to her that it never occurs to her that Cal might like her for herself, not what she can give him. She realizes that she is falling for him, and abruptly decides she is going to have the hysterectomy because she hasn't gotten pregnant in the something like two months they've been married so she decided it's not going to happen. I thought that was a little unreasonable. I think most people don't get pregnant that soon after marriage, but I guess it is very difficult to think clearly in highly emotional situations. I thought she have at least told Cal what she was doing, even if she didn't ask for his opinion, especially after he told her how wrecked he was when his ex aborted their baby without even telling him she was pregnant. I liked that they made up before the doctors come in and tell her she's pregnant.
I received a free copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
September 25, 2025
This book is so good. And I really enjoyed getting to read it. And I know you will too. " Miracles and Marriage" is the book you are looking for if you are looking for a story of marriage of convenience turning into true love.
Zoe Blackstone is 28 years old and in need of a hysterectomy because of severe cramping and bleeding each month. She has so much pain that it is becoming hard for her to stand up and walk at times. Zoe has always wanted to have kids and now is in need of help to find a partner to help her become a mother before it is too late. She can not stand the pain and unfortunately calls in sick to work. Zoe has never missed any days at work so her boss is concerned. She loves her job at Protection Inc and her boss and co workers are great to work with. So when Jedidiah "Cal" Callahan comes to check in on her she tells him of her problem. He tries sitting Zoe up with his friend but that does not work out. So Cal comes up with the perfect solution, they’ll get married in secret and try for a baby together. No strings. No expectations. Just a practical arrangement between two adults.
Neither of them expected their feelings to deepen into something more and they both fall in love. And when a baby may seem to be out of reach they discover that love, real lasting love was the true miracle they never saw coming.
Zoe Blackstone is 28 years old and in need of a hysterectomy because of severe cramping and bleeding each month. She has so much pain that it is becoming hard for her to stand up and walk at times. Zoe has always wanted to have kids and now is in need of help to find a partner to help her become a mother before it is too late. She can not stand the pain and unfortunately calls in sick to work. Zoe has never missed any days at work so her boss is concerned. She loves her job at Protection Inc and her boss and co workers are great to work with. So when Jedidiah "Cal" Callahan comes to check in on her she tells him of her problem. He tries sitting Zoe up with his friend but that does not work out. So Cal comes up with the perfect solution, they’ll get married in secret and try for a baby together. No strings. No expectations. Just a practical arrangement between two adults.
Neither of them expected their feelings to deepen into something more and they both fall in love. And when a baby may seem to be out of reach they discover that love, real lasting love was the true miracle they never saw coming.
October 6, 2025
The author delivers another touching and thoughtful story.
Zoe Blackstone loves her job but her true dream is having a child. But it looks like that dream will be shattered as her monthly cramps intensify and the only solution is a hysterectomy. Determined to find a man to get her what she wants, she’s tried dating, but none seem a good match.
Cal Callahan , former military, and owner of his personal security company, is Zoe’s boss. A man whose one and only dear family member has passed away and his one unexpected chance to be a father was shattered.
When Cal hears about Zoe’s situation, he proposes a solution.
What seemed as a good alternative gets complicated when feelings develop, misunderstandings, and fears.
Will these two realize that they might be meant to be, or will doubts and fears have them going separate ways.
This story is at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. It will having you wanting to give these two a hug as they overcome obstacles and find solutions and love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Zoe Blackstone loves her job but her true dream is having a child. But it looks like that dream will be shattered as her monthly cramps intensify and the only solution is a hysterectomy. Determined to find a man to get her what she wants, she’s tried dating, but none seem a good match.
Cal Callahan , former military, and owner of his personal security company, is Zoe’s boss. A man whose one and only dear family member has passed away and his one unexpected chance to be a father was shattered.
When Cal hears about Zoe’s situation, he proposes a solution.
What seemed as a good alternative gets complicated when feelings develop, misunderstandings, and fears.
Will these two realize that they might be meant to be, or will doubts and fears have them going separate ways.
This story is at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. It will having you wanting to give these two a hug as they overcome obstacles and find solutions and love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
August 6, 2025
“Miracles and Marriage” (Making a Family series, book 5) by Barbara McMahon
Oh, so sweet (and tearful)
I started reading this story with the intention of noting possible editing issues… BUT I got so engrossed in the story …. I completely forgot to even notice if there were any issues. Yes I shed some tears, I did a bit of chuckling (too!). and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Jedidiah and Zoe. This is a sweet contemporary romance, women’s fiction story that to be honest, I really did not want to end. Happy Reading ! !
Oh, so sweet (and tearful)
I started reading this story with the intention of noting possible editing issues… BUT I got so engrossed in the story …. I completely forgot to even notice if there were any issues. Yes I shed some tears, I did a bit of chuckling (too!). and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Jedidiah and Zoe. This is a sweet contemporary romance, women’s fiction story that to be honest, I really did not want to end. Happy Reading ! !
October 6, 2025
This was an interesting story of heartache, hope, and longing for a child before it was too late. Zoe's doctor thought she should have a hysterectomy as soon as possible. I enjoyed reading about Zoe and how she wanted so badly to have a baby that she had made a list of traits for the kind of father she wanted for her child. Too bad no one seemed to measure up or did they? It was an interesting story with an interesting ending. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
October 9, 2025
Miracles and Marriage is book 5 in the Making a Family series by Barbara McMahon 4.5 stars
When Zoe gets devastating news that time is running out on having a baby, she makes a last ditch effort to find a partner and make a baby happen. The one person she never expected to offer is her sexy boss, Cal. He has his reasons for offering to help her out. What happens next is a fake marriage, sudden death of his uncle, miscommunications, working relationship, family, fears and possible heartbreak.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Zoe gets devastating news that time is running out on having a baby, she makes a last ditch effort to find a partner and make a baby happen. The one person she never expected to offer is her sexy boss, Cal. He has his reasons for offering to help her out. What happens next is a fake marriage, sudden death of his uncle, miscommunications, working relationship, family, fears and possible heartbreak.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 25, 2025
Stories about creating a family are my favorite kind of romance, so I have really been enjoying this series from Barbara McMahon. Miracles and Marriage can easily be read as a stand-alone. Zoe has been one of Cal's valued employees for five years. They both desperately want children so decide to try having a child together. It may start out as strictly a business arrangement, but will they be able to keep it that way?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
Miracles and Marriage by Barbara McMahon
Miracles and Marriage is another wonderful story from Barbara McMahon. I always enjoy her writing because her characters truly come to life through her vivid and descriptive storytelling. The plot is engaging, easy to follow, and flows beautifully from start to finish. The story feels believable and heartfelt, making it an enjoyable and satisfying read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-written romance.
Miracles and Marriage is another wonderful story from Barbara McMahon. I always enjoy her writing because her characters truly come to life through her vivid and descriptive storytelling. The plot is engaging, easy to follow, and flows beautifully from start to finish. The story feels believable and heartfelt, making it an enjoyable and satisfying read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-written romance.
September 23, 2025
Zed and Zoe enter into a union to help Zoe fulfill her dreams but neither expected for love to blossom along the way. This touching story highlights the transformative powers of love and what is attainable with its beliefs.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2025
Zoe and Cal have an unconventional arranged marriage for the sole purpose of having a baby. What ensues is the growing respect and surprising love that grows between these two. The road traveled isn’t easy but it ends with them both finding a family. I was gifted this book as an ARC. This is my honest review.
September 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Jed and Zoe go from being boss and employee to something more and then it develops beyond even what they expected. The characters grew in themselves and in believing in the other person.
I received a copy of the book from the author and willingly give my review
I received a copy of the book from the author and willingly give my review
October 2, 2025
Emotions run deep as attraction simmers. McMahon gives the heart a voice. Zoe and Jedidiah are endearing. The odds are stacked against them, but hope is haunting them every step of the way.
January 9, 2026
Loved this book! Such a romantic story. Always a sucker for a love story and babies!
September 30, 2025
These two have a working relationship. Can his suggestion work and will it truly only be about have a baby? It was interesting watching these two fall for each other but scared to express this to each other. Sweet ending.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews