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Miracle On I-40
PAPERBACK
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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219 people want to read
About the author
Curtiss Ann Matlock
62 books122 followersCurtiss Ann Matlock is the author of 40 novels. With over 7 million copies in print worldwide, her books have earned rave reviews, spots on the USA TODAY bestseller list and numerous awards.
Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.
Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.
Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.
Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.
Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.
Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.
Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.
Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 27, 2010
This story is a reprint. It originally appeared in one of Silhouette's Christmas stories collections (not sure which one).
I never know what to expect from Curtiss Ann Matlock. Some of her stories have bored me to tears. But not this one. It was short (less than 100 pages) but sweet.
While the theme of a bright, sunny woman melting the heart of a Scrooge is an old one, this story doesn't feel old or stale. I loved that even when Cooper was a Scrooge, you could still see that there was a nice person underneath all that bluster. I also loved watching Lacey and the kids peel away that gruff exterior to reveal the loving man underneath. The kids were so cute, and felt like more than just plot devices. Lacey was such a sweetheart, yet still a strong woman. No weeping weakness from her. I was impressed that the author could manage so much character development in so little space. The author also touched on the themes of family and forgiveness, and did them quite well. Plus there's the requisite appearance of Santa to keep the holiday spirit alive.
This was a character-driven story. It didn't have any life-or-death moments, and it didn't need them. Good writing can be entertaining just by showing characters growing and changing, and that's what happened here. I also liked that I felt the characters really fell in love with each other as people, not just because they lusted after each other. In fact, the sensuality was at a PG level. Enough to show that they were physically attracted to one another, but not overblown into a lust-fest. Being physically attracted was an added bonus to falling in love. That's just how I like it. If you get disappointed when there's no sex in a novel, then you might be a little let down, because the relationship's consummation is never shown. Of course, for some readers, that's a selling point. It all depends on your taste.
For a sweet short story to put you in a holiday mood, this will do the trick. Not a story that's going to be hard to put down, but it is an enjoyable way to pass an hour, and recommended by this reader.
I never know what to expect from Curtiss Ann Matlock. Some of her stories have bored me to tears. But not this one. It was short (less than 100 pages) but sweet.
While the theme of a bright, sunny woman melting the heart of a Scrooge is an old one, this story doesn't feel old or stale. I loved that even when Cooper was a Scrooge, you could still see that there was a nice person underneath all that bluster. I also loved watching Lacey and the kids peel away that gruff exterior to reveal the loving man underneath. The kids were so cute, and felt like more than just plot devices. Lacey was such a sweetheart, yet still a strong woman. No weeping weakness from her. I was impressed that the author could manage so much character development in so little space. The author also touched on the themes of family and forgiveness, and did them quite well. Plus there's the requisite appearance of Santa to keep the holiday spirit alive.
This was a character-driven story. It didn't have any life-or-death moments, and it didn't need them. Good writing can be entertaining just by showing characters growing and changing, and that's what happened here. I also liked that I felt the characters really fell in love with each other as people, not just because they lusted after each other. In fact, the sensuality was at a PG level. Enough to show that they were physically attracted to one another, but not overblown into a lust-fest. Being physically attracted was an added bonus to falling in love. That's just how I like it. If you get disappointed when there's no sex in a novel, then you might be a little let down, because the relationship's consummation is never shown. Of course, for some readers, that's a selling point. It all depends on your taste.
For a sweet short story to put you in a holiday mood, this will do the trick. Not a story that's going to be hard to put down, but it is an enjoyable way to pass an hour, and recommended by this reader.
October 20, 2015
This is a road trip romance. Lacey Bryant wants to take her 2 children home to North Carolina for Christmas to reconcile with her parents who turned her out when she became pregnant and unmarried at 19. She did marry the father, had a second child 5 years later and divorced. She is now a Truck Stop waitress in Albuquerque, NM. When her friend who was to take them in his 18-wheeler breaks his leg he gets Cooper to take his load and Lacey. Cooper is a loner and a lonely man who avoids Christmas. Over the 4 days they get to know each other. They have layovers in OK and TN and are trapped at an unspecified mountain lodge during a snow storm before reaching NC. This was a simple sweet story.
December 3, 2011
Truly a heartwarming and wonderful read at this or any time of year! Shortly after opening any of Curtiss Ann's novels, I am quickly reminded of how much I love her writing. I highly recommend this and her other novels.
December 15, 2016
I like to read a Christmas book every year so I wanted to be able to read one this year as well. I had this book for awhile and finally decided to get to it. This a first time read for me with this author, so I was not sure what to expect, but it turned out to be pretty good.
Synopsis
To reconcile with her folks back East and give her kids grandparents for Christmas, truck stop waitress Lacey Bryant arranged transportation with her steadiest customer. Little did she know she'd hitched a ride with Scrooge! Eighteen hundred miles confined with scowling Barry Cooper would feel endless ... unless Lacey miraculously changed his "Bah Humbug" to "Barry Christmas!
I loved the plot of the story which is actually what drew me into this story in the first place. It is a very quick read with great pacing. I did expect more to happen on tis long journey across the country so that was a little disappointing. It was still a fun read though.
I think with the characters, they were all developed pretty well, but I enjoyed the children the most in this one. The were fun and well rounded, I could almost imagine my own children being this same way when they were little.
A great Christmas story to read for anyone. I am giving this a rating of 3.5 stars. Merry Christmas everyone!
Synopsis
To reconcile with her folks back East and give her kids grandparents for Christmas, truck stop waitress Lacey Bryant arranged transportation with her steadiest customer. Little did she know she'd hitched a ride with Scrooge! Eighteen hundred miles confined with scowling Barry Cooper would feel endless ... unless Lacey miraculously changed his "Bah Humbug" to "Barry Christmas!
I loved the plot of the story which is actually what drew me into this story in the first place. It is a very quick read with great pacing. I did expect more to happen on tis long journey across the country so that was a little disappointing. It was still a fun read though.
I think with the characters, they were all developed pretty well, but I enjoyed the children the most in this one. The were fun and well rounded, I could almost imagine my own children being this same way when they were little.
A great Christmas story to read for anyone. I am giving this a rating of 3.5 stars. Merry Christmas everyone!
December 21, 2011
I enjoyed this Christmas story. It is light and quick. Lacey is returning home to North Carolina with her two children for the first time in 11 years. Love finds two people that had given up on finding any. There is forgiveness and personal growth, and not to mention, some Christmas magic for the travelers on Christmas Eve. It has me in the Christmas Spirit :)
December 6, 2011
This novel was a quick read but I thoroughly enjoyed it.Curtiss Ann Matlock's writing grabbed my attention. Lacey was a heartwarming character dealing with some real-life issues. If you are looking for a Christmas read that leaves you feeling sappy and pulling for the underdog(s), this would be a great read!
December 18, 2011
What a fun feel good Christmas story about Lacey and her kids who ride home for the holidays in Cooper's eighteen-wheeler. I found this interesting take on the humbug versus Christmas spirit theme very enjoyable.
December 5, 2022
See my full review here.
Lacey Bryant is 30 years old and waits tables at an Albuquerque truck stop to support herself and two children. This year she has decided to take the children to her estranged parents for Christmas. But when the truck driver who was going to take her has an accident, the only way to get there is with the good-looking but taciturn, even grumpy, Cooper. However, two little kids don’t make the best passengers. How the little Bryant family slowly win over this ill-tempered and reticent bachelor is an entertaining and charming holiday story, with humour and heart. There are a number of Christian references, but there’s also a teensy magical element. The plot is enjoyable, and the children are quite entertaining characters, as are Lacey and Cooper. The ending is no surprise, of course, but Matlock avoids over-sentimentality and delivers a satisfying conclusion appropriate for the genre. Plus I really loved that cover! My thanks to the Grand Forks (B.C.) & District Public Library for including this title in its adult fiction collection.
Lacey Bryant is 30 years old and waits tables at an Albuquerque truck stop to support herself and two children. This year she has decided to take the children to her estranged parents for Christmas. But when the truck driver who was going to take her has an accident, the only way to get there is with the good-looking but taciturn, even grumpy, Cooper. However, two little kids don’t make the best passengers. How the little Bryant family slowly win over this ill-tempered and reticent bachelor is an entertaining and charming holiday story, with humour and heart. There are a number of Christian references, but there’s also a teensy magical element. The plot is enjoyable, and the children are quite entertaining characters, as are Lacey and Cooper. The ending is no surprise, of course, but Matlock avoids over-sentimentality and delivers a satisfying conclusion appropriate for the genre. Plus I really loved that cover! My thanks to the Grand Forks (B.C.) & District Public Library for including this title in its adult fiction collection.
November 14, 2022
Sweet Christmas story
I loved this story. It made me believe in miracles on Christmas! The characters were 'real' and I enjoyed their interactions. Children always make a Christmas story fun! Recommend this to all who believe in miracles at Christmas or anytime of th year.
I loved this story. It made me believe in miracles on Christmas! The characters were 'real' and I enjoyed their interactions. Children always make a Christmas story fun! Recommend this to all who believe in miracles at Christmas or anytime of th year.
December 12, 2017
Very predictable. Not good enought that I will look to read another book by this author
July 9, 2018
Heart warming
Santa delivers the miracle of love with the reunion of estranged family members. A sweet tale of a new beginning.
Santa delivers the miracle of love with the reunion of estranged family members. A sweet tale of a new beginning.
May 9, 2020
Quite good. A quick time frame though.
October 31, 2022
This was a short sweet Christmas romance. I enjoyed it.
November 4, 2022
Full of Christmas magic!
December 3, 2022
A sweet and simple Christmas story about believing in second chances, Santa Claus and, as the title states, miracles.
December 24, 2024
* This book actually has 198 pages. 223 pages if you count the sample of a second book*
This book is like a Hallmark movie. It was OK to read for Christmas but it was predictable and standard.
This book is like a Hallmark movie. It was OK to read for Christmas but it was predictable and standard.
January 11, 2025
I liked the different settings and backgrounds in Miracle on I-40. It was a warm and kind story.
August 4, 2018
One of my favorite authors! I always enjoy anything she writes.. you get a sweet, clean story usually with a few touchy, freely moments... this is a lovely story about a single mother of 2 , making an effort to visit parents she hasn't seen in several yrs!! At Christmas , no less! Very entertaining story. Don't miss an awesome story by a great storyteller.... truly.....
December 12, 2022
The story of Lacey, her children, and Cooper during Christmas was delightful and gave me a bunch of warm fuzzies. I loved the family reunion that was part of the story. I received a copy of the book from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 20, 2011
2.5**
I feel a little like Scrooge giving this a lower rating, but ... This is a short, (too) sweet story of love found unexpectedly – or at least unexpected by the characters; the reader sees it coming a mile off.
Lacey is a single mom with two children, scraping by on her wages as a waitress at a truck stop in Santa Fe, NM. She likes her work and has a 1000-watt smile for her customers, which has resulted in enough tips to get her children the gifts they really want this year. More importantly, after years of estrangement from her family back in North Carolina, she has made arrangements to ride with one of her regular customers to surprise her father, and perhaps arrive at a truce if not full forgiveness. But her plans are thwarted when her friend falls and breaks his leg; he can’t take her now, but he arranges for another trucker to give her a ride. She knows Cooper; she’s waited on him for years. But he’s a loner, not very friendly or forthcoming, and he doesn’t seem too happy about the prospect of giving her a ride – especially when he realizes that he’ll also have to tote her two children and their luggage. The “Bah Humbug” lighted sign on his truck doesn’t begin to cover his apparent disdain for the holiday.
This is a fast, easy read specifically targeted at the holiday market. It’s not great literature, but it isn’t meant to be. The writing is straightforward, the plot is simple, and the characters are not very complicated. I thought it was okay, but wouldn’t go out of my way to read it again or to recommend it to anyone.
I feel a little like Scrooge giving this a lower rating, but ... This is a short, (too) sweet story of love found unexpectedly – or at least unexpected by the characters; the reader sees it coming a mile off.
Lacey is a single mom with two children, scraping by on her wages as a waitress at a truck stop in Santa Fe, NM. She likes her work and has a 1000-watt smile for her customers, which has resulted in enough tips to get her children the gifts they really want this year. More importantly, after years of estrangement from her family back in North Carolina, she has made arrangements to ride with one of her regular customers to surprise her father, and perhaps arrive at a truce if not full forgiveness. But her plans are thwarted when her friend falls and breaks his leg; he can’t take her now, but he arranges for another trucker to give her a ride. She knows Cooper; she’s waited on him for years. But he’s a loner, not very friendly or forthcoming, and he doesn’t seem too happy about the prospect of giving her a ride – especially when he realizes that he’ll also have to tote her two children and their luggage. The “Bah Humbug” lighted sign on his truck doesn’t begin to cover his apparent disdain for the holiday.
This is a fast, easy read specifically targeted at the holiday market. It’s not great literature, but it isn’t meant to be. The writing is straightforward, the plot is simple, and the characters are not very complicated. I thought it was okay, but wouldn’t go out of my way to read it again or to recommend it to anyone.
December 11, 2011
Reading for the Southern Lit group.
This book was so cheesy I felt like I should be eating crackers. I didn't find it "Southern Lit". Most of the story took place in a tractor-trailer traveling across the country. Once they arrived in North Carolina there was very little Southern culture infused into the storyline. There was nothing about the action at her parent's home that could not have taken place in the North. I really wanted to like this book as it is the first book I have read as part of this group, but it didn't do much for me. Sorry.
This book was so cheesy I felt like I should be eating crackers. I didn't find it "Southern Lit". Most of the story took place in a tractor-trailer traveling across the country. Once they arrived in North Carolina there was very little Southern culture infused into the storyline. There was nothing about the action at her parent's home that could not have taken place in the North. I really wanted to like this book as it is the first book I have read as part of this group, but it didn't do much for me. Sorry.
December 5, 2011
Light, slightly cheesy read. A simple story of a waitress (why are they always waitresses?) raising two kids on her own who finally decides to mend the fence with her father. When she got pregnant her dad threw her out. She had another kid, her husband left and so she ended up at Gerald's.
A truck-driving friend has agreed to drive her across the country to visit her family so they can meet her kids when an injury causes him to find someone else willing.
Slightly trashy (though no sex scenes, thank goodness)but overall okay. A few gratuitously sexual descriptions is the worst it gets.
A truck-driving friend has agreed to drive her across the country to visit her family so they can meet her kids when an injury causes him to find someone else willing.
Slightly trashy (though no sex scenes, thank goodness)but overall okay. A few gratuitously sexual descriptions is the worst it gets.
December 17, 2012
My beloved friend, author Curtiss Ann Matlock, is well known for her down home, heartfelt romances - each one written from her heart and soul.
Now, I am so pleased to let readers know that Curtiss Ann's books are being made available for e-readers, just in time for the holidays!
Her classic Christmas tale, "Miracle on I-40," is one of my favorite of her books and I highly recommend you give it a read! You will be so glad you did!
Now, I am so pleased to let readers know that Curtiss Ann's books are being made available for e-readers, just in time for the holidays!
Her classic Christmas tale, "Miracle on I-40," is one of my favorite of her books and I highly recommend you give it a read! You will be so glad you did!
July 26, 2013
This is a cute story about a cross-country trip that Lacey takes in an attempt to reconcile with her father after years of estrangement. A last minute change requires her to ride with the crusty trucker Cooper who is not pleased when he discovers he's unwittingly agreed to also transport two kids. Overall, I liked it - not amazing literature, but good. I'd read more Matlock, but my local library doesn't have any more of her books.
March 10, 2023
Lacey and her two kids ride cross country with Cooper, a big-rig driver, so she can reunite with her parents.
This was a sweet, PG romance with a good main character in Lacey to hold it together. Falling in love in three days is a bit of a stretch for me but the author made it seem reasonable. There's even a visit by Santa Claus and a miracle puppy so I couldn't help but enjoy this.
This was a sweet, PG romance with a good main character in Lacey to hold it together. Falling in love in three days is a bit of a stretch for me but the author made it seem reasonable. There's even a visit by Santa Claus and a miracle puppy so I couldn't help but enjoy this.
December 12, 2011
It was an easy and light read but just felt I wasn't able to invest in the characters. I enjoyed the ending and there were some nice touches to add a bit of an unexpected twist (although the story was pretty predictable). This wouldn't be one I would rush to recommend to others, however I enjoy having read a holiday story during the season!
December 31, 2015
I have read numerous books by Curtiss Ann Matlock but somehow missed this one. I wasn't sure she was still writing, but apparently she still is although this is an old book. It is a delightful, sweet Christmas story of wounded people who help each other out in a time of need . It is set in the southern US. I liked it.
December 15, 2011
A quick read about a single mom traveling cross country to visit her family for the first time in many years. A feel-good read about family with a love interest twist. Good for a light, quick read during the busy Christmas Season.
January 16, 2014
It was good read. This is the first book by Curtiss Ann Matlock I have read. It was a "Free" ebook from Amazon. It's a sweet romance between a Waitress and her kids and a Truck Driver. It is a Christmas theme romance.
February 6, 2015
Truck stop romance
A truck driver and a waitress and her kids, are thrown together for a road trip at Christmas. This is a very cute story, about strangers becoming a family, and keeping their faith in times of stress and need.
A truck driver and a waitress and her kids, are thrown together for a road trip at Christmas. This is a very cute story, about strangers becoming a family, and keeping their faith in times of stress and need.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews