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Season of Love: Thanksgiving Prayer / The Gift of Christmas
Together for the first time in one volume, two classic inspirational holiday stories
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Before Claudia Masters even meets Seth Lessinger, she leaves him a message from Psalms: "May the Lord give you the desire of your heart." She knows there's something different about this man. Something special. And meeting him only confirms it. For his part, Seth, who is a new Christian, immediately recognizes that Claudia is the woman for him--the woman he wants to marry and take back to Alaska. But Claudia is torn between Seth and her life in Seattle. How can she give up everything familiar, everything she's always worked for? And yet, she can't bear the thought of losing this man she's come to love... Only when she acts with faith and hope will she find her true destiny.
THE GIFT OF CHRISTMASThis year Ashley Robbins has finished her schooling, launched her career and affirmed her faith. And she's now in a position to pay entrepreneur Cooper Masters back the money he lent her for college. She's achieved all her goals--except one, and it has to do with Cooper, the man she fell in love with years ago. If only he would see her as the woman she's become. Cooper gave her the gift of her education, and Ashley would like to return the favor--and offer him her love. But the greatest gift she can give him this Christmas is her own knowledge of God's love...
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Before Claudia Masters even meets Seth Lessinger, she leaves him a message from Psalms: "May the Lord give you the desire of your heart." She knows there's something different about this man. Something special. And meeting him only confirms it. For his part, Seth, who is a new Christian, immediately recognizes that Claudia is the woman for him--the woman he wants to marry and take back to Alaska. But Claudia is torn between Seth and her life in Seattle. How can she give up everything familiar, everything she's always worked for? And yet, she can't bear the thought of losing this man she's come to love... Only when she acts with faith and hope will she find her true destiny.
THE GIFT OF CHRISTMASThis year Ashley Robbins has finished her schooling, launched her career and affirmed her faith. And she's now in a position to pay entrepreneur Cooper Masters back the money he lent her for college. She's achieved all her goals--except one, and it has to do with Cooper, the man she fell in love with years ago. If only he would see her as the woman she's become. Cooper gave her the gift of her education, and Ashley would like to return the favor--and offer him her love. But the greatest gift she can give him this Christmas is her own knowledge of God's love...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 22, 2019
10 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
914 books20.7k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 23, 2022
Two stories in one book - Great read for the start of the Holiday season - Both interesting with easy to follow characters - good plot - just an easy read.
November 21, 2019
Loved both stories in this book... you will not be able place this book down... ❤️❤️
November 18, 2019
Typical Debbie MacComber. Not much plot but lots of romance.
January 13, 2020
OK, so someone lent me a whole stack of these harmless Christmas love stories...heartwarming, quick reads. Hallmark movies in paperback form. If you are cynical and hate the world don't read them but they do make for a pleasant afternoon read.
July 23, 2021
I finished the book. It was difficult to do as I thought these two stories were absolutely boring and drawn out. Once I start a book I usually have to finish it so I did but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Thanksgiving Prayer - Not my favorite. I wanted to quit reading. It was just over the top with the God references. It made it not even believable. Seth meets Claudia in Seattle at a motel she is cleaning. She leaves him a note on his dresser with a Bible verse. He is convinced it is a sign from God that he is to marry Claudia. He wants her to leave her schooling (she wants to become a Doctor), her family, and everything in Seattle to move to Nome, Alaska to be his wife. She doesn’t at first. Then she heads there and Seth gets sick. Then she gets sick and then Seth proposes to someone else. Despite the drama it’s God’s will that they marry…so what do you think happens?
Christmas Masquerade- Jo Marie kisses Andrew one evening during Mardi Gras. They never get each other’s names. They know that they are in love snd meant for each other. They spend the next 6 months looking for one another. Then Jo Marie’s roommate Kelly cones home engaged. It is to Andrew (the mystery man)…the whole story is how do mystery man Andrew and Jo Marie end up together? And Kelly isn’t really in love with him, she just used him to get with Jo Marie’s brother Mark. Lame and drawn out…Spoiler: it is all happy in the end and Andrew and Jo Marie end up together!
Thanksgiving Prayer - Not my favorite. I wanted to quit reading. It was just over the top with the God references. It made it not even believable. Seth meets Claudia in Seattle at a motel she is cleaning. She leaves him a note on his dresser with a Bible verse. He is convinced it is a sign from God that he is to marry Claudia. He wants her to leave her schooling (she wants to become a Doctor), her family, and everything in Seattle to move to Nome, Alaska to be his wife. She doesn’t at first. Then she heads there and Seth gets sick. Then she gets sick and then Seth proposes to someone else. Despite the drama it’s God’s will that they marry…so what do you think happens?
Christmas Masquerade- Jo Marie kisses Andrew one evening during Mardi Gras. They never get each other’s names. They know that they are in love snd meant for each other. They spend the next 6 months looking for one another. Then Jo Marie’s roommate Kelly cones home engaged. It is to Andrew (the mystery man)…the whole story is how do mystery man Andrew and Jo Marie end up together? And Kelly isn’t really in love with him, she just used him to get with Jo Marie’s brother Mark. Lame and drawn out…Spoiler: it is all happy in the end and Andrew and Jo Marie end up together!
November 27, 2019
Well, I couldnt wait to finish this book! And I don't mean that in a good way. Let's start with book one.
I actually liked this one and was tempted to give it alone 4 stars. Claudia and Seth had somewhat of an odd relationship but there were things I like. I like that Macomber brought faith into it. I think she did a very good job showing the struggles many dating Christian's face with temptation. However, Seth seemed too controlling. Almost scary. They knew eachother for 6 days and hes making demands about who she is with. I wish it wasn't even brought in.
As for the second story, I hated it. You have book one talking about God, faith and virtue. Then book 2 about a woman in love with her best friends fiance. Groping her, kissing her and all the while supposed to be engaged. I realize Andrew knew the engagement was fake but Jo Marie didnt and that just made me sick. She became incredibly unlikable who put a man before her friend.
I fell in love with Macombers books after randomly finding a Cedar Cove Christmas book. So good! I've read one of her books every Christmas. The last few years have not been what I enjoyed.
I actually liked this one and was tempted to give it alone 4 stars. Claudia and Seth had somewhat of an odd relationship but there were things I like. I like that Macomber brought faith into it. I think she did a very good job showing the struggles many dating Christian's face with temptation. However, Seth seemed too controlling. Almost scary. They knew eachother for 6 days and hes making demands about who she is with. I wish it wasn't even brought in.
As for the second story, I hated it. You have book one talking about God, faith and virtue. Then book 2 about a woman in love with her best friends fiance. Groping her, kissing her and all the while supposed to be engaged. I realize Andrew knew the engagement was fake but Jo Marie didnt and that just made me sick. She became incredibly unlikable who put a man before her friend.
I fell in love with Macombers books after randomly finding a Cedar Cove Christmas book. So good! I've read one of her books every Christmas. The last few years have not been what I enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2024
I had a collection of stories that included the Thanksgiving Prayer by Debbie Macomber. Couldn’t locate my exact collection on here. But it was a really cute mood read for the holiday.
It follows Claudia, who is an aspiring medical school student. She runs into businessman, Seth, while cleaning hotel rooms for her friend. There is an immediate attraction between the two and they hit it off as they spend time together during his stay in Seattle on his business trip. Seth is convinced that the Lord lead them together and wants him to marry Claudia. He has asked her to move to Alaska and marry him, but Claudia has not received as clear a sign from God and doesn’t want to drop out of medical school and move to the frozen north.
I wasn’t a fan of how quickly the two main characters got together and begin to have all these “feelings“ for one another when they barely knew each other. That was a bit of a pet peeve for me. I did enjoy the story more once it moved to Nome, Alaska, and all the characters of that town.
Easy, light read. 3.5 ⭐️
It follows Claudia, who is an aspiring medical school student. She runs into businessman, Seth, while cleaning hotel rooms for her friend. There is an immediate attraction between the two and they hit it off as they spend time together during his stay in Seattle on his business trip. Seth is convinced that the Lord lead them together and wants him to marry Claudia. He has asked her to move to Alaska and marry him, but Claudia has not received as clear a sign from God and doesn’t want to drop out of medical school and move to the frozen north.
I wasn’t a fan of how quickly the two main characters got together and begin to have all these “feelings“ for one another when they barely knew each other. That was a bit of a pet peeve for me. I did enjoy the story more once it moved to Nome, Alaska, and all the characters of that town.
Easy, light read. 3.5 ⭐️
December 21, 2019
1⭐️ I’m not even sure this should get one star. I was gifted this book and immediately loved the idea of two stories in one book. Plus the cover is gorgeous. Sadly, I couldn’t get through the first story. It was so cringe-worthy and the storyline is creepy. A man meets a woman and within a few days of meeting they’re in love and he’s forcing her to marry him, giving up her whole life and move to Alaska? No. Not cute and not romantic. I tried, but couldn’t get through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2020
Two novels from the early 1980s, early in the author's career. I found the heroes unlikable and the heroines passive. An odd pairing, as the first novel is overtly Christian, while the second novel has characters behaving in ways Christian may find offensive. Although one story includes Thanksgiving and the other includes Christmas, the holidays do not play a significant role.
Full review on my web site: https://covell.ca/2020/02/06/time-out...
Full review on my web site: https://covell.ca/2020/02/06/time-out...
March 25, 2020
The two stories in this book are from early in Macomber's career. If this was an indication of her writing skills it is a miracle she every became popular. Both stories have male characters who have ugly tempers.....that would probably be a precursor to abuse. One of the woman gives up medical school to follow the love of her life to Alaska? The plots are sophomoric. Fortunately they are quick reads. I would not have finished but during the pandemic my choices are limited.
December 5, 2019
Two terrible books from the '80s re-released as a holiday package. Hard to like any of the characters and think both of the lead women are silly to accept men who lie to them and have no respect for them at all.
I like a lot of Debbie's books, but these were both stinkers!
I like a lot of Debbie's books, but these were both stinkers!
January 19, 2020
The first story in the book really upset me and I wanted the story to end quickly. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to put the book down and quit reading, but I’m glad I stuck it out because the second story was pretty decent love story.
November 26, 2019
Both books were delightful but I enjoyed the first one the most. Maybe because it was set around Thanksgiving.
December 1, 2019
Simple, fun read.
December 21, 2019
This book had two books in one. The first was a Thanksgiving romance and the second was a Christmas romance. I enjoyed the second one more. Cute, fast read for the Season 😉
December 30, 2019
Two great holiday love stories by Ms. Macomber. Enjoyed over the holidays....
February 24, 2020
Interesting characters
June 10, 2020
Loved this book!!!! Lots of twists and turns. Love and romance.
November 5, 2020
2 stories in 1. Quick and easy read.
Love the Alaska back drop on the 1st story.
Love the Alaska back drop on the 1st story.
December 21, 2020
Two novels in one. I enjoyed reading this but perhaps not as much as some of Macomber's other books.
January 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book during the holidays.
December 30, 2021
These were not my favorite. They were okay, but usually Debbie Macomber books are better.
September 23, 2024
I enjoyed the first story called “Thanksgiving Prayer more than the second story, Christmas Madquerade”. It was so obvious what was happening! I wanted to shake the stupidity of Jo Marie.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews