For her daughter, she'll do anything. Even marry a man she hardly knows.
Widowed Melanie Montana has spent far too many holidays sitting beside hospital beds with people she loves. But not this year. Knowing it could be their last, she's vowed to make it the best ever Christmas for her four-year-old daughter, Alia.
With the support of the Chapel Cove townsfolk, she'll find ways to make all Alia's dreams come true. Lots of books and reading a story together every single night - tick. A sleigh ride in the snow - tick. A steam train ride- tick. Even her own pony - tick. That's the easy part.
The biggest item on Alia's list is more of a challenge - a daddy for Christmas. And not just any daddy. Alia knows exactly who she wants her mommy to marry. The man she calls Dr. Santa, better known as pediatrician Dr. Mark Stewart. When they’ve both been hurt before and closed their hearts to love, only a Christmas miracle can give Melanie and Mark a happy-ever-after.
But when God, as well as the determined child, seems to be pushing them together, how can they possibly resist?
A heartwarming and uplifting story of faith, love, and pancakes.
Welcome to Chapel Cove, Oregon, where life begins at forty.
Stunning coastline, a harbor against life’s storms, and a welcoming community await in Chapel Cove. A place where those hurt by challenges, disappointments, and failures or reminded of their unfulfilled hopes and dreams can make a fresh start. And, if they’re brave enough to accept it, maybe find a second chance at love, if only they’ll allow God to safely anchor them in their hearts’ home?
Discover this small town filled with love, hope, and faith, in Chapel Cove, a series of sweet and clean standalone Christian romances. Join bestselling authors Marion Ueckermann, Alexa Verde, and Autumn Macarthur in Chapel Cove today!
Book 1 - Remember Me by Marion Ueckermann Book 2 - Love Me by Alexa Verde Book 3 - Cherish Me by Autumn Macarthur Book 4 - Choose Me by Marion Ueckermann Book 5 - Hold Me by Alexa Verde Book 6 - Marry Me by Autumn Macarthur (this book, launching winter 2019) Book 7 - Accept Me by Marion Ueckermann (launching winter 2019/20)
Autumn Macarthur is an Australian writer of inspirational romance living near London with her very English husband and six spoiled cats. She loves reading, cooking, gardening, and writing deeply emotional stories to make you smile and remind you how big and wide and deep God's love and forgiveness can be.
She tends to talk a little too much, laugh a little too loud, and eat a little more than maybe she should. She's thankful to be blessed with some good friends and a very patient husband. Most of all, she's eternally grateful for God's great love and mercy.
When she's not writing or talking to her strawberry plants and cherry blossoms, she can be found blogging at www.faithhopeandheartwarming.com or on Substack.
She'd love to hear from you!
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Marry Me ( Chapel Cove #6 ) By: Autumn Macarthur Marry Me is book six in the series Chapel Cove. Wow, what a story. Be sure and have a box of tissues around while reading. I fell in love with the story and the characters, both were well written and well developed. I caught myself with tears in my eyes several times and at times I was laughing and praising the Lord. This is a very emotional love story that touched my heart. A very sick little four year old girl, Alia, wants Dr. “Santa” Mark to be her daddy for Christmas. Both Dr. Mark and Melanie have lost their spouses. Will her wish come true? This is a heartwarming story about faith, hope, love , and second chances. I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are mine.
This book was sad but encouraging at the same time. Alia is a little girl who is very sick and wishes for a new daddy for Christmas. Melanie her mom wants to do everything on her daughter's wish list including marry the doctor. Mark, affectionately called "Dr. Santa" by Alia, feels drawn to not only her but Melanie as well. A love story but also a story of love for a little girl and how she brings them together. This one will tug at your heart but leave you smiling.
After all available treatments for 4-year-old Alia's leukaemia have apparently failed, Melanie is taking her home to try to give her the best possible last Christmas. The problem is that the thing Alia wants most is for her mum to give her a new dad, following her dad's death a year or so previously - and she's even picked out the perfect candidate: Mark Spencer ("Dr Santa"), a doctor Melanie has not yet met. Melanie has suffered a lot of loss in her life and has no interest in marrying again - but she'll do anything to make Alia's last months happy... Mark lost his wife a year or two back and has refused to date since because of the potential pain involved in loving and losing again - but he finds Alia hard to resist, even though he initially turns Melanie's proposal of a temporary marriage in name only. Soon he finds himself accepting her offer of an apartment above her restaurant for at least the weekend while he helps settle Alia back home after a long hospital stay, and even interviewing for a local position. When events conspire against them to make a marriage seem more necessary, they agree to the original plan - but there is more between them than that. Can they admit their feelings and open their hearts again? Or will the prospect of more loss tear them apart?
The ending was predictable, but that didn't make getting there any less enjoyable. As always with this author, the writing is good and the content clean, and getting to know the characters is not only a pleasant way to spend a few hours, but also inspirational. In this case, some of the comments about God and suffering were particularly helpful, while the characters were delightful - from the burgeoning relationship between Melanie and Mark to Alia's unicorn obsession. I also appreciated the way that even though Mark was being proposed a temporary marriage, it was made clear from the start that he would consider himself bound to her for life and would not be trying to get out of the marriage and marry someone else - even before anything more was even on the horizon. Note that though this is part of a series, it can be read on its own with no problem - there are mentions of characters that have appeared in other books, but no cases where a knowledge of previous books is important to one's enjoyment of this book. All in all, highly recommended.
Note that I received a review copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
A sweet twist on the marriage of convenience concept
Modern-day marriages of convenience seem so far-fetched to me! And yet, if I believe the books I read, there are all kinds of situations in which they make sense. And somehow, Autumn MacArthur has come up with a scenario that is one I've never heard before and it works. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not sure I would personally ever marry a complete stranger just because my sick-unto-death child requested it!
Alia was so cute! Her obsession with unicorns was a riot. I could just picture her with her little knit unicorn hat (complete with horn) on. I loved her faith which was so strong and certainly reminded me of why Jesus says we need to come to him as little children. There was a point, however, where I was thinking she was acting up and petulant and wondered why Mel continued to capitulate to her wishes. And then, almost right away, Mel was wondering if she should continue to coddle her and explained how this was a side effect of her medication. Oh.
Mel struggled with her faith. After watching her father die, then her father-in-law, and then her husband died, she began to question her faith, especially when her daughter got so sick. I appreciated her struggle and loved the way she came to realize that God had not deserted her. That Jesus was by her side through every storm that came her way and how much he had sacrificed to make that possible.
Mark's and Mel's heartaches seemed to be reiterated more than necessary. And towards the end, something was explained about his parents that seemed a bit out of the blue. These are just minor things, though.
If you enjoy Christian romance with plenty of emphasis on faith and scripture, I encourage you to read Marry Me!
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Melanie Montana is a widow. She has endured so much. My heart broke that her daughter is now terminally ill. She can't bear the pain. Why is she forced to endure constant loss? Alia is a sweet child who loves unicorns. I teared up when I learned her prognosis. It was sweet how much this little girl wants a daddy. I approved of her choice. Dr. Santa aka Dr. Mark Stewart. He's a dedicated pediatrician who knows this little girl from her hospital stay. Melanie approached the good Doctor with Alia's wish, but he turns her down. I liked how he approached the delicate situation. It showed that he's compassionate. When he agrees to come to Chapel Cove, I was happy. The Doctor understands loss and pain. It was wonderful to see them become a family. This was such an emotional story. It was difficult for me to read about a very sick child, but I'm glad that I did. It was both romantic and uplifting. Autumn MacArthur handled this story with sensitivity. Her characters are likable as are the residents of Chapel Cove. We need more people like these in our lives.
This is another wonderful Christian story by Autumn MacArthur. Mel has been with her daughter, Alia at the Portland hospital for last 6 months due to her Leukemia treatments. Mark, known as Dr. Santa to Alia has decided she wants a Daddy for Christmas and it must be Dr. Santa. Mel wants it to be best Christmas for her since it may be her last. She finds out about Mark past from his nurse friend and knows he is widower too. Mel steps out in faith to give her daughter want she wants and asked the doctor to marry her or at least come and stay in their extra apartment and help her with Alia and be like a daddy to her. Mark believes marriage is love and for ever, so he says no; however, Alia has other ideals. Mel & Mark both have lost their spouses and not sure they can love again, but God has other plans. This is a beautiful heartwarming story that will capture your heart and you want be able to put it down. Jesus had plans for both of them and Alia was determined to get them together.
I loved this book. The cover of this book and other covers in the Chapel Cove Series' Books are very sweet.
Melanie has a 4 year old daughter named Alia. Alia has a very serious leukemia and Melanie was told to take Alia home to have the best and last Christmas.
Alia wants her Mommy to marry Dr. Santa. Melanie wants to give Alia all that she asks for because this will be her last Christmas. So, reluctantly, Melanie asks Mark (Dr. Santa) to marry her on paper only for Alia's sake.
As you can guess, Melanie and Mark grow very fond of each other. Mark is such a caring and good "Daddy" to Alia. Then they realize they love each other.
The community of Chapel Cove and the beautiful scenery make this a very enjoyable read.
I love that the author kept this a clean romance and that there was meaningful Scripture included to help all of us when dealing with life's struggles and uncertainties.
A wonderful story about faith, hope, healing, restoration, and a second chance at love. A sick little girl's wish for a daddy for Christmas was about to change her life and those around her forever. What starts out as a marriage of convenience to fulfill a dying little girl's wish turns into so much more. God's ways are not always our ways. When he leads and we follow, even a little grudgingly, our lives may never be the same again.
Enjoy reading this adorable story to find out if love blooms again in this supposedly temporary marriage when two selfless people put a little girl welfare before their own. Be sure to have a hanky handy as you smile, laugh and cry reading this delightful story by an amazing author Autumn Macarthur. As well as the other wonderful stories by all these amazing authors in this series.
I received an Advanced Reader copy of this book at no cost to me but am not required to leave a positive review, and this is my honest opinion of this book.
This Christmas Melanie could focus on whatever was good, pure, lovely or let Alia's illness drag her down. Marry Me is an inspiring marriage of convenience romance, set in small harbor town of Chapel Cove, Oregon. Autumn Macarthur seamlessly weaves elements from previous books in the series, Christmas wish list of an adorable lovable four year old, dreams, and a caring supportive community into a page turning story of hope and redemption. Turning down the bedclothes had this German American chuckling. The author's Britishness shone in that statement. Not sure Chapel Cove residents would say that. Alia's bestest Christmas ever with Dr. Santa with pancakes, a sleigh ride, and a Daddy for Christmas.
What would you be willing to do for your dying 4 yr old daughter?
Autumn Macarthur's Inspirational Romance, "Marry Me" is the 6th Novel, in the Fantastic multi-Author "Chapel Cove Romances" series. Warning: Read only with Tissues 😭 next to you!
Melanie wants to make her 😷 daughter Alia's dream come true, for her last Christmas! Alia dreams of her Pediatrician, Mark, becoming her new "Daddy". Melanie approaches Mark with this "impossible" idea, and asks him to pray about it.
Can God change a marriage of convenience into a Forever 💞? How important are Unicorns and Pancakes to Alia?
I Highly Recommend You Read this Endearing and Engrossing LOVE ❤️ Story! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It's the ❤️ Story of a Mom for her sick little Girl. It's the ❤️ Story of a Grandma for her Granddaughter and Daughter-in-law. It's the ❤️ Story of the small Chapel Cove community, for the Montana Family. But it's ultimately, the 💖 Story God brings to widower Mark and widow Melanie!
Autumn MacArthur’s book Marry Me: Mel is a amazing woman. She has suffered through many losses in her life and may be going through another loss. Alia is a strong little girl who is very special to everyone. Dr. Mark doesn’t know why he is so drawn to this remarkable little girl. The things Mel plans on doing for Alia to make sure she has a wonderful Christmas, will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. I had the honor to review this book for Autumn Macarthur . I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could. This is truly a inspirational story you can’t stop reading it.
What a sweet story! It's not often you find marriage of convenience romances in a contemporary setting, but this one was super cute.
Things did get emotional, at times. Some difficult topics were covered and there were definitely tears. But it was also full of hope and a great spiritual message about trusting God and His timing. And held a wonderful reminder of His love.
Mel, Mark, and Alia were great characters and easy to root for. I became so invested in their lives. I love the town of Chapel Cove. It's such a warm and inviting place.
Marry Me was another lovely romance from Autumn Macarthur. And even though it's book six in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. If you're a fan of hallmark movies, this book is sure to delight.
From the synopsis I knew this was going to be a sadder story. I wasn't prepared though for the childhood cancer. A friend's son recently lost his battle with cancer and I wasn't sure I was in the right place to read this story. Luckily it was handled very well and I never got to a point where I didn't feel I could keep going. This is a beautiful story about God's love, forgiveness and atonement. Melanie and Mark are very sweet together and have a lot of hurdles in their way. Alia is an amazing little girl with beautiful faith. This was a beautiful story.
Loved Mel & Mark's story!! Alia and Paula only added to the story!! A modern-day marriage of convenience, that rapidly turned to a real marriage, pulling two people out of the pits they had planned for themselves, but God showed them He had other plans. Mark was quicker turning his life back over to what God wanted than Mel was, but she finally figured things out!! Great addition to this series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
I’ve loved every book in the Chapel Cove series, but this one... it is heart changing. For one, the characters completely steal your heart! For another, this is a book that will speak to everyone who has ever had major struggles, loss, heartbreak - and isn’t that all of us? I was needing tissues throughout the entire story, as I watched Melanie and Mark struggle with having faith after tremendous loss, and through their current difficulties. They were tears of hope, of joy in having my faith encouraged, and tears of gratitude that Jesus saved me to live in the fullness of HIS JOY-to be a child of God. Marry Me is a beautiful romance and a story that shows how to trust our Heavenly Father and to rest in Him. This is an awesome and inspiring book!
I fell in love with the main characters faster than they did with each other! Autumn Macarthur did an excellent job keeping the attention of the reader. I really felt like I was right there! I loved the interactions Melanie has with the Lord towards the end of the book. It was real.....raw. Definitely a must read. (I received this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.)
Wow, this book really does pull on those heartstrings.
Mel has been through so much loss but her daughters cheerful attitude keeps her going.
A real lesson in having faith and the healing power of God and his Son and how fit can truly set us free when we throw our burdens on them and stop trying to carry them ourselves.
A very lovely and touching love story that ends way too soon.
I received this as a complimentary copy and I am giving my honest review voluntarily
I had an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. What a wonderful story! Autumn did a great job writing this book. It really makes you think about your life situation. Melanie tried to handle her problems on her own and finally realizes she needs to trust God alone. I enjoyed the plot and the way she developed it.
This was a great, modern-day marriage of convenience story. The romantic attraction that built between these two was very well-written and the emotional and overwhelming situation that they found themselves in due to Alia's health made for a novel that works at the heartstrings. This story was hard to set down.
Words can not express how awesome this book is. I not only read it but felt it deeply. This author has a tremendous gift. This is definitely a must read. I received ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
If you’ve ever had a family member with a life threatening disease you will be able to understand Melanie’s desire to give her daughter, Alia, anything possible especially with the future so unknown. Enter Dr. Santa, aka Dr Mark Stewart, who Alia has decided she wants as her new daddy. I loved watching this “temporary” family become permanent. This is wonderful story from Autumn Macarthur.
This is a beautiful story which made me think a lot about things. What begins as a marriage of convenience becomes a real relationship. It reminded me that friendship is often the basis of a good marriage and helps to carry us through the difficult times even when we have faith.
It’s easy to fall in love with this book and easy to feel the emotions of the characters. Autumn is very skilled at developing characters who feel like they could be your good friends, family or next door neighbors. Be sure to have Kleenex on hand, as there are both tearful and cheerful moments as well as wonderful reminders of God’s immense love for us. Great book!
Who asks a Doctor to marry her after meeting him ONCE? A woman who loves her daughter, does not expect her to live, and wants to grant her as many wishes as she can. ABSOLUTELY AN AMAZING BOOK - superb love story (family, friends, and of course man and woman)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
This is a book that will melt your heart. It is very well written and full of emotions. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. The author brought the book to life with her words, you can see all the scenery, feel all the emotions and the people in the book become your friends. Make sure you have a box of tissue handy because you will need them. I highly recommend this book.
Ah... another heartfelt winner from Autumn! I just adore Chapel Cove and it feels like I am visiting dear friends when I get to read another installment.
This story does need to disappoint at all, and it tugs at your heart strings so much with an adorable child in the mix!
Oh, what a unique story about a marriage of convenience. I have read quite a few, but none that gripped me quite like this one. Beautifully written by a prolific author! Your heart will be warned and your love for God deeper from reading it.
I used a bunch of tissues while reading Marry Me. This book is a beautifully, and lovingly, written, heart warming, heart strings tugging, awesome Christian romance about love - God's love, love for a spouse, a child and family. I could not put it down. As soon as I got to the end, I was ready to start reading it all over again! Alia, Mel, Mark, Gi-Gi Paula, and all the wonderful folks in Chapel Cove will linger in my mind. I highly recommend that you read this book.
This was a beautiful book showing God's love. I loved the storyline and the wonderful cast of characters. This book is recommended for those who love Christian romance.
Oh boy! The characters and their emotions were so well done that I could feel their fears, doubts, and love. Oh, the faith of a child! What a gift that is!