An Angel for Christmas [Hardcover]

Heather Graham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2011

Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family. Still, year after year, they gather together in the Blue Ridge Mountains to try to make the season merry and bright. But this year is an especially strained one, with Shayne's impending divorce, Morwenna's slavish devotion to work and Bobby's reluctance to face what life has to offer. They've never felt less like a family.

Then, in the midst of a snowy sibling shouting match, a mysterious stranger appears. He could be a criminal, a madman—or something far more unexpected. Despite their fears and the growing danger in the dark woods around them, the MacDougals take a leap of faith. But when another stranger arrives on the mountainside, they don't know which of them to believe. One of these men can't be trusted. And one is about to bring Christmas into their hearts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This delightfully offbeat yet sometimes unexpected story whips up its own brand of holiday magic." – Library Journal on Home in Time for Christmas

"Solidly plotted and peppered with welcome hints of black humor. And the ending's all readers could hope for." – RT Book Reviews on The Last Noel

"Graham expertly blends a chilling history of the mansion's former residents with eerie phenomena, once again demonstrating why she stands at the top of the romantic suspense category." --Publisher's Weekly on Phantom Evil, Starred Review

"An incredible storyteller."

-Los Angeles Daily News

"Graham wields a deftly sexy and convincing pen."

-Publishers Weekly

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham has written more than one hundred novels, many of which have been featured by the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. An avid scuba diver, ballroom dancer and mother of five, she still enjoys her south Florida home, but loves to travel as well, from locations such as Cairo, Egypt, to her own backyard, the Florida Keys. Reading, however, is the pastime she still loves best, and she is a member of many writing groups. She’s currently the vice president of the Horror Writers’ Association, and she’s also an active member of International Thriller Writers. She is very proud to be a Killerette in the Killer Thriller Band, along with many fellow novelists she greatly admires. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Mira (September 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778312798
• ISBN-13: 978-0778312796
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good as an inspirational read...., September 27, 2011

By 

Christina Snow - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Angel for Christmas (Hardcover)

My Review:
This was a different book. For years, I have read Heather Graham's holiday book. I enjoyed this one, but it seemed to have a more spiritual/inspirational feel than they traditionally have. Not that that is a bad thing, but it just gives a different kind of feel to the overall novel.

The MacDougal family have had a hard year and this year, more than most, they seem to be taking it out on each other with constant fights and bickering. Shayne, the oldest and doctor in the family has gone through a divorce that took him by surprise over the last year. Bobby, the youngest, is struggling with finding a balance between his passion, music, and doing what his family wants. Morwenna, the middle child, is struggling with an unsatisfying career and boyfriend. They are each struggling and have all lost focus with what is important in life.

When a stranger literally stumbles into their lives during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, he helps to guide them and show them through little things where they have gone wrong.

Like I said, this had a very spiritual feel to it. It's definitely a book that is focused on what is really the meaning of Christmas and what should be the focus of our everyday lives. We can get so caught up in those lives, that we lose sight of the big picture. It's a great lesson and the book can definitely help to enrich your enjoyment of the holidays. It has an interesting twist at the end about the "bad guy" and the good guys interpretation of his actions. Rather thought-provoking and inspiring. I liked it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Christmas Story, October 15, 2011

By 

Sharon R. Schall (ELLINGTON, CT, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Angel for Christmas (Hardcover)

An Angel for Christmas is a sweet holiday story with a message. The three MacDougal siblings are coming to their parent's vacation cabin in the woods for Christmas. Shayne, the oldest, is bitter about his recent divorce and missing his children for the holidays. Morwenna, the middle, whose boyfriend has gone to Cancun without her and she is debating her choice to come home. Bobby, the youngest, has just decided to leave a college that is not preparing him for the future he wants.
Into the middle of this holiday bliss, Shayne's children turn up and then the family finds an injured stranger on their property. The man Gabe Lange, claims to be a State Trooper chasing a white collar criminal who injured him and then escapes. Lange states the man, Luke Defeo is not a killer but he would be dangerous he if turned up. The rest of the story proceeds with Gabe being cautiously brought into the family's holiday celebration. Gabe seems to have a talent for talking to people and helping them see their inner self and what they would like to have their life be about. Defeo turns up and becomes the worm in the apple. He claims to be the good guy but he spends all of his time spreading poison into the ear of whoever is nearby. There is a dramatic rescue of another family member and a final fight between Gabe & Luke before the resolution.
I enjoyed the whole Gabriel/Lucifer allegory in this book. The family is fractured but loving and they need someone to help them see how they have been allowing negativity to take hold in their lives. For example, Shayne needs to realize he can't slam his ex around his kids because the children love both parents and it hurts and confuses them to hear the comments. Gabe really helps the family get the spirit of Christmas in spite of Luke's attempt to pull them apart. The message of love and hope is especially nice in the crazy time we are living in.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it in your living room by the Christmas tree!, December 12, 2011

By 

C. Pepe (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Angel for Christmas (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had a difficult time putting it down and found myself at times not being able to read fast enough and wanting to scan pages ahead to see what would happen. I wasn't disappointed by the ending but Morweena pondered just as I did. Were Gabe and Luke really angels? That I'm sure was the author's intent to leave you wondering and thinking just a bit. For those of you who like to wonder about things I highly suggest reading The Shack. I had a hard time putting that one down too. Merry Christmas!!!