Thursday, December 22, 2016

Throwback Thursday Review - - Miracle in New Hope


Miracle in New Hope  
By Kaki Warner
Publisher: Penguin - InterMix
December 11, 2012


I love Christmas romances, especially novellas. With my busy schedule, the closer we get to Christmas, the harder it is to find time to sneak away and lose myself in a good story which makes shorter novellas perfect for December reading. There are so many terrific new novellas each year that I rarely have time to re-read favorites from previous years but Miracle in New Hope by Kaki Warner is one that I try to make time for. Four years after it was published, the story of Daniel and Lacy and their desperate search for a Christmas miracle touches my heart as powerfully as it did during my first reading. ~PJ



Colorado...1871

Trapped in an avalanche of snow that buries the General Store, it is only the voice of the young girl trapped with him that gives loner Daniel Hobart the will to live.  When he's rescued, Daniel is stunned to discover that he was the only person in the store and the widower, haunted by the deaths of his wife and child, wonders if he's finally lost his mind. When Hannah continues to appear to him however, he's convinced the young girl is real and has reached out to him for help. He was unable to save his own child. He's not about to let Hannah down, even if the whole town thinks he's crazy.

When her daughter, Hannah disappeared on their journey to New Hope, Lacy Ellis was devastated. She searched and searched but found no trace and now, one year later, the young widow is just beginning to come to terms with the loss of her only child when Daniel Hobart appears in town with claims of having seen her.  Lacy wants to believe him but his tale is so outlandish.  Dare she hope?  Her brothers want to run him out of town but when Daniel insists he's going to search for Hannah, Lacy is determined to go with him. 

As Daniel and Lacy re-trace the route of the previous year's journey, they find in one another, understanding, compassion and an attraction that's been simmering since they first glimpsed each other on the streets of New Hope.  As the attraction deepens and feelings emerge, Lacy and Daniel are given a second chance at love but will that fragile emotion withstand the crushing disappointment if they are unable to find Hannah?  Or, will two people who have known more than their share of heartbreak be given a second chance with a miracle in New Hope?

Kaki Warner is one of my favorite authors.  When I read one of her books, I'm not just reading about people and places; I'm experiencing her characters' journeys with them. Their hopes and dreams, heartbreak and despair, joy and salvation.  I feel it all.  If you've read Warner, you already know what I mean.  If you haven't, this stand-alone extended-length novella (146 pages) is a perfect place to begin. 


~PJ

3 comments:

  1. I haven't read all her books, but I've read several and I really enjoyed them. They are so very layered and her storytelling skills are superb. I think I'll go have a look-see at this one.

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    1. Now I feel a bit silly. I already purchased this one and found it languishing on my TBR. So yay! It's next!

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    2. LOL! Don't feel bad, Nikki. I do that all the time! Hope you enjoy the book. :)

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