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A Holiday Prayer
A MASQUERADE BALL. A MASKED STRANGER. A STAR-FILLED NIGHT…From the first, Maddie Carlton felt that she'd met mysterious Rory March before. Now, he'd appeared on her doorstep when she least expected-and vanished just as swiftly.Yet, at each visit, Rory brought Maddie and her boy the warmth of joy their lives had been missing for so long-ever since the tragedy that had taken her husband.But who was "Rory" really? And could the man who'd restored her faith-and saved Christmas for her son-teach Maddie to love again?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Deb Kastner
112 books148 followersPublishers Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 novels and two million books in print, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational and sweet western stories set in small communities, often including animals as major secondary characters.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 30, 2015
This is a sweet love story of faith that takes place during the holidays. Maddie lost her husband at a department store the previous Christmas, when holiday display catches fire. Her son, Nicky is also hurt.
I loved how the author used the Phantom in the story. The Phantom of the Opera has always been one of my favorite stories and musicals, though her inspiration came from the other Phantom musical and not the Andrew Lloyd Webber.
I also loved the character Rory, though I have to say I had a hard time picturing the character as the author described him, as I'm a huge Doctor Who fan, and all Rory's look like Rory Williams
This story was one of forgiveness on Maddie's part. She had to come to terms with what happened to her husband and the thoughts she had about their relationship prior to his death. I really hated that things didn't seem all that rosy until the end of the book.
So many books with the heroine as a widow seem to have the previous relationship as a poor one, yet they grieve as though the spouse was their one true love. There is a specter of mistrust hanging over Maddie's head, and I hated that. I felt bad for Peter because of how he died and that he died without giving Maddie any closure. When you find out what he was doing you will want to smack her.
The other thing that was a little bit off for me was Nicky and how he called Rory, The Fireman. This was a giveaway to Rory's real character. He's more than he seems, even when you find out who he really is.
I wish that there would have been more romance between Rory and Maddie. There was so much more angst than love, yet the two fell in love in a matter of months.
All that aside, this was a beautiful holiday read. It was a little heavy on the faith aspect, but not so much as to be obnoxious. Plus, its Christmas, and faith should play at least a small part in the holiday.
I loved how the author used the Phantom in the story. The Phantom of the Opera has always been one of my favorite stories and musicals, though her inspiration came from the other Phantom musical and not the Andrew Lloyd Webber.
I also loved the character Rory, though I have to say I had a hard time picturing the character as the author described him, as I'm a huge Doctor Who fan, and all Rory's look like Rory Williams
This story was one of forgiveness on Maddie's part. She had to come to terms with what happened to her husband and the thoughts she had about their relationship prior to his death. I really hated that things didn't seem all that rosy until the end of the book.
So many books with the heroine as a widow seem to have the previous relationship as a poor one, yet they grieve as though the spouse was their one true love. There is a specter of mistrust hanging over Maddie's head, and I hated that. I felt bad for Peter because of how he died and that he died without giving Maddie any closure. When you find out what he was doing you will want to smack her.
The other thing that was a little bit off for me was Nicky and how he called Rory, The Fireman. This was a giveaway to Rory's real character. He's more than he seems, even when you find out who he really is.
I wish that there would have been more romance between Rory and Maddie. There was so much more angst than love, yet the two fell in love in a matter of months.
All that aside, this was a beautiful holiday read. It was a little heavy on the faith aspect, but not so much as to be obnoxious. Plus, its Christmas, and faith should play at least a small part in the holiday.
December 24, 2025
The premise is one that I love: wealthy playboy gets life lesson that changes him when he fails to save the life of a man lost in a fire in his own store. Tries to make right with the widow, falls in love.
The problem here is that Kastner. Cannot. Write.
I can't emphasize this enough.
Maddie is a whiny, screaming, nasty, self-absorbed heroine *NOBODY* is rooting for, and that Rory would *NEVER* fall for. She loses her kid at the zoo, throws tantrums, is absolutely HORRIBLE with money (she's given millions and donates it to ELEPHANTS. *ELEPHANTS*. ??!?!?!?!?).
I hate her. Seriously HATE her.
And why would I read this garbage when another, FAR more beautiful version exists out there? Check out 'Above and Beyond' by Sandra Brown (aka Erin St. Clair), instead. And throw this drivel in the trash. It's been done, and far, far better.
The problem here is that Kastner. Cannot. Write.
I can't emphasize this enough.
Maddie is a whiny, screaming, nasty, self-absorbed heroine *NOBODY* is rooting for, and that Rory would *NEVER* fall for. She loses her kid at the zoo, throws tantrums, is absolutely HORRIBLE with money (she's given millions and donates it to ELEPHANTS. *ELEPHANTS*. ??!?!?!?!?).
I hate her. Seriously HATE her.
And why would I read this garbage when another, FAR more beautiful version exists out there? Check out 'Above and Beyond' by Sandra Brown (aka Erin St. Clair), instead. And throw this drivel in the trash. It's been done, and far, far better.
September 4, 2018
A sweet story where the hero is seemingly the bad guy at the start who Maddie after losing her heart to him discovers he was her real life hero who had saved her son and tried to save her husband. Only part that was hard to accept was her not questioning why her son kept calling Rory the fireman and learning the truth sooner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
A quick read. I liked the subjects that were brought up so that I could compare how they were handled because the situation was similar to my life years ago. Not the rich part or the scars, but the remarriage and a child thing. Thought it was a nice touch that she had the same situation as her mother did a generation ago.
November 10, 2023
A great Christmas book! I felt like this reminded me of a Hallmark movie.
December 22, 2023
A classic Love Inspired Christmas story. This was a good story about overcoming tragedy and learning to trust again and live again.
September 18, 2024
great story
The characters are all so real to live the storyline great And the characters were great. Keep the Kleenex handy.
The characters are all so real to live the storyline great And the characters were great. Keep the Kleenex handy.
May 19, 2022
One of the best romances ever!
February 11, 2012
It is the first Christmas since her husband, Peter’s, death, and although Maddie Carlton doesn’t feel much like celebrating, she agrees to attend a masked ball to honor The Children’s Hospital. The same hospital that saved her son, Nicky, a year ago when he and his father got trapped in a fire at March’s department store while visiting Santa. Nicky made it out alive, Peter wasn’t so fortunate.
Dressed as Cinderella and just about to leave the ball, Maddie is swept away by a handsome stranger dressed as The Phantom of the Opera. After a romantic dance and a carriage ride through snowy downtown Denver, her mystery man reveals himself simply as Rory, but when Maddie reveals her identity, Rory disappears into the night.
Neil March owns March’s department store and although he’s known as a wealthy playboy type, he truly wants a different life and a future with Maddie and her son. However, she only knows him as Rory and not the man responsible for the fire that killed her husband.
Angry from all that has been taken from her, Maddie must move past her pain and learn to open her heart and love once again.
With much description and a storyline full of surprises, this book moves quickly and is perfect for an afternoon by the fire at Christmastime.
Dressed as Cinderella and just about to leave the ball, Maddie is swept away by a handsome stranger dressed as The Phantom of the Opera. After a romantic dance and a carriage ride through snowy downtown Denver, her mystery man reveals himself simply as Rory, but when Maddie reveals her identity, Rory disappears into the night.
Neil March owns March’s department store and although he’s known as a wealthy playboy type, he truly wants a different life and a future with Maddie and her son. However, she only knows him as Rory and not the man responsible for the fire that killed her husband.
Angry from all that has been taken from her, Maddie must move past her pain and learn to open her heart and love once again.
With much description and a storyline full of surprises, this book moves quickly and is perfect for an afternoon by the fire at Christmastime.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Christmas Flash
November 29, 2014
Very good
February 17, 2016
A Holiday Prayer
A good book by Deb Kastner. I think I had read it before, but it was good to read it again.
A good book by Deb Kastner. I think I had read it before, but it was good to read it again.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews