More Than Words: Stories of Courage: Homecoming Season / The Yellow Ribbon / Hanging by a Thread

Lakeshore Chronicles #4.5 (Homecoming Season)

by Susan Wiggs, Sharon Sala, Emilie Richards

Somewhere, at this very moment, a woman's caring and commitment is changing a life in her community...and changing the world. Three of these exceptional women have been selected as recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award. And three bestselling authors have kindly offered their creativity to write original short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.

We hope these stories of courage will touch your heart and inspire the heroine living inside you.

Genres: Romance, Anthologies, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Fiction

384 pages, ebook

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.

According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.

The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book comprised of 3 short stories, each based on an actual real life charity. IT was inspirational in the fact that you learn about some of the great charities out there who really are giving so much of their time in helping people.
My only qualm with it was that it was a bit predictable for me. It was a nice, easy, uplifting read though. Sometimes it is nice to read a book about just happiness and nothing bad.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs
From A Sweet Life Boxed Set

Two-haiku review:

She survived cancer
Year of treatment hurt family
Friend gives week away

Really nice story
Great insight into many
Effects of cancer

[Lin Stepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of a series of harlequin books where the base of each story in the anthology is based, in part, on real woman who made some sort of extraordinary and memorable commitment to their community. The anthology has three fine novellas: HOMECOMING SEASON by Susan Wiggs, THE YELLOW RIBBON by Sharon Sala, and HANGING BY A THREAD by Emilie Richards. I enjoyed each story and also the 'story behind each story.'

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was poking around our local used bookstore when I stumbled across this book. I've read plenty of books by Susan Wiggs and Emilie Richards so I knew this would be good. Sharon Sala is new to me but figured if she was in such illustrious company, her story would be enjoyable. I was right.
These stories are fiction, but they're based on charities run by three very extraordinary women. Each story has an introduction about these women, the name of the charity, and the charities' mission. I loved them all, but I think my favorite charity is Second Wind Dreams. It's Make a Wish, but for senior citizens. As for my favorite story, I can't decide. They were all compelling in their own way. I realize this is a series, I did very minimal research and saw three more. They're each headlined by a bestselling author and cover different topics. One that caught my eye deals with kindness. I am going to have dig in and find out, because I would love to read them all.
If anyone reading this review happens to know the full line-up I would love for you to list it for me.
Very wonderful book.

[Robina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful anthology inspired by women who do great works - Cottage Dreams, cottage retreats for families affected by adult cancer; Second Wind Dreams, a Make-A-Wish like organization for older seniors living in aggregate living and Quilts from Caring Hands, volunteers making quilts for children with difficult lives, like being in foster care. I hope these organizations still exist. The stories they inspired warmed my heart.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three beautiful stories written by three great authors. Since I thought I had read every book Ms Wiggs had written about Willow Lake, I was delighted to find yet another! How I hated to see The Lakeshore Chronicles end! Also, I was quite taken by the character of Molly in the last segment, the foster child whom no one wanted to keep. I found it to be very heartwarming.

[Judy Budge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories of Courage

I loved the stories in this book! I haven't heard of the charities mentioned here until I read about them in this book. What they do to help folks from all walks of life is amazing! This is one I definitely want to read again.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite them all being short stories, I enjoyed every single one of them. They didn't leave me feeling like something was missing or that they should have been longer.

[Kathleen Nalley · Rating 1 out of 5]

A good idea with poor results - stories inspired by real life.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wiggs story only.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 stories by 3 different authors highlighting charity organizations. All 3 were heartwarming and made we want to volunteer with all of them! I totally enjoyed reading all 3.

[Virginia Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read Sharon Sala story

[A. Dewitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three stories by three authors about three different well-deserved charities that help people in the USA and around the world.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!! It leaves you feeling uplifted as it delves into the healing process as well as compassion and service. I found myself evaluating my own life and how I can serve those around me better. Also putting things in my life into perspective. I loved learning about the 3 heroines who created service programs to help those around them. Each story centers around one of these programs but does not include the heroine in the story, just people affected by them.

It is a compilation of 3 short stories by 3 different authors. I read it because of Susan Wiggs story. Each story is written in a very compelling way with characters that are well developed. They all move forward smoothly and quickly so that it is a pleasant ride with positive feelings along the way. I could not put each story down. It is a good thing they are short. I loved all three stories. I will check out the other authors more because of this compilation.

A must read for everyone - probably more interesting for adults.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology spotlights three different organizations that help others: Cottage Dreams which is a place for cancer survivors, patients and families can take a break; Second Wind Dreams which grants wishes made by the elderly; and Quilts from Caring Hands which makes quilts for foster children and ill children. The Wiggs story is connected to her Lakeshore Chronicles stories so it had a familiar touch. All the stories are sweet and uplifting.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homecoming Season is the only one I read, it is part of the sweet life box set. I do like visiting this "town" and this touched on the characters from one if her popular series that I like. I think I would have liked more, but then again I always feel that way with novellas. I do like that the author works to highlight a worthy charity. Wonderful way to write a fictional story about a truly hard time in life and maybe help readers even more at the right time.

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three short stories in one book. They were all good. Kind of sappy but in a good way. Predictable. I like the involvement of real charities that help people out in different ways...Like the group that sends cancer survivors to a cottage for a healing family vacation. Then the quilts that are made with foster children in mind. that one I really love.
The third was a group that grants wishes to seniors. Kind of like Make a Wish, just for seniors. Very sappy storyline, but it was ok.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book, based on real-life heroines and wonder, life-altering foundations. It is heartwarming to realize that there are such wonderful persons and foundations who are impacting lives in the most wonderful and life-altering fashion. These stories were truely inspiring. I plan on reading more books from this series. Thanks to my friend, Deb, who lent me this terrific read!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. This second book, however, is three mini stories in one. I like how it's tailored to giving and cancer, etc. Will move on to book three soon, I'm sure. Just didn't have as much relevance as I would have wanted to the first book. (In that "carry it through" sort of way.)

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories very much and the fact that they were to promote worthy causes like Cottage Dreams for instance made them more real for me. From a woman recovering from cancer to a couple too busy to even eat together and yet welcomed into their house a foster child. There is good in the world and I am glad this book showed it to me.

[Arieana rie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs
From A Sweet Life Boxed Set

Miranda, a cancer survivor try to make up with her family after a year of treatment.

“You can’t have today back. So make sure you spend it in the best pos­si­ble way.”

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real eye opener....about cancer survivors....senior citizens....foster care......there are many organizations out there that we're just not aware of.

[Evelyn]

very encouraging

[Tinae Goodell, Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wad a very touching book but I had a hard time reading the first and third story, only because of things happening in my own life. A very good touching book. Very inspirational.

[melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book that made me keep the tissue box near by.

[Shelly Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated for Homecoming Season only

[Lynn Calvin]

Cancer,aging,fundraising