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Christmas Miracle
What makes a man want to walk away from all he knows and start over from scratch?
Love him or hate him, Jack Wood (aka Moses Smith) will be respected for his decisions. In a blink of an eye everything he knew to be real was taken from him. He made the best choices with what life threw at him.
A thrill seeker, Kayla Adams, enjoyed traveling, seeking new adventures until she gazed into Jack's mesmerizing eyes on a missionary trip in the Middle East. Her decision to help him will have a profound impact on others, but her heart couldn’t let him go.
Friendship was the last thing on their minds when Kayla discovered Jack, but in finding him, they found true love. When Jack's past comes face to face with their future, will it take a Christmas miracle for their love to survive?
Come along for the ride down memory lane as this couple fight for their Christmas Miracle.
Contains Adult content!
Love him or hate him, Jack Wood (aka Moses Smith) will be respected for his decisions. In a blink of an eye everything he knew to be real was taken from him. He made the best choices with what life threw at him.
A thrill seeker, Kayla Adams, enjoyed traveling, seeking new adventures until she gazed into Jack's mesmerizing eyes on a missionary trip in the Middle East. Her decision to help him will have a profound impact on others, but her heart couldn’t let him go.
Friendship was the last thing on their minds when Kayla discovered Jack, but in finding him, they found true love. When Jack's past comes face to face with their future, will it take a Christmas miracle for their love to survive?
Come along for the ride down memory lane as this couple fight for their Christmas Miracle.
Contains Adult content!
- GenresInterracial Romance
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2017
50 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Ancelli
36 books194 followersI married my best friend, the love of my life, we have two beautiful daughters, and I love serving my country. On my spare time, I love scribbling and making my words come to life. I love writing romance stories about couples that go through trials and come out stronger. Love is never easy, but it's worth all the hard work. I would like to hear your opinion whether good or bad, you can leave your comments at ancelli55@live.com or visit my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Interra...
Thank you,
Ancelli
Thank you,
Ancelli
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 22, 2017
Christmas Miracle by Ancelli
Rating: 1 ½ stars
*This review is probably really bad because I was rushing and my brain refused to cooperate lol*
There were so many red flags in Christmas Miracle that I couldn’t possibly give it more stars. The premise is promising, a flashback-style post-military romance, where the heroine saves the hero instead of the reverse. Jack Wood is a soldier that is captured as a prisoner of war, where he is tortured for information.
After five years, he’s abandoned by his captors and left for dead where Kayla Adams - doing missionary work- finds him broken and beaten. She rescue’s him from the hole (literally) and smuggles him back to Dubai where they live for 2 (3?) years together as friends until their relationship blossoms into love. The only problem is Jack has a family that believes he’s dead, two of which are his wife and daughter.
The premise is promising. However, the writing and execution read more like a draft than a final product. It was a combination of Characters, Page Length, and Writing that led to my rating.
Characters:
I really hated Jack.
There was something about his character that really annoyed me, and I don’t even know why. But this could be because of the lack of growth and emotional attachment. Dude was tortured for five years, yet we don't experience his recovery or care about him. Kayla was a different story, I liked the idea of her more than her. Everyone else in the story was cardboard didn’t add any texture. They were plastic, although this could be a symptom of the page length. However, I’ve read short stories and novellas that had excellent character development.
Writing:
The writing isn’t good. There’s a lack of fluidity and pacing that really limits the story. Plus there are a lot of cringe-worthy scenes in the story, here’s an example of a few:
“Jack didn’t have a racist bone in his body. He’d never been physically attracted to African-American women, until he woke up in Kayla’s arms. The way she nurtured him back from the brink of darkness without asking for anything in return[.....] Rabbo Abadi, his partner in crime, couldn’t understand what he saw in Kayla. He claimed she was too plain and crazy for a man like Jack, however Rabbo didn’t understand that Jack wasn’t into looks as much as he was into a deeper connection. That’s what he had with Kayla.”
“After months of recovery and intense workouts, the man became a sexy motherfucker. Jack looked like one of those firemen women drooled over.”
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnndddd
“She resembled the actress Regina Hall just thicker.”
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnndddddddddddd
“Kayla was right, he did resemble those pictures of Jesus in most churches.”
She said he looked like Jesus way too many times for me.
Maybe I didn’t have my romance-colored glasses on or something.
Page Length:
Page length really hurt Christmas Miracle. With an emotion and backstory driven plot, there wasn’t enough time for development of characters, plot, or storyline. The conflict is even subpar compared to its potential.
Rating: 1 ½ stars
*This review is probably really bad because I was rushing and my brain refused to cooperate lol*
There were so many red flags in Christmas Miracle that I couldn’t possibly give it more stars. The premise is promising, a flashback-style post-military romance, where the heroine saves the hero instead of the reverse. Jack Wood is a soldier that is captured as a prisoner of war, where he is tortured for information.
After five years, he’s abandoned by his captors and left for dead where Kayla Adams - doing missionary work- finds him broken and beaten. She rescue’s him from the hole (literally) and smuggles him back to Dubai where they live for 2 (3?) years together as friends until their relationship blossoms into love. The only problem is Jack has a family that believes he’s dead, two of which are his wife and daughter.
The premise is promising. However, the writing and execution read more like a draft than a final product. It was a combination of Characters, Page Length, and Writing that led to my rating.
Characters:
I really hated Jack.
There was something about his character that really annoyed me, and I don’t even know why. But this could be because of the lack of growth and emotional attachment. Dude was tortured for five years, yet we don't experience his recovery or care about him. Kayla was a different story, I liked the idea of her more than her. Everyone else in the story was cardboard didn’t add any texture. They were plastic, although this could be a symptom of the page length. However, I’ve read short stories and novellas that had excellent character development.
Writing:
The writing isn’t good. There’s a lack of fluidity and pacing that really limits the story. Plus there are a lot of cringe-worthy scenes in the story, here’s an example of a few:
“Jack didn’t have a racist bone in his body. He’d never been physically attracted to African-American women, until he woke up in Kayla’s arms. The way she nurtured him back from the brink of darkness without asking for anything in return[.....] Rabbo Abadi, his partner in crime, couldn’t understand what he saw in Kayla. He claimed she was too plain and crazy for a man like Jack, however Rabbo didn’t understand that Jack wasn’t into looks as much as he was into a deeper connection. That’s what he had with Kayla.”
“After months of recovery and intense workouts, the man became a sexy motherfucker. Jack looked like one of those firemen women drooled over.”
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnndddd
“She resembled the actress Regina Hall just thicker.”
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnndddddddddddd
“Kayla was right, he did resemble those pictures of Jesus in most churches.”
She said he looked like Jesus way too many times for me.
Maybe I didn’t have my romance-colored glasses on or something.
Page Length:
Page length really hurt Christmas Miracle. With an emotion and backstory driven plot, there wasn’t enough time for development of characters, plot, or storyline. The conflict is even subpar compared to its potential.
December 17, 2017
Loved Jack and Kayla's heartwarming Christmas story!!
December 5, 2017
Highly recommended!👍
Going down memory lane with Jack and Kayla was adventurous. I was captivated by their history. Their characters just flow off the pages. I learned fear can overpower you if you allow it. Jack fought his mental battles to gain his life back and God gave him his reward. Thank you Ancelli!
Going down memory lane with Jack and Kayla was adventurous. I was captivated by their history. Their characters just flow off the pages. I learned fear can overpower you if you allow it. Jack fought his mental battles to gain his life back and God gave him his reward. Thank you Ancelli!
December 23, 2017
When I got to 40% of the book, I just sighed irritably, and rated it a 1-star.
Later, upon reflection, I decided to not rate it at all, and gave it a DNF.
While the story had some good bones, there was just too much to make me dislike it.
The main items that didn't work for me:
* Too many damn typo and grammatical errors. This is not this woman's first book.
* A pregnancy/secret baby trope - hate it, hate it, hate it!
* Dumb-ass H/h who keep shit to themselves, when they need to hash shit out.
* Characters doing/saying shit that a normal person with some intelligence wouldn't do.
This is my first Ancelli book, and it will also be my last. I want my $$$ back. Grr!
Going back to that 1 star.
I think I'll just re-read 'A Very Special Christmas' by K. Alex Walker, which is a very good I/R holiday read...
Later, upon reflection, I decided to not rate it at all, and gave it a DNF.
While the story had some good bones, there was just too much to make me dislike it.
The main items that didn't work for me:
* Too many damn typo and grammatical errors. This is not this woman's first book.
* A pregnancy/secret baby trope - hate it, hate it, hate it!
* Dumb-ass H/h who keep shit to themselves, when they need to hash shit out.
* Characters doing/saying shit that a normal person with some intelligence wouldn't do.
This is my first Ancelli book, and it will also be my last. I want my $$$ back. Grr!
Going back to that 1 star.
I think I'll just re-read 'A Very Special Christmas' by K. Alex Walker, which is a very good I/R holiday read...
December 9, 2019
I almost had a heart attack
Kayla Adams sacrificed everything for Jack Wood/ Moses Smith. It was just something about him she could not explain. She saved his life in more ways than one. She fought falling in love with him because of his family at home and did not want him to choose her out of obligation. She wanted him to choose her for him but she knew he had to come clean with his family and encouraged him to do so, even if it meant he'd leave her. She wanted what was best for him.
In the end, Kayla gave Jack the strength and courage to move forward and confront his fears. She gave him his Christmas miracle in more ways than one. He could not imagine his life without her. She gave him the strength to go back home and face his family. They all indeed, had two miracles in one day.
I just love how Ancelli wrote this story. it had me feeling a gambit of emotions. I laughed, cried and almost had a heart attack. The story was heartbreaking and heart-healing at the same time. It has now become one of my favorite holiday stories to be re-read this time of year every year from here on out.
Kayla Adams sacrificed everything for Jack Wood/ Moses Smith. It was just something about him she could not explain. She saved his life in more ways than one. She fought falling in love with him because of his family at home and did not want him to choose her out of obligation. She wanted him to choose her for him but she knew he had to come clean with his family and encouraged him to do so, even if it meant he'd leave her. She wanted what was best for him.
In the end, Kayla gave Jack the strength and courage to move forward and confront his fears. She gave him his Christmas miracle in more ways than one. He could not imagine his life without her. She gave him the strength to go back home and face his family. They all indeed, had two miracles in one day.
I just love how Ancelli wrote this story. it had me feeling a gambit of emotions. I laughed, cried and almost had a heart attack. The story was heartbreaking and heart-healing at the same time. It has now become one of my favorite holiday stories to be re-read this time of year every year from here on out.
December 10, 2017
Tears of Joy😂💝
I was excited when I realized Moses was little Jackey. Ancelli takes us on a journey with Jack and Kayla through the past ,present and the joy that the future will bring them as a couple. Kayla helped Jack during a very difficult time in his life but the friendship then love brought them through. I loved the flow of this story about love, hope,faith, mental issues and the fear of the unknown,but when you have friends like Jack had the impossible becomes the possible.The secondary characters was great Raboo and Tammy need their own novel (please)., It was also nice to catch up with the Wood family. This novel was indeed a Christmas Miracle
Which would bring you to tears and then fill your heart with joy💝💝😂
I was excited when I realized Moses was little Jackey. Ancelli takes us on a journey with Jack and Kayla through the past ,present and the joy that the future will bring them as a couple. Kayla helped Jack during a very difficult time in his life but the friendship then love brought them through. I loved the flow of this story about love, hope,faith, mental issues and the fear of the unknown,but when you have friends like Jack had the impossible becomes the possible.The secondary characters was great Raboo and Tammy need their own novel (please)., It was also nice to catch up with the Wood family. This novel was indeed a Christmas Miracle
Which would bring you to tears and then fill your heart with joy💝💝😂
December 24, 2017
Sacrifice and Service
Ancelli writes some of the best military tales! It was good to see Jeremy, Malanie, Alanie and Faith again and realize that Jack was connected to them. They side effects two military service are wide teaching and this tale explained in a dignified way how some servicemembers don't make it home and sometimes it's not due to death.
My heart broke for both Jack and Kayla as they struggled with their very complicated lives. It was good to see Jack finally make it back and settling ghosts. A well written tale with a few typos but a solid 4.5 stars!! Awesome Ancelli.
Ancelli writes some of the best military tales! It was good to see Jeremy, Malanie, Alanie and Faith again and realize that Jack was connected to them. They side effects two military service are wide teaching and this tale explained in a dignified way how some servicemembers don't make it home and sometimes it's not due to death.
My heart broke for both Jack and Kayla as they struggled with their very complicated lives. It was good to see Jack finally make it back and settling ghosts. A well written tale with a few typos but a solid 4.5 stars!! Awesome Ancelli.
May 13, 2024
Awwwsome!🤗
Absolutely loved this take of extreme courage, compassion and a literal rebirth and redemption from ashes. And dang if it took me way too long too realize this was the Jack from Love and Second Chances. Like duh!!! 🙄 How can you not love Kaylas' spirit and Jacks' resilience. I totally get the time he took and needed before he could return home. This book had me all in my feelings and the switches from past to present were perfect to put everything in perspective for a true Christmas Miracle. There are some typos of course that are a lil annoying but the drama and romance more than make up for it. Bravo!!👏
Absolutely loved this take of extreme courage, compassion and a literal rebirth and redemption from ashes. And dang if it took me way too long too realize this was the Jack from Love and Second Chances. Like duh!!! 🙄 How can you not love Kaylas' spirit and Jacks' resilience. I totally get the time he took and needed before he could return home. This book had me all in my feelings and the switches from past to present were perfect to put everything in perspective for a true Christmas Miracle. There are some typos of course that are a lil annoying but the drama and romance more than make up for it. Bravo!!👏
January 18, 2018
LOVED THIS STORY..
I enjoyed Jack and Kayla’s story. This was a great last adventure for Kayla. I loved the fact that she had a loving and caring heart, the fact that she would not leave Jack was sweet. Loved their friends as well, they were four very close nit friends. This was a very good enjoyable story with humor, sadness with great love. I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone who enjoy reading a great love story. Thank you Ancelli please keep writing these stories.
I enjoyed Jack and Kayla’s story. This was a great last adventure for Kayla. I loved the fact that she had a loving and caring heart, the fact that she would not leave Jack was sweet. Loved their friends as well, they were four very close nit friends. This was a very good enjoyable story with humor, sadness with great love. I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone who enjoy reading a great love story. Thank you Ancelli please keep writing these stories.
December 4, 2017
Loved it!
Not your typical Ancelli book. We’re introduced to Kayla and Jack, a couple that we realize are in love, but being kept apart for some reason. (As usual, a social issue is discussed). Jack is having issues coming to terms with his past, and Kayla seems to be dealing with something that is causing some distance between them. I love the way Ancelli brings it all together... to bring about a Christmas miracle .
Not your typical Ancelli book. We’re introduced to Kayla and Jack, a couple that we realize are in love, but being kept apart for some reason. (As usual, a social issue is discussed). Jack is having issues coming to terms with his past, and Kayla seems to be dealing with something that is causing some distance between them. I love the way Ancelli brings it all together... to bring about a Christmas miracle .
December 4, 2017
I've said it before and I'll say it again and again. Ancelli has a way of writing a love story and not only tugs at your heart strings but obliterates them. I love stories that show the couple falling in love over time and not instantly, and this story does exactly that. Kayla and Jack of course had some obstacles and situations to overcome, and I loved how Ancelli portrays their growth as a couple as they did so. Oops she did it again 5 Stars!!!!
December 10, 2017
Shock!!
WHATTTTTTT!!!!! As I read this story I was like....wait a minute now. Is this the same kid from Jeremy and Malanie's story? I was washed away with love for these two. A chance trip overseas, a good heart and quick thinking gave a POW another chance at life. An opportunity to get a do-over in life. I hate giving a storyline away so don't look for sets from my rating. The read was well worth it!
WHATTTTTTT!!!!! As I read this story I was like....wait a minute now. Is this the same kid from Jeremy and Malanie's story? I was washed away with love for these two. A chance trip overseas, a good heart and quick thinking gave a POW another chance at life. An opportunity to get a do-over in life. I hate giving a storyline away so don't look for sets from my rating. The read was well worth it!
December 8, 2019
Military love and adventure
Kayla and Tammy doing mission work and to them it was an adventure that would forever change their lives.
Jack Woods military POW endured unthinkable pain with the hope that the United States military would rescue but to his surprise no one was looking for a dead man.
Everything and everyone he'd known had moved on.
But the love of his woman he rose from the ashes and became a better man.
Please read!
Kayla and Tammy doing mission work and to them it was an adventure that would forever change their lives.
Jack Woods military POW endured unthinkable pain with the hope that the United States military would rescue but to his surprise no one was looking for a dead man.
Everything and everyone he'd known had moved on.
But the love of his woman he rose from the ashes and became a better man.
Please read!
December 6, 2017
Another One
Ancelli knocked it out the park with this Christmas treat. Loved Jack and Kayla. It was great to see Jeremy and Malanie along with the rest of the Woods family. Please let Tammy and Raboo have a story around the corner. Must read!
Ancelli knocked it out the park with this Christmas treat. Loved Jack and Kayla. It was great to see Jeremy and Malanie along with the rest of the Woods family. Please let Tammy and Raboo have a story around the corner. Must read!
December 9, 2017
Excellent read
Happy, sad, angry are just a few words to describe how I felt while reading this book. It was one of the best story I've read. Kayla was a brave , strong, caring and loving person. Ancelli you are one of my favorite authors. Thank you for sharing.
Happy, sad, angry are just a few words to describe how I felt while reading this book. It was one of the best story I've read. Kayla was a brave , strong, caring and loving person. Ancelli you are one of my favorite authors. Thank you for sharing.
December 14, 2017
Linda Christiani
I like to believe that you can love more than one person in your lifetime but there is only one person who is your soul mate and that love is definitely forever so I recommend this book that I so enjoyed!!!
I like to believe that you can love more than one person in your lifetime but there is only one person who is your soul mate and that love is definitely forever so I recommend this book that I so enjoyed!!!
December 15, 2017
LOVE IN STRANGE PLACES
This book had two heroes. They both found salvation, peace and love with one another. Built on trust and friendship first. Need a better proofreader for this book. Looking forward to the next BOOK.
This book had two heroes. They both found salvation, peace and love with one another. Built on trust and friendship first. Need a better proofreader for this book. Looking forward to the next BOOK.
December 15, 2017
Finding love
This is a story about two people who meet in a foreign country and the woman finds out she is pregnant after returning to the states. This story is also a out unconditionally love.
This is a story about two people who meet in a foreign country and the woman finds out she is pregnant after returning to the states. This story is also a out unconditionally love.
January 3, 2018
Christmas Miracle
This is an awesome tale of love, and kindness. I love how selfless Kayla is; she loves hard and she didn’t have to do half the things she did for Jack and his family. And Jack is amazing, especially when it comes to Kayla
This is an awesome tale of love, and kindness. I love how selfless Kayla is; she loves hard and she didn’t have to do half the things she did for Jack and his family. And Jack is amazing, especially when it comes to Kayla
December 6, 2017
Jack is back!
Short but sweet. Written in true Ancelli style. Heartwarming, leaving you wanting more. Hopefully we will get more of Jack and Kayla in a future book.
Short but sweet. Written in true Ancelli style. Heartwarming, leaving you wanting more. Hopefully we will get more of Jack and Kayla in a future book.
December 10, 2017
Great read
I really enjoyed this book and the storyline was great. I loved the characters and the chemistry amongst themselves, I really wish it was longer🌟
I really enjoyed this book and the storyline was great. I loved the characters and the chemistry amongst themselves, I really wish it was longer🌟
December 10, 2017
Beautiful
You never disappoint. I’ve read all of your books and I have thoroughly enjoyed each one. And I never feel like I’m reading the same story. Always a unique twist!
You never disappoint. I’ve read all of your books and I have thoroughly enjoyed each one. And I never feel like I’m reading the same story. Always a unique twist!
December 13, 2017
Awesome
This was so good. I’m happy to see Jacky alive with his own family. I hope another story in this series comes out with more of an update after everything is cleared up
This was so good. I’m happy to see Jacky alive with his own family. I hope another story in this series comes out with more of an update after everything is cleared up
January 1, 2020
Love it
Love this story this is the first book that I read of your can't wait to read more so good looking for books 📚by you now
Love this story this is the first book that I read of your can't wait to read more so good looking for books 📚by you now
August 17, 2021
Loved it!
I can not get enough of this author! Her books have so much substance, and let's not forget fun. If you like soldier hero's you'll love this one.
I can not get enough of this author! Her books have so much substance, and let's not forget fun. If you like soldier hero's you'll love this one.
December 10, 2017
Christmas Miracle by Ancelli is a cute novella about Jack. A guy who was injured, captured and tortured by the enemy in Afghanistan after his humvee was blown up. Left in a well to die he is found by Kayla. She is a young lady doing missionary work, a thrill seeker and a free spirit. She is able to get Jack to Dubai where she nurses back to health. Having been declared dead and finding out his family has moved on Jack sets up a life in Dubai working for a hotel in IT a skill he learned in the Army. As his feelings for Kayla grow they both struggle with the notion of when or if Jack is ready to go back to the US after all these years and if there relationship can survive his ex wife and daughter. I really loved this story of them finding love. I enjoyed the way the author told their story by going back and forth between the past and the present. I wouldn't even mind thier story turning into a full novel and especially one involving their friends. A really good read an even better Christmas story. I give this book 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews