Miracles Not Included

by C.A. King

Award winning author C.A. King presents Miracles Not Included: a heartfelt romantic story about: life; love; loss; and learning to love again.

If only life came with instructions and a warning label ~ Miracles Not Included.

*********************

Chris was born to be a writer. Even the smallest of details couldn't pass without notice, often becoming part of a plot for her next novel. The one thing she never saw coming was her husband's sudden illness.

Jason loved his wife from the moment they met. Nothing could ever change that – nothing except the death sentence he'd been handed - a terminal cancer diagnosis.

His story was ending: Hers was starting a new chapter and more than one miracle was needed to turn the page.


Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite


The story is relatively short and the plot is simple, but C.A. King uses analogies, imagery and motifs in creative ways. Her philosophies come through subtly; descriptions are vivid and original; characters are believable and likeable. We relate to them. We feel their pain. The later chapters describing tragedy and grief are much more poignant because in the early part of the story everything was so perfect. Miracles Not Included does, in fact, include miracles, but the miracles are of a kind that, thankfully, most of us experience when we begin to emerge from periods of anguish. The story ends as it began, with the characters enjoying a seemingly perfect life. And yet the memory of sorrow is never erased. We heal. We learn to live with grief, but we never forget. What C.A. King leaves us with, though, is not just a satisfyingly happy ending scene. It is a delightfully original and comforting perspective on life and its challenges. In Miracles Not Included, King leads us to believe in miracles.






Reviewed By Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite


C.A. King's Miracles Not Included will have readers' emotions extremely rattled. A tale with real and compelling characters that readers will be keen to watch as they navigate love and loss, and as they struggle to rise up from tragedy and face life again. Chris and Jason are a wonderful couple, and Chris couldn't be happier with someone else. Her love for Jason is a stronghold and a haven where she feels inspired as a writer. The woman who can transform anything into material for a page-turner is shocked when Jason is diagnosed with terminal cancer. How could she live, knowing her husband's days are numbered, and how does he feel, knowing that he'll soon be leaving the woman he loves to succumb to grief?

The explanation the author gives at the beginning of the book - an allegory of a child with a toy that gets abandoned because no one read the label - explains, in a nutshell, what this book is all about. At the heart of the story is the big question of all -- life. What do we do with it? This is a question that Chris wouldn't have considered seriously until the moment of tragedy. Here is a story that talks about life and love and the challenges that come with them in a way that readers can relate to. If you don't love the plot, you'll be seduced by the depth of C.A. King's characters. And if the characters are hard for you to connect with, then you won't escape the charm of the prose. Some stories entertain us and leave us with beautiful thoughts about the characters, but there are those that wake us up and compel us to reconsider the way we live: Miracles Not Included falls into the second category. It is an inspiring and deeply moving story.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2018

About the author

2 time USA Today Bestselling Author, C.A. King, has received the following Awards/distinctions:


Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author category 2017 & 2018 & 2019
Brant News Readers' Choice Award: Best Local Author 2017
Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Best Novella/Short Story 2017 Silver medal
2017 SIBA Awards - Best Novella
2017 SIBA Awards - Best New Adult
2018 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Gold Medal in the Fiction - Supernatural genre
2018 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Bronze Medal in the Fiction - New Adult genre
2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction - Supernatural genre
2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban genre
City of Brantford Featured Artist February 2020
Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020
Toronto Star Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020
Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2021.

"Hmmmmmm,
Who am I?…Who am I?
Silence…chews pencil…
Who am I?…Who am I?
Hmmmmmm,
I am…
a daydreamer…a hopeless romantic…an optimistic pessimist…a psychic…a childish adult…an animal lover…an over-emotional wreck…an adventurer…an artistic fool…
Aha!
I am…A Fiction Writer!
Nice to meet you!"

About the author!

I was diagnosed with clinical depression after the loss of my mother, father and husband within three years of each other; all to cancer. 24/7 in-home care, coupled with the loss I felt, left its mark on my psyche.

Depression takes up a lot of my life. Reading and writing are the only things I have found that help (in connection with regular medication), even if only for a short time. To escape to a different world can make a big difference in my mood in real time.

To put things in perspective, when I was at my lowest point, I couldn't open mail, talk on the phone, or even drive to the store. Walls of sadness surrounded me. As they closed in, tears would fall. There didn't need to be a reason or trigger.

People ask me why I started writing. My answer is simple: I wanted to create a world into which other people with similar problems could escape. I wanted to share the one place that had helped me for many years.


I have always said that as long as one person finds a little bit of happiness out of my books, I am, in my opinion, an accomplished author. The same is true for every writer out there. Please don't ever let anyone tell you different.

I read books as well as write them and have visited the worlds many different authors have created. Those worlds not only make me feel better, but give me the strength to face real life again. I want to thank everyone who writes - I want them to know they are making a difference.

Thank you for reading and writing.

Reviews

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first book that I’ve read by C.A.King, and I must say, she always manages to surprise me. When I picked up “Miracles Not Included,” I expected a compelling, hard-to-put-down story but I never thought that this bitter-sweet novel would affect me so profoundly. Indeed, just like Jason, very few of us think of our own mortality, and particularly at such a young age. Even fewer of us think that some of our “harmless” habits may actually kill us one day, just like it did with Jason, and this story definitely makes one think and, hopefully, reevaluate one’s life choices.
The theme of miracles, masterfully woven throughout the narration, starting with a butterfly, following by an unwanted pup and ending with the best possible one (I won’t give away any spoilers here) was such a sweet addition to this story, which otherwise would be extremely sad at times. It was an emotional ride for me for sure, and I hope more people will read this wonderful book and think about their lives and their loved ones. Highly recommended!

[Mary Woldering · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a story of love, loss and grieving, and recovery. Woven through the story is a butterfly. In many cultures a butterfly is a symbol of death and rebirth and in a sense the characters here must rewire their dreams, deal with the shattered ones and begin to dream again through the help of others. We pray for miracles but sometimes in life they aren’t included unless it’s a rescued pup we name Miracle. Very touching and possibly healing shorter read, especially for anyone who has experienced a loss.

[J.B. Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it any wonder that without the small, everyday miracles in our lives—interferences by Fate herself, perhaps—we would all end up lonely and alone, living our lives with nothing more than ourselves and possibly a pet to keep us company? Think about how you landed your most recent job... How you found your latest pet... How you met your significant other… In the end, wasn’t it all just a simple twist of Fate?

Fate is the premise of C.A. King’s sweet romance about a young couple drawn to love by a series of happenstances… so-called miracles, great and small, that continue to alter the direction of their lives. The author presents few characters in her plotline, but each person she introduces is integral to the telling of her story. Although her main characters’ background information is quite brief, their pasts are discreetly highlighted, what is revealed is pertinent, and they are long on personality. King’s featured couple is one whom readers will find affable and truly engaging. It’s easy to care about what happens to them and whether or not their plans for the future will turn out well.

“Miracles Not Included” is an easy read that takes no more than one sitting to absorb and will leave you wanting more. But, the book does deal with more serious fare as the life of King’s young couple progresses. Following the theme of “in sickness or in health”, King effectively balances her tale as a charming and casual romance, even as her young couple, Chris and Jason, come face-to-face with a grave health crisis that may, in the end, tear them apart. As the partners move forward, the author reminds her audience that not all that glitters may be gold, but sometimes, if you scratch the surface just enough, you’ll find a real treasure waiting... You just have to open your heart to let it in.

[Valerie Poore · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I read this very touching book in one sitting today. It had me close to tears at times and I loved the very slightly paranormal aspect of the butterfly and how its appearance leads the main character, Chris, to her different destinies. I loved the analogy too that life, like toys and machines, does not include batteries that make miracles. Batteries run out and need to keep being recharged. Life is like that too. There is a lot of sadness in this book; a whole heap of grief, in fact, but there is a great deal of love and joy in it too. My only problem with it? It was too short! I really believe it could have been fleshed out much more without losing anything and with plenty to gain. A lovely story with some powerful lessons to be considered.

[Sherrie Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miracles Not Included is a very heartfelt, very enjoyable novel. The flow of finding love, discovering miracles, losing love, finding different kinds of love - Chris's story is so true to real life, and Jason and Jon's characters were so relatable that I was compelled to keep reading until I finished. The book is bittersweet and sad, but happy and hopeful at the same time. I enjoyed the author's writing style, which, although heavy on narrative, reflects excellent story telling skills. Having recently lost my father, it was a good time for me to read this book. (Perhaps a butterfly led me to it?) I would definitely read more books by this author.

[Sandra J Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Miracles are everywhere; we just need to look around to find them. A chance encounter brings the main characters Chris and Jason together. Their love for each other is strong, but when tragedy strikes, will Chris be able to make it on her own?

Miracles Not Included is a sweet story about love, loss, and finding the strength to go on. This love story is a fast-paced, page turner with wonderful characters. I do wish this book was a bit longer as I found it a difficult to get emotionally invested in the characters despite the touching nature of the story.

This is the first book I’ve read by C.A. King and I look forward to reading more of her works.

[E.M. McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miracles Not Included by C. A. King is a lovely story about the grieving process and finding your way through it. When Chris and Jason face his terminal cancer diagnosis, Chris sees and feels her world falling apart around her. King takes the reader through a believable journey of grieving - it was hard for me not to feel a connection with Chris, to feel her pain. Once certain plot drivers were revealed, I did find the final outcome predictable, but this did not detract from the value and lesson of the story for me. I also appreciated the short Author note at the end of the story.

[Laila Viking · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very emotional story that is very well written and pulls all feelings and emotions out of the reader. The characters are well described and they are likeable and feel real and relatable.
The storyline and plot is great. In spite of the plot is a bit predictable in the end.
The chemistry is over the top.
The author brings things into the story that gets you read on. I like the symbolic of the butterfly and how the author uses the words.
A story that has sadness, love, passion, grieving, emotional ups and downs, new beginning, loss and twists in it.
Absolutely a story worth the read.

[Laura Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, I Loved It! This was an excellent story and very well-written. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! It is a heart breaking story of love and loss and then finding love again. I thought the characters were realistically portrayed as they dealt with their various stages of grief. This is one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read in a long time. Thank you, C.A. King, for writing an awesome and gripping love story.

[Aaron Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tissues Not Included

I didn’t really like Jason. So, I didn’t feel much when he passed away, but I did feel for Chris. I love how King describes the grieving process because it differs from person to person. I also liked that Chris made herself strong without Jon.

I’ll say that this book is not in my normal genre but I thought that King does a groovy job. Because of that and smooth editing, and because I love Miracle, “Miracles Not Included” gets a five-star from me.

[Marina Osipova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several pages into the story and I felt I won’t be putting this book down until the last page is turned. This book is a miracle. It is not only deeply touching and sad, it teaches an ugly truth about peoples’ weaknesses and deadly addictions that destroy not only their own lives but the lives of the people who love them. I’m so much thankful to the author for the ending which provided respite and hope to the main character, Chris. I think everyone must read this book. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E!

[K.D. Hilt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Miracles Not Included
Author: C.A. King
5/5🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍

I have been looking at C.A. King’s books for awhile but could not decide which book I wanted to read first. While scrolling through my old kindle books that had gotten lost in my news ones I found this one. I started reading it and could not put it down. This was an amazing book written by an amazing author. It had all types of feelings in it and I can’t wait to read more of her books.

[Jana Petken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miracles Not Included. Emotional tearjerker, well written, poignant and thought-provoking.

I thoroughly enjoyed the bittersweet story, the characters and the ending in particular. This is a quick read and could have been a little longer - but I say that about all the books I enjoy. I'll read more of this author's work.

Recommended.

[Billie Kowalewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. It was well written, and thought out. I found C.A. King's writing and story to be very soothing and easy to get into. I too believe there are no coincidences in life and this story demonstrates this well. This was a true joy to read and I will be adding C.A. King to my favorite author's list. well done!

[Christina Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. The story was all there. I love the ending...it had all my feels.

[C.A. King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was highly emotional to write. It hit a lot of what I personally went through losing my husband - my dog was my shoulder to cry on.