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Angel Ridge #2
A Home For Christmas
Book Two in Deborah Grace Staley's series about love and life in Angel Ridge, Tennessee. Dr. Janice Thornton has been lonely for too long, especially at Christmas. But Angel Ridge, Tennessee, the one place that holds the key to what family should be, is offering her a chance at a new life. Could she find happiness by taking over her uncle's small town practice?Local contractor and carpenter Blake Ferguson comes from a big family. He'd like to fill his rambling old Victorian with one of his own. But there's one problem. He needs a wife! When Janice shows up at his house, Blake sets a course to win her, but soon finds she's built a wall around her heart this master carpenter finds difficult to dismantle. Can the magic of an Angel Ridge Christmas bring hearts home or will old hurts create an obstacle even the town's legendary angels can't overcome?
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
59 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Grace Staley
25 books49 followersDeborah Grace Staley is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 best-selling author and winner of the HOLT Medallion. Her novels have been published worldwide in a variety of formats. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing, teaches, and is a freelance editor. Originally from East Tennessee, she makes her home in South Florida with her husband and two adorable rescued dachshunds. She loves to connected with readers on Facebook and Instagram @deborahgracestaley.com. Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive giveaways and first looks at new work at www.deborahgracestaley.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 5, 2011
I was hoping for a sweet christmas romance and this failed what I was hoping for. First warning, I almost deleted it off my kindle, definitely not closed door, and it nearly went to far. If you want closed door books this is not it, and it pushed the pg-13 rating.
As to the story, I liked the characters, but hated, and I mean hated the temper of the hero. I'm afraid their relationship would end to to be like some my husband works with, abusive on all counts.
The writing was so, so, and the research pathetic. I'm not even sure the author talked to a doctor about the issues in the book.
1. I have never heard of a portable ultrasound, doesn't mean there isn't one, but a Doppler yes.
2. Never, ever, give a laboring mom a shot for pain. Not when she has a history of fast deliveries and the labor is complicated. The medicine can severely compromise a newborn baby, and that is the last thing you want when you are far away from a hospital.
3. Doctors on call will not be 2 hours away without finding someone to cover for them
4. A woman with terminal cancer would not go into remission that quickly.
This book is not worth the read, and any woman expecting romance better realize this book is full of dysfunctional relationships.
As to the story, I liked the characters, but hated, and I mean hated the temper of the hero. I'm afraid their relationship would end to to be like some my husband works with, abusive on all counts.
The writing was so, so, and the research pathetic. I'm not even sure the author talked to a doctor about the issues in the book.
1. I have never heard of a portable ultrasound, doesn't mean there isn't one, but a Doppler yes.
2. Never, ever, give a laboring mom a shot for pain. Not when she has a history of fast deliveries and the labor is complicated. The medicine can severely compromise a newborn baby, and that is the last thing you want when you are far away from a hospital.
3. Doctors on call will not be 2 hours away without finding someone to cover for them
4. A woman with terminal cancer would not go into remission that quickly.
This book is not worth the read, and any woman expecting romance better realize this book is full of dysfunctional relationships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2011
Wow, where to start?
I couldn't wait to read this book after reading the first in the series....... which I totally loved, by the way. This one, not even close.
I am trying to figure out if Blake had ANY redeeming qualities. Nope, none. Oh wait, I believe the author mentioned him having black hair and I'm a sucker for men with black hair. But of course, that would be the shallow me talking and everyone knows that looks mean nothing if the person is an absolute jerk on the inside. So I go back to the fact that Blake had NOT ONE redeeming quality.
1. He got annoyed when Janice.... A DOCTOR.... went to be with a dying patient...... a patient who had no family or friends to be with her when she passed. Then he shows up at the hospital after she told him she didn't need him. And then didn't really do much for her when she cried over losing her patient.
2. He got annoyed when Janice.... remember... a DOCTOR.... stayed with a patient at her uncle's house in order to give her uncle a break. The patient ...... who was dying of cancer...... was Blake's sister's best friend and it was mentioned that he loved her like a sister.
3. He shows up at Janice's house for the big dance..... an hour and a half late. Granted, he had good reason to be late though what's the deal with a dead cell battery? Maybe it's just me but my cell stays charged, especially if I know I'm going somewhere. So he shows up at her house and sees her getting in a car with his brother, Cory. Hmm.... don't bother to ask WHY she was in the car or WHY she was going into Cory's house....... where Cory's wife was, by the way..... the wife who had just had a miscarriage and could possibly be having complications as a result. Just start beating the hell out of Cory and calling the woman you supposedly love a whore. And Janice (eventually) forgives him? Which makes me want to get started on her as well but I won't. Blake is enough.
Is it any wonder he's 40 and still unmarried???
4. After everything that went on with Cory and Blake, all was forgiven between the two of them as an afterthought. As long as the book was, couldn't maybe ONE more paragraph been added instead of having Dixie mention it in passing?
Blake's character comes across as an abuser. The anger, the jealousy, all of it. And none of which made him endearing to me. If I hate the hero in the story, it's pretty much a given that I'm not going to like the story. And I can say that I totally hated Blake's character. As a matter of fact, of all the books I've read (hundreds and hundreds) over the years, I am having a hard time remembering another leading man in a book I hated more.
I really hate that I didn't like this book. Cole and Josie in the first book were perfect and had the perfect ending, in my opinion. That book went on my favorites shelf. This one will most likely go in the opposite direction.
I am sure I will read the others in the series as I really DO like the author's style and (as I said) I loved the first book. I just may wait a day or so before I go on to the next one.
I couldn't wait to read this book after reading the first in the series....... which I totally loved, by the way. This one, not even close.
I am trying to figure out if Blake had ANY redeeming qualities. Nope, none. Oh wait, I believe the author mentioned him having black hair and I'm a sucker for men with black hair. But of course, that would be the shallow me talking and everyone knows that looks mean nothing if the person is an absolute jerk on the inside. So I go back to the fact that Blake had NOT ONE redeeming quality.
1. He got annoyed when Janice.... A DOCTOR.... went to be with a dying patient...... a patient who had no family or friends to be with her when she passed. Then he shows up at the hospital after she told him she didn't need him. And then didn't really do much for her when she cried over losing her patient.
2. He got annoyed when Janice.... remember... a DOCTOR.... stayed with a patient at her uncle's house in order to give her uncle a break. The patient ...... who was dying of cancer...... was Blake's sister's best friend and it was mentioned that he loved her like a sister.
3. He shows up at Janice's house for the big dance..... an hour and a half late. Granted, he had good reason to be late though what's the deal with a dead cell battery? Maybe it's just me but my cell stays charged, especially if I know I'm going somewhere. So he shows up at her house and sees her getting in a car with his brother, Cory. Hmm.... don't bother to ask WHY she was in the car or WHY she was going into Cory's house....... where Cory's wife was, by the way..... the wife who had just had a miscarriage and could possibly be having complications as a result. Just start beating the hell out of Cory and calling the woman you supposedly love a whore. And Janice (eventually) forgives him? Which makes me want to get started on her as well but I won't. Blake is enough.
Is it any wonder he's 40 and still unmarried???
4. After everything that went on with Cory and Blake, all was forgiven between the two of them as an afterthought. As long as the book was, couldn't maybe ONE more paragraph been added instead of having Dixie mention it in passing?
Blake's character comes across as an abuser. The anger, the jealousy, all of it. And none of which made him endearing to me. If I hate the hero in the story, it's pretty much a given that I'm not going to like the story. And I can say that I totally hated Blake's character. As a matter of fact, of all the books I've read (hundreds and hundreds) over the years, I am having a hard time remembering another leading man in a book I hated more.
I really hate that I didn't like this book. Cole and Josie in the first book were perfect and had the perfect ending, in my opinion. That book went on my favorites shelf. This one will most likely go in the opposite direction.
I am sure I will read the others in the series as I really DO like the author's style and (as I said) I loved the first book. I just may wait a day or so before I go on to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2015
So torn....the introduction almost had me not read it at all with Dixie's weird introduction...was worried that would be the writing style for the rest of the book, but was pleasantly surprised. Started loving Blake and Janice....but in the end I think the big climax with Blake and Corey was way worse, and the resolution was just glossed over...then the book just wrapped up super quick and that was all. So it is getting a 3 star for more of the beginning of the book, but not as satisfied with the ending...
December 2, 2011
This book was fantastic! Janice was raised with the best of everything except the love from her parents. After becoming a doctor and joining a partnership she thinks her life is running pretty well. She receives a call from her great uncle requesting her to come visit. Wondering what he could want beings she doesn't even remember him, she agrees to see what he wants from her. The day she arrives she stops in front of the house were her grandparents lived and starts thinking back on the few visits she was able to spend with them. As she's looking at the house she watches a very handsome man climbing a ladder to hang Christmas lights and is thankful that the person who bought the house wants to care for it the same way her grandparents did. He reaches for something and falls off the ladder, not even thinking she rushes to see if he's injured. Her bond starts to form with Blake when he lets her help decorate the bushes with lights since she has never decorated anything in her life. Later while visiting with her uncle she finds that he wants her to take over his private practice in this little town of Angel Ridge so that he can retire. Not really knowing what she wants to do, she decides to take the weeks between Thanksgiving & Christmas to see if she is willing to leave what she is so familiar with and start over. She also has to decide if she wants to further her relationship with Blake. Not knowing what love is she doesn't know whether anyone can really love her or if she is able to love anyone. She sees a few patients and gets closer to Blake. When she starts thinking things can possibly work between them Blake is late picking her up for the dance in town. His brother comes for her to get medical help for his wife. Blake's younger brother has stolen most of his girlfriends from him through the years and when he sees Janice leave with him he thinks the worst. After following them he doesn't ask questions, but accuses them of being together which sends Janice fleeing. Now he has to find a way to get her back so he can make things right. He does do a good job. I laughed, cried and didn't want it to end. Highly recommend.:)
October 26, 2011
I found this book to be so much better than Only You. Unlike the first novel, the ending of which involved an intolerable degree of hokey, stupid, unrealistic soap opera stuff--this one had only one majorly ridiculous stupidity thrown in, but it was such a doozie that I could not give this book 5 stars. What could the author have been thinking when she wrote that idiotic part about the uncle with the shotgun--that served no purpose other than to ruin an otherwise good book? Country folk raised among guns would never behave that way short of being an effing moron, blindly drunk, or seriously aiming to kill you--or all three--so I felt that a scene of that sort was too irresponsible to be excusable, not to mention it was so out of character for the supposedly wise old doctor. Is there some law that says every romance novel must be ruined by at least one scene that is just too stupid for words?
February 6, 2014
what a sweet, sweet little romance story! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Janice and Blake and wish them love and laughter and happily everafter!
I'll be passing this one on to MissLou for her to enjoy during this wonderful holiday season.
I'll be passing this one on to MissLou for her to enjoy during this wonderful holiday season.
November 27, 2011
This was a free kindle book that I thought would be a fun quick Christmas read. It could have been that, but the author made Janice's love interest a man who had serious anger issues. When he beat the crap out of his brother for no real reason, she should have ran the other way, but no. She never seemed to think of that and a quick "I'm sorry" somehow made everything ok. Don't waste your time with this one.
December 14, 2011
The "Welcome" chapter of this book was almost enough to make me stop and delete this book from my kindle.
After that the story picked up and was fairly enjoyable until the end. Given all the time that was spent getting the relationship between Janice and Blake to the point it was at just before the "big crisis" occurs, it just seemed to be tied up a little to neatly at the end. I think they had some more issues to work on before they kissed, made-up and got married a week later.
After that the story picked up and was fairly enjoyable until the end. Given all the time that was spent getting the relationship between Janice and Blake to the point it was at just before the "big crisis" occurs, it just seemed to be tied up a little to neatly at the end. I think they had some more issues to work on before they kissed, made-up and got married a week later.
March 14, 2010
"A Home for Christmas" is a wonderful Holiday story. Two people from very different backgrounds happen to meet in a small town named Angel Ridge. Both Blake and Janice are alone, but there's something magical about this little town. Just maybe a miracle might occur that can bring them more happiness than they've ever known.
August 10, 2016
Janice Thornton arrived at the doorstep of the home that her mother was raised to find Blake, and good looking bachelor. Her great uncle asked her to move and help him with his practice. Between Blake holding a grudge with his brother and Janice having parents who thought money bought happiness the story unfolds.
November 4, 2011
This was a super cute, get you ready for the holiday season, HEA book.
Well wrote, fantastic funny characters, perfect bad boy-men, angels and a KITTEN! Any book with a kitten as a main character...great in my book!
Well wrote, fantastic funny characters, perfect bad boy-men, angels and a KITTEN! Any book with a kitten as a main character...great in my book!
November 28, 2011
Again wishing for half stars...this one is a 3.5 for me. It was a cheesy romance that I wouldn't enjoy had it not been for the Christmas theme. It was a good book and could substitute as a great Hallmark holiday movie!
December 19, 2011
Angel Ridge, Tennesssee is the backdrop for this Christmas novel. It's a small town where the magic of Christmas can come true with the little help from the town's angels. A feel good Christmas book great for this time of year!
December 7, 2012
Although it was a typical romance plot, I found the characters to be well developed. I did think that the ending seemed to be a little rushed. All in all, an enjoyable read for a Christmas story filled with the magic of Christmas, angels and forgiveness.
December 29, 2011
Hooray! This was my 100th book this year! I met my Reading Challenge for 2011. This was a Christmas love story--appropriate for the season.
November 4, 2011
Loved the characters and storyline. Holiday romance novels are my favorites and this one didn't disappoint! Free Kindle book.
November 24, 2011
a good love story for the holiday season.
December 24, 2011
A predictable love story. Found myself scanning the last third of the book......free on my Kindle.
January 21, 2012
Great read! I could not stop reading. This is a definite page turner!!
July 1, 2012
Definitely, definitely enjoyed this sweet christmas tale that reminded me quite a bit of Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber writing. So if your a fan of either or both you should enjoy this.
December 14, 2012
A beautiful Christmas read. . .
February 26, 2013
Read the entire Angel Ridge Series so far -- can wait to read Dixie's story :)
December 7, 2018
There was a time in my life when love at first sight was romantic. As I've gotten older, wiser, and perhaps a bit more cynical, I find it's completely unrealistic and even cringe-wrothy. Boy meets girl, falls in love immediately, and is married within days or weeks...yeah, that doesn't usually end well in the real world.
Unfortunately, this book does have the love at first sight that results in a spur-of-the-moment lifetime commitment. If this is not your thing, move along! If you find it charming or even swoon-worthy, perhaps this is the book for you.
Setting aside my intense skepticism on the problematic timeline, I did find this an entertaining Christmas read.
Unfortunately, this book does have the love at first sight that results in a spur-of-the-moment lifetime commitment. If this is not your thing, move along! If you find it charming or even swoon-worthy, perhaps this is the book for you.
Setting aside my intense skepticism on the problematic timeline, I did find this an entertaining Christmas read.
April 18, 2024
I was enjoying the first 60% of the book, and the relationship between Janice and Blake. However, there was a fight scene between Blake and his brother with severe injuries to the brother, and this was just glossed over smoothly and unrealistically between both Blake and the brother and Janice. And then the ending was super fast without any realism for reconciliation on ANY side. There were a few other oddities, but that one ruined the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2020
This is a delightful story told by and about good country/mountain people. It has an easy, flowing style, good characterization, and set in a small TN town.
The vocabulary, attitudes and ways may seem a bit different, but it accurately reflects the atmosphere in this small town.
It is a clean read with a love story,humor, family values, and priorities.
It was a hard book to put down.
The vocabulary, attitudes and ways may seem a bit different, but it accurately reflects the atmosphere in this small town.
It is a clean read with a love story,humor, family values, and priorities.
It was a hard book to put down.
December 15, 2020
This book set the women’s movement back 50 years. Dr. Thornton, a successful, independent woman, will now be dominated by an overprotective uncle and a husband who can’t control his temper. Blake exhibits signs of a potentially abusive husband. No matter how lonely Janice is, she should run as fast as she can from this situation.
November 16, 2019
Cute Christmas Story
For someone who never knew love from her family, Janice, finds love from an uncle she barely knew. Not only that love but her true love in Blake and from an entire town just in time for Christmas.
For someone who never knew love from her family, Janice, finds love from an uncle she barely knew. Not only that love but her true love in Blake and from an entire town just in time for Christmas.
December 22, 2020
A Home For Christmas (The Angel Ridge Series Book 2)
This was an excellent book and I would highly recommend it to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
This was an excellent book and I would highly recommend it to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
December 17, 2022
Christmas miracle
A true Christmas miracle complete with angels. Learning to love and trust is difficult for some. Sit back and enjoy a winter romance.
A true Christmas miracle complete with angels. Learning to love and trust is difficult for some. Sit back and enjoy a winter romance.
October 25, 2011
3 1/2 out of 5 - "A Home for Christmas" is better than some Christmas novels I have read the past. Unlike many of those novels, this does not get mushy or cliche. The main characters - Dr. Janice Thornton and Blake both suffer from real-life insecurities, insecurities that many of us have suffered or do suffer. Janice, a doctor living in Knoxville buries herself in her work, but inwardly, she knows something is missing - she is tired of feeling lonely, especially at Christmas. Janice wants a normal family life - a home, a husband and children to love, but she fears she cannot have that because her parents were unable to give it her. Blake also suffers from insecurities, he harbors some anger and resentment toward his brother, and feels he as always been in his brothers shadow. Janice had only planned to stay in Angel Ridge through Christmas only, but she soon discovers that the slow, small-town pace Angel Ridge has to offer is far more enjoyable than she ever realized. She starts to bond with the people there, even her Uncle whose Medical practice she had been invited to take over once he retires. This is a good read for anyone that enjoys Christmas novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews