Product Description

One part laughter. Two parts love. Mix together and enjoy!

Christmas has come to Valentine, Oklahoma and everybody's got a special wish . . . For thirteen-year-old Corrine, it's really about keeping what she has: a happy life with her aunt Marilee and Papa Tate; her beloved horses; and an almost boyfriend, Ricky Dale. Now is not the time for the mother who abandoned her to come back into her life.

Anita, though, is determine. She is coming home for Christmas to fix the mistakes she's made. Despite some bad times and the bridges she's burned, Anita loves her daughter, and she is desperately hoping a bit of Christmas magic will help Corrine decide to love and trust her again.

As for Marilee, she loves Corrine like her own, and fears losing the girl to a beautiful, irresponsible mother who might just break her daughters heart all over again. As always, Anita's arrival fans old flames of anger and stubbornness between the two sisters. Then again, it is a season of miracles. And if one tiny miracle could find its way to Valentine this year, then everybody might just get the most perfect gift of all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #779325 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

From Booklist
Veteran romance writer Matlock brings her readers back to Valentine, Oklahoma, scene of two of her previous novels, to tell a heartwarming Christmas story that frames 13-year-old Corrine's coming-of-age. There is something magical about the Christmas season in this particular place, this particular year, that seems to bring out the best in everyone. To dispel the growing sentiment that there is no Santa, the whole town rises to the challenge. The post office has a special Santa mailbox where people are encouraged to put their letters, ones that express their true heart's desires. Lots of donations are sent anonymously to those who really need the cash, special little gifts start appearing in unexpected places, and extra kindness and help seem to be available everywhere. Corrine's mother, who abandoned her years before, comes home to try to make amends. Shopping is done, decorations are hung, the annual Christmas pageant is staged, all is well, and Matlock's down-to-earth characters and comforting plot will please many. Danise Hoover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"If home is where the heart is, then the town of Valentine is the perfect place to settle in." -- Joan Medlicott, author of the "Covington Ladies" series

Customer Reviews

Give this as a santa gift
This is a perfect book to read to get into the holiday spirit. I plan to give this to my sister as a pre-Christmas gift to help her remember all those steps to get ready for the big day! Matlock helped me be glad I do all those holiday chores every year.

Didn't Get Me to Care! AND Slow, Slow, Slow!
The reason I could only give this book one star is that I just couldn't get through it. I got to the middle, just to give a fair shot but it was so slow and boring and pointless. I got the book my chick lit book club because it had four good reviews on amazon, and looked cute. My book club all had the same issue...where were the funny parts???? Even the girls who finished it said this was not chick lit...it was granny lit. It IS a quaint story, and an easy read for little old ladies who don't like language or sex but it just isn't for anyone under sixty. In addition to the slowness most of the story (through the middle of the book) is told from the point of the young child in the book and makes you feel like your are reading an old fashioned children's book. It had no depth and didn't make me care about the characters at all.

Recipes For Easy Living
This is one of the best books I have ever read...funny, moving, great characters...I just loved it! Corrine lives in Valentine, Oklahome, with her Aunt, her Aunt's new husband, and her cousin, a sweet and different little boy who lives in his own world. She is about to celebrate her 13th birthday and wants pierced ears and for Ricky Dale to give her her first kiss. At the same time, in New Orleans, her mother feels remorseful about giving her up while she tried to sort out her own chaotic life and decides to come to Valentine during Christmas to try to fix things up. As the characters interact and grow through experiences they share, they start to understand each other and become better people for it. The view is written through almmost-13-year old Corrine's eyes and her take on life is so refreshing and so very 13! This is a WONDERFUL book and I was thrilled to see she has written others set in Valentine, Oklahome...I bought every one and anticipate several great reads!!