Silver Bells

I believe "Silver Bells" is one of Luanne Rice's best books. I've read and own almost all of them and there isn't a one I wouldn't recommend. Alas, if only we could clone Luanne Rice. If you're looking for a heartwarming holiday read, please read this one.

Lose yourself in this charming little book that oozes with the wonder of a New York Christmas. From the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center to the streets of Chelsea where Clement Clark Moore lived and penned his immortal "Twas the Night Before Christmas," the reader is transported into that magical time of year when miracles really can happen. A tree farmer from Nova Scotia, an embittered widow in Chelsea, a runaway boy, and a kooky hat maker are all brought together and given second chances at life and at love in this endearing story. Luanne Rice delivers love and laughter and happy ever after in classic Christmas fashion.

I should start out by saying that I have never read a Luanne Rice novel before, so I really have nothing to compare this too. Silver Bells was a sweet story, kind of generic, but good nonetheless. This is a great book for the holiday season. The author could not have picked a better setting than snowy New York city. The scenes of sledding, roaring fires, christmas decorating, and tree lightings really help get the reader into the holiday spirit. As with most holiday stories, the plot is somewhat expected. The idea of two lost, lonely souls finding each other at christmas has definitly been done before, but Luanne Rice does manage to through in a few surprise and dramatic turns. All in all, I enjoyed the story and would definitly recommend it to someone who was looking for something light to read during the holiday season.

Every year, widower Christopher Byrne leaves Nova Scotia and comes to Chelsea, New York City to sell his Christmas trees through out the month of December. Last year, Christy brought his two children along with him but only went back home with his daughter Bridget. Christy got into a huge fight with his 17 year old son, Danny about him staying on in NYC and in the end, Danny ran away. Catherine Tierney, a resident of Chelsea, used to love everything about Christmas until her husband died 3 years ago right before Christmas. Now all she wants is the holiday season to pass her by as fast as possible. When Christy returns the following year to Chelsea to sell his trees, Catherine tries to avoid him. You see, she has a secret. The night after the fight between Christy and Danny, Catherine sees Danny searching for food in the trash cans outside her home and she offers to help him whenever he is willing to accept it. Christy and Catherine are drawn together over the love and affection they share for Danny and they learn to believe in the miracles can happen when we are most ready to give up. Silver Bells is a book that I will treasure for years to come because it is a touching story that teaches us to look up every once in a while and see the beauty that right before our eyes. Luanne Rice is the author of many books including True Blue and Beach Girls but this is her first holiday book and I hope it is not her last.

One year ago, Nova Scotia's Christmas farmer widower Christopher Byrne took his two children with him to sell trees in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. Chris and his sixteen years old son got into a fight over the teen's future and soon the police arrive to take the older Byrne away. Danny vanished and has not been seen since and Chris regrets his actions ever since. Widow Catherine Tierney works at the private library of the Reinbeck Corporation. She has seen Chris sell his trees for years and saw last year's fight. She and her pal Lizzie have tried to help Danny who they call Harry for Houdini. A vanished teen and his distraught younger sister play matchmaker as the big city woman and the rural farmer fall in love, but it will take a miracle for this foursome to find peace on earth. SILVER BELLS is a delightful holiday romance starring an ensemble of characters who will make readers believe in the miracle of Chelsea. The story line contains the serious elements of a runaway teen and the homeless yet manages to uplift the audience with its caring cast. Readers will quote Al Michaels "do you believe in miracles?" with an astounding yes when it comes to Luanne Rice. Harriet Klausner