A Heart Full of Miracles

Rating:
Summary: Fun to read!
Review: Abby Merganser is determined to marry Dr. Seth Hendon. Unfortunately, Seth seems a little . . . shall we say less than enthusiastic to the idea?

This a really good story. It starts off with a bang - funny, interesting, lots of authentic, historical detail - which is always a plus for me. The characters are funny, the story is fast-paced and heartwarming.

I did not enjoy it, however, and I'll explain why. This story deals - at length - with two people who have long term chronic, and potentially fatal illnesses. Having just lost two close family members after a very long and painful illness, I found this book simply too sad, it brought up so many bad memories, and I found those parts of the book painful to read.

So, this is my synopsis - this is a fun, fast-paced book, with a heartwarming ending - however, if this kind of story (long term chronic illness) will bring up bad memories for you, you may want to skip it.

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: In the latter half of the nineteenth century in Eden's Grove, Iowa, optimist Abby Merganser seems to always obtain her goals in spite of being the looniest of a loony family. Currently, Abby works at the Weekly Herald, but her strategic objective is to marry the man she loves, Dr. Seth Hendon. However, Seth sees Abby as a close friend of his younger sister.

As part of her campaign, Abby begins to show up everywhere that Seth goes including his office. Seth continues to reject her. He is bone tired after losing a few patients. Seth not only is thinking of quitting the medical profession, but of simply leaving town. Still, the persistent Abby refuses to allow her soul mate to retire from life.

A HEART FULL OF MIRACLES is a wonderful Americana romance that vividly brings alive a piece of our heritage. The exciting story line works because the authentic tidbits are fully interwoven into the plot. The lead characters are a charming pair of opposites as Abby is full of life's vigor while Seth struggles with depression. As she has done with her previous novels like THE COURTSHIP and A KISS TO DREAM ON, Stephanie Mittman makes nineteenth century America a one-sitting affair.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: In the latter half of the nineteenth century in Eden's Grove, Iowa, optimist Abby Merganser seems to always obtain her goals in spite of being the looniest of a loony family. Currently, Abby works at the Weekly Herald, but her strategic objective is to marry the man she loves, Dr. Seth Hendon. However, Seth sees Abby as a close friend of his younger sister.

As part of her campaign, Abby begins to show up everywhere that Seth goes including his office. Seth continues to reject her. He is bone tired after losing a few patients. Seth not only is thinking of quitting the medical profession, but of simply leaving town. Still, the persistent Abby refuses to allow her soul mate to retire from life.

A HEART FULL OF MIRACLES is a wonderful Americana romance that vividly brings alive a piece of our heritage. The exciting story line works because the authentic tidbits are fully interwoven into the plot. The lead characters are a charming pair of opposites as Abby is full of life's vigor while Seth struggles with depression. As she has done with her previous novels like THE COURTSHIP and A KISS TO DREAM ON, Stephanie Mittman makes nineteenth century America a one-sitting affair.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL STORY!
Review: The best reading choices, I find, are those I buy on impluse. The reason I picked this book was the intriguing blurb on the back cover. I'd just been through a spate of regency historicals and thought this would be a nice change. Glad I did!

Abby and Seth, the main characters, are are so thoroughly developed and empathetic. Their relationship has the closeness borne of a shared sorrow (death of a dear friend and a beloved sister) and the distancing of a love, long unexpressed. You feel the emotions so profoundly as these two struggle through the up and downs of the relationship. Adding to the poignancy are the secondary stories. As is true of most small towns, the inhabitants of Eden's Cove have a shared history. I enjoyed what made this small town interesting and close knit.The storyline doesn't get bogged down in pathos.There is enough gentle humor to add balance. Overall its a wonderful story of faith, hope and love.

Rating:
Summary: Deserves a whole collection of 5-star reviews
Review: This book is both funny and poignant, and you'll laugh out loud and reach for your hankie along with Seth and Abby. They'll touch your heart and remain there long after you've stayed up all night finishing the book. As a bonus, Heart Full of Miracles is a particular treat for those interested in 19th-century doctor/medical romances. Seth is everything a good doctor should be and more, and the afflictions and 19th century medical practices were believable and well-researched.

If you enjoy Americana, don't miss this book.

Rating:
Summary: Deserves a whole collection of 5-star reviews
Review: This book is both funny and poignant, and you'll laugh out loud and reach for your hankie along with Seth and Abby. They'll touch your heart and remain there long after you've stayed up all night finishing the book. As a bonus, Heart Full of Miracles is a particular treat for those interested in 19th-century doctor/medical romances. Seth is everything a good doctor should be and more, and the afflictions and 19th century medical practices were believable and well-researched.

If you enjoy Americana, don't miss this book.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This is a fantastic book. I was crying and laughing at the same time. Seth and Abby are devasted when Seth's sister dies. Seth is a doctor who feels he should have been able to save his own sister. Depressed, he decides to leave town and quit his profession. Abby has always loved Seth and doesn't intend to let him walk out of her life. She does some interesting (and desperate) things to keep him in town all in the name of love. Then Abby finds out that she is sick and it looks like only Seth will be able to save her.

This book is really funny. Between Abby's crazy family and her attempts to keep Seth from leaving I was laughing all the time. When Abby gets sick though is when the book really shines, the emotions are very real. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This is a fantastic book. I was crying and laughing at the same time. Seth and Abby are devasted when Seth's sister dies. Seth is a doctor who feels he should have been able to save his own sister. Depressed, he decides to leave town and quit his profession. Abby has always loved Seth and doesn't intend to let him walk out of her life. She does some interesting (and desperate) things to keep him in town all in the name of love. Then Abby finds out that she is sick and it looks like only Seth will be able to save her.

This book is really funny. Between Abby's crazy family and her attempts to keep Seth from leaving I was laughing all the time. When Abby gets sick though is when the book really shines, the emotions are very real. I highly recommend this book!