Glad I didn't read this one first.

books:


	• Some Enchanted Season Marilyn Pappano Topeka Bindery, 1998 average customer review:based on 9 reviews
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highly recommended

Glad I didn't read this one first.

I loved all the books in the Bethlehem series. Although this book was the first in the series, it was actually the third one I read. If I'd read this first I wouldn't have read any more.

Maggie and Ross are about to get a divorce after 16 years, although they are still living together. He wants power, prestige and money and doesn't care about anything but getting it. To that end he turns Maggie into a Stepford wife; using her to further his career, even though Maggie's dreams are being sacrificed in the process. Ross wants Maggie to dress a certain way, decorate a certain way, have certain social contacts, etc. since this all reflects on him and helps him pursue his ambition.

Ross works 100 hour work weeks and never has time to spend with Maggie. However, he does manage to find time to have an affair with Maggie's best friend, the wife of a man they are also friends with. He's "lonely" and "needs affection" and Jessica is "willing" and "available". How this equates into sex and justifies breaking your wedding vows I can't fathom. This all comes out on Christmas Eve when Ross buys a very expensive gift for his mistress and she opens it in front of Maggie and Jessica's husband. Frankly, the way Ross gave Jessica this gift made it seem as if he wanted this to be brought to light and hurt Maggie in the most humiliating way.

When Maggie takes off in her car in the middle of a snowstorm Ross makes no attempt to stop her even though he knows she's too upset to drive. Maggie almost dies (at the time she thinks that would be the best Christmas present she could give Ross) in a terrible auto accident and loses her memory of that Xmas eve. Ross very reluctantly agrees to take care of her while she is recuperating and trying to regain her memory.

Sorry, but I think this guy is a jerk. He doesn't want to be with Maggie, resents the fact that he is, and is only doing it out of his own guilt. Maggie was strong, loving and finally found the courage to go after her dreams. I think she deserves a whole lot better than Ross. I don't believe he loved Maggie or he couldn't have done all the things he had to her over the years.

I gave this a four because I liked Maggie, the setting, the other characters and of course the writing. But Ross came in at about a minus ten!

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Tender Story

This book was good and sweet. Maggie is married to Ross, a rich workaholic. She wants more out of life than just money. Will she stay with Ross, or will she divorce him and found somebody else? There is a lot more to this book than just that, but you have to read the book to find out. I do not want to ruin it for you. This book is very good and touching. I loved the character Noel.

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For the cynics

I read this book ages ago, upon completion I contacted my bookseller and special ordered and presented copies to each of my friends. The story was emotional and draining. After reading I was ready to relocate to Bethlehem, since everyone longs for a Ross or someone of his calibre in their lives. He is strong and
dependable force,yet he has his own set of insecurities, you can't help but admire as you admonish him for not realising the treasure he has in his wife. Maggie, is resigned to her future, yet she rises to the challenge of meeting each new day with grace and dignity, even though the thought of divorce looms darkly in the distance. Any woman would respect her convictions and cry along with her as she suffers through acceptance of the possible demise of her marriage. The words are nostalgic at times, painful yet provided the reader with insight to hopefully a happy ending, which it delivers at the end. This book is truly an inspiration, especially to die-hard cynics like myself. This story was reminiscent of true love with the knowledge that the path to true happiness is not always paved with good intentions. Their rediscovery of each other reflects how easily one can lose themselves and the vows taken, yet, rediscover the path to true happiness with perseverance and devotion. I highly recommend this book, emotional and insightful. Great read.

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A very enchanting read...

This was my first Marilyn Pappano book...I stayed up until 4 am reading it, it was that GOOD. I am particular about my books, and this one had great character development and realistic situations. I have passed it around to all of my friends. I have made it a point to read all of Pappano's other books. A great read!

A Good Love Story

This was a good, well-written love story. The plot was good. I loved it. I loved the character Noel; she played a very important role in the story. This story is an example of what can happen when you don't always have your priorities in order and don't have your soul mate as your #1 priority.

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reviews: page 1, 2

Sometimes miracles do happen.

When Maggie left her husband Ross that fateful Christmas Eve, their marriage was over.  But a near fatal accident on an ice-slick road changed everything.

Now another Christmas approaches.  While Maggie hasn't regained all her memory, she's ready to test her strength at home--with Ross as her only companion.  Sharing a house with him once more, putting on the best face for their neighbors, Maggie knows she's living a lie.

Then she glimpses Ross as he used to be: playful and passionate, the man of her dreams before ambition changed him.  She couldn't know he's feeling the same regrets, the same heartache...or that he fears the return of her memory.  What will happen when she remembers the reason she fled from him last year?

It will take a miracle to send the walls of anger and secrecy tumbling down and reunite the divided couple.  But in the small town of Bethlehem, miracles do happen....

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