Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg
Published by Random House on November 13, 2018
Genres: Literature & Fiction
Pages: 288
Format: ARC
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon
A delightful novel about surprising friendships, community, and the way small acts of kindness can change a life, from the bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv
Lucille Howard is getting on in years, but she stays busy. Thanks to the inspiration of her dearly departed friend Arthur Truluv, she has begun to teach baking classes, sharing the secrets to her delicious classic Southern yellow cake, the perfect pinwheel cookies, and other sweet essentials. Her classes have become so popular that she’s hired Iris, a new resident of Mason, Missouri, as an assistant. Iris doesn’t know how to bake but she needs to keep her mind off a big decision she sorely regrets.
When a new family moves in next door and tragedy strikes, Lucille begins to look out for Lincoln, their son. Lincoln’s parents aren’t the only ones in town facing hard choices and uncertain futures. In these difficult times, the residents of Mason come together and find the true power of community–just when they need it the most.
“Elizabeth Berg’s characters jump right off the page and into your heart” said Fannie Flagg about The Story of Arthur Truluv. The same could be said about Night of Miracles, a heartwarming novel that reminds us that the people we come to love are often the ones we don’t expect.
The Night of Miracles is a continuation of the author’s previous book, The Story of Arthur Truluv. I have not read The Story of Arthur Truluv but I’ve heard nothing but spectacular things about it. I believe it would be a much better story if readers (and myself) had the opportunity to read the first book where many of the characters are introduced, although the book can stand on its own. A number of new characters are introduced in this second book, each facing their own issues in the small town of Mason, Missouri.
This story deals with octogenarian Lucille Howard, a retired fourth grade teacher. Lucille is a master baker and she now teaches baking out of her home. She hasn’t been sleeping well anymore and she thinks she sees her lost love, Frank Pearson, in spirit form in her house and in her backyard. There are so many characters I had a bit of a time keeping them straight.
Overall, though, this book was a fun, quick read. You can read it cover to cover in one day. This author’s style of writing is very easy to follow along with an once I got the characters all figured out, I could relate to them in this story. I also loved the small town feel of this story. I wasn’t a fan of the unnecessary “f” bombs used in this story – they didn’t add to the story at all and could have been omitted in my opinion, but like I said before, overall the book was a fun, quick read.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (BY THE AUTHOR): I’ve loved books and reading from the time my mother began reading to me, and I’ve loved writing ever since I could hold a pencil. I submitted my first poem to American Girl magazine when I was nine years old. It was rejected, and it took twenty-five years before I submitted anything again. Then, I entered a contest in a magazine and won. I wrote for magazines for ten years, then moved into novels and haven’t stopped yet. I usually do a book a year. I’ve won a number of awards, which are listed elsewhere in the interest of false modesty.
Before I became a writer, I was a registered nurse for ten years, and that was my “school” for writing—taking care of patients taught me a lot about human nature, about hope and fear and love and loss and regret and triumph and especially about relationships–all things that I tend to focus on in my work. I worked as a waitress, which is also good training for a writer, and I sang in a rock band which was not good for anything except the money I made. I was a dramatic and dreamy child, given to living more inside my head than outside, something that persists up to today and makes me a terrible dining partner. I have two daughters and three grandchildren. I live with my excellent dog, Gabigail Starletta Buttons, and my cat, Gracie Louise Pawplay, near Chicago, even though what I really want to do is live on a hobby farm with lots of animals, including a chicken, I’m dying for a chicken. The animals would like you to know they did not get to vote on their names. Or on the food they eat.
WEBSITE // FACEBOOK // GOODREADS
I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy through Net Galley in exchange for my post. I was not required to post a positive review.
It would be great if you would stay connected with me!! You can follow me on Twitter @DebiL1611, like me on Facebook at 2014 and Beyond, circle me on Google+, follow me on Tumblr, Instagram and Bloglovin’, subscribe on YouTube, or connect with me on LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Please make sure to visit my homepage and subscribe to my blog for more great posts on running, fitness and lifestyle topics as well as food, product, music and book reviews, and more!
