WHERE ANGELS GO

Author: Debbie Macomber ISBN: 0778325156 10/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are back! These three irresistible angels love their assignments on Earth. They especially love helping people who send prayer requests to heaven (even though the Archangel Gabriel, their boss, knows they're going to break his rules)! This Christmas, Mercy is assigned to bring peace of mind to an elderly man... who discovers an unexpected answer to his prayer. Goodness is sent to oversee the love life of a young woman afraid to risk commitment a second time. And Shirley has the task of granting a little boy's fondest Christmas wish. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy go wherever they're needed. These three charming angels often find themselves in trouble, but somehow things always work out for the best—especially at Christmas.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Once again, Debbie Macomber has written an engaging, heartwarming Christmas story.

WHERE ANGELS GO is the tale of three angels, Goodness, Mercy and Shirley. They're sent to earth despite the misgivings of the angel in charge of assigning prayer requests, the Archangel Gabriel. Before each angel leaves to work her heavenly magic, he speaks with her and reminds her of his rules, knowing even as he does that each angel will probably at least "bend" them to suit her own purpose.

The three angels each have specific prayer requests to deal with, and although each is different, they're all unified in that they are important to those requesting help. Harry asks for help for the wife he loves and knows he'll soon be leaving behind. Beth has a fear of getting close to another man after the way her marriage ended, but her mother's heartfelt desire for her to find love again may convince her to take a chance on an unlikely—and thus far, unmet—online man. And a small boy's prayer request falls to Shirley. It would seem an easy enough request to grant, a boy's dream of a dog named Rusty, but with the child's family facing dire financial truths it seems almost impossible he'll find his prayer answered.

Of course, the three angels find ways to make prayers find answers, and although that part of this tale is predictable, the ways they achieve their goals are far from ordinary. I very much enjoyed this sweet trio of tales, mostly because the angels themselves had such charming characters! WHERE ANGELS GO by Debbie Macomber is a holiday treasure that I'm sure will be a hit. I suspect, too, that it will find its way into many stockings, and will bring lots of holiday joy.

Kay James