WELCOME TO SERENITY

Author: Sherryl Woods ISBN: 9780778325895 12/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

The Sweet Magnolias are branching out... When Jeanette Brioche helped to launch The Corner Spa in Serenity, South Carolina, she found a whole lot more than professional satisfaction. She discovered the deep and loyal friendships that had been missing from her life. But even the Sweet Magnolias can't mend the terrible rift between Jeanette and her family or persuade her that the holidays are anything more than a season of misery. Pushed into working on the towns much-loved annual Christmas festival, Jeanette teams up with the sexy new town manager. Tom McDonald may be the only person in Serenity who's less enthused about family and the holidays than she is. But with tree decorations going up on the town square and a bit of romance in the air, Jeanette and Torn take a fresh look at the past and a hopeful look into the future. Together they discover that this just may be a season of miracles after all.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

WELCOME TO SERENITY is the first of The Sweet Magnolias series I have read but it will, by no means, be the last. I enjoyed my visit to Serenity and was enchanted by the people who live there. Sherryl Woods tells a wonderful story filled with heart that shows that love, and the spirit of Christmas, can change even the most steadfast Scrooge.

Jeanette forsakes the joys of the holiday season year after year. She has a reason—a tragic one—that holds her back, keeps her from enjoying all the cheer of Christmas. When she gives in to pressure and becomes part of the town holiday planning committee, she doesn't get into the holiday spirit all at once. No, it takes another event, a near-tragedy, to show her that Christmas and family, as well as love, doesn't have to be ignored. Fortunately Jeanette has a man who is willing to wait for her to realize what matters most. Besides, Tom's got his own reasons for holding back. They each come from dysfunctional families but together they just might overcome much of what life's thrown at them. There just may be happy holidays in Serenity, after all.

WELCOME TO SERENITY by Sherryl Woods is a heartwarming tale, a definte holiday treasure!

Kay James