"Will Sarah get what she really wants for Christmas?"

Widower Greg Wilcox and his five year old daughter Sarah want Molly. After losing his wife on Christmas Eve three years ago, Greg and Sarah have done okay on their own. Then they meet Molly, a waitress at the diner they frequent. Somehow Greg finds himself becoming obsessed with her. It doesn't help that Sarah is enamored of her, also.

Molly may be a waitress now, but an artist is what she really is. The problem is her paintings, as good as they are, just don't sell. The divorced Molly finds herself attracted to Greg. However, all she knows of him is that he is extremely good looking and he rides a motorcycle-- neither of which recommends him to her. As for Greg, he doesn't want Molly to know too much about him--like that he bought two of her paintings--so maybe she'll like him just for himself.

Of course, Molly does learn about Greg--and about Laura, his "exquisite" dead wife. Which is where the real trouble comes in, for Molly knows she can never measure up to Laura. Nevertheless, Greg and Sarah, with the help of Greg's mom, won't let that keep them from plotting a way to get her to stay with them. For they know, even if Molly doesn't, that with them is where she belongs.

A CHRISTMAS WITH SARAH is a lovely Christmas story that can be enjoyed anytime. The descriptive passages are very well done, bringing the surroundings to life. The tricks used on the heroine would have really exasperated me in another author's hands, but somehow Ms. Miller just makes them work well. Even though the heroine is manipulated, its done in such a nice way, it is entertaining and not aggravating. The relationship between the hero and his daughter is delightful. I even liked the hero's mother. The heroine is strong, but sensitive and intelligent. There is no mystery in this story, no jealous rivals, no real angst. This is just a marvelous romance about two people taking a second chance on love. A truly delightful story.

Reviewed by Flora Bell
Posted December 4, 2002