Stacey Weeks

Generally speaking, short stories are not my choice of reading material. Charles Dickens is one of my favorite authors, after all. For the most part I gravitate toward full-length novels because I love detail and I want to spend enough time with the characters to get to know them and to hear their story in its entirety. As a result, short stories rarely satisfy me. However, since these two stories were both Christmas-themed, I wanted to read them in-season and decided to sign up to review show more them.

To my surprise, I enjoyed both “Mistletoe Melody” and “Mistletoe Mission” very much! Author Stacey Weeks has created the festive town of Mistletoe Meadows, complete with mistletoe tea and the Mistletoe Mile row of shops that are open year-round. What better time to go there, though, than Christmas? Of the two stories, my favorite was “Mistletoe Melody”, which should be read before “Mistletoe Mission” because otherwise the latter will contain spoilers. Even though “Mistletoe Melody” was predictable, I found myself absorbed by the story, and I loved the Staff family’s focus on courting rather than dating. Melody Staff’s recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis struck a chord with me as someone who has multiple chronic illnesses. The spiritual healing that she experiences as she comes to realize that her (and our) hope is in God and that a “sacrifice of praise…is the best kind of worship” spoke to my heart. I loved how Melody works with Janie and, in doing so, helps heal herself too. Melody’s insight into how God reaches out to us when we find ourselves metaphorically paralyzed by fear and grief is one of the best explanations I’ve read: “This is how God pursued us, but we didn’t listen to Him. God called us from heaven and mankind resisted. God sent prophets, but we closed our ears. Finally, God sent Jesus, God in the flesh. Only then, when He came and dwelt with us in difficulty and pain did we have the courage to reach for His hand and accept the forgiveness that comes only through Him. That’s why Jesus came. He meets us in our pain and leads us out toward God.”

Both stories felt complete and unrushed, which is often not the case in my experience with short stories. “Mistletoe Mission” is also a contemporary romance but is gratifyingly different, featuring some of the same characters but focusing on new ones. Emily’s perseverance in trying to win a spot on Mistletoe Mile for her business, Magical Mistletoe Marriages, is inspiring. Battling superstitions and sabotage, she also struggles with her own heart at the reappearance of her first love: “What an odd pair they made, a wounded event planner and a jilted minister. What was God thinking putting a Christmas Eve wedding in their hands?” I did not predict how this story would play out, and I was delighted by the ending. I also appreciated that, through the narrative, Weeks speaks about missionary work and practical aide for missions. At the end of both stories is a note from the author, and “Mistletoe Mission” also includes a short devotional. Although both are Christmas stories, the lessons within reach far beyond December and are worthy of reading and pondering regardless of the season.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. show less

Generally speaking, short stories are not my choice of reading material. Charles Dickens is one of my favorite authors, after all. For the most part I gravitate toward full-length novels because I love detail and I want to spend enough time with the characters to get to know them and to hear their story in its entirety. As a result, short stories rarely satisfy me. However, since these two stories were both Christmas-themed, I wanted to read them in-season and decided to sign up to review show more them.

To my surprise, I enjoyed both “Mistletoe Melody” and “Mistletoe Mission” very much! Author Stacey Weeks has created the festive town of Mistletoe Meadows, complete with mistletoe tea and the Mistletoe Mile row of shops that are open year-round. What better time to go there, though, than Christmas? Of the two stories, my favorite was “Mistletoe Melody”, which should be read before “Mistletoe Mission” because otherwise the latter will contain spoilers. Even though “Mistletoe Melody” was predictable, I found myself absorbed by the story, and I loved the Staff family’s focus on courting rather than dating. Melody Staff’s recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis struck a chord with me as someone who has multiple chronic illnesses. The spiritual healing that she experiences as she comes to realize that her (and our) hope is in God and that a “sacrifice of praise…is the best kind of worship” spoke to my heart. I loved how Melody works with Janie and, in doing so, helps heal herself too. Melody’s insight into how God reaches out to us when we find ourselves metaphorically paralyzed by fear and grief is one of the best explanations I’ve read: “This is how God pursued us, but we didn’t listen to Him. God called us from heaven and mankind resisted. God sent prophets, but we closed our ears. Finally, God sent Jesus, God in the flesh. Only then, when He came and dwelt with us in difficulty and pain did we have the courage to reach for His hand and accept the forgiveness that comes only through Him. That’s why Jesus came. He meets us in our pain and leads us out toward God.”

Both stories felt complete and unrushed, which is often not the case in my experience with short stories. “Mistletoe Mission” is also a contemporary romance but is gratifyingly different, featuring some of the same characters but focusing on new ones. Emily’s perseverance in trying to win a spot on Mistletoe Mile for her business, Magical Mistletoe Marriages, is inspiring. Battling superstitions and sabotage, she also struggles with her own heart at the reappearance of her first love: “What an odd pair they made, a wounded event planner and a jilted minister. What was God thinking putting a Christmas Eve wedding in their hands?” I did not predict how this story would play out, and I was delighted by the ending. I also appreciated that, through the narrative, Weeks speaks about missionary work and practical aide for missions. At the end of both stories is a note from the author, and “Mistletoe Mission” also includes a short devotional. Although both are Christmas stories, the lessons within reach far beyond December and are worthy of reading and pondering regardless of the season.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. show less

Wow - You are not going to put this one down until you are finished! If you enjoyed those Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy style books, this one is for you.
After many years away from the small town she grew up in, Jessie returns for the funeral of her brother. What happens after she arrives is nonstop action until the murderer or perhaps murderers are caught. I must admit, there were several characters that I suspected, but I certainly was way off base. The author has done a fabulous job of keeping show more the reader in the dark right up to the end. The lesson learned from the pile of rocks was important for all generations.
I had the opportunity to read this incredible book through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own. show less

Stacey Weeks brings readers back to Mistletoe Meadows and adds a wedding into the mix. One where everything is falling apart.

I enjoyed catching up with a few characters from the previous novella (Mistletoe Melody) throughout this quick read.

Eighty pages don’t give an author much wiggle room to work with, and while I would have liked more development of the romance, Weeks lays out this story well. And after reading both of her Christmas novellas, I’ll be digging into some of her lengthier show more reads.

Mistletoe Mission carries the reminder that even when our lives seem to be falling down around us, God is working.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. show less