Elizabeth Langston

This builds beautifully upon the first book. Lacey steps back as she finds a way for Grant to serve Kimberley for a month. Kim certainly needs a 'guardian angel' type in her life as she's dealing with entering adulthood, watching a friend die, her parents divorce and her chemotherapy-induced memory issues seem like ever increasing roadblocks on her way to independence. That kind of drama could easily stray into cliche or overly dramatic, but never does. Instead readers find a very well written and emotional story that will segue into a final book that I'm jumping into tomorrow.… (more)

A smart take on the genie gives you wishes plot. This time, the genie, who prefers to be called "Benevolent Supernatural Being," AKA Grant, lives in a tiny church that's part of a Christmas scene inside a music box. When Lacey Linden's depressed and irresponsible mom steals her hard earned money, designated to pay the electric bill, Lacey is desperate. She takes a set of antique silver candlesticks to a lady at the local flea market to see if she can recoup the stolen funds. When she spots the music box, something compels her to buy it.
This is the beginning of a very interesting journey for both Lacey and Grant. He's at her service for thirty days, able to grant one wish per day within guidelines. Neither makes a good first impression on the other, but as time goes on, they begin to understand more and work together. Grant's initial impression of Lacey as a spoiled, impatient teen is blown out of the water, as is her view of him as arrogant and unemotional. The unfolding following the initial wish is done to perfection, thanks to his reports to his boss at the end of most chapters plus how each wish is revealed. Add in a nice supporting cast and you get a terrific read. One so good I ordered the other two books in the series as soon as I finished this one.… (more)