Please see my point of view for Marry Me by Autumn Macarthur and enter for a chance to win a $5.00 Amazon gift card!
For her ill daughter, she’ll do anything. Even marry a man she hardly knows.
Widowed Melanie Montana has spent far too many holidays sitting beside hospital beds with people she loves. But not this year. Knowing it could be their last, she’s vowed to make it the best ever Christmas for her four-year-old daughter, Alia.
With the support of the Chapel Cove townsfolk, she’ll find ways to make all Alia’s dreams come true. Lots of books and reading a story together every single night – tick. A sleigh ride – tick. Even her own pony – tick. That’s the easy part.
The biggest item on Alia’s list is more of a challenge – a daddy for Christmas. And not just any daddy. Alia knows exactly who she wants her mommy to marry. The man she calls Dr. Santa, better known as pediatrician Dr. Mark Stewart. When they’ve both been hurt before and closed their hearts to love, only a miracle can give Melanie and Mark a happy-ever-after and turn their marriage of convenience into the real thing.
But when God, as well as the determined child, seems to be pushing them together, how can they possibly resist?
A heartwarming and uplifting second-chances romance of faith, love, and pancakes.
The concept of a “marriage of convenience” story is kind of a “new to me” story line. I’ve seen a few movies with the theme but they were always the “mail order bride” type, based in the 1800’s and were considered a permanent decision.
I was pleased with how this story played out in the long run. Although it was considered to be a temporary situation, they eventually agreed to make it permanent which is what marriage is designed to be.
I’m glad you ended up enjoying the story, Susan. In both Mark and Mel’s mind, even though all she asked him for was a temporary commitment, they both take marriage seriously.
Autumn Macarthur did a fabulous job of two total strangers in a marriage of convenience story!
I love that even though it starts out as a marriage of convenience, the couple usually discover that they really compliment each other using their individual strengths & weaknesses to build wonderful marriages.
Stay safe Y’all!
That’s a fab way to describe a good marriage, Robin! Thanks for commenting!
Sounds like an interesting story! I would love to first, win an actual print book; second, or an Amazon card would be okay, too:)
Hi Lual! Unfortunately I don’t have a print copy of this book available yet, as Marion, who does the covers for the series, is stuck away from home due to the virus. But you’re in the draw for the Amazon voucher. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by, Lual!
I’ve read this book and it was awesome! Marriages of convenience touch a chord in all of us because they meet an important need in the lives of the characters but also have a HEA!
Thank you, Edwina! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. And for sure the HEA is essential!
I completely agree with you, Edwina!
I have read a few “Marriage of convenience” stories in the past while, most being Mail Order Bride stories.
I totally agree with Paula, finding love in unconventional ways and add in a child or two and you have me hooked. The tissue companies must love authors who write these stories.
Melanie has been through a lot of heartache and sadness for such a young person. Being a young widowed mom and now caring for a sick child gives a whole new outlook and perspective on what needs to be done to obtain even the smallest amount of happiness.
When God is in control, even through the life of a young child, amazing things happen.
Amazing Job Autumn, you never cease to amaze me with your stories.
Aww, thank you, Betty! So blessed by wonderful readers like you!
Amen, Betty…. You said in perfectly…when God is in control!!
Sounds like a Hallmark feel- good type of story. One we need right now.
Hi Becky! This story really DOES need the tissue box handy! You would not believe how much I cried writing it, and some scenes even now still make me cry if I read them. But it’s definitely a feel-good story, about the ways God supports us through tough times, if we allow Him to. 🙂
We need all the feel good stories these days, Becky, yes!
I loved this story and also do enjoy marriage of convenience stories as it shows how even in unconventional circumstances unexpected blessing can happen. In this one God and a little girl brought two people who needed each other together and love found them. I love the way Autumn weaves stories together and brings true to life situations blends God in and touches our hearts in a magical way.
Thank you, Lorel! This is my first marriage of convenience story, and yes, unexpected blessings is such a good way to describe it. Thank you! 🙂
Agreed 💯 with you, Lorel!
Loved this story! I’ve loved marriage of convenience stories ever since I read my first book by Betty Neels more years ago than I care to count!! Desperate times call for desperate actions, and I think every time from mail order brides til now have that in common. I think there are probably still marriages of convenience now, actually. Especially when people are older and don’t want to be alone.
Ooh, Trudy! I used to so love Betty Neels’s MoC stories! One of my very favorite authors.
And agreed, in some cultures arranged marriages e still the norm, and I’m sure plenty of times in our marry-for-love culture people choose to marry for different reasons, whether for a child or simply out of loneliness. Wonderful if a genuine love and companionship can grow from that!
I never really thought about that aspect, Trudy, but you are so right!
A marriage of convenience story reminds me that sometimes what we think we want is different from what we need.
Ah yes, want vs need…good point, Sonetta!
So true, Sonnetta! God knows what we most need, even when we don’t. 🙂
Even though it is a marriage of convenience I believe that they both saw something in each other that they could build a least a friendship a d I am sure that God used their situation.
True, Paulette, it just happened so quickly in this story 😁
Yes, for sure, Paulette. God’s hand was at work. 🙂
God always has a hand in any marriage and it is what we make of it, so marrying for convivence could be part of God’s plan.
God’s plans, indeed, Shirley!
Right, Shirley. What becomes of any marriage is what we allow Him to make it. 🙂
I like how they married as a sacrifice, and each found healing as they learned to look beyond themselves, for the sake of a lovely child.
So true,Lynda! Anything for that sweet little girl ❤️
Hi Lynda! God brings us healing in so many ways. I’m really looking forward to spending more time with this family in my next book!
I really loved this book! A good contemporary marriage of convenience is hard to find, but she nailed it on this one!
Yes, they are more difficult in contemporaries, Connie, so always a nice treat!
Thank you, Connie! I appreciate your statement. 🙂 Good to know I got it right.
What I especially liked about this marriage of convenience story is how by submitting to God’s leading made it possible for God to “work all things together for the good of those who love him, to them who are called according to his purpose.” And, yes, tissues are a necessity for this one as you’re reading through the story.
Thanks, Lisa! <3
Well said, Lisa!
I think they are really interesting!
Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie!
Hi Stephanie! I agree, marriage of convenience stories are always interesting, to see how they work out. 🙂
I always think this kind of story may be a beautiful movie scenario. People need fılms from real life. Sometimes we forget reality while looking for fiction.
It would be a lovely movie concept, for sure. I always try to keep my fiction grounded in reality, because we live reality!
I agree with you, Mehmet, this story would make a wonderful movie!!
I love love love this story, should I say more…It’s a great story <3
Marriage of convenience is always fun 🙂 but this story is also very emotional. Love it!
Thank you so much, Natalya. <3
It was emotional for me, too. I cry with all my books, but this one needed more tissues than most!
Beautifully said, Natalya!
When you read a story where two people are together for convenience reasons but then find love between them, it just makes the heart glow with happiness!
I hope this story does that for you, too, Christine. 🙂
This story is exactly that, Christine!
This was an awesome story. Whenever a story makes me feel so many different emotions I know it’s good. Great job Autumn. I love all of your books.
I’m glad you felt that with this story, Terry. One of the reasons I struggled to get it written was that it is such a big thing – I needed to do the magnitude of what they were dealing with justice and was scared I couldn’t. Only with God!
Thanks for sharing, Terry, I concur!
I feel there is a certain amount of tension between a couple who marry but don’t love each other . . .and to see that solved by love is amazing
Yes, it’s like there’s this built-in conflict there for them. To be married, and yet it’s nothing like they feel a marriage “should” be, after both having married for love and been widowed..
The journey is a wonderful read, Bonny!
This book sounds like it is a beautiful love story, I love to read about marriage of convenience especially when they have a Happy ending. Thank you so much for sharing about it. God Bless you.
Thank you for reading Paula’s blog and commenting, Alicia. OI hope you get the chance to read the story.
Bless you, Alicia! Hoping your Easter is wonderful!
I love that it starts out as a marriage of convenience but they find out they compliment each other and fall in love. Enjoyed reading your take on the book.
Thank you, Kerri, that means a lot to me! Happy Easter!
Thank you, Kerri! Happy Resurrection Sunday!
I would love to read this story. I love all the books of yours I have read so far. I love the simply clean reading of all of your books!
Thank you, Cheryl! 🙂
Thank you, Cheryl, Autumn is one of my all time favorite authors too!!