ANGELS AT THE TABLE  - Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-52887-2
October 2012
Contemporary Romance

New York, New York - Present Day

Five long years have passed since we were graced with a visit from heavenly angels, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, (WHERE ANGELS GO, 2007).  These wayward Prayer Ambassadors got into such trouble the last time they were here, Archangel Gabriel has kept them confined to Heaven.  But, finally, he's let them out again!  As our story opens, we find Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy visiting New York on New Year's Eve, with apprentice angel, Will, right behind them.  As they look down on Time Square from their cloud, it isn't long before they're tempted to pop right smack into the middle of the crowds gathered to watch the New Year's Ball drop.  And, of course, this Heavenly quartet manages to rearrange God's timetable once again.  Hoping Gabriel isn't looking, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy scoot back to Heaven on the double, but not before Will intervenes in the fate of two people who are not destined to meet for many months down the road.  Oops...

Chef Lucie Ferrara is so busy she can't think straight.  Working endless hours, cooking in a restaurant while trying to start her own establishment, she simply has no time to be standing here, packed in like a sardine, while she's pushed and shoved by thousands of people angling for a better view of the celebration.  She's lost her friends somewhere; they disappeared in the crowds.  Lucie stumbles as the ball completes its descent and is suddenly staring into the eyes of a very handsome man.  Then she's kissing him. 

Reporter Aren Fairchild just kissed a total stranger.  And he is sure this one embrace is going to change his world forever.  He lost his sister somewhere in this crush of people, but that no longer matters.  Right now, he only wants to spend more time with the lovely woman who bumped into him.  Kissing her seemed like an excellent idea; everyone around them was kissing someone to welcome in the New Year!  So Aren and Lucie flee the crowds and end up talking for hours over coffee, finally parting company with a promise to meet in January where all lovers go, the top of the Empire State Building.

ANGELS AT THE TABLE is a sure winner!  Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are up to their old tricks and bring us some new ones, too (did you hear about the wayward camel walking down a New York City street?).  This time they're trying to behave while they teach Will how to be a proper Prayer Ambassador, and to never, ever interfere in human affairs.  (Yeah, right!)

Meanwhile, Lucie is struggling to get her restaurant, Heavenly Delights, up and running; while Aren is recovering from a broken heart after his wife left him for another man.  There is so much I want to say about this wonderful story, but telling any more will give all the surprises away.  ANGELS AT THE TABLE is Ms. Macomber's signature holiday tale, with lots of new twists, humor and romance.  I have to say that it has been way too long since we've been treated to a book staring Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, and now, with new apprentice Will joining them, I am praying that Gabriel will allow them to come around more often in future stories!

Check out the author's website, www.debbiemacomber.com for the full details on the Angel books, and do not miss ANGELS AT THE TABLE!  It is already my favorite book this year!

Diana Risso