Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy

By: Debbie Macomber

Narrated by: Lynn Filusch

Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Alone at Christmas, Greg Bennett feels his life has been a waste. Sixty years old and he has no one to spend Christmas with, no one who cares.

Greg knows he's made mistakes, hurt people, failed in all the ways that matter. As a young man, he fathered a child he never acknowledged. He deserted a friend in his hour of need. He abandoned his own brother, whom he hasn't seen in years.

Listlessly wandering the streets of San Francisco, Greg finds himself in a church, and whispers a simple heartfelt prayer. A prayer that finds its way to the Archangel Gabriel who assigns angels Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, to Greg Bennett's case. Because Gabriel knows full well that Greg's going to need the assistance of all three!

Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy are determined to create a miracle for Greg. In their usual inimitable way, they are set to show him what life, joy, and Christmas are all about!

Touched by the angels? Don't miss the sequel: Where Angels Go. And don't miss Audible's exclusive interview with Debbie Macomber!

©1999 Debbie Macomber
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Not my favorite, but still enjoyed the story.

I have purchased all of the angels books. And while I really enjoy Debbie Macomber's books and did like this story, I was disappointed with the angel's behaviors in this one. They were beyond mischievous!
What I enjoyed the least in this one was the Angel Gabriel's voice, I could never have imagined he would sound like that!

1 person found this helpful

cute holiday read

a wonderful if predictable book. Scrooge like man who has lived his whole life hurting people, his family and friends winds up tying up all the loose ends in his life thanks to angels. Not everything ends happily, but he has closure on his life.

The narrator was wonderful to listen to, and it was a most enjoyable listen, even if it was predictable. Lovely holiday read

3 people found this helpful

Audible version loses half the story!

This is a case where the actual book is far better than the audio version. The audible version of this book is abridged. The reader doesn't get half of the story!

I'm glad I borrowed this through Audible Escape rather than paying for it. Very disappointing that they don't have an unabridged version of this book.

Short & sweet

Greg has made many selfish choices in his life and has regrets about them. ** spoliers ** The book is only a couple hours long, so it’s hard to write a synopsis without giving away details. He needs a loan to replant his winery after a devastating disease takes out his vines. He applies for a loan from his estranged brother as a last resort. He’s getting divorced from his third wife and laments the girl he ran from when he found out she was pregnant 35 years ago. He has the opportunity to make amends with his long ago friend/cousin whose wife died after Greg refused financial assistance for treatment. The three angels, Shirley, Mercy and Goodness provide comic relief as they nudge the story’s characters into opening their hearts to be forgiving and to doing the right thing. Narration is good, though male voices are a bit gravely. Overall a story of forgiveness and mercy to embrace the spirit of Christmas. I’d read more from this author.

great book

Loved it. Very entertaining, and heartfelt. enjoyed all the characters; and particularly how the Angel's brought them all together.

A feel good Christmas excursion to CA

If you are in the mood for a feel good Christmas story, tune in for this one. There are a few laughs, a few heart wrenching moments and a few angelic slip ups.

More of the same.

Any additional comments?

Feel good Christmas read. I have found some better Christmas reads, but, if fixing broken people is your thing these are great books for you. Who doesn't love sappy Christmas books. Tis the Season.