Starry Night

the two of them.
    “Are you going to love our Carrie?” Nick Slayton asked.
    “Dad!” she protested, clearly embarrassed.
    “With all my heart,” Finn promised, keeping her close against his side.
    “That’s good enough for me.” Nick thrust out his hand for Finn to shake. “Welcome to the family.”
    The two men clasped hands, and their gazes held for an extra-long moment as understanding passed between the two of them.
    Oh, yes, this was definitely going to be the best Christmas of Finn Dalton’s life.

TO CONNY AND GINA JOHANNESSON
IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR
FRIENDSHIP AND TALENT

BALLANTINE BOOKS BY DEBBIE MACOMBER
Starry Night
Rose Harbor in Bloom
Starting Now
Angels at the Table
The Inn at Rose Harbor
For a complete list of books by Debbie Macomber, visit her website at www.debbiemacomber.com .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    D EBBIE M ACOMBER is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers, with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Five of her novels have scored the #1 slot on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times , USA Today , and Publishers Weekly lists.
    Debbie Macomber is the author of more than 100 novels, most recently Starting Now , a Blossom Street book, and Rose Harbor in Bloom , a Rose Harbor Inn novel; two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; two acclaimed children’s books; and the beloved and bestselling series of novels set in Cedar Cove, Washington, upon which the Hallmark Channel based its first dramatic scripted television series, Cedar Cove . Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle (2009) and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) were the Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year.
www.debbiemacomber.com

 
Ring in the holiday season with the return of angels Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy in Angels at the Table
A delightful and romantic story about two people who are brought together by a twist of fate, but just as easily pulled apart.
In the end, it will take a little angelic intervention to reunite the young couple and create an unforgettable Christmas miracle.
Available from Ballantine Books
Read on for a special sneak peek!

Chapter One

    “This is really Earth?” Will, the apprentice angel, asked, lying on his stomach on a low-flying cloud with his three mentors. His eyes widened as he gazed down on the crazed activity below.
    “This is Earth,” Mercy informed their young charge with a tinge of pride. For all its problems, Earth was a fascinating place to visit, with the tall buildings that butted up against the sky and people milling about with such purpose, most of them unaware of the spiritual world that surrounded them. More times than she could remember Mercy had lost patience with humans. Those who were considered the apex of God’s creations appeared to be slow-witted and spiritually dull. Yet she loved them and treasured her Earthly assignments.
    “It’s New York,” Shirley added, resting her chin in herhands as she gazed longingly below. “Oh, I do so love this city.”
    “Manhattan, to be more precise,” Goodness clarified and ended with a little sigh, indicating that she, too, had missed visiting Earth.
    The four hovered near Times Square, watching the clamoring crowds jockeying for space on New Year’s Eve.
    Will’s eyes widened as he intently studied the scene taking place in the streets below. “Is it always like this—so busy and crowded, I mean?”
    “No, no, this is a special night. The people are gathering together to usher in the New Year.” Time was a concept reserved for Earth. In heaven it was much different. Consequently, the time restriction placed on the three Prayer Ambassadors when given Earthly assignments had caused more than one problem.
    “Did Gabriel want us—”
    “Gabriel,” Shirley gasped, and quickly cut him off. “He doesn’t exactly know that we’ve brought you here. It would probably be best if you didn’t mention this short visit to him, okay?”
    “Yes, please, it would be best not to let anyone know we’ve shown you Earth.” It went without saying they’d be in all kinds of trouble if Gabriel learned what they’d been up to.
    “Gabriel means well but he tends to get a little pricklyabout these things,” Goodness explained to their young charge.
    “Why is that?” Will stared at all three of them.
    “Well, you see, we … the three of us … thought we should give you a bird’s-eye