Night of Miracles

Night of Miracles: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg. New York: Random House, 2018. 288 pages. To be published November 2018. *****

Night of Miracles is the sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv. It can be read as a standalone, however, I highly recommend you read Arthur Truluv first. The main characters are introduced by means of alternating voices in the opening chapters of the novel. Lucille Howard, eighty-eight years old, is living in the house that Arthur left to Maddy and is missing her friends. Lucille is feeling her age and realizing that she may have lived past her time of importance and relevance. Falling in love with Frank in high school and reconnecting at the age of eighty-three, only to have him die of a heart attack before they marry, reinforces the feeling of "here, then gone again." Lucille dreams of Frank, intense dreams, she smells Old Spice and "hears his voice as plain as day." When an angel appears to summon her, Lucille resists and shows why she has to stay.

Iris, Abby, and Monica have their own issues with men, independence, and loneliness.

Berg has a gift for weaving mundane life events together to show how relevant we are in ways that we cannot see and how love can find us when we least expect it. She gives us hope, love, and acceptance in a heartwarming tale of friendship that captivates and amuses. I wish that I had reread Arthur Truluv prior to reading this one, I loved that story and am so glad that Berg wrote the sequel. Not all sequels reflect the craftsmanship of the original story, but Berg does not disappoint her readers. The spirit of Arthur lives on in this heartwarming tale. To be published in November, I will be giving both novels as holiday presents.

I received an ecopy for a review.

My review of The Story of Arthur Truluv.

Elizabeth Berg is the author of many best novels, including Open House, Talk Before Sleep, and the Year of the Pleasures, as well as the short story collectionThe Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted. Durable Goods and Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year.

For more on Elizabeth Berg, check out her website http://www.elizabeth-berg.net and her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bergbooks/.

Birthday Musings

Words of wisdom on my 67th Birthday:

This moment is the youngest I will ever be and the oldest I have ever been. 

Age is only a number (I’m really 21 inside, that’s the Birthday we announced our engagement)

I don’t need 2 eyes with perfect vision to see what’s important in life.

It’s how you treat others that is a reflection of who you are, not how others treat you. 

Marry the person who makes you feel like “you are enough” just as you are and wants you to be his dancing partner each and every day. 

When you apply sunscreen on your face, include your neck, it may prevent neck wrinkles. 

TSA Global Entry is worth every penny. 

Traveling with Grandchildren is the best, it gives a fresh perspective on events, people, and places. Plus, she laughs out loud at the absurdity of life and most of what comes out of my mouth...the eye roll completes it... It seems that no one says “mojo, chillaxing” anymore and dancing to the music in public places is frowned upon even if it is Graceland! 

The people who love me when I am least lovable are “my people.”

A dying friend once told me, it’s all about “the Love”...I am feeling the love today and counting my blessings. Thank you for all of the Birthday wishes.

Even though we were staying in a hotel, my Husband gave me this rose for my Birthday... he's a keeper!