In Silver Bells I took a peek into an era before technology took over the newspaper
business. Throughout the story Deb’s descriptions of the 1970s are right on.
From early microwave ovens to Little Golden books illustrated by Eloise Wilkin,
I revisited many of the joys of my youth. Yet under it all the turmoil of the
Vietnam War wrestled with everyday life.
Even though Michelle Penn had a very different
future in mind, she took a job at the local newspaper to make ends meet. She
never dreamed she’d meet up with Mr. Popular from high school, let alone
actually enjoy his company. In an era of women’s liberation, war, and a fight
for women’s freedom from domestic abuse, how does a hometown girl confront
reality and find love at the same time? What appears as a simple romance dives
into the importance of surrounding others with compassion that has no fear. Deb
Raney created a story of love and forgiveness that plays on the heart. I
enjoyed the love story between Michelle and Rob and the story of love they
shared for Becky, a young mom in need. I recommend Silver Bells as a
warm-hearted Christmas read that reveals the true spirit of the season.