Review: "Let this wonderful romance bring a warm glow to your holiday and winter reading..."
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 27, 2011
Julia Payne enjoyed a successful career as a world renowned photographer until tragedy hit.  Her fiancé, a firefighter, sacrificed his life in the 911 disaster.  She gives freely of her time to different charities, where she meets famous conductor, Ikuya Yamane.  The attraction is violent and instantaneous.Ikuya is a man haunted by dark memories and the loss of his wife.  He clings to the pain, nurturing a broken heart, ending his affairs without remorse.  Julia is aware that he never maintains a relationship past a year, and must guard her heart.  Yet there is no way she can pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity, no matter the outcome.A Holiday to Remember is an emotional tale that explores all the darkest corners of the human spirit and how Love's unmitigated power delivers us from the worst afflictions of the soul.  Ms. McCarver also brings to light the true spirit behind Christmas in the forms of non-material generosity.  She touches upon organ donation and becoming a donor, the importance of this and how it affects us all.  One of the greatest gifts anyone can give another human being is life.  After reading this story, it makes me gladder than ever to know I am a participant in this program.Julia is wise and loving, and I never got tired of reading about how much she gives of herself.  Keeping that in mind, she is no doormat and she battles it out with Ikuya.  This woman holds onto her self-respect without denying who she is, while unselfishly giving her all to a man who is going to walk away.  I wanted to resent and dislike Ikuya for his decision to leave this remarkable woman, and in the end I couldn't.  He was so damaged and wounded; my heart was bleeding for him.  It was amazing how much he accomplished despite all the hardships he faced in his life.  The worst part is I knew he loved Julia before he could accept the truth, which means he becomes the instrument to more suffering in his life.The turning point of this story is when the ghosts of past, present and future come full circle.  I thought my heart was going to burst from all the warm feelings rising off the pages.  Shiree McCarver has captured all the nuances of what makes us capable of the best and worst behavior, how Love can takes us to the lowest depths and raise us up until the joy transcends suffering.  Let this wonderful romance bring a warm glow to your holiday and winter reading.  It certainly put a glow in my heart, and I'm sure the tenderness will spread to readers everywhere.Patrice F.For Joyfully Reviewed