Love Finds You in the City at Christmas + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Love comes to the big city in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present. 

“Red Kettle Christmas” 
It’s 1946, and police officer Mike Wolzak has inherited his family’s home . . . and the custody of his younger sister, who is in trouble with a problem he doesn’t know how to fix. While on patrol during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mike makes the acquaintance of a lovely Salvation Army bell ringer, Karen O’Leary, who is struggling to support herself and her young daughter. As their paths cross during the festive holiday season in Manhattan, Karen teaches the tough World War II veteran how to support and love his family. In the process, he just might gain a new one.

“Manhattan Miracle”
A war-weary soldier who has served three tours in the Middle East, Max Wolzak has come home to New York City to celebrate Christmas with his family in the Manhattan brownstone where he spent much of his childhood. There Max reconnects with Sarah Peterson, his sister’s old schoolmate who now organizes relief missions for the United Nations. Sparks fly as the pair gets reacquainted over various holiday events, but when Max realizes that Sarah will leave for the Middle East the day after Christmas, he has a decision to make—convince her to stay, wait for her to return, or go with her to the one place to which he never thought he’d return.

My Review:

published in 2013

Be still my heart — I’m sure I heard the Hallelujah Chorus in the background as I finished this book. It is that good. That’s moving and uplifting and down-home Christmasy good.  Both stories start with Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and that sets the mood perfectly. Both stories have adorable little girls who know the true magic of Christmas and how to share it. Another excellent way to set that special mood. But though there are similarities in these two novellas, each author’s distinctive voice creates a unique and heart-warming read.

In Red Kettle Christmas, Herne’s characteristic writing style swept me into the heart of post World War II New York City  from the very first page. I love the way characters come to life at her fingertips. And I love how she portrays life and loss realistically, but always laced with hope. This novella has all the makings of a classic Christmas read.

Fast forward to present day and we get to read about the next generation of Wolzaks in Schmidt’s Manhattan Miracle. Interesting to jump decades and land at the very same place and the very same time. Love that link between the two stories. This is another touching read that gave me goosebumps at the Hollywood worthy finale.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy of this book so – yay – International Giveaway. Available to readers everywhere!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love Finds You in the City at Christmas,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 25 2025

32 thoughts on “Love Finds You in the City at Christmas + Giveaway”

  4. When I first started reading your review, I immediately thought of the two movies MIRACE ON 34TH STREET, which both revolved around the Macy’s Parade only during different eras and two little girls.  A Christmas movie that I love and watch every year – both versions. 

    First off, I love stories in the era of Red Kettle Christmas.  Plus I love Herne’s book!

    I’ve never read a book by Schmidt making Manhattan Miracle very intriguing to me.  Would love to find out what the connection is between the two stories.

    All this means, I think LOVE FINDS YOU IN THE CITY AT CHRISTMAS definitely sounds like my kind of fee- good story.  And I love a great Christmas read!  Thank you for your review that brought this fabulous book to our attention and the amazing chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. I love the big city vibes in these stories too. So often the Christmas stories are set in small towns (which I love as well) but there’s something about the bustle of the city during the holidays – maybe because that’s my personal experience? These stories are great reads for the season. Good luck, Kay!

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  6. This was a great book! I have it on my kindle but it looks like it’s no longer available in ebook form, odd. Both stories are really good. Ruth has written some of the most heartwarming Christmas books. I’m in Christmas book mode now 🙂 Happy holiday reading Best Readers!

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    1. That’s so strange. Usually you think of ebooks as being available forever. Hooray for holiday reading! I ordered a few Christmas books end of last week and they were supposed to be delivered on Tuesday and I was so excited but I guess that Amazon being down for a day or so messed up with filling the orders ’cause now they are due on Saturday. What’s a festive reader to do but reread old faves until then? lol Happy Holiday Reading, Tracey!

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      1. The 2 authors may have decided to publish their own books individually as an ebook. Bet that’s what happened as it often does with a lot of collections.

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      2. Brilliant observations, Tracey, that’s why we pay you the big buck as our investigative reporter! 🙂 I just checked and Ruth Logan Herne’s book on it’s own is available in both ebook and paperback format. I guess they got the rights back from the publisher.

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  8. Ohh, the Love Finds You in… book series were some of the first Christian fiction books I read, but somehow this one slipped past me! I’d love to be included in the giveaway! 🙂

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  10. Oh I love the “Love Finds You” novels!!! I had many of them on my bookshelves that I read and enjoyed over the years. Sure do miss them!! You certainly can’t go wrong with a Ruthy story 😊

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. I am not familiar with the authors or the series of these books.

    I would be so happy to read them, the storylines are truly Read Me.

    Thanks for your reviews.

    cenyatwoathotmaildotcom

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