Twelve Days (The McRaes Series - Book 1 - Sam & Rachel)

This was an amazing book of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings. On the brink of the loss of their marriage, Maggie and Sam find themselves with the responsibility of caring for 3 children. With everything falling apart around them, they receive what they wanted most. This book tugs at the heartstrings and will keep you on an emotional roller coaster ride right up until the end.

I bought this book after reading the second and third books. I also read the rave reviews but I have to say it wasn't my favourite of all the books. One of the reasons I think, was because I thought the main characters really needed to talk and they didn't. I understand why the author dragged it out but I found it frustrating. Anyway it's still a great book and a great series, well worth reading.

Heartwarming Christmas story that was completely enjoyable and lovely. I loved the characters, the kids were adorable, and found it to be all around sweet. The children are in foster care, which I deal with quite often and have a soft spot for.

I enjoyed the story. Good character s, real problems. Warning, long excerpt at end of a sequel, for a side character that is 3 generations down the line.... Got confusing, and is young adult. But really liked writers style and this storyline. Love the tie in to historical house and helping others.

Ms. Hill writes well but I found that she repeats herself often enough that it was noticeable - and to me - annoying. I usually read a book as straight through as I can, but I found reading this book in small doses worked better for me.

I thought the story as a whole was great. However I found myself getting a little bored with the lack of Sam and Rachel's problem of lack of communication. The author drug it out just a tad to Long. But that's my opinion. GAB

Story tugs at the heart! Knowing that they have to deal with the loss of a child, the doubt and fear creeps inside both of them. Who do they blame? Whose fault is it? Situations change and they must confront facts and deal with the future that is totally not what they expected.

A guy whose girlfriend had moved in with him thought their relationship to the point to propose marriage involved neighbors to enact The Twelve Days Of Christmas song uses the final round for the fifth day to kneel and propose only to be rejected. He finds she has undisclosed baggage that needs to surface if they are to survive.

Well developed characters and a realistic storyline. The only thing that detracted from the story was the fact that the author kept repeating a certain refrain about the couple. Other than that, it's a very good book.

I thought the story as a whole was great. However I found myself getting a little bored with the lack of Sam and Rachel's problem of lack of communication. The author drug it out just a tad to Long. But that's my opinion. GAB

Story tugs at the heart! Knowing that they have to deal with the loss of a child, the doubt and fear creeps inside both of them. Who do they blame? Whose fault is it? Situations change and they must confront facts and deal with the future that is totally not what they expected.

A guy whose girlfriend had moved in with him thought their relationship to the point to propose marriage involved neighbors to enact The Twelve Days Of Christmas song uses the final round for the fifth day to kneel and propose only to be rejected. He finds she has undisclosed baggage that needs to surface if they are to survive.

Well developed characters and a realistic storyline. The only thing that detracted from the story was the fact that the author kept repeating a certain refrain about the couple. Other than that, it's a very good book.

Couples struggle and don't always communicate. They hurt because of intense losses which neither cause. This is such a story. The chance to overcome the losses is offered when three children enter their lives.

I found thus to be a believable plot. And while it was somewhat painful at times,it is a good read.

A great, warm-hearted, beautiful story. A tale that manages to convey that life is never easy, full of disappointment, twists and turns but with faith, hope and love you can always turn things around!

Three abandoned children are found in a motel, and need an immediate place to stay. Their caseworker brings them to her niece, not knowing that Rachel and Sam are having marital problems. Surprised by the children, Rachel agrees to take the children until after Christmas, while the search has begun for their mother.

Twelve Days is a sweet story but the dialog between the main characters is endless and repetitive. I found myself skimming entire chapters just to learn what would eventually happen to the children but I am not sure even that is entirely realistic. If you like books that are filled with emotional dialog and without well researched background stories and meaty plots, this is for you. It's your standard "girl next door" and "bad boy" get married, lose child and have problems story.

This book and its characters grab your attention and your heart from the very beginning. The many twists and turns keep you turning pages and makes it hard to put it down. A book about life, faith, and love, written by an amazing story teller! You definitely don't want to miss this one!

...to read this beautiful book. Theresa Hill writes gorgeous, emotional love stories about real people facing real challenges. Twelve Days is about gifts--the gifts that chance lays at our feet, the gifts we don't initially recognize as gifts. The gifts of family and hope. Give yourself the gift of this book, unwrap it and dive in. You won't be disappointed.

I really loved all the characters in the book and was rooting for them through the incredible heartbreaking troubles they had. While the magic of Christmas provided a backdrop - I felt Sam and Rachel's reconciliation, forgiveness and love for each other was both realistic and inspiring. I look forward to reading the others in the series.

I was expecting a typical Christmas themed feel good book but instead I was introduced to one of the few real couples I've ever met in between the covers of a book. First, Sam and Rachel are already married. So often romance books are about the discovery of love but Twelve Days is about the resurrection and salvation of a love shattered by the worst tragedy any parent can imagine--the loss of a child. The struggles they have are honest and I'm hopeful to find Book 2 soon!

EXCELLENT character development and the main element of this story brings one to look at what you have and enjoy it. I loved this book. Teresa Hill puts love and generosity in her story. Can't wait for Book 2.

Ms Hill pulls all the heartstrings with this story of a couple, broken by what life has dealt them, and three children abandoned by their mother, brought to the couple to be cared for until the kids' parents can be found.

Very nice reading for the holiday season. I enjoyed every part of the book and I'm sure I will read it over every Christmas. At times it made me cry and realize that there is always hope, no matter what happens and how difficult life can be at times!

This was a darker delve into the soul searching of folks desperate to have a child, and the damage it can do. The writing is well done for the most part and reminds the reader that assumtions are just that, and often dangerous when it comes to relationships.