JOPLIN, Mo. —
“1225 Christmas Tree Lane” by Debbie Macomber is the last book in the very popular Cedar Cove series. The series revolves around the residents of Cedar Cove, Wash., and each title is an address in the town. 1225 Christmas Tree Lane is the address of Beth Morehouse’s Christmas tree farm and home.
The small town of Cedar Cove is awash with Christmas spirit. Beth, owner of Cedar Cove Tree farm, has been busy supplying Christmas trees, wreaths and garland as well as readying her home for the holiday. She is also trying to find homes for 10 abandoned puppies -- no easy task anytime of the year.
Beth has two daughters, Bailey and Sophie, who are coming home from college for the holidays. Beth is excited to have her daughters home but has mixed emotions about who else is coming for Christmas, her ex-husband Kent.
Beth and Kent divorced three years ago. While the divorce was civil their only communication since has been about the girls. Beth is just now exploring other possibilities and has been dating Ted, the veterinarian. So why does Kent suddenly want to spend Christmas with them?
Christmas was always a special time for their family and Beth can’t help but reminisce about the times they shared as a couple and a family. She misses Kent and wonders if he too regrets the divorce. Is he coming just for the girls or is he anxious to see her too?
Bailey and Sophie are eagerly waiting for their father’s arrival but they know why he is coming. He thinks Beth invited him to join them for Christmas. Believing the divorce was a mistake, the girls have a plan to get their parents back together.
That is until Kent arrives for the holiday with an unexpected guest, his “friend” Danielle.
While Beth and her daughters are coping with Kent and Danielle the puppies are finding homes with the residents of Cedar Cove. As each puppy is placed you get to meet again some of the residents of Cedar Grove that were introduced in the other books in the series.
Find out how Rachel, Ben and daughter Jolene, of 1105 Yakima Street, are doing as they take home their new puppy, Poppy. Catch up with Dave and Emily Fleming as they take two puppies home to 8 Sandpiper Way.
Corrie and Roy McAfee receive a puppy as a gift at their home at 50 Harbor Street and name him Asta -- appropriate because Roy is a private investigator and has helped several of the residents of Cedar Cove, including Bob and Peggy Belden. Bob and Peggy own the Thyme and Tide B & B at 40 Cranberry Point.
Zach and Rosie Cox, of 311 Pelican Court, add a puppy to their home -- the same home their children received when they divorced. Judge Olivia (Lockhart) Griffith’s ruling in the joint custody arrangement required the parents, not the children, to move between homes when it was their turn with the kids.
Even though she doesn’t get a puppy you will find Judge Olivia of 16 Lighthouse Road happy. You’ll get to catch up on her family and some of the other lives she has touched in Cedar Cove.
As each puppy finds a home Beth’s own story draws closer to a conclusion. Is her future with Kent, Ted, or will someone else share her home at 1225 Christmas Tree Lane? This gentle read is a perfect wrap to the Cedar Cove series and a very pleasant way to relax during this busy holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Patty Crane is the reference librarian for the Joplin Public Library.
Lifestyles
Patty Crane: Christmas story wraps up ‘Cedar Cove’ series
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