The small New England town of Dorsetville is filled with quirky, loveable characters much like those who populated Andy Griffith's Mayberry.

Dorsetville is all aflutter. The housekeeper at St. Cecilia's rectory, Mrs. Norris, has quit in a huff, and the rectory is beginning to look like a college dorm. Father Dennis could lend a hand, but since his cooking show, The Fat Friar, has gained popularity, he's become, well, moody.

Nellie Anderson and Harry Clifford are about to tie the knot--that is if someone can find the missing wedding invitations. Bungling Deputy Hill has been left in charge since the sheriff is sick, but will the town survive in the meantime?

Meanwhile, Father James is helping an ex-convict learn to resume his life. Valerie Kilbourne, a single mother, needs money for a very expensive operation for her twin daughters. And Lori Peterson, who has had her share of tragedies, will be asked to face another.

Katherine Valentine's keen insights into human nature and extraordinary sense of humor make for characters you'll want to know for years.

"In this third installment of the Dorsetville series, Valentine portrays a small town and its people in a manner highly reminiscent of, but not quite equal to, Jan Karon's Mitford series. Substitute New England for North Carolina, change the Episcopalians to Catholics, toss in a little Jewish seasoning and you'll be awash in dj vu. There are strong similarities to The Andy Griffith Show as well, from the drunk named Odis to Deputy Hill, who's a ringer for Barney Fife. Thankfully, Valentine puts a different spin on the challenges her characters must face. Single mom Valerie Kilbourne has young twin girls who need operations quickly or they will lose their sight. Lori Peterson is pregnant, but a tragic diagnosis sends her into despair — and prayer. Sam Rosenberg's old car gives up the ghost, and Harry Clifford and Nellie Anderson's wedding invitations have gone missing. Through it all, the tight-knit community of Dorsetville is always ready to step in and offer support and solace. The antics of Father Dennis and his televised cooking show, The Fat Friar, create some enjoyable moments, and the recipes mentioned throughout have franchising possibilities written all over them should the series prove a hit. Unlike the Mitford books, however, dialogue troubles slow the novel's pacing, and the characters are too lightly sketched. (June 15)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information, Inc.)

is one of the loveliest novels I've read in years.  Kate Valentine has created a world filled with laughter, tears, and enough goodness to warm the heart.  Her return to Dorsetville is a triumph of faith, humor, and hope.”

--New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky

This third endearing installment in the St. Cecelia Church series captures the everyday miracles of a small-town Catholic parish.

Following "A Miracle for St. Cecilia's" and "A Gathering of Angels," this third endearing installment in the St. Cecelia Church series captures the everyday miracles of a small-town Catholic parish. Through the fictional New England town of Dorsetville, Katherine Valentine has created a world where the dilemmas of modern life are met with timeless grace and wit--a cause for celebration among the author's growing fan base.Doubleday