Joan Medlicott A Covington Christmas

A Covington Christmas

Joan Medlicott

Pocket, Nov 2005, $15.95, 256 pp.

ISBN: 0743499212

In Covington, North Carolina, the new pastor of the Cove Road Church, Denny Ledbetter, is cleaning out the attic when he is stunned to find the letter dated 1963 that states that a former minister never received his seminary degree, and thus wasn't allowed to marry people. Richard W. Simms was not authorized to perform baptisms, marriages or other rites; he was not considered a pastor. Five couples were married by Simms (Craines, Herrills, and three named McCorkle), but none were filed with the courts, and thus not husband and wife in the eyes of the church or the state.

The Craines and Herrills still live in town, and want to renew their vows at the church at Christmas Eve. Denny wants this to occur because he feels a strong need to correct a wrong, but also knows the Cove Road Church is in disrepair and not safe in the winter. The Covington ladies led by Grace Singleton, Hannah Parrish, and Amelia, Declose plans to make the miracle happen.

This is a fun lighthearted regional family cozy, as the three elderly but feisty females take charge to make the Christmas miracle occur, while also trying to hide the truth from ailing octogenarian Pastor Johnson. As always the storyline entertains the audience, due to the fine look at small-town life in the Tarheel state. Fans of Covington will say I do to this enjoyable Yuletide tale.

Harriet Klausner