1225 Christmas Tree Lane - Debbie Macomber [0]
October 2011
Dear Friends,
Well, this is it. The last installment of the Cedar Cove series. It’s been quite a run, hasn’t it? You, my readers, were the ones who inspired the idea in the first place, and I’m most appreciative of that. You taught me how important it is to listen to what you have to say. It’s a lesson I won’t forget.
Not once did I dream this series would be the success it has become. The Cedar Cove books are responsible for making me #1 on the New York Times list for the first time and several times since. You said you loved the stories and the characters, and you told your friends and neighbors, too.
It’s fitting that the Cedar Cove series should end with a Christmas story. The holidays have always been my favorite time of the year. Just like my family and yours, the families of Cedar Cove will be gathering, remembering Christmases past and looking toward the future. You’ll get one last glimpse of all your friends here in town….
It’s never easy to say goodbye. I know Grace and Olivia will always be close; eventually they’ll both retire and enjoy traveling with their husbands. Maybe the four of them will even take a road trip together! Charlotte and Ben will live out the rest of their lives in the assisted living complex. Peggy and Bob’s B and B, Thyme & Tide, will thrive, and Roy and Corrie McAfee will settle comfortably into life as doting grandparents (with Roy still taking on a few cases—but only those that interest him). The Flemmings and the Coxes and everyone else will do well…. And in the meantime, please join them all for Christmas in Cedar Cove.
And speaking of Christmas, watch for Debbie Macomber’s Christmas Cookbook, available this month. It’s full of wonderful recipes, decorating hints and more, all inspired by Christmases at my home and in my stories. If you liked the Cedar Cove cookbook, you’ll love this one, too.
Again, thank you for the support you’ve given these books. I hope the stories will continue to live in your mind as they will in mine.
P.S. You can reach me at www.DebbieMacomber.com or at P.O. Box 145, Port Orchard, WA 98366.
DEBBIE MACOMBER
1225 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
To
Paula Eykelhof
my wonderful editor
for more than 25 years
Some of the Residents of Cedar Cove, Washington
Olivia Lockhart Griffin: Family Court judge in Cedar Cove. Mother of Justine and James. Married to Jack Griffin, editor of the Cedar Cove Chronicle. They live at 16 Lighthouse Road. Eric and Shelly are Jack’s son and daughter-in-law, who live out of state.
Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes: Mother of Olivia and of Will Jefferson. Now married to widower Ben Rhodes. Ben and Charlotte have recently moved to an assisted-living facility in Cedar Cove.
Justine (Lockhart) Gunderson: Daughter of Olivia. Mother of Leif and Livvy. Married to Seth Gunderson. The Gundersons owned The Lighthouse restaurant, which was destroyed by fire. Justine then opened The Victorian Tea Room. The Gundersons live at 6 Rainier Drive.
James Lockhart: Olivia’s son and Justine’s younger brother. Lives in San Diego with his family.
Will Jefferson: Olivia’s brother, Charlotte’s son. Formerly of Atlanta. Divorced, retired and back in Cedar Cove, where he has taken over the local gallery and has just moved into his mother’s former home on Eagle Crest Avenue.
Grace Sherman Harding: Olivia’s best friend. Librarian. Widow of Dan Sherman. Mother of Maryellen Bowman and Kelly Jordan. Married to Cliff Harding, a retired engineer who is now a horse breeder living in Olalla, near Cedar Cove. Grace’s previous address is 204 Rosewood Lane (now a rental property).
Cecilia Randall. Married to Ian, who is in the navy. The family was most recently stationed in San Diego but is returning to Cedar Cove. Two children, Aaron and Mia.
Zachary Cox: Accountant, married to Rosie. Father of Allison and Eddie Cox. The family lives at 311 Pelican Court. Allison is attending university in Seattle, while her boyfriend, Anson Butler, has joined the military.
Rachel Peyton (formerly Pendergast): Previously worked at