The irony of fictional writing is that it works best when it comes from a real place. According to author Richard Paul Evans, the background story of his novel "Finding Noel," is drawn from the real-life story of Celeste Edmunds, a woman with whom he used to work.

As with his previous books, this is a personal work for Evans; he uses family names, origins, religion, illness and little slice-of-life things like recipes, traditions and tips to give a homey feel to his characters and story.

"Finding Noel" is also the first book of fiction that features a character diagnosed with eye cancer. Through the character Joette, Evans exposes millions of readers to this rare disease - only 2,000 adults are diagnosed each year - in a way that mainstream media and the inaccessible medical literature have not. For that alone, Evans and his fictional work are the real deal.

WOW! What a great book. I love a book or movie that can bring out my emotions. Only recently have I started reading. Growing up I never did like reading and never got into it unless I had to. Even though I can read well. I had a hard time comprehending the stories by reading. That's why I became a TV addict. I'm more of a visual person. Now, that I'm 50 (and mostly crap on TV) I've started checking out books from the library. I was doing a search for Christmas stories when I came across "Finding Noel" along with others. It was also that time of year that I needed to fumigate my house with those little fogger cans. I have dogs! I needed to kill 4 hours so, of the few books that I checked out I rummaged through them and picked "Finding Noel". Got in my vehicle took a drive up to my favorite quiet place and started reading. This book had my attention from the beginning to the end. Before I new it, almost 5 hours had gone by ( I think the fleas are dead). Actually, I read the book at the same time I was listening to the audio book version ( performed by Richard Paul Evans). I guess I need my ears stimulated also. It also helps me in comprehending the story. Rarely, have I been so captured by a book that I stay with it from start to end without stopping. I guess that's why I turned to TV in the past. Now, I"m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to the library. I have a list of over 100 books I want to read. Some of those books are by this same author, Richard Paul Evans. Can't wait to start on one of his other books. A lot of these books have the audio version too. :-)

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Had never heard of the author until I saw him on the Glenn Beck TV program. I liked the testimony he had, so I decided to read this book, along with "The Gift" and "The Christmas Box". They were all well written and enjoyable to read.

I came across this book after doing a search on choriadal melanoma. My dad was diagnosed 5 days before Christmas. I am happy to say he was treated with Radioactive Plaque Therapy in NYC just this past week and the doctor tells us the tumor is dead - gone!! I believe I will have to wait a while until my emotions settle a bit to read it though!

Reading Finding Noel is truly a gift. The stories give one a sense of pleasure as well as serenity. This is the tenth book of Richard Paul Evan's literature that I have read. I look forward to reading The Gift next. My husband used to give me Evan's new book each year for Christmas. After his death, I sort of forgot about getting one as a gift. Recently, I went and purchased Finding Noel and The Gift to add to my collection. The covers are exquisite and the paper with the ragged edge makes it a reminder of past days. These books would make a wonderful gift for a birthday, Hannukkah or for Christmas or even for no reason at all. I highly recommend them.

I read this book before I decided to buy it, but I fell in love with the story so much I had to send a copy to my mother-in-law for Christmas. It was delivered in plenty of time for the holidays and she loved it!

My teenage daughter needed this book for an extra-credit English project. After reading it, all she could do was sigh. She said it was an excellent book!

Richard Paul Evans has done it again! Finding Noel is so real it is raw with emotion. The story is believable yet fascinating. His writing takes you, heart in hand, through the pages. You won't want to put it down until the final page is read.
Sunny Serafino, author of A Grandma for Christmas

This is an incredibley moving story. I listened to the book on CD and loved it. It was so descriptive I felt as though I was watching a movie. Several times I felt very close to tears. There is a happy ending though, and I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone at any time of year, not just Christmas!

This man could pull in even the most hardhearted person if they would slow down enough to read this precious book.. I buy every time I see his name; can't go wrong!

I really enjoy the stories of Richard Paul Evans. This is no exception. A wonderful story of love and redemption and situations in life that are beyond our control and how to respond to them. It was uplifting, inspiring, and yet realistic, as well. I loved it!

This was the first book written by Richard Paul Evans that I have read. Just loved the story and Richard's style of writing. This was a page turner for sure. I bought a few copies of this book to give to some family members last Christmas (2006). Everyone loved reading it and had to have a box of tissues next to them.

This is a story about what the adoption/foster care system can do and does to children. BUT it is also a story about the resilience of children and how they cope as they grow up.

Mark Smart is at the lowest point in his life when car failure and a snowy night bring him into a diner and Macy Woods into his life. Macy changes Mark's depression into a willingness to go on and the two begin a relationship.

Mark discovers that Macy is known as Mary at the diner where she works. He wonders why and discovers that her life was not all roses as a child. A Christmas ornament with Noel is all Macy has left of her birth family. She was adopted by parents that didn't really want her, she was separated from her sister who was sent to another set of adoptive parents and when she tries to find her now that she is an adult, discovers that the adoption is sealed. Macy is now living with a woman who is loving and kind but has a secret of her own.

Mark's own life has had its own turmoil. He was in college in Utah but had to drop out for lack of money. He started to work to put money aside so he could return but during this time his mother died and his family in Alabama wasn't able to find him until 2 days after the funeral. Mark and his father didn't get along very well and he doesn't want to have any contact with him.

Mark and Macy each help the other to come to terms with their pasts so they can move forward with the present. It is a story that you will want to read from beginning to end without stopping.

The irony of fictional writing is that it works best when it comes from a real place. According to author Richard Evans, the background story of his novel "Finding Noel," is drawn from the real-life story of Celeste Edmunds, a woman with whom he used to work.

As with his previous books, this is a personal work for Evans; he uses family names, origins, religion, illness and little slice-of-life things like recipes, traditions and tips to give a homey feel to his characters and story.

His writing, though, has a stilted, rookie feel to it which is surprising given that this is his 10th or so published work and was edited and published by Simon and Schuster. Evans uses lots of adverb modifiers in his dialogue when a simple "said" would work. That redundancy (Ex: ` "That's real genius," I said sarcastically.' The character's tone already communicates the sarcasm), slows down the pace and dumbs down the scene.

That awkwardness, plus the common voice between the characters, gives this story a generic feel.

What Evans does extremely well is to tell an unusual story about finding love in unexpected places. "Finding Noel" is also the first book of fiction that features a character living with and dying from eye cancer. Through his character Joette, Evans exposes millions of readers to this rare disease - only 2,000 adults are diagnosed each year - in a way that mainstream media and inaccessible medical literature have not. For that alone, Richard Evans and his fictional work are the real deal.

All of Richard Paul Evans books are good. I have all of his books.

Finding Noel: A NovelMy wife believes Richard Paul Evans "walks on water" and gives this book 10 stars. Her daughter also rates it a "10". Any book by Mr. Evans is an easy, quick read and thoughly enjoyable. Kick back, relax and enjoy a good read. Buy several copies---the book makes a great gift and you will be loved for giving such a great gift.

Well written, a story more people should know about.
It does make you sad though.
Gives insight into adoption and the agency's that handle them.

I have all of Richard Paul Evans books. I judge them by how long it takes for me to reach for the hankie to dry my eyes. I have never been disappointed in the compassion, human fragility and strength of his characters. I would recommend his books for the young and old and have given them as gifts without reservation.

This book is heartwarming and rivals the Christmas Box book. A fast wonderful book

It reads very well. A nice story line - a happy ending, and a quick read. I passed mine on.

Richard Paul Evans always has a good story to tell and once again, I was not disappointed. In ways, the romantic involvement between his two main characters Mark Smart and Macy Wood is quite similar to the lovers in Nicholas Sparks' latest novel "Dear John": A boy and girl from different walks of life meet, fall in love and experience ups and downs ... Mark, a downtrodden college student meets Macy, a waitress in a local coffee shop after his car breaks down one night before a suicide attempt. Mark's life has reached his lowest ebb after his mother is suddenly killed in a car accident, his back-home girlfriend leaves him to marry another and he loses his scholarship at the university he attends due to budget cuts. Macy was seven when she was given up for adoption after her mother dies and her alcoholic father decides he can't take care of her. At that time, she is separated from her sister Noel and placed with a disfunctional family who treats her badly. The rest of the story tells of her romantic involvement with Mark and their combined efforts to find Noel after so many years have passed. A touching segment also reflects Macy's older friend Joette who becomes the mother Macy never had. Evan's novel is dedicated to his own beloved mother who passed away on Valentine's Day in 2006. I'm certain she's smiling from above about her son's latest effort. A very touching story with a heartwarming ending.

this book i recomend for everyone it will help you stay in the christmas mood all year long!!!

I like Debbie's style and characters. She makes me feel like I know everyone involved.

I gave this audio book to my 90 year old mother-in-law for Christmas. She is legally blind and loved getting the book. She really liked the story even though there were some sad parts. She was glad that it had a happy ending. I would recommend the book for aging parents.

Another Great Book from one of today's finest authors. I love Richard Paul Evans and he doesn't dissapoint anyone with "Finding Noel". The only "problem" I have with Mr. Evan's is that I read most of his books in 2 to 3 days and then I have to wait a whole year to read another one!
READ THIS BOOK!

Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors. I liked this book very much. It should be a must on everybody's reading list.

This is not one of Evan's best efforts, but it is still a good read. I read this book to my wife who is seriously ill, and she enjoyed it more than some his others. If you enjoyed Evan's other books, you will enjoy this one as well.

Richard Paul Evans is a wonderful storyteller and this latest book does not disappoint anyone who is already a fan! My book club read "The Christmas Box" trilogy (including "The Timepiece" and "The Letter") last year during December and loved all three books, so this year we read "Finding Noel" for our December book. All ten of us loved the book, although I was one of the few who liked last year's books better. Almost all of us cried several times during this story, which I guess is common for Evans' books! Although there are sad moments during the story, overall it is an uplifting book to read. The characters are very rich and well developed and I found myself thinking about them long after finishing the book. It's a quick and easy read, and ten women from a southern California book club highly recommend it!

I read this book over the holidays and really enjoyed it. It was a page turner and had a really good, meaningful message. I would definitly recommend!

This was purchased as a gift for my daughter. She is an avid Richard Paul Evans fan, as I am becoming also. I did not have time to shop for Christmas. All I ever have to do is jump on Amazon & they always have the item I want, it arrives in a very short period of time & in perfect condition. No need to ever worry when you place an order with Amazon.

I am a huge fan of Richard Paul Evans writing, and his latest book was as good as any of the others I have read. I really enjoyed it.

Finding Noel is a great read. The story moves along quickly, as the chapters are short. It's a real page turner. You don't find out much about Noel until half way through or so. The options for what could happen are many.

I absolutely cannot wait for this man to write his books. He could not write them fast enough for me. I received Finding Noel for my birthday shortly after the book release date and I had it read in a matter of a couple of days (would have been faster if not for life happening as well!). Richard Paul Evans never lets me down. Now, if we could just figure out how to have a book a month released from him! It is food for the soul! Even my 10 year-old read it and was consumed.

This is an excellent novel. It will keep you in suspense. It is written with kindness. I recommend this book for anyone who has enjoyed any of Evans' novels as well as anyone who enjoys N. Sparks novels.

Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors and his works never disappoint me. Finding Noel is another excellent easy-reading, heartwarming book. I loved it.

Richard Paul Evans has done it again, and thankfully for him, this time he will sail to success on top of success, instead of the heart-wrenching struggles he had to survive to get recognized for The Christmas Box. He has successfully brought to life another poignant, heartwarming tale that will bring tears of joy to your eyes. Congratulations, and thank you!

Everyone will enjoy this wonderful story full of love and hope. I have read all of Evan's books. His themes of love, hope, and inspiration are so needed in our times today. His characters are realistic and the plots are also realistic. There is usually a twist in the end which I really enjoy. I highly recommend this book to all. Happy New Year!

This book was delightful. I had a hard time putting it down. This book does not just need to be a Christmas book, it can be read at any time. It gives new perspective to many things, (I don't want to give the plot away). I highly recomend this book to any one, Not just those that are already fans of Richard Paul Evans. This book will make you a fan.

Mark Smart meets Macy Wood on a snowy night in Utah which he had decided would be his last. After losing his college scholarship, Mark has been reduced to working as a janitor in the local school in order to keep a roof over his head. When his beloved mother dies unexpectedly and he misses the funeral, he sinks into an even deeper depression. And on the night Mark meets Macy, his car breaks down and he finds himself at The Hut, a local cafe, to make a phone call. By the end of the evening Mark realizes the angel the he has found in Macy, as she has literally saved his life.
Macy herself also has a story. After losing her mother at a very young age, she and her sister are put up for adoption by their drug-addicted father. The sisters are separated, and Macy finds herself in the loveless, abusive home of the Hummels. She is homeless eventually, and then is taken in by an older coworker at the time...the beloved Joette. Although the two have a loving mother/daughter relationship, something is missing in Macy's life...she longs to find her little sister, Noel.

A wonderful story about two people at a crossroads in their lives, who meet each other at just the right time. A perfect tale for the holiday season.


DYB

I won't go on about the synopsis of the book since it's been listed many times. But I will say this - some people have a real knack for looking straight into someone's soul. Richard Paul Evans does this with his character, Macy. (And I loved that she is mirrored after a real-life friend of his - what a gem she must be.) There are stories that entertain, but this is one that changed me. (Like a previous reviewer, I had to set the book down and have a good cry when it was over.) I didn't cry for the story itself, but the things that the story reminded me of. Not just death, but many things - what it's like to love unconditionally and not necessarily be loved that way in return (and visa versa), what it's like to have small eyes watching you and how your actions can affect them, what it's like to be loyal, what it's like to care, and what it's like to hurt. It's a beautiful story Richard Paul Evans wrote just for the mother he lost this past year. She would be proud.

FINDING NOEL by Richard Paul Evans
December 23, 2006

Amazon Rating: 3.5/5 stars


Fans of Richard Paul Evans will enjoy this holiday story just in time for Christmas. FINDING NOEL was written in honor of Richard Paul Evans' mother, who had passed away in February and was his biggest fan. The story centers on a young man, Mark Smart, who had just recently quit college and was down on his luck. He had found out by accident that his mother had passed away. No one notified him of her death because he had left no forwarding address after leaving college, and it was during a call to his family back home that told him of the bad news.

Mark is the picture of a young man who seems to be failing in everything in life. He's an academic failure, he has a very low paying job, and he is alone in the world. It is by a fluke of an accident that Mark meets a woman that will change his life forever, Macy, and it becomes a turning point in his life.

Macy is also a loner, with a past that she doesn't divulge to too many people. But she slowly opens up to Mark. Both of them have something in their past they don't want to deal with or talk about, but unless they can get past these issues, it doesn't seem like they have a future together.

The subplot of Macy's search for her lost biological sister makes for a fast paced story line, and this adds to the story of Macy and Mark's love story, revealing part of Macy's hidden past that she herself had forgotten details to. For me, it was this part of the story that kept me reading to the end, because I found her search fascinating.

As in all of Richard Paul Evans' books, FINDING NOEL is a very sentimentally told story with a lot of old fashioned romance. His books are for those who are looking for a story that will motivate a person, stories that show that there is always hope. FINDING NOEL isn't what I'd call a literary accomplishment, but Richard Paul Evans is a good story teller, and he does succeed in telling a story that will inspire at a time when Christmas cheer is what most of us want to hear. For those who don't enjoy sappy saccharine love stories, this isn't for you, but for those who do like short, simple, happy-ending stories, this is a must read.

I'm a junkie of nonfiction and read very few fiction books. I picked this one up after reading a friend's gift of Evans' first novel, The Christmas Box, and was gripped from opening to ending. It was an excellent read and moved me close to tears a couple of times. Evans is a true talent.

Of all the places on that fateful night he walked into the one place that would cast his fate forever. Mark Smart has had a rough time lately, losing the one person in his life that mattered, his mother. Not being able to say goodbye or even attend her funeral has him contemplating a reunion that is way before his time. While he is teetering on the edge, his car breaks down and he walks into a coffee shop to call for help, what he doesn't yet realize is that help is right in front of him.

Macy is a woman haunted by the many years she has faced in the foster system, after her mother died and her sister Noel was taken from her. Working as a waitress in a local coffee shop she has come a far way from the streets she was forced to live on. She has been blessed with the woman who has taken her in, and made her feel loved. Now that she is an adult she wonders about her little sister and sets out to find about her original family. On this journey she meets the people who will help her heal and in doing so she may be saving more than herself.

This overwhelming tale of lost souls finding the pieces of themselves that have been overlooked is an emotional journey that will undoubtedly stay with you for some time to come. Finding Noel is not only about a woman reconnecting with her past but also her future. The characters in this story will touch a reader heart and cease to let it go, especially in the case of Macy. Macy's ability to listen and love through all of her hardships makes her a woman not easily forgotten.

Richard Paul Evans creates a story in which a reader can get lost in the folds, easily swept into the background of the story. The intimate moments shared between characters make a reader feel as if they are an innocent bystander watching the magical transformation take place. It is in this story a person can walk away reexamining their own relationships and their importance in their lives. Finding Noel is a powerful story that in the end will at the least have you thinking, and is perfect for a comforting holiday tale. This reviewer cannot guarantee that a tear will not be shed in reading this novel, but I dare say that it has the ability to touch a piece of the soul.

Reviewed by Joyce



Copyright © 2006-2007 CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved.

I lost my father this past summer and I have been struggling with my grief and buried feelings. This book is a beautiful Christmas story with different characters struggling with the loss of someone they loved. This book brought me to tears but it helped me to know that we all struggle with grief at some point and that peace and love can still come into our lives even after a very painful loss. I had the privilege to meet Richard Paul Evans through my father, J. Milton Rich, a few years ago. He spoke at a church fireside that my father set up in St Louis, MO and Mr. Evans was a captivating speaker! He was funny and touching. It's one of those evenings you don't want to have end! The Christmas Box was also a very touching book to me after having lost a child myself. Richard Paul Evans is a great author and a kind man.

In these days where Christmas is under attack and our American traditions and Christianity are considered not "politically correct", it was a real blessing to read this wonderful book. It is well written, but easy to read - and moving, heartwarming and uplifting. I would recommend it to all who know remember what Christmas is all about. And don't be intimidated into not saying - "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Fight to keep Christmas, please.

Though the ending is a bit predictable, Richard Paul Evans delivers a great book for the holidays! I loved it! :)

Since this book is not the type I would normally seek out to read, I approached it warily but hopefully. Chosen as the book our Sunday School class would read during Advent, I wasn't sure if this book would be too sappy for my enjoyment. I can truthfully say that I was pleasantly surprised on many levels by this little gem of a novel.

Set in Salt Lake City in the late 1980s, this is the story of Mark, who has hit bottom in his life, and Macy, the girl who "rescues" him, though she herself is in need of rescue. Both characters must come to terms with their pasts and their fathers and both are searching for something to fill the lost places in their lives. Evans tells the story with humor and great supporting characters that bring Mark and Macy to understand more of themselves and how the past has shaped them, and how they can shape the future. The best part of the story is the small "sayings" from Mark's diary at the beginning of each chapter; they are thought-provoking and wise without being heavy-handed. While the story is a bit predictable, it is a fast, engaging read and should satisfy everyone's longing for a holiday tale.

A terrific tale for this holiday season. Richard writes with heart and soul. His characters are real,,stories believable. Richard, your mother would have loved this book.
Happy Holidays .

"Usually, life's greatest gifts come wrapped in adversity." -from the book.

As I began reading this book last night, I had planned to read a few pages and pick it up again later, the next day. Boy was I wrong! A little while later, I looked down at the page number and realized I was on page 76, by then I was too far gone to stop reading! This is a great story. It will tug at your heart. I am so impressed with how the author pulled off so much story in such a short book. (I say short as in it's probably a 5X7 in size, even though there are 300 pages. It really only takes a few hours to read.) Each chapter begins with a short entry or quote from Mark's Diary. The story goes along with what is going on, and then you'll hit a chapter that will take you back in one of the character's past. It's all woven together beautifully.

I hope you'll read this book and after you do, I'm sure the story will stay with you.

This book touched so many aspects of human nature! I sat and read, teary eyed for a couple of hours, finishing this book today. Great story.....about people. When a character such as Macy, whose childhood was terrible, overcame what could have tormented her for life, she maintained a kind heart that makes you wonder. Macy deserves Mark. His love is the recompense for what she survived.