Her Thankful Heart

Christmas at Maranatha Inn #1

by Valerie Comer

Move across the country? Check.
Help a friend open a new inn? Check.
Make room in her life for gratitude and new love? Not. A. Chance.

Accomplished chef Pamela Whorley has arrived in Jewel Lake, Montana, and here she’ll stay for the next three months, hanging out with her college bestie and other friends of that era, then move on again. Alone, no matter how the sole guest at the inn tempts her heart to reawaken.

Granger Durand has plenty of regrets, starting with putting his military career ahead of his infant daughter. Fighting militants was easier than fighting his ex, but now his grown-up daughter seems ready to accept a relationship with him… on her terms. Which is why he’s staying at the Maranatha Inn, an arrangement that seems perfect until the new chef, a beautiful widow, refuses to be friends.

Granger’s two grandkids force a reluctant Pam to face memories of her own lost family, and his humble gratitude for new opportunities might encourage her to reacquaint herself with her fractured faith. But being thankful for everything that’s happened and opening up about it to her friends — not to mention Granger — might be asking too much.About Christmas at Maranatha Inn Christian RomanceWelcome to Maranatha Inn, where six old college friends reconnect to highlight Advent traditions in Jewel Lake, Montana. They might all be single (again) after all these years, but romance isn’t on their Christmas lists, which are full of hosting holiday parties, bonfires, Christmas trees, sleigh rides, and more! Still, romance may just find them, anyway.

This series by a 2x USA Today bestselling author explores the themes of gratitude, hope, love, joy, peace, and the Gift of Christmas in a collection featuring seasoned characters in their fifties.

Buy or borrow your copy of Her Thankful Heart today!

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Romance, Grief

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Valerie Comer is constantly amazed that living, talking, dreaming characters appear in her mind and flow from her fingertips and, from there, to her delighted readers. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, sharing rural life in western Canada with her husband, adult children, and adorable grandkids.

Valerie is a two-time USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She is known for writing engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.

CONTACTING VALERIE
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valerie@valeriecomer.com

Reviews

[Tina at Mommynificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the premise of this new series from one of my favorite authors, Valerie Comer. There aren't a lot of romances with main characters in their 50s, and I love how Mrs. Comer creates communities filled with flawed-but-growing characters, so I'm really excited to see where this goes! I realized as I read this that apparently, I have a lot more grace for younger main characters than I do for ones closer to my age and older than me who it seems I feel should "know better." I found myself getting so irritated with Pam in this book when she really was acting quite understandably for the things she'd been through, and several of her friends were driving me up the wall with their various issues. I think this series is going to be good for helping me learn to have a little more grace for myself and others who are closer to my peer group. And even though I felt irritated sometimes, this really was a fun story! I'm looking forward to the next one and seeing how these ladies grow together. This series seems like it will be a great reminder that it's never too late to grow deeper in our relationship with God and to change unhealthy patterns we've allowed ourselves to slip into.

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the author as part of her launch team.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in Comer’s new Christmas at Maranatha Inn series. If you have read her earlier books set in Jewel Lake, you will be familiar with the location of this new series, and will enjoy cameos of characters from those earlier series.

I like the fact that the two main characters are mature (in their 50s) and both were married before. They both have with challenges in their lives due to their own and others’ mistakes and rejections, as well as circumstances that God allowed in their lives. As attraction develops into love, each must deal with trusting God, refusing to listen to Satan’s lies, and learning to love in new ways. Secondary characters also do a lot of learning and growing.

I was glad I had time to read the whole book in one day! I liked most of the characters, and like the way Comer develops the various relationships and gets Biblical truths across in easy to understand ways. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book with older main characters, later-in-life romance, a community of characters, real life struggles that aren’t magically solved and tied up with a bow, and faith lived out on the page in a natural not contrived way, then Valerie Comer’s Her Thankful Heart is the book for you! Book 1 of Comer’s Christmas at Maranatha Inn series sets the bar high for the books to follow. (And I have no doubt Valerie will hit the bar and exceed it!)

Renown chef, Pamela Whorley, has come to Jewel Lake, Montana for 3 months to help a friend get her new Christmas themed Inn off to a great start. Granger Durand has come to Jewel Lake to correct past regrets with his daughter. When there paths cross for the first time, it is anything but “meet cute”… more like “meet irritation.”

Neither came looking for a second chance at love, but God has bigger and better plans in store for these two.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adult contemporary Christian romance. Pam just moved from her home in South Carolina to be the chef at her friend Julie's inn. Granger has been staying at the inn while getting to know his estranged daughter and grandkids. After an unfortunate first meeting, Pam and Granger are surprised to find themselves interested in each other. Pam has no remaining family after her husband and two kids died in a car accident. Granger is trying to create a family late in life. Both of them are getting used to living in a new state with a new community.

Often romances focus on the 20s and 30s, so it is interesting to read this series with older protagonists. They are simultaneously set in their ways but also reflective on past mistakes. I enjoyed watching these two find love with each other and also a renewed purpose in their lives-- Pam as the chef and Granger as a grandfather, and also community involvement through the church for both of them. I look forward to the rest of this series.

[Gail Midgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to fall in love! Granger and Pam’s relationship is UNFORGETTABLE and includes a plethora of real life issues that cause you to become emotionally invested. Valerie's talent brings her characters to life and you feel like you know them. Earlier traumas affect their relationships with others until they let the Lord take over and trust in Him. I love the way Valerie includes passages from the Bible throughout this amazing story. They had to overcome many challenges to reach their HEA and loved the watching how the connections with their friends and family evolved. I can’t wait for the third book in this series.
5 STAR ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WINNER 🥇

[Phyllis (Avid Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing change to read a great story with main characters over 50! The author captured that time of life beautifully, warts and all.

This is my first book by the author and I eagerly look forward to the second in this series. I loved the setting - the Maranatha Inn, as well as the church community. I hope there will be several books in the series.

Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that even when God doesn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted, He’s still come through for me. He still loves me. He still has my best at heart.”

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this later in life story! Were the struggles real? Yes. Was there pain from the past yet to be resolved? Yes. But through it all, the consistency of God’s grace was proven over and over again, once again establishing that no matter our station in life, He still has a plan and a purpose for each of us. Well done!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

What a surprise to read a romance with main characters over the age of 50! And the long-time girl friend group added to the fun. These characters felt like people I would know around town…very realistic. Great story! Each book in the rest of the series will jump to the top of my reading list upon release! Can’t wait!

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A building of a relationship…

This book has older than the average characters in age, but anyone will relate to their struggles with body image, relationship with grandchildren and healing from loss. Beautifully written, this book captures the healing and transformation of a cold heart to a loving one.

[Kathy Breaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

This was a great book, loved every minute of it. Such a loss for these women who have had a tough time with their exes. Pam was still working thru her loss of her family for many years. And this handsome guy could help but love her. I don’t think I put the book down. Valerie Comer writer faster please?

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

thankful in the circumstances

I'm going to love this series! It can be easy for us to feel guilty about things that happen to other people, and spend so much time dwrling on it. I'm glad the Lord heals and forgives us. Well done!!!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

Pam learns about forgiveness and herself image as old Bible college friends reconnect at Maranatha Inns opening. Meeting a veteran trying to connect with his child and grandchildren wasn’t in her plans.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story

A story of middle-age adults getting a second chance in a new place, a family to meet for the guy, new friends & hope.

A chef and a retired military guy with some lingering troubles from combat find new faith & new chances to be better.

[Rachel Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Home Run!

Valerie has done it again. While this is certainly a romance, the underlying themes of how to deal with tragic loss and crippling circumstances is powerful.

[TexasMomma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie Comer has set the bar high for later-in-life romances with this phenomenal series starter. Granger & Pam have both experienced painful losses in their lives, and they both believe that God does not have another romantic relationship in store for them. I loved how their first meeting was anything but the perfect "meet cute" and how they were able to move past those first impressions of each other. The restoration of Granger's relationship with his daughter was a beautiful addition to the story. I am looking forward to seeing how they grow closer as the series continues. I also enjoyed the cameos of the Cavanagh sisters & Sheryl from the prequel novella. Side note: if you haven't read the prequel novella, Her Waiting Heart, head over to Ms. Comer's website to download it for free. It tells the story of Monte's sister, Sheryl, and the the restoration of her marriage.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As five college friends come together to run Maranatha Inn, each one has a past that has broken them in some way. This book is about Pam and how her past has shaped her present. It is also an older couple romance and how Pam has to bring her past into the open in order to move on into the good things God has prepared for her. Thought provoking and well worth reading!