The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus

by: Carly Alexander

Published by: Strapless, division of Kensington Books

Reviewed by Elysabeth Eldering

Do you believe in the magic of Christmas? Carly Alexander brings together three different women, each wishing for different things in their lives.

In the first story, ex-Rockette Olivia, recuperating from an ankle injury, comes home to Baltimore. Her ex-boyfriend shows up in the same town, making a TV show about her, sort of. She auditions for Christmas hire at Rossman's, the new department store. Someone in personnel feels she would make a great Mrs. Claus. Santa asks all the Christmas help to place their wishes in the stockings. Olivia's wish: a do-over. And, boy does she get it.

In the second story, Cassie, a single mother, window decorator for San Francisco's Rossman's (which is on the verge of failing), has her own wish. A Chicago head honcho for the department store comes to the store and tells the employees to help save costs, each employee has to pull double duty. Cassie is hesitant but the personnel manager says she has the perfect job for her. Cassie tries the Mrs. Claus suit on and it fits perfectly. In the pocket of the jacket is a note left by Mrs. C. The note reads "This suit brings luck. Go with it. Mrs. C." Cassie's wish is simple, a father who is involved with her son's life. Will the suit bring luck? Does Cassie get her wish? Magic will lead her down the path of trying to get her son's father involved in his life.

In the third story, Meredith, the Rossman's heiress, is challenged by her uncle for a spot on the board. Simple. Just increase toy sales 50% from the previous year and the spot on the board is hers. Not so simple for Meredith, who is not very big on Christmas-time business because she lost her parents on Christmas day two years prior--and so has lost her Christmas spirit and belief in magic. She inherits the job of wearing the Mrs. Claus suit and be a part of Santaland during the Christmas season, where she works on upping sales. Meredith finds romance and something else she lost over the years: Christmas magic.

Armchair Interviews says: The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus gives one a lot to think about relative to what Christmas means to each of us.