An Irish Country Christmas — Patrick Taylor

BARRY LAVERTY, M.B., is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo, at least until he learns that his sweetheart, Patricia, might not be coming home for the holiday. But the young doctor has little time to dwell on romantic disappointments.

Along with his senior partner, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Barry has his hands full dealing with seasonal coughs and colds, as well as the occasional medical emergency. Plus, competition arrives in the form of a patient-poaching new physician whose quackery threatens the well-being of the good people of Ballybucklebo.

But between their hectic medical practice, Rugby Club parties, and the kiddies' Christmas pageant, the two doctors still find time to play Santa Claus to a struggling single mother with a sick child and not enough money in the bank. Snow is rare in Ulster, and so are miracles, but that doesn't mean they never happen..