The Maverick's Christmas to Remember - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2653 - Nov 2018)

Series: Montana Mavericks: The Lonelyhearts Ranch (Book 5)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 119)

All She Wants for Christmas is a Cowboy!

Rust Creek Ramblings

A few weeks ago, local wedding planner Caroline Ruth took a tumble off a ladder, and when she came to, she believed Thunder Canyon cowboy Craig Clifton was her boyfriend. Trouble was, they’d never met before. What was an upstanding rancher to do? Now, until Caroline’s memory returns, Craig is acting as reluctant faux fiancé. But with Christmas around the corner, dear readers, we’re hoping for a real-life happy ending for this unexpected couple!

Good book. Caroline is a perky, positive-attitude wedding planner. She has a knack for working with difficult clients. She has been living in Rust Creek Falls for a couple of years and loves the small town life. The only thing that has been a downer has been the lack of romance. After encountering the local psychic, who told her she'd be engaged by her twenty-fourth birthday, she has been hopeful of finding her true love. She was thinking about this prophecy when her next clients arrived, bringing some friends with them. Precariously perched on a chair as she tried to reach something, the last face she saw as she fell was that of Craig Clifton.

Craig was visiting from Thunder Canyon and hanging out with his friends. He was there when Caroline fell and caught her before she hit the floor. Unfortunately, she banged her head on the shelf on the way down. When she came to, she thought Craig was her fiancé. When the doctor at the hospital suggested going along with it until Caroline's memory returned, Craig reluctantly agreed.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Caroline and Craig. There was no doubt about the connection between them from the very start. That connection freaked Craig out a bit, especially when Caroline seemed to know things about him that there was no way she should know. I liked his protectiveness toward this woman he didn't know, and his willingness to go along. He is a good man, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way he took care of her. He didn't expect to develop feelings for her, especially since he has resisted falling in love since the tragic death of his first love.

I loved how Caroline was absolutely convinced of her engagement to Craig. She was a little disturbed that she could remember so much of her life but drew a blank regarding the details of their relationship. She simply chalked it up to her injury and rolled on with her life as she believed it to be. She was shocked when her memory came back and she realized she didn't know the man she was kissing. She also knew she was already falling for Craig and was afraid that if she told him she would lose her chance to make him fall in love with her.

Though I wasn't thrilled with her deception, I was glad to see that she felt some guilt over it. Craig also felt some guilt over not telling Caroline the truth, but he told himself he was following the doctor's orders. There were some really sweet scenes of the two of them together. I especially enjoyed the trip to Thunder Canyon for Thanksgiving and seeing Caroline with Craig's family. The parts with his grandparents were fantastic, and I loved seeing how well Caroline fit in with his family. It was great to see how much Craig grew to like being with her, and that he started to think about a future with her. There's a pretty big obstacle to that dream though, as the truth about their engagement stands between them. When and how that truth comes out is a very emotional scene. I understood Craig's feelings of hurt and betrayal, and Caroline had a few choice things to say, too. I loved how they were finally able to be honest with each other, and that their love was able to overcome the rocky start. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved Craig's big moment at the school play.

The Wish - Beverly Lewis (Bethany House - Sept 2016)

Leona Speicher got the "sister" she'd always dreamed of the day Gloria Gingerich and her family moved to Lancaster County Amish farmland. The Arkansas newcomers seem to be everything a devout Plain family should be, and Leona can't help comparing Gloria's engaging young parents to her own.

Leona's cousin shows a romantic interest in Gloria around the same time as Gloria's older brother expresses his fondness for Leona--it seems likely the two young women will marry into each other's families, remaining close friends for life. Thus, Leona is shocked when the Gingeriches suddenly pack up and disappear after being expelled from the church for reasons no one will discuss. Despite Leona's pleas, Gloria goes with them, leaving more than one broken heart behind.

When Gloria unexpectedly contacts Leona after a silence of several years, Leona makes up her mind to persuade her friend to return to Lancaster County and the Amish ways. Leona's fiancé, the deacon's son, is alarmed when Leona decides to go after Gloria. Will Leona's dearest wish lead to her own undoing?

Good story about friendship and forgiveness. Leona had always wished for a sister, and when a new family moved in, she got her wish. The friendship she developed with Gloria brought them as close as sisters. Leona spent a lot of time at Gloria's house, envious of her friend's young and fun parents. Leona's parents are older and are not very demonstrative. As the girls got older, romance was in the air. Leona's cousin, Orchard John, started courting Gloria, while Leona's friendship with Gloria's older brother, Adam, seemed to head that way also. But all that came to an end when Gloria's father was expelled from the church and the family packed up and left. Leona was heartbroken at the loss of her friend.

Leona was surprised to get a letter from Gloria several years later, asking Leona to call her. While talking to her, Leona could tell that Gloria was not happy in her new life. I loved that Leona's love for her friend compelled her to make the journey from Pennsylvania to Arkansas to try to help her. Leona was certain that if Gloria came back to the Amish church, she would find what she was looking for. I liked that Leona and her fiancé, Tom, spoke honestly about her trip. His concerns were real and she didn't take them lightly, but she needed to see her friend. Tom's support and his trust were important.

Leona's visit to Arkansas was eye-opening for her. She was stunned at the changes she saw in her friend's family. I liked how time and distance gave Leona a bit more objectivity about Gloria's parents, and that she saw things she hadn't noticed before. Leona began to appreciate her own parents more when she compared them to what she now knows. Leona also got a better idea of how conflicted Gloria was as she saw Gloria in her current life. Leona was determined to be a supportive and loving friend at the same time she tried to encourage Gloria's return to the church.

I ached for Gloria, who hadn't wanted to leave Lancaster and had begged to be allowed to stay with Leona's family. She was an obedient daughter and followed her father's wishes, but always felt that something was missing. That feeling grew as the man she was dating pushed harder for a commitment from her. I liked that she had the courage to reach out to Leona for help. As she showed Leona around her new life, it was pretty clear that she was working just as hard to convince herself that she was happy. Her decision to drive Leona home herself, and spend some time in Lancaster, was her attempt to see if it was possible to return to that life.

I liked seeing Gloria open up to Leona a little bit on the drive back to Lancaster. She still held back on some things that clearly bothered her, but Leona didn't push. Once they arrived back in Lancaster, Gloria took the time to look at her life and dreams. I liked seeing her slip back into her old life without too much effort, but she is still troubled. She had conversations with Dawdi Benuel and the bishop that gave her much to think about. She also encountered Orchard John. I enjoyed their cautious reconnection and what he shared with her. Things looked promising until her father showed up to bring her home to Arkansas. I ached for Gloria as she faced up to the issues that haunted her. I wasn't surprised by her decision. The portrayal of her struggle was realistic, heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time.

I also liked the scenes with Leona and Tom. It was clear that their relationship was solid, as Leona was able to share her hopes of helping Gloria. I liked the bits that were told from Tom's point of view, highlighting his worry but also his love for Leona. There were some very sweet scenes between them.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Life with the Amish was shown fairly realistically, not through rose-colored glasses. There were a few times when I felt as though the story dragged a little bit, but I was invested enough to keep going. I did like the ending, as it felt logical and real.

 

Shamrock - Janie Crouch (Calamity Jane Publishing - Dec 2018)

Series: Linear Tactical (Book 3)

Every mission has a price.

He never meant for her to pay it.

Aiden has never left anyone behind. Not a comrade and certainly not an innocent. But when an undercover mission goes wrong, he's forced to abandon a woman trapped in a human trafficking ring.

Violet learned brutally that no one is promised a happy ending. She knows Aiden blames himself for his part, but she refuses to let her abduction define the rest of her life.

She won't be a victim again. And she's going after what she wants: Aiden.

Watching Violet transform herself into a fierce warrior is the sexiest thing Aiden has ever seen. The honorable plan would be to stay away from her--let her heal and grow without the shadow of his mistakes clouding her progress--even though every instinct tells him to claim her for his own.

But when they discover the danger they thought they'd left behind is closer than ever, they'll have to face their deepest fears and fight side-by-side in order to survive.

This was a fantastic, complex story with multiple layers. Romance. Suspense. Friendship. Passion. The beginning of the story overlapped with the end of Eagle, this time showing events from Aiden's point of view. He was undercover in an attempt to bring down a traitor. In the process, he came across what appeared to be a human trafficking operation, and a young woman he called Firefly. Unexpectedly drawn to her, he was prepared to blow his cover to save her, but Fate intervened before he could. Devastated by his failure, he was haunted by his fear of what might happen to her.

I loved Violet. She is smart, practical, and determined. Her abduction came as quite a shock to her, and her fear was believable and intense. As afraid as she was, and mad at herself for it, I thought that she was much stronger than she gave herself credit for. I loved the way that she would mentally escape by working on her recipes. Her instincts were good also, and I liked how she recognized Aiden as a good guy in spite of how it looked. I loved how she tried to remain optimistic after the first encounter with Aiden.

I loved the development of Violet and Aiden's relationship. There was a connection between them from the moment they met. Though she didn't understand why Violet trusted Aiden immediately. He was there in that safe corner of her mind as she dealt with what was happening to her. Aiden's feelings of protectiveness surprised him, and I loved how that protectiveness showed itself during the rescue mission. And when it was all over, Aiden forced himself to step away, giving her a chance to recover without seeing him as a reminder of what happened to her. Meanwhile, Violet used her realization that nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow to pursue her passion for baking. She left her chemical engineering studies and work for the family company to start her own bakery, and put into action her plan to pursue Aiden. That encounter was fantastic and heartbreaking. I loved Violet's courage in going after him, and her pain at what seemed to be his rejection. I loved Aiden's total shock, and how it caused his complete bungling of the situation. I laughed out loud at the way their friends got them together. The bar scene was hilarious with Violet's drunk ramblings and Aiden's desperate attempts to be a gentleman. It was also the push they needed. I adored seeing them grow closer over the next two months, not just physically but also emotionally. There were still some bumps, caused by Aiden's honorable nature and the danger that still stalked her. I loved seeing Aiden come to his senses. It was their love for and belief in each other that got them through the danger to their happy ending.

The suspense of the story sucked me in from the beginning and kept me hooked to the end. I was already invested from the first page because of the overlap with the end of the previous book, except that now there is more detail. I was immediately curious as to why Violet was treated differently than the other captive women. Her fear and despair leapt off the page as she tried to cope with the actions forced on her. Once I was past the overlapping section, I was on the edge of my seat as I waited to see how Aiden and the others would pull off her rescue. The intensity was incredible, from the confrontation over Aiden's coat to the men's fears over reaching her quickly. The rescue wasn't the end of it, as the ringleader of both the arms dealing and the trafficking was still at large. Even after his capture, there were still feelings that it had been too "convenient," feelings that were borne out when Violet was attacked again. At that point, I began to suspect that the danger was a little closer than anyone suspected. The final confrontation was full of twists and turns, including one that I didn't see coming. I loved how Violet's work with Aiden and Gavin paid off, giving her the confidence and tools she needed for a truly satisfying resolution.

Besides the obvious physical passion between Aiden and Violet, there was also her passion for baking. I loved how that passion helped her survive her captivity by giving her mind a safe place to go. It was also great to see her channel that passion into convincing her brother that she hadn't gone off the deep end in reaction to what happened to her. I especially enjoyed the baking scenes with Violet and Jordan.

Friendship was another big theme. I loved how the ladies of Linear Tactical made Violet part of their group so quickly. It started with simple support after her rescue but quickly evolved into true friendship. I laughed out loud at their "help" in getting Violet and Aiden together. The bar scene, with the Electric Smurfs drinks, was inspired. I also liked the friendship that grew between Violet and Jordan after Violet hired her to work at the bakery. Violet's support of Jordan was great, and I loved seeing Violet stand up to her brother because of it. I also like the close friendships among the guys. They always have each other's backs, both professionally and personally. It's fun to see how that personal support often takes the form of intense teasing.

There were also some very interesting scenes between Jordan and Gabe. He came across as very judgmental and obnoxious in their first encounters, but it was also clear that there were other sparks flying between them. That became especially obvious in the hospital scene. I loved his protective fury when he realized what was happening. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these two in the next book.

 

The Man Who Saved Christmas - Marisa Carroll (HS #718 - Dec 1996)

It wasn't beginning to look a lot like Christmas

At least not for Ellie Lawrence and her family of two - soon to be three - kids. A fire destroyed their home in North Star, Michigan, and most of their possessions. They'd have lost the family dog, too, if Ben MacAllister hadn't come along in time.

Ben's Christmas isn't looking a whole lot brighter. On leave of absence from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, he's being stalked by a teenager with vengeance on his mind.

But, as Ellie and Ben discover, Christmas and babies come whether we're ready or not. And so does love!

Heartwarming Christmas story that held up well for a twenty-year-old book. Ben is on a leave of absence from his job with the highway patrol, recovering from injuries received while on duty. He's pretty much hiding out, avoiding people whenever he can, because of the scars on his face and body. Ben is also haunted by the circumstances of the accident, and blames himself for what happened. He doesn't know that another victim of that accident holds him responsible and wants revenge.

Ellie has lived in North Star all her life. She recently divorced her good-for-nothing husband and is pregnant with her third child. She was barely making ends meet with her woodcarving business when her home and inventory were destroyed by a fire. She might have lost her dog, too, if Ben hadn't come to their rescue.

The first meeting between Ben and Ellie was intense. He'd been out hunting when he came across their burning house. The protective instincts that he couldn't deny compelled him to help Ellie, and sent him into the burning building to rescue the family dog. I ached for him as the flames brought back memories of the accident that injured him, and how he pushed those memories aside to rush into the house to save the dog. Not wanting any attention or thanks, he disappeared again as soon as he could. Fate wasn't done with them yet, and crossed their paths again shortly thereafter. Ellie was trying to escape her troubled thoughts, her need to accept the charity of others conflicting with her independence. All she wants is a way to support herself and her kids until she can get back on her feet. Ben also walks to escape his thoughts. I liked this encounter as they talked a little, with Ben checking on how she is doing. There are sparks of attraction flickering between them, but both try to ignore them. Ellie stayed on Ben's mind, leading him to suggest her when his cousin needed help in his diner.

The more that Ben and Ellie encounter each other, the more they are drawn to each other. They have a mutual admiration thing going on while at the same time resisting the idea that there can be anything between them. I loved seeing Ben's protectiveness toward Ellie, and how he wanted to look after her. There are some pretty sweet scenes as the softer side of Ben emerged around Ellie and her kids. Ellie is just as drawn to Ben, but is afraid of becoming dependent on him. I liked how she saw past his scars and gruff exterior to the good man he is. I loved seeing them grow closer as they got to know each other. There were a couple of life-changing events that showed that they were meant for each other, if only they could get past their fears.

Their relationship got a little complicated when Ellie's ex-husband showed up, and tried to wiggle his way back into Ellie's life. I understood her reluctance to push him away too hard because he was the father of her children, but there were times I thought she was a bit of a doormat. I did like the way she stood up to him about the baby. I ached for Ben, who believed that he was losing Ellie to Lonny, and for Ellie, who could feel him pulling away. It was a lecture from a surprising source that made Ben realize he needed to fight for what he wanted. Ellie also needed to feel that he wanted her for the right reasons. I loved how they came together at the end, conquering their fears with the love they had for each other. The epilogue was fantastic, showing what a difference a year of love can make.

A big part of the story dealt with the event that had caused Ben's injuries. The teenager who was bent on revenge made his move early in the book. I loved Ben's understanding of the pain that Matt experienced, and how that understanding created a connection between them. Seeing Ben take Matt under his wing was amazing. I ached for Matt, who wasn't sure he could trust Ben. There were some terrific scenes with Matt and Ellie's kids. I loved the effect that her trust had on him. There were some issues toward the end caused by a lack of communication. There was a very moving scene as Matt had the courage to tell Ben what he wanted.

Snowfall on Haven Point - RaeAnne Thayne (HQN - Oct 2016)

Series: Haven Point (Book 5)

There's no place like Haven Point for the holidays, where the snow conspires to bring two wary hearts together for a Christmas to remember

It's been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie's friend asks a favor -- to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who's recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie's gentle nature is a salve, and her kids' excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want -- each other -- their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

This was another great visit to Haven Point, just in time to celebrate Christmas in the small town. Andie is a relative newcomer to Haven Point. She and her children were secondary, yet important, characters in the previous book (Riverbend Road). There we saw that Andie grieved the death of her cop husband, and fled from a dangerous stalker, hoping to start anew in Haven Point. When her stalker followed her to Haven Point, it was her new friend Wyn who stepped between Andie and danger. So when Wyn asked Andie to keep an eye on her brother Marshall, Andie felt she couldn't say no - even though Marshall intimidates the heck out of her.

Sheriff Marshall Bailey was the victim of a hit-and-run driver, leaving him with a badly broken leg and a forced leave of absence from work. He's hurting, hates feeling helpless, and just wants to be left alone. He's also convinced that the hit-and-run was no accident and wants his chance to find out the truth. This makes him quite grumpy and uncooperative when the lovely widow shows up at his door.

I loved Andie's first visit to Marshall. He was rude and recalcitrant, doing his level best to discourage Andie from following through on her promise to Wyn. But Andie had a pretty good stubborn streak herself and refused to be scared away. She didn't yell or threaten; she simply refused to be run off. It was fun to see him realize that he wasn't going to win and finally give in. Over the next few days, Andie and Marshall developed a tentative friendship.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Andie and Marshall. Underneath the growing friendship was also a simmering attraction, something that neither one was happy about. Marshall was convinced that he wasn't cut out for a family of his own. Because of that, he tried to keep his attraction buried. For Andie, having lost her husband in the line of duty, she wasn't interested in taking that risk again. I loved seeing Marshall's crusty exterior soften, especially around Will and Chloe. He was so fantastic with them. I loved Marshall's protectiveness during the tree episode, and how he insisted that Andie and the kids stay with him. It didn't take long for Marshall to discover just how much he yearned for the situation to be permanent. But Andie was still unwilling to risk her heart on another law enforcement officer. I ached for Marshall as he put his heart on the line and Andie pushed him away. Her eyes were opened to her feelings in an unexpected way, and I loved seeing her display the courage she didn't know she had. The epilogue was great and showed just how much all their lives had changed in a year.

During the book, Marshall had to deal with two big issues. First was the hit-and-run attack on him. He was certain it wasn't an accident and believed it had to do with an investigation he was involved in. It was easy to see his frustration at the lack of progress and his own inability to be as involved as he wanted to be. He also had some problems happening inside the department, adding to the possibilities for the attack on him. The resolution of the attack was unexpected and heartbreaking. The second issue involved a secret Marshall had kept for many years. He's haunted by the consequences of his actions, and unsure how to make it right. It was interesting to see how quickly Andie figured it out and tried to help him work through it. That resolution had a much happier ending.

 

My Kind of Christmas - Robyn Carr (Mira - Oct 2012)

Read 30 November 2018

Series: Virgin River (Book 20)

PATRICK RIORDAN ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT NOTHING COULD MATCH THE ADRENALINE RUSH HE GETS FROM HIS JOB.

BUT THIS CHRISTMAS, PATRICK'S PULSE IS REALLY RACING...

The Riordan brothers may have a reputation for being rough-and-tumble, but Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. These days, his easygoing manner is being tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot. But for the Riordan brothers, when the going gets tough…the tough find the love of a good woman.

Except the woman who has caught Patrick's attention is Jack Sheridan's very attractive niece.

Angie LeCroix comes to Virgin River to spend Christmas relaxing, away from her well-intentioned but hovering mother. Yet instead of freedom, she gets Jack Sheridan. If her uncle had his way, she'd never go out again. And certainly not with rugged, handsome Patrick Riordan. But Angie has her own idea of the kind of Christmas she wants -- and the kind of man!

Patrick and Angie thought they wanted to be left alone this Christmas -- until they meet each other. Then they want to be left alone together. But the Sheridan and Riordan families have different plans for Patrick and Angie -- and for Christmas, Virgin River-style!

Terrific story about two people who are at crossroads in their lives. Each of them comes to Virgin River for the peace and quiet to consider options and make decisions. Neither Angie nor Paddy is looking for love, but Virgin River works its magic on both of them.

Angie is a 23-year-old med school student. She has been focused on her studies all her life, with becoming a doctor her only goal. She has ignored a social life in favor of her education. That all came to an end when she was involved in a devastating accident that nearly killed her. After months of rehab, Angie now wants to take a break from medical school and take some time to live the life that she has been ignoring. Unfortunately, her mother is not cool with that idea, and she and Angie have been butting heads over Angie's plans. Angie knows that the only way she'll get the peace she needs is to put some distance between herself and her mother. So she heads up to Virgin River to stay with her Uncle Jack.

Paddy faces a similar dilemma. He is grieving the loss of his best friend, who died in a mission in Afghanistan. Paddy saw it happen and feels responsible for Jake's death. The Navy has insisted that he take mandatory leave to recover from the trauma. Paddy is at a point where he has to decide if he is going to continue his career in the Navy, or get out and do something else. Complicating matters is his promise to Jake that he would watch out for Jake's wife and son if something happened to Jake. Paddy has a big, loving family, but he sometimes feels smothered by their attention. So while most of the family is off to San Diego to celebrate the holidays, Paddy will stay in Virgin River and contemplate his options.

I loved the first meeting between Angie and Paddy. She's in Jack's bar when she spots Paddy and is immediately drawn to him. She steps outside her comfort zone and actually goes over and talks to the man. It's fun to watch her ask questions and draw him out. Paddy tries to stay aloof, but he's just bowled over by her. She's young, but she seems to know what she wants, which he envies. Between that meeting, and seeing each other again the next day at the tree-raising, Paddy is intrigued and they end up making a date to meet for chili at his place. They spend a lot of time talking about their childhoods and getting to know each other. The sparks are hot between them, but Paddy knows it can't go anywhere. I loved their honest conversation about expectations, and that they could agree to enjoy each other's company for the time they are together.

Of course, it isn't all smooth sailing at the beginning. Everyone seems to have an opinion to share, and none of them are that Paddy and Angie should be together. I had to laugh at Jack, as the uber-protective uncle ran up against the determined young woman. I loved seeing her lecture him on the fact that she was an adult, not a little girl, and that he had to let go. Jack does express his worry about Paddy's state of mind, as he understands what Paddy is going through. It was fun to see Jack's struggles throughout the book, and Mel's attempts to keep him under control. Angie's Aunt Brie also has something to say, but she seems to be better able to let Angie live her own life, simply expressing that she's there if Angie needs her. On Paddy's side, he has to deal with his brothers' horrified reaction to him fooling around with JACK'S NIECE! They waste no time in letting him know what a bad idea it is and how much trouble he could bring down on himself. As the youngest in the family, he's used to being ragged on by them, but this time he fights back. He's not going to let anything come between him and Angie spending time together however they want to do so.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Angie is young, but very smart, while Paddy is older and more experienced, but they connect very easily. I love how easy they found it to share their thoughts and feelings, their fears and their plans. The more time that they spent together, the closer they grew. I loved how Angie's determination to live her life to the fullest helped to lighten the darkness that haunted Patrick. Just being with her helped ease his grief, making it easier for him to talk about Jake and his memories of their time together. Angie also made a great sounding board, as Patrick tried to work out what he was going to do. At the same time, Patrick's steadiness and support gave Angie the confidence to step outside her comfort zone and consider alternatives to medical school. He never tried to tell her what to do or convince her of one path or another. I really enjoyed the way that Patrick found satisfaction in taking care of Angie, from cooking for her to being her support crew on her project. It wasn't long before Angie realized that she was falling hard for Paddy, even though she knew there was no future in it. Not only would he return to Charleston and the Navy, there was also the issue of his need to take care of Jake's widow. There were quite a few times I wanted to hit Paddy over the head with a shovel. His connection with Angie was incredible, and he often thought about what it would be like to have more than those few weeks. But he was so focused on his misguided interpretation of his promise to Jake, that he was willing to throw away true love for a pale imitation. It took a stern talking to from Marie for him to see the truth. I loved the ending and the fun of Paddy and his "baggage" showing up at Jack's. His heartfelt declaration to Angie was fantastic and bodes well for their future.

Family is always a huge part of a Virgin River book. First, we have the Sheridans. There's Angie's mom, Donna, a woman who is strong willed and doesn't back down from making her wishes known. There is no doubt that she loves Angie, but she also doesn't deal well with change. Angie's somewhat drastic change of plans had her quite freaked out, and she kept trying to shove Angie back in the box she had been in before. Angie felt as though she was beating her head against a wall whenever she tried to talk to her mother. Then there is our beloved Jack, the heart of Virgin River. He is protective of family and friends alike. I loved his understanding of why Angie had to get away from home, and how happy he was to have her there. It was fun to see his frustration at his inability to "protect" Angie from Paddy. I also appreciated his decision to keep quiet about it when he talked to Donna - discretion being the better part of valor. Brie fell into the space between Donna and Jack. She's happy to let Angie be in charge of her own life, but she's also there to support her in anything she needs.

Then there are the Riordans. We've seen plenty of them in earlier books, with each brother coming to Virgin River and finding true love. They are a close family, but one with strong personalities. Paddy was the one who had the most laid-back and charming personality, and in earlier books had been the one to help each brother through their individual crises. He also knows his family well, and wants to avoid the smothering attention he knows would come his way if they knew what a hard time he was having. It was great fun to see all the brothers jerking Paddy's chain as they realized just how much he cared about Angie (even if he wouldn't admit it). There was a hilarious scene towards the end as all the men ganged up on Paddy, taking bets on whether he would be able to leave Angie behind.

A large part of the story was devoted to Angie's search for her new reality. She was no longer sure that she wanted to be a doctor, but she wanted to do something to contribute to the world. I loved seeing her consider her options while helping Mel at the clinic. Her big heart came into play when she came into contact with Megan, the little girl with the scar on her face. I loved Angie's determination to do something to help. That determination gave her the incentive to do things she had never done before. I loved how it was so hard for her to talk to strangers, and that she forced herself to do whatever she needed to do. I loved the progression of the steps, and how her efforts to help Megan also helped Angie work through her options and desires.

Dreaming of a Western Christmas - Lynna Banning, Kelly Boyce, Carol Arens (HH #1251 - Oct 2015)

Read 28 November 2018

His Christmas Belle by Lynna Banning

Nursemaid to a spoiled Southern belle isn't how loner Brand Wyler imagined spending Christmas. But beautiful Suzannah's intrepid spirit makes him feel less empty inside…

Good story of opposites attracting. Brand is a former military scout who was unwillingly called back to duty to escort Suzannah to Oregon to join her fiancé. Brand is grieving the loss of his sister and in no mood to make nice with the spoiled woman. Suzannah is determined to do what she must to reach her fiancé. Brand is quite rude and not particularly considerate of Suzannah's inexperience in western ways, fully expecting her to wimp out within hours of starting the trip. Suzannah is stubborn and determined, and won't let Brand kept her from her goal.

I loved seeing Brand and Suzannah butt heads at the beginning, and how Suzannah's pride wouldn't let her give in. I loved seeing her change from spoiled miss to strong western woman. Some of her actions were pretty amusing, especially when you could see how they got to Brand. Brand didn't expect to like Suzannah, much less fall in love with her. I liked his growing respect for her determination, and how she worked her way into his heart. The ending was fun and very satisfying.

The Cowboy of Christmas Past by Kelly Boyce

Ada had left her dreams of cowboy Levi MacAllistair behind. Until one Christmas he arrives injured on her doorstep! Maybe it's time for Ada to reveal the truth about their son…

Levi had served years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When the truth finally came out and he was released, all he wanted was to see Ada again. Thanks to tangling with a bear and fighting a blizzard, he arrived at her house at the end of his rope. When Levi had been sentenced to prison, Ada had a difficult choice to make. She made the only one she could at the time, and married another man. Now she is a widow with a young son, barely eking out their existence. Levi was the last person she expected to turn up at her doorstep.

Though she tried to resist him, her love for Levi had never died. As she nursed him back to health, it was easy to see that their feelings for each other were as strong as ever. I loved watching them talk about their pasts and realize that there hadn't been any way for them to be together. I loved seeing Levi connect with Ada's son. They were really terrific together. Levi's shock and anger were understandable when he found out the truth. The ending was intense, as a crisis provided Levi with the insight he needed to understand Ada's actions. I loved seeing them come together as a family.

Snowbound with the Cowboy by Carol Arens

Mary Blair's Christmas wishes come true when Joe Landon seeks shelter from the snow. The handsome cowboy wants to adopt the orphans in her care. The catch: he needs a wife!  

This story was terrific. Joe was caught in a blizzard on his way back to his mother's ranch. He stumbled on a fatal wagon accident, where the only survivors were a dog and an infant. He made it as far as the parsonage, where he took shelter. Mary is a nanny who had been hired by the preacher to care for several orphans while he was away on his honeymoon. She loves the children and tried to figure out how to make their Christmas wishes come true. Things look bleak for them, as the preacher's new wife has no interest in caring for the children and they are slated for the next orphan train.

Joe's unexpected arrival seems destined to fulfill some of those wishes, as some of the kids had wished for a dog, a horse, a pa and a ma. Mary is also overcome by the presence of the baby, as she has given up on the idea of ever having children of her own. I loved seeing Mary and Joe grow closer. His kindness and connection to the children were wonderful, partly made possible by his own childhood. It was clear that he and Mary were falling hard for each other, but Mary refused to believe that he would love her if he knew the truth about her. I loved his persistence and his initial method of getting his foot in the door with her. I ached for both of them as she fought her feelings. The ending was awesome, as Joe's mother helped Mary see the truth, and a crisis involving little Maudie brought it all into sharp focus. Christmas morning was fantastic, with an unexpected twist involving Maudie.

The kids in this story were adorable. I loved their confidence in Santa's ability to fulfill their wishes. I really enjoyed how quickly they wiggled their ways into Joe's heart and his determination to make them his own. There was also some excitement provided by a man who wanted to adopt one of the kids. He was definitely creepy and I loved Mary's mama bear attitude when he made an unexpected appearance.