Christmas in a Snowstorm by Lois Richer

 

Christmas in a Snowstorm

I love reading Christmas books in November and December. This Love Inspired Inspirational Romance released in December 2020. Christmas in a Snowstorm is book three in the Calhoun Cowboys series by Lois Richer.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Can they weather the holidays together?

Will love turn home for Christmas into home for good?

Returning home to his Montana family ranch, journalist Sam Calhoun volunteers to run the local Christmas festival. But as a snowstorm drives him closer to Joy Grainger—the single mom helping him with the project—the last thing he expects is for her children to decide he should be their new dad. Can Sam earn Joy’s trust in time to make all their Christmas wishes come true?

And now, my review:

What a setting! The author immerses readers into a delightful winter wonderland, right from the beginning. We have a blizzard, close to Christmas, and we might get snowed in. There’s something magical about this type of setting: quiet, peaceful (if you’re in a safe place), and hopefully, warm. Add a dash of romance and a strong faith thread, and we have the recipe for a feel-good holiday read.

I was hooked from the opening pages.

The hero feels out of place, like he doesn’t quite belong now that he’s back home. Readers will sympathize and perhaps relate with his longing for acceptance. I also liked that he had a secret we would learn later. The author does a great job of contrasting people's opinions and the truth of this character's nobility. We respect him, even before we learn of his past mysterious choice.

The heroine has a slew of dreams. Though I can relate to having a laundry list of aspirations, I couldn’t connect with her at the beginning of the story. She seemed two-dimensional. She had hopes, but no substance, no relatable mothering instinct in that opening scene. But I liked how driven she was, and I liked watching her receive help and provision right away.

I enjoyed the bakery at Christmas element. Yum. Overall, that sweet Christmas feeling came through.

Unfortunately, I found some grammatical issues in this published book. The story momentum sagged at one point, and I stopped reading in favor of the next book in my to-be-read pile.

Though this novel wasn’t for me, it’s definitely a Christmassy read for relaxing indoors on wintry nights.

I never felt lost even though I hadn’t read the earlier books in this series. Brava to the author! I wish the author and publisher all the best.

Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher

Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher

Betrayal is book two in the Where the Heart Lives series by Robin Lee Hatcher.

Let’s begin with the summary:

It's the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him. Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she's going to have to trust someone if she's to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband's half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door?

And now, my review:

This was a gentle love story. Before I read the novel, I saw someone's mention about it being a tender love story, and I'd agree. The tender-hearted hero isn't an actual cowboy at the beginning of the story, which is unusual. Normally, the hero is a self-assured capable ranch hand. Not here, and I liked that originality! He's new to ranching, but willing to help nonetheless.

I liked the shorter length of this novel—just perfect.

Now, let's dig into the characters. These two have both been through so much. He'd been imprisoned, though we know he's a "good guy," from the deep point of view the author gives us. She suffered a painful marriage. They can't see themselves together for various reasons, so they fight their attraction for a long time.

For such a quick read, I was surprised we visited other POVs beyond our main hero and heroine. A bit distracting. I'd have preferred to dig deeper into the main characters' layers instead. I liked the grace theme, including the heroine's name. I liked the twists and turns, especially near the end.

At the back of the book, the publisher included an excerpt from Book Three, Betrayal. I'm already hooked!

Readers who like historicals, and/or cowboy stories, will enjoy this novel!

(paperback)                (e-book)

Over the Edge by Mary Connealy

 

Welcome to the blog tour for Over the Edge by Mary Connealy. Read on for contest information! 

Let's begin with the summary of this third book in The Kincaid Brides series:

Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.

After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

And now, my review:

I haven’t read the earlier books in The Kindcaid Bride series, and though this story definitely zeroes in on Seth Kincaid and his wife, I still felt lost at times. There were lots of characters from earlier books, and we spent time in their POVs. There were references to locations we hadn’t been to in this story, but we were supposed to know what they were (for example, the cavern). Confusing for readers who haven’t read the earlier books.

The voice was new to me, too, and that probably contributed to the confusion. The genre is considered “cowboy comedy,” but I didn’t see the humor in the tormented hero’s situation. And I especially missed the humor in the Texas-native heroine who was incredibly prideful and disrespectful and mean to the hero, her husband. Her inner thoughts called him brainless, an idiot, and a lunatic on several occasions. And she often thought of kicking, hitting, or shooting him. Of course that last one was probably meant as an exaggeration, except that she did shoot at him near the beginning of the story. Unfortunately, what was probably supposed to be funny, didn’t translate that way for me. She never repents of her rude, disrespectful attitude, and that felt like a breach of contract with the reader. We’d like to see some transformation, but she remained prideful of her strengths and her Texas heritage, and judgmental of her husband, throughout the story. Even during any sort of reconciliation scenes, she never repented or apologized. Yes, the hero abandoned her, but he was now trying to make things right. And her hostility seemed completely out of balance (i.e. unbelievable) with the situation. It makes sense she would feel angry and even vengeful, especially at first, but she carries it too long and takes it too far. 

The book's summary hints at the heroine's faith, but I read the entire book, and I don't recall (forgive me if I missed it) the heroine's faith or convictions playing a big part in the story. That's an aspect I'd have rather seen displayed and explored more obviously.

What I did appreciate was that the hero was warm and humble. He knew he had some limitations, and some failures to make up for, but he was caring and protective of his wife (who was caustic in return) and his infant son. Overall, his character journey was more fulfilling. 

I think readers who’ve enjoyed this series will get the most out of this book. There are some “series loose ends” tied up here, so I wouldn’t miss it. And in as much as this wasn’t the typical cowboy story (a hero who has his act together and barely has any weakness), this story is original. I’m still trying to decide if my funny bone was on vacation or if comedy doesn’t translate well with historicals, or what… Undecided. Whether you’ve read the entire series or not, this one’s heroine requires some grace. 

~~~~~

CONTEST:  Win a Nook Color from Mary Connealy in the Over the Edge Giveaway. RSVP for 8/28 Facebook Party. Celebrate with Mary by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about Over the Edge!

One winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• The entire set of Mary Connealy's The Kincaid Brides series

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th. Winner will be announced at the "Over the Edge" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/29. Meet Mary, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!

So grab your copy of Over the Edge and join Mary on the evening of the August 29th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Do you ever come back to a writer you’ve read before and relax, knowing you’re in for a great read? That’s what happened when I picked up Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer. Plus, what's not to love about that cover?

Let’s begin with the summary: 

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride? 

And now, a little something extra. The book trailer:

(BTW, that vest-clad live-action guy in the video? Editor Dave Long at Bethany House Publishers. Probably not part of his job description. :)

And now, my review: 

Karen has such a way with words. I love reading her books! She excels at pacing too. Instinctively she kept things moving along very smoothly. And the romance? She excels at that too. 

There were two very strong themes: fear and trust. Travis had convinced himself that the outside world was too dangerous for him to even mix with his neighbors. He’d promised his father he’d raise his brothers and remain on the ranch. But now that his brothers are grown, he’s still a prisoner of the land. He fears something terrible will happen to them if they leave their land. Or if they let others in. (His father's fears passed down?) He trusts only in himself for his safety. His new bride will challenge those beliefs and help him learn to trust in God.

I liked the fact they'd known each other before and Travis had acted heroically on her behalf. The heroine’s actions were very brave. She inspired me. But she also infuriated me a couple of times. Still, I could forgive her because of her nobility. I read this novel in two days. It’s really good. Reads fast and is very enjoyable. 

Highly recommended. 

(print copy)     (eBook version for Kindle)

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter's latest Big Sky Romance novel released in January. I love her cowboy stories!

Listen to this premise: two people who were planning to marry years ago, had even signed their marriage license on the court steps but never married, participate in a re-enactment for their town’s historical celebration portraying other people and end up actually married. This is the predicament Denise Hunter’s characters find themselves in. And though Travis is hip to the idea, Shay is not. She’s been rejected too many times, including painfully by Travis. But Travis prayed for a second chance and now has it! If only he could win Shay over before their self-imposed trial period ends. The tender pursuit is on. It may be one-sided, but like Hosea, Travis is committed to Shay for the long haul. In this way, this character is a picture of Jesus.

I like stories that include the married element. Writers can explore more in the romance between the characters than usual. And to the reader's delight, Denise does.

The story deals with trust issues and is very relatable in that. There were a few believability issues, but I chose to overlook them because the story was so enjoyable. Plus, the author addresses them in the author's note. The pacing keeps you reading; I had a hard time putting the book down.

~~~~

I've reversed things today. Here are the official summary and the links (print and e-book format, in that order).

When a wedding reenactment turns real, Shay finds she's an accidental bride.

Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can't seem to keep her head above water-and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders' Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart-the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn't sure if the recent events are God's will or just a preacher's blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter

First of all, this story pairs up two of my favorite things: my favorite author and cowboys. *grin* Let's begin with the summary of this Women of Faith novel:

Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.

Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.

What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.

Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.

Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?

And now, my review:

Our widower hero has a policy—don’t touch, especially where women are concerned. And there are plenty of single women in town who would love to dance with him or get close. He even holds himself back from relating with his daughter. Until our heroine steps into his life. She’ll nanny for him, point out his daughter’s needs, and then test his policy. In order to protect his daughter, our hero resists a relationship with the heroine—which is quite difficult—and he’ll be especially regretful when he learns her secret.

Romance readers will love this story. I liked how the author zeroed in on relationships more than ranching, but she gave the touch of realism to the story through her depiction of ranch life. The characters seemed real, relatable, and likable.

The other satisfying element of this story was the focus on redemption and how we cannot redeem ourselves. Both characters fought demons of self-doubt paired with regrets, both were trying to atone for their own mistakes. The heroine in the story calls herself the Truthseeker, but she's avoiding Jesus, the Truth. Loved how Denise tied this element in by glorifying and pointing toward Him.

I also loved the way the author wrapped up the story. Looking forward to the next book in this
series!

This Thomas Nelson novel releases April 1, 2011.

Highly recommended.

The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler

Today, I'm stretching back to last year with a review of a book which released in April, 2009. I saw some buzz about this book somewhere and couldn't help grabbing a copy myself.

As always, we'll begin with the summary:

For the past eight years, Crystal McCord has believed the old saying that you can't go home again. Will she give herself a chance to be proven wrong? New York actress Crystal McCord puts her career on hold to return home to Arkansas to help take care of her family's ranch. When she meets cowboy neighbor Jeremy Buchanan, sparks fly. But when Jeremy's never-before-mentioned family appears on the scene, he drops out of the picture. Will Crystal's country road home turn out to be a dead end? Is it time for a U-turn back to the Big Apple? Or will Jeremy manage to book her for an unlimited engagement?

And now, my review:

I love Christian books about actresses and their lives. Christine Lynxwiler lets us dabble in New York’s acting scene and root for an actress to achieve her dreams. Yet, most of the story is held on a farm in Arkansas, so you get the cowboy/ranch experience, too. What’s not to love about that in a romance? Lynxwiler skillfully takes readers into both worlds while tackling some painful family issues—the abduction of a daughter and the death of a twin sister. But, somehow, the author doesn’t let the reader get bogged down too low to enjoy flipping the pages. Loved the barn scene where the leads portrayed “Sleeping Beauty.” A lovely romantic moment I wished Lynxwiler would’ve milked just a bit more (sorry). This romance goes a little deeper with those aforementioned issues, but I believe the author handles them well, giving us an HEA ending readers will like. (happily ever after) I’ll be on the lookout for more of Lynxwiler’s books.