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.

The Nurse’s Secret Suitor by Cheryl Wyatt

The Nurse's Secret Suitor

This author really gets romance!

Let’s begin with the summary:

A Strong-Willed Heart  

Trauma nurse Kate Dalton can handle any challenge—except love. The combat veteran dreams of settling down, but heartbreak is one risk she won't take. Then a chance encounter opens her heart to a masked stranger…who might not be a stranger after all!

Caleb Landis, the army medic behind the disguise, has always admired Kate, even though she only saw him as her best friend's brother. What will it take for Kate to discard her fears and discover the man she's always hoped to unmask? 

Eagle Point Emergency:  Saving lives—and losing their hearts— in a small Illinois town.

And now, my review:

The opening scene is delicious, mysterious, and romantic, with an element you don’t often see in romance novels. I loved it!

Like I mentioned above, this author gets romance! And chemistry.

The element of secret identity is a favorite of mine in romance—from Clark Kent/Superman to this story. It adds a fairy-tale-esque feel that kept me turning pages. The number of encounters between the bandit and Kate was perfect for delighting readers.

Both the hero and the heroine hide behind masks. They’ll have to overcome their fears to let each other in. Our heroine has decided she has to be strong and will not lean on others or let people in. The hero has long ago determined what his future will be. He has tunnel vision toward his goals because of his need to prove himself (another thing these two leading characters have in common). I liked how they echoed each other’s hang-ups between the two of them, though they were a bit blind to their own. Good writing.

What an enjoyable book! Though Love Inspired novels are only in print a short time, you can always get this title for your e-reader. Enjoy!

Highly recommended. 

The Nurse's Secret Suitor (Eagle Point Emergency) (click to go to Amazon)

Guest Author: Allie Pleiter

Allie Pleiter is here today to share about her latest release and how she included real-life lessons in her story. Welcome back to Net's Book Notes, Allie!

 Optimism?

“I’m so glad to see you haven’t lost your bounce!”

Someone said that to me earlier this year, reflecting on how our family has survived several major challenges. It remains one of my favorite compliments, even if it did make me wonder how many people think of me as “Tigger.”

It goes deeper than a glass-half-full attitude. Some days simply can’t be attached to a silver lining. Some bad news can’t be gilded. While plots should always make sense in my books, life doesn’t always hand us the opportunity to say, “Oh, that’s why it happened that way.”

I admit, humor plays a key role. Even if you have to dig very, very deep, I believe you can find something amusing in almost any situation. I’ve been known to crack jokes in the most dire of circumstances—mostly because it’s my way of saying “I’m not done for yet!” Life has also taught me to seek out funny people if my own sense of humor has gone sour.

I’ve learned that what others might call “optimism” is really trust. Trust to stand firm in the belief that God hasn’t turned His back. To declare, even when you can’t see a sliver of evidence, that God is still in control. I love the saying “It’s going to be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end.” That’s true optimism. My definition of Heaven? The place where it all becomes “all right.”

I sent my character Jeannie Nelworth on the same path to trust. Her optimism fails her, and she spends so much energy trying to ignite her sunny nature that she ignores her trust muscles. She forgets the basic truth that sometimes the best faith we can display is to turn and look straight at the dark place in front of us. To walk through the fire in the knowledge that God never stops caring for us, protecting us, and seeing to our growth even if it means watching us in pain.

As an author, I have the privilege of ensuring that Jeannie gets her “all right” at the end of the story. All the little pieces don’t line up in perfect order—after all, real life doesn’t work that way—but they do line up to the trustworthy path God has laid out for her. It’s my prayer that every reader sees a little farther down their own path of trust when they close my book.

~~~~~~

Falling for The Fireman recently released from Love Inspired.

There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.

But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

~~~~~

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

~~~~~

For your convenience: print copy link and e-book links included below (in that order).