The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight (The Buchanons)

The Greatest Christmas Gift

Contractor Brady Buchanon can't wait to surprise single mom Abby Webster with his company's Christmas home makeover prize. But once he does, the struggling waitress turns him down flat! Raised in foster care, Abby won't accept charity. Yet when her dilapidated porch almost injures her daughter, Abby finally agrees to Brady's offer. As the hardworking bachelor pushes to finish the house in time for Christmas, he starts falling for Abby and her little girl. With the holidays in sight, Brady wonders if Abby will not only accept her beautiful new home, but also his wish to make her his wife…

• Series: The Buchanons
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired; Large Print edition (October 20, 2015)

My review :  The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight (The Buchanons)

4 STARS

I can see both points a view of the main characters.  It is so meaningful and fun to help others especially at Christmas.  It is also hard to accept help but easier to do for your children.

Contractor Brady Buchanon is always excited to be able to help one family at Christmas with remolding a home for them.

 Abby Webster  is proud and doesn't want pity.  She is a struggling mother with a disabled child.  She does the best she can as a waitress with lots of medical bills.  She was raised in foster care and has no family to turn too.  No one to trust.  But for Lila she can swallow her pride.

Lila is cute four year old.  She has a disability. She walks a little with braces, walker or wheelchair.
Her house is not wheelchair accessibility.  Which hinders her to be more independent.   Right now her mom can lift her into the house. Lila loves to draw angels and share them.

When Abby is carrying her into the house the porch gives in on her.  So she does call Brady for help.

Here is a family that works, plays together.  They have their problems but reach out to others and welcome Abby and Lila into their home and hearts.

The setting for this book is Texoma.  A swath of land along the Red River that joins Texas and Oklahoma.  Small town winter.

This makes a good Christmas read.  What Christmas should be about.  The Savior birth and helping each other, love and family.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of The Christmas Family.  

Murder Under the Mistletoe by Terri Reed (Northern Border Patrol)

AGENT UNDERCOVER

DEA agent Tyler Griffin must stop a drug cartel that's using an Idaho Christmas tree farm to smuggle narcotics across the Canadian border. But to do his job, Tyler needs the cooperation of farm owner and widowed mother Heather Larson-Randall—whose informant brother died on Tyler's watch. Tyler knows a crucial piece of evidence is hidden somewhere on the property. But getting the protective mother to trust him is the hardest part of his mission. As threats against Heather mount, he vows to keep her and her child safe…and clear the farm of danger before Christmas.

• Series: Northern Border Patrol
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired (November 3, 2015)

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the US-Canadian border safe



My review:  Murder Under the Mistletoe by Terri Reed (Northern Border Patrol)

4 STARS

Good clean suspense romance. Plenty of drama, good characters and some violence.
 I would have loved to see the Christmas Tree farm and village.  It sounds like a beautiful setting.  In Idaho
Heather Larson-Randall is a widow and moved her son Colin back to the family tree farm after the death of her brotherSeth from a drug overdose. Heather gets a phone call telling her to take her son away her brother death was not what it looked like.

 Tyler Griffin is a DEA Agent on a joint task force.  After using a key to go into the house he thought was empty he was hit over the head with a heavy fry pan.  His cover is now blown.  He tells Heather that her brother was working with the DEA and had written down what he observed about drugs being used through the farm to Canada.

Heather decides to claim Tyler as a business partner to help her manage the farm.  His two partners are hired on too.  Tyler is now assigned to keep her and her son safe and find how the drugs are smuggled out.

I really liked watching the characters together. I did figure out early who the one bad guy was.
I liked the way Tyler and Heather worked at having faith in hard times.  It was not easy though.

I enjoy reading books by Terri Reed and will continue looking forward to reading more books by her.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin and in return I agreed to give a honest review of Murder Under the Mistletoe.

The Colton Bodyguard by Carla Cassidy (The Coltons of Oklahoma)

Description

The breathtaking finale to The Coltons of Oklahoma saga by New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy!

Wrongly imprisoned for murder, renowned horse trainer Greta Colton gets sprung by Tyler Stanton's falsified alibi. The incredibly handsome oil tycoon's desire has been burning for Greta ever since they met. Now that she's no longer his brother's fiancée, he wants her in his bed and working in his corral. In that order. 

Throwing caution to the wind, Greta accepts Tyler's brazen invitations. And with danger mounting, they reluctantly risk their hearts. But when a shocking Colton secret surfaces, can Tyler protect Greta from a treacherous family reunion? Someone means to kill her…and take all that's hers!

• Series: The Coltons of Oklahoma (Book 1871)
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (November 3, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373279418
• ISBN-13: 978-0373279418

My review:   The Colton Bodyguard by Carla Cassidy (The Coltons of Oklahoma)

4 STARS

This the last book of the Coltons of Oklahoma series.  Lots of drama, too many love scenes,  we finally know about Alice and see more of her.

Greta Colton was released from prison because of her alibi  given by Tyler.  She finally asks Tyler why he lied to protect her. Her own big brother Ryan had arrested her.  Greta's engagement was broken by Tyler's brother.

Tyler Stanton is a oil tycoon.  He was really was drawn to her.  He had sent his brother in his place to hire her to tame his horse. Instead he got engaged to her.  Tyler wants Greta and now she is free he comes out with it and offers her the chance with his horse and with him.  I like that Tyler was determined to keep Greta safe and he took vacation to do it for the first time in ten years.


Greta found out that she has a identical twin that was causing the trouble on the ranch and murder.  Greta is now in danger from Alice.

Most of the book is set in Oklahoma on the Colton ranch.

I like the plot and family life on the ranch.  The only part I did not like were the love scenes but I skipped over them.

I have read all the books in the Coltons of Oklahoma series so I enjoyed seeing the whole family together for Thanksgiving and at other times in this book.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of The Colton Bodyguard.

A Knights Bridge Christmas by Carla Neggers (Swift River Valley #5)

Description

New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers celebrates the joy and romance of Christmas in New England

Clare Morgan is ready for a fresh start when she moves to the small Massachusetts town of Knights Bridge with her young son, Owen. Widowed for six years, Clare settles into her job as the town's new librarian. She appreciates the warm welcome she and Owen receive and truly enjoys getting the library ready for its role in the annual holiday open house.

Clare expects to take it slow with her new life. Then she meets Logan Farrell, a Boston ER doctor in town to help his elderly grandmother settle into assisted living. Slow isn't a word Logan seems to understand. Accustomed to his fast-paced city life, he doesn't plan to stay in Knights Bridge for long. But Daisy Farrell has other ideas and enlists her grandson to decorate her house on the village green one last time. Logan looks to Clare for help. She can go through Daisy's book collection and help him decorate while she's at it.

As Clare and Logan get his grandmother's house ready for the holidays, what neither of them expects to find is an attraction to each other. Better than most, they know all the crazy things that can happen in life, but everything about Knights Bridge and this magical season invites them to open themselves to new possibilities…and new love.

• Print Length: 256 pages
• Publisher: MIRA (October 1, 2015)
• Publication Date: September 29, 2015

My review: A Knights Bridge Christmas by Carla Neggers (Swift River Valley #5)

3 STARS

This is a sweet story that ties in with a Christmas Carol.  It is not as deep as her other books. The ending seems rushed.  I enjoyed the new characters.  It was also nice to see what some older characters are up to now.

Clare Morgan is new to Knights Bridge.  She is a widow with a six year old Owen. She is the new librarian in town.  She is excited for a new start.

Logan Farrell is a ER doctor in Boston.  He has come to Knights Bridge to move his  grandmother Daisy Farrell  in a assisted living center.  He does not make a good first impression when he meets Clare.

Daisy asks Logan and Clare to decorate her house one last Christmas while she still owns the home and to make sure to light a candle in the window on Christmas Eve.

There are a lot of quotes of Charles Dicksens, A Christmas Carol.  Plus there are recipes in the story too.

I like the Swift River Valley series and look forward to reading more of them.

I was given this ebook to read for giving in return a honest review.

Lone Wolf Lawman by Delores Fossen (Appaloosa Pass Ranch)

A Texas Ranger must protect the daughter of a serial killer from becoming his next victim…

Breaking into the home of the woman who shared his bed three months ago isn't Weston Cade's usual MO. But the Texas Ranger is on a personal vendetta to catch a killer, and Addie Crockett is the man's biological daughter. The beautiful rancher also happens to be carrying Wes's child…

Addie can't remember her birth father, but she'll never forget the lover who took her to bed—and then disappeared. Now she has to trust Wes with her life. And the life of their unborn baby. As desire reignites, Addie quickly discovers that with this lawman by her side, she just might escape the target on her back.

• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue (November 1, 2015)
• Publication Date: November 1, 2015

My review: Lone Wolf Lawman by Delores Fossen (Appaloosa Pass Ranch)

4 STARS

Good suspense mystery!  Keeps you guessing to the end.  I like the characters, the drama and the action.  There was some love scenes that I skimmed over.

Weston Cade is a Texas Ranger who is risking all to keep Addie alive and try and capture her birth father who is a serial killer.  Weston is making catching Addie's father personal.

Addie Crockett was adopted at 3.  She has four older brothers who are in law enforcement.  She can't be used as bait because she is three months pregnant and Weston is the daddy.

Someone is trying to kill Addie.  The killer doesn't want her to remember anything.

There are a few twists in this story some I expected and others I didn't see coming.

I like Delores Fossen's writings.  There is always something   happening. 

The setting is Texas ranches.

Some of the story worked and other parts of it I am still waiting to see how it all fits together, because this is not the end of the series.

I was given this ebook to read by Netgalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Lone Wolf Lawman.

Cancelled Vows (A Mac Faraday Mystery Book 11) by Lauren Carr

.Police Chief David O’Callaghan and Chelsea Adams’ wedding day is fast approaching. Unfortunately, at the last minute, David discovers that there is one small problem to be taken care of before he can walk down the aisle—divorce his first wife! 

Lauren Carr takes fans of the Mac Faraday mysteries to the Big Apple in this nail biting adventure. In Cancelled Vows, David, Mac, and Gnarly, too, rush to New York City to dissolve David’s marriage to an old girlfriend—and he’s got five days to get it done. When murder throws up a road block, it is up to David’s best man, Mac Faraday, and Gnarly, K9-in-waiting, to sort through the clues to get David to the church in time!

• Publisher: Acorn Book Services (January 28, 2016)
• ISBN-10: 0692578080
• ISBN-13: 978-0692578087

My review:  Cancelled Vows (A Mac Faraday Mystery Book 11) by Lauren Carr 

5 STARS

I look forward to new books by Lauren Carr so when I received this ebook last night I had to read it right then.  Cancelled Vows does not disappoint.  It is full of mystery, drama, humor and full of surprises.  

I love the characters. Mac Faraday is a retired homicide detective who inherited 270 million dollars the day of his divorce unexpected.  He also found a half brother David O'Callaghan who is  Spencer police Chief. He was also left 

Gnarly a German Shepherd who is smart. he was trained by Army and kicked out.  He can take bad guys out and eats anything. Gnarly is also a thief.

The plot is good.  I was not sure what would happen next.   David and Chelsea Adams were getting their marriage license when David found out he was married.  He did not know he had married anyone.  So David,  Mac and Gnarly flew up to New York City with divorce papers.  Chelsea was hurt and is not talking to David.  When they are up there they find dead body and trouble.  So the race is on to get David a divorce and prove he is not a murder before his wedding in just days away.

I did not put the book down till I had finished reading it.

I was given this ebook to read by the Author Lauren Carr and in return I agreed to give a honest review.

Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery (Fool's Gold #19)

Description

Wish upon a Christmas star with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's sparkling Fool's Gold romance!

To bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug, organizing a Christmas wedding sounds like a joy—until she finds out she'll be working closely with the gorgeous brother of the bride, movie star Jonny Blaze. How will a small-town girl like her keep from falling for the world's sexiest guy? Especially with mistletoe lurking around every corner!

Jonny came to Fool's Gold looking for normal, not for love. Happily-ever-after only happens in the movies. Still, nothing about this quirky town is quite what he expected, and "ordinary" Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he's ever met. Refreshingly honest, disarmingly sweet. Achingly beautiful.

Planning the perfect wedding leads to candlelit dinners and strolls through snow-covered streets. And Madeline finds Jonny in real life even more captivating than her celebrity crush. But will the action star be brave enough to risk his heart and step into the role of a lifetime?

• Series: Fool's Gold (Book 21)
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (September 29, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373788509
• ISBN-13: 978-0373788507

My review:  Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery (Fool's Gold #19)

4 STARS

I really like Fool's Gold it is fun to see what is new in town.  What festival is going on.  I would love to go to some of them.  It is a small town with some interesting characters, lots of hot guys and strong will women.   Always come together to make things better.

Madeline Krug is one of the owners for the bridal shop.  She loves to find the perfect wedding dress for each bride.  She is single.  Has a crush on movie star Jonny Blaze.

Mayor Marsha has come and asked her to help plan a small wedding after Christmas for someone in town sister because party planner can't do it then.  Madeline says she will do her best and then finds out it is for Jonny Blaze's sister.

 Jonny Blaze has moved into Fool's Gold because he wants a normal life.  He has had a lot of loss in his life.  Helped raise his sister after first his mom and then dad died.  He hates the woman who throws themselves at him.  He wants the best for his sister.

It is funny the things he wants for the wedding.  He keeps getting ideas for it.  He is also a good guy.  He likes all the celebrating the city does for each holiday.

There is a couple of love scenes. Some cute animals, some frisky senior citizens and some tender moments.  I enjoyed reading Marry Me at Christmas.

I will keep looking out for more books from Susan Mallery in the future.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Marry Me at Christmas.