Posted November 21, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
With Christmas and a family showdown looming, can she find a miracle?
Hoping to reunite her mother with her long-lost brother for Christmas, interior designer Hayley Stevens travels to Montana to hand-deliver a Christmas card to the uncle she’s never met. Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly, Hayley hides her identity to learn more about her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.
Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.
Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.
This story connects lightly to the world of Sweetheart, Montana – you might recognize some folks. 🙂
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Posted November 19, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments
It would take a Christmas miracle to get these two together
Veterinarian Janice Sullivan has been horse-crazy all her life and only wanted to work on her family’s cattle farm, the Three Sisters Ranch, but her father’s constant criticisms drove her away, forcing her to choose a new career in dressage and leaving her secret crush behind. With the ranch facing possible bankruptcy, Janice has an idea to save it – a woman’s retreat. With Christmas around the corner, Janice is not only hoping for a chance under the mistletoe with the one man she’s been unable to forget but also to give a few cowgirl wannabes a chance in the saddle.
Bah humbug! The last thing ranch foreman Nate Pierson needs is a bunch of weepy or giggly eggnog-swilling city chicks getting in his way and distracting his men while they’re busting their tails wrangling longhorns. His short temper and lack of patience often push people away except the one woman he needs to leave alone. As tempting as she is, Janice, the boss’ daughter, can never be anything more than a fantasy. The only Christmas spirit he wants is 100 proof, especially when he has to matchmake Janice with the ranch’s vet.
Nate knows from experience that Christmas miracles are for suckers, but it doesn’t stop his heart from wishing Janice could wind up under his tree instead of with the man her Daddy wants her to marry.
Titles in the Three Sisters Ranch series include – The Cowboy’s Daughter – The Cowboy’s Hunt – The Cowboy’s Heart
(This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series. (think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of somewhat connecting series set in a fictional town. A listing of the connecting series and their stories can be found on our Last Stand, Texas page)
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Posted November 17, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments
Come home to Topaz Falls, Colorado, where the best way to spend Christmas is in the arms of a cowboy!
When the beloved Farm Café in Topaz Falls burns to the ground, widow Darla Michaels comes up with the perfect plan to help her friends rebuild — a Cowboy Christmas Festival complete with a sexy bachelor auction and a benefit rodeo. But to pull it off, she has to pretend to be engaged to Ty Forrester, the irresistible bull rider who keeps testing her keep-things-casual policy.
A fake fiancée wasn’t on Ty’s Christmas list this year, but it’s the only way to get his family to visit over the holidays so his NFL-star brother can draw more tourists to the festival. The engagement wouldn’t be such a problem if Ty wasn’t starting to have real feelings for Darla. Knowing he can’t go on pretending, Ty prepares to tell his family the truth–but then he and Darla discover a precious little Christmas surprise that just might help them embrace a whole new life together.
Titles in the Rocky Mountain Riders series include — Hometown Cowboy – Comeback Cowboy – Renegade Cowboy – Rocky Mountain Cowboy (#3.5) -True Blue Cowboy – Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas (#4.5) – Colorado Cowboy – A Cowboy For Christmas –
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Posted November 16, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
A Christmas in Last Stand brings unexpected gifts to two very different people…
Detective Sean Highwater may be one of the famous Highwaters, but he has always felt a half-step off because of the way his agile mind works. Only learning to focus has enabled him to not just survive, but thrive.
Elena de la Cova is from a respected and highly regarded founding family, brought up with rather stringent expectations, but right now she is a widow trying to raise a son she doesn’t understand.
If Last Stand had royalty, in Sean’s book it would be elegant Elena. He’s willing to help her son as he had been helped, but being that close to Elena scares him to death since he’s been in awe of her for years. Elena is impressed both with the way Sean gets through to her son and with his appreciation for the Christmas customs of her culture as much as his own.
Their perceptions of each other shift, but will the passion that strikes between them be enough to overcome their perceptions of themselves?
Titles in the Texas Justice series include — The Lone Star Lawman – Lone Star Nights – A Lone Star Christmas –
This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series. (think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of series set in a fictional town). For a look at the other series in the Last Stand connecting series please visit our Last Stand, Texas page.
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Posted November 10, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
A magical, modern-day Christmas Carol
Digital designer Emma Wallace is finally poised for her big break: kitchenware giant Johnson Cookware is looking to rebrand – and with Christmas around the corner, Emma’s long-held philosophy of work-before-play may just give her the edge she needs to win the account.
The only peppermint twist in her Scrooge-worthy plan? She’s promised her ever-patient, architect boyfriend Sam Cole that after spending the last three Christmases in her office instead of in his arms, she’ll make this holiday just about the two of them. But as Christmas Eve draws near and the deadline crunch threatens her promise to Sam, Emma finds herself visited by three boyfriends “ghosts” of Christmases past, who come bearing the gift of hindsight.
Will showing Emma her past romantic failures, as well as her early courtship with Sam, help her to see the path to true happiness in time to save her future?
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Posted November 9, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Multi-Author Series / 0 Comments
Warren “Dash” Holliday agrees to return to the Holliday Islands Resort to transform Dasher Island into a skiing wonderland for sweethearts. There’s only one catch. His billionaire father wants a celebrity endorsement for his new black diamond and trick slopes by Christmas, and that’s only a month away.
Jovie Cyrus, a championship skier, is looking for a much-needed break from the competitive circuit and the paparazzi. When an invitation arrives to spend a working vacation on a new set of slopes in Alaska — with zero media coverage until after the holidays when her endorsement goes live — she can’t resist.
But when she arrives at the luxury resort, she discovers the world’s most elusive extreme skier is already out there testing the new lanes. Determined to finally face off with the man who’s been challenging her world records from afar, she finds herself heating up the slopes with a truly extraordinary athlete — one who will test not only her strength but her heart in their race to the top!
Titles in the multi-author Holliday Islands Resort series include – The Dashing Groom by Jo Grafford – Dancing to the Altar by Christi Bortner – Love Came Prancing by Danni Roan – Her Christmas Vixen by Ginny Sterling – Comet’s Blazing Love by Jenna Brandt –Cupid Takes A Wife by Marie Higgins – Donner Let Her Go by Amelia Adams – Blitzen the CEO by Lisa Prysock – Rudolph’s Runaway Bride by George McVey – Mommy’s Kissing Santa by Kit Morgan
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Posted November 9, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments
When the one you want …
Daisy doesn’t believe love is ever-lasting, so it’s ironic as hell that she parlayed a business degree into a wedding planning business. More ironic still is her latest job bringing her back into contact with the man who’d taught her that love can’t last.
Is the one you can’t have…
To say Diego has been taught the hard way to bury emotions is an understatement. But when he’s called home to help the brother he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years, that’s one thing. It’s another entirely to also come face to face with the first woman he ever loved. First and only.
Can love conquer all?
Daisy’s learned to depend only on herself, and Diego is and always has been an island of one. And yet when they’re together, even when they’re bickering, still wary and haunted by memories of what was … it’s magic. The question is, how to find their way back to each other?
Titles in the Heartbreaker Bay series include — Sweet Little Lies – The Trouble with Mistletoe – One Snowy Night – Accidentally on Purpose – Chasing Christmas Eve – Holiday Wishes – About That Kiss – Hot Winter Nights – Playing for Keeps – Wrapped Up In You – Twist of Fate (#8.5 – A 1001Dark Nights line companion novella) –
If you love Jill Shalvis’ stories then check out our Jill Shalvis page for more titles, series, and standalone titles that have been reviewed here at Keeper Bookshelf. (At one time most of Ms. Shalvis’ romances were reviewed on a website of mine that no longer exists due to circumstances beyond my control. It is my intention to bring those “lost” reviews here to Keeper Bookshelf over time.)
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Posted November 9, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
Brilliant, but overworked California accountant, Rachel Mills, inherits an old bookstore in Marietta, Montana, just as she’s been passed over for a huge promotion. The smart thing to do would be to buckle down and keep on working. But for the first time in her life, she goes with impulsive and books a flight to Montana to inspect the bookstore, and hopefully have her first white Christmas ever.
Texan lawyer and entrepreneur, Atticus Bowen, has found the perfect location for his next restaurant—the two-story, turn-of-the-century brick building on Marietta’s Main Street. All he has to do is convince the new owner to sell Paradise Books to him. After all, used bookstores aren’t practical or viable businesses, and he’s making Rachel Mills a very generous offer. But instead of jumping on his offer, Rachel decides she’s going to open the bookstore doors for December and ‘explore her options.’
The last thing Rachel expected was to fall in love with the old bookstore, or charming Marietta. She never expected sparks to fly with handsome, arrogant Atticus Bowen, either. Smart, practical Rachel realizes she just might be falling in love with the sexy, opinionated Texan lawyer — something that could prove to be neither smart nor practical….or the best decision of her life.
Love any story that involves Marietta, Montana? Then you’ll want to check out two pages here that focus on this small town (and some neighboring ones as well) for titles, series, authors, and links to reviews done here at Keeper Bookshelf. Please visit our Marietta, Montana pages.
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Posted November 8, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments
Being naughty was nice, but now these friends-turned-lovers are in for an unforgettable Christmas…
Just when Kaitlyn Barnes vows to get over her longtime crush on Rafe Langdon, they share a sizzling evening that delivers an epic holiday surprise: Kaitlyn is pregnant. And if that weren’t life-changing enough, everyone assumes they’re engaged — a charade they must keep alive through the holiday season. But Kaitlyn knows Rafe better than anyone, and Rafe settling down is about as likely as Santa skipping Angel Falls this year…
Rafe would rather Kaitlyn believe a lie — that their night together was a fling — than face his own dangerous truth: he’s falling for her, hard. After a devastating loss, Rafe swore he’d never risk his heart again. Yet the longer they pretend to be engaged the more Rafe starts to want the real thing. But now he has to convince Kaitlyn he wants to be by her side — and their baby’s — for all the Christmases to come.
Titles in the Angel Falls series include – Then There Was You – The Way You Love Me – All I Want For Christmas Is You –
Includes the bonus novel Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by Annie Rains.
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Posted November 8, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments
The firefighting cowboys of Wildcat Bluffs take Christmas VERY seriously…
When Ivy Bryant arrives in town to run the historic honky-tonk, she finds herself immersed in traditions that can’t be bucked. Luckily, cowboy firefighter Slade Steele has an idea to increase both the honkytonk’s income and his own. It’s an offer Ivy couldn’t refuse, even if the passion between them wasn’t already reaching the boiling point.
Ivy and Slade’s love story is legendary–when you add in arsonist cattle rustlers, a runaway Angus bull, and a chili recipe that includes liquor AND chocolate, Wildcat Bluffs will be celebrating a cowboy Christmas unlike any other.
Titles in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series include — A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas – Blazing Hot Cowboy – A Very Cowboy Christmas – Hot For A Cowboy – Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss –
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Posted November 7, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
When Laurel West discovers her estranged sister Abby has checked herself into rehab and wants her to take care of her fourteen-year-old son, she doesn’t hesitate to step in. Abby was there for Laurel a long time ago, and she longs to be able to offer the same. However, as a single woman who still dreams of the fairy tale, Laurel isn’t prepared for teenaged Zac’s sullen moods or silent rage. When he’s expelled from school, she decides to take drastic measures and temporarily relocate them to her great aunt’s cottage on the windswept hills of the Orkney Islands north of Scotland… about as far as she can run from their problems, but will it be far enough?
From the moment they step onto the island’s shores, everything seems to go wrong… including a run-in with eccentric sheep farmer Archie MacDougall. When Zac gets in trouble at the village pub and is rescued by Archie, Laurel thinks things are only getting worse. But Archie’s suggestion of putting Zach to work on his farm might be the change he needs, and Laurel strikes up a surprising friendship with a man who is about as far from the fairy tale as she can imagine. Can such an unlikely and impractical love bloom in such a brief moment out of reality? And will two lost and lonely souls find each other at the edge of the world?
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Posted November 5, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
To Aggie Harper, every day is Christmas. Even if that means late nights and non-existent love life to keep her beloved mother’s knitting store that specializes in ugly Christmas sweaters afloat. She loves her small Texas town life and believes she is living her dream until a big city stranger strides through the front door of her store and has her question what she really wants from life.
Since the death of his mother, corporate lawyer Mason Firth lives to work, especially when tinsel adorns storefronts and he can’t escape the aroma of gingerbread. A mysterious unpaid family loan sends him to Last Stand, but instead of discovering any answers he finds himself risking a sugar coma from Christmas baked goods, making barbed wire Christmas wreaths and losing focus whenever around warm-hearted Aggie.
Can a woman determined to spread Christmas joy and a man resistant to emotion and all things mistletoe, create their own Christmas miracle?
Titles in the Wildflower Hill series include – A Texas Christmas Wish –
(This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series. (think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of somewhat connecting series set in a fictional town. A listing of the connecting series and their stories can be found on our Last Stand, Texas page)
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Posted November 5, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Discussion Post / 0 Comments
I’ve spent the weekend reading Christmas books, most for NetGalley reviews, but a few just for me. And yet… that pile of Christmas Romances doesn’t seem to be getting any smaller.
In fact, I might have added to it since new releases have come out in November that, well, I needed. You understand, right?
So now I’m looking at so many stories that I want to read – so many I need to read to fulfill commitments (enjoyable obligations I might add) and wondering how in the world I’m gonna get them all read before the end of the year. *sigh*
How’s your Christmas reading working out? Never enough? Or… I love them but I’m getting too many! Me? I’m somewhere in-between, but I march onwards for I know there are even more releasing in December! 🙂
Posted November 5, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Historical Romance, Multi-Author Series, Regency Romance / 0 Comments
An arranged marriage just in time for Christmas.
Alice has never felt so lonely. Having lived both a life of poverty and then of riches due to her father making his fortune later in life, Alice finds herself sent from America to England, in order to marry the Charles, the Earl of Allerton.
Charles is much too generous. Over the years, he has given his brother too much money to free him from debts and is now forced to find a rich bride. Knowing that Miss Jones has a large fortune, Charles prepares to meet his betrothed.
He is horrified by her lack of manners. Mortified by his beautiful yet embarrassing bride to be, Charles tries to keep his distance, whilst still preparing for their Christmas wedding. Alice finds him distant and unfriendly, whilst his aunt, Lady Fossett, is nothing short of cruel. When offensive notes begin to arrive, Alice struggles against the urge to return home, leaving her new life in England behind.
With their Christmas wedding only a few weeks away, Charles and Alice must find a way to come together. Will Alice be able to confront Charles about the notes? Or will Charles continue to push her away, right when she needs him the most?
Alice’s Arranged Marriage is the first story in the multi-author series Home for Christmas.
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Posted November 2, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments
Eloise, a self-confessed Christmas obsessive, can’t wait for the big day. Devoted to her Michael Bublé playlist, she’s organizing the school nativity play and even her gorgeous Grinch of a neighbor, James, can’t get her down.
Her workaholic twin sister, Cara, on the other hand, plans to work over the holiday – and figure out what secrets her seemingly-perfect boyfriend George might be keeping from her.
The sisters used to be close but since Cara moved to London, everything’s been different. Only, Eloise isn’t giving up just yet, and with a white Christmas on the cards, Cara can’t fail to be moved by the magic of the season … can she?
.
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