Lucy Renner doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas or forever after. Yet here she is in holiday-obsessed Crimson, Colorado, for her mother’s fourth walk down the aisle. But it’s the handsome-as-sin cowboy cradling a stray kitten who gets her blood racing! Even if Caden Sharpe is rude, surly, and just plain Grinch-like, how can a man who finds homes for unwanted pets be all bad?

These days, former soldier Caden Sharpe is more comfortable with the animals he rescues than people. But now his widowed father is engaged to Lucy’s thrice-divorced mother, and Caden is determined to keep him from making a huge mistake—even as he finds himself falling for the bride-to-be’s lovely daughter. Will Crimson see a last-minute holiday exchange—at the altar?

Titles in the Crimson, Colorado series include: A Kiss on Crimson Ranch ~ A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch ~ Suddenly a Father ~ A Very Crimson Christmas ~ A Baby and A Betrothal ~ Always the Best Man ~ Christmas on Crimson Mountain ~ Romancing the Wallflower ~ Sleigh Bells in Crimson ~ Coming Home to Crimson ~ Anything for His Baby ~ Love at First Bark ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Sleigh Bells in Crimson
Series:  Crimson, Colorado #9
Author:  Michelle Major
Published:  November 21, 2017 (Original),  March 3, 2023 (Reissue)
Publisher:  Harlequin Special Edition
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Sleigh Bells in Crimson is the ninth title in the Crimson, Colorado series, this time featuring Caden, a rancher, the son of an affluent rancher, and a rescuer of animals of all sizes and types from therapy bunnies to dogs no one wants and everything in between.  Caden is also somewhat closed off, as he believes he is responsible for something that he could not have prevented.  Yet, he holds tight to what he’s convinced himself is his truth.  He’s also extremely protective of his father, especially from a woman who intends to marry Garrett, and who Caden is convinced is a gold digger, after only the money in his father’s bank accounts.  And her daughter, Lucy, who arrives just in time for the wedding, and keeps him from confronting his father with his beliefs about this so-called love match… and blindsides Caden when the sparks fly between them… sparks of far more than anger and suspicions.

Lucy is well aware of her mother’s constant need to find a love that lasts; her four previous marriages attest to that unfortunate fact.  She’s been called here to help her mother prepare for her wedding, and maybe to keep Caden from ruining the wedding for her mother.  Lucy’s also aware of one tiny fact that will have an effect on several people, some in surprising ways.  When her mom and Caden’s dad take off for some shopping and sightseeing in New York City, on a pre-wedding trip, they are left together at the ranch to set up Christmas decorations and get ready for the wedding.  And maybe to explore those sparks between them.

I had fun with Sleigh Bells in Crimson by Michelle Major.  Although I will admit that it took me a bit of time to warm up to Caden, he’s so prickly for all the wrong reasons.  His unnecessary guilt, his suspicious mind, and his own past will almost keep him from the best thing that’s ever happened to him… his relationship with Lucy.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

If you love this author’s work, please visit our Michelle Major page for other titles that you may have missed over time.

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)