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Snowflakes and Stetsons
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart
Wrongly imprisoned, Caleb McGraw is finally free—but the bitterness he holds still makes him feel trapped. Until he sees the beautiful Caroline holding a little boy with eyes just like his own. Discovering his long-lost son is just the start of Caleb's Christmas miracles!
Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch
One Christmas night, outcast Lucas Burnett finds a silver-haired angel buried in the snow. But Rosalie Greer is no pale spirit—she's a fiery, independent woman, as wild as the mustangs Lucas breeds. Can she be the one to finally thaw Lucas's frozen heart?
A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St.John
Meredith has always dreamed of a grand life but, stranded on a train in heavy snowfall with two young stowaways, she unexpectedly finds she has everything she needs with just one strong man to protect her....
Wrongly imprisoned, Caleb McGraw is finally free—but the bitterness he holds still makes him feel trapped. Until he sees the beautiful Caroline holding a little boy with eyes just like his own. Discovering his long-lost son is just the start of Caleb's Christmas miracles!
Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch
One Christmas night, outcast Lucas Burnett finds a silver-haired angel buried in the snow. But Rosalie Greer is no pale spirit—she's a fiery, independent woman, as wild as the mustangs Lucas breeds. Can she be the one to finally thaw Lucas's frozen heart?
A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St.John
Meredith has always dreamed of a grand life but, stranded on a train in heavy snowfall with two young stowaways, she unexpectedly finds she has everything she needs with just one strong man to protect her....
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
15 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
192 books602 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 12, 2013
What a nice combination, Christmas theme and western historical stories. I would consider myself fans of all three writers in this volume, but my favorite story was by Carol Finch, one of the three I've read the least books by. I admit that I enjoyed the contrast between the proper wealthy woman from back East and the mixed-heritage rough and tumble ex-Texas Ranger. I also liked the fact that they were able to see past apparently superficial divides between them to the good-hearted people beneath disparate exteriors. I felt the ending was a bit too abrupt, but I would give this one four stars for its feel good vibe and readability, and also having a great lead pair. Also brownie points for the hero's awesome dog named Dog!
The Jillian Hart story was good and I enjoyed it. It took me a while to get into it, and when I did, what the heroine does nearly killed the book for me. I really dislike when you have a character who supposedly falls in love with someone and then completely disses them because of what someone has said or what their bad reputation indicated. It didn't read true to me. I hurt for the hero in that case, and I found him a lot more sympathetic than the heroine. Hart writes very good heroes. Generally I like her heroines, but I didn't understand the heroine's reactions and motivations, so that spoiled the story for me with this one. I can only give it story three stars.
Cheryl St. John writes a compelling and heartwarming story for this volume. The main couple are stranded together in the heroine's father's well-equipped Pullman during a snow storm, along with two orphaned kids. To complicate matters, armed bandits are after a payload that the US Marshal hero is trying to protect. For a short story, this has a nice dose of western action that make this reader happy. Readers who enjoy survival stories will appreciate this. I also liked the 'don't judge a book by the cover' theme of this novel. The heroine comes from a rich family and she seems like she might be spoiled and unlikable, but she shows a generous, some resourcefulness that definitely helps in their situation, a good heart and a strong spirit from the beginning. I liked seeing her bond with the children, and I liked the way their romance unfolded. This one was also four stars, although I liked the Carol Finch story more.
Overall, a good Christmas short story historical romance collection with good western stories and good writing. It was actually a quick read once I was able to focus my attention on the stories.
I did the math and this comes out to be about a 3.8/5.0 star rating but it's Christmas, so I will round it up to four stars.
The Jillian Hart story was good and I enjoyed it. It took me a while to get into it, and when I did, what the heroine does nearly killed the book for me. I really dislike when you have a character who supposedly falls in love with someone and then completely disses them because of what someone has said or what their bad reputation indicated. It didn't read true to me. I hurt for the hero in that case, and I found him a lot more sympathetic than the heroine. Hart writes very good heroes. Generally I like her heroines, but I didn't understand the heroine's reactions and motivations, so that spoiled the story for me with this one. I can only give it story three stars.
Cheryl St. John writes a compelling and heartwarming story for this volume. The main couple are stranded together in the heroine's father's well-equipped Pullman during a snow storm, along with two orphaned kids. To complicate matters, armed bandits are after a payload that the US Marshal hero is trying to protect. For a short story, this has a nice dose of western action that make this reader happy. Readers who enjoy survival stories will appreciate this. I also liked the 'don't judge a book by the cover' theme of this novel. The heroine comes from a rich family and she seems like she might be spoiled and unlikable, but she shows a generous, some resourcefulness that definitely helps in their situation, a good heart and a strong spirit from the beginning. I liked seeing her bond with the children, and I liked the way their romance unfolded. This one was also four stars, although I liked the Carol Finch story more.
Overall, a good Christmas short story historical romance collection with good western stories and good writing. It was actually a quick read once I was able to focus my attention on the stories.
I did the math and this comes out to be about a 3.8/5.0 star rating but it's Christmas, so I will round it up to four stars.
December 22, 2016
SNOWFLAKES AND STETSONS by Jillian Hart, Carol Finch and Cheryl St. John is a historical anthology based on Western Christmas Wishes. Anthologies with a Christmas theme are my favorite books to buy for holiday reading because they’re easier to read in small snippets of time. That said, this review was written to meet our TBR Challenge date before I finish the third story, so I’ll come back and revise this when I’m finished.
Why was this in Dorine’s TBR? I purchased this book in print because the cover wouldn’t stop calling me. Isn’t it cute? I like Jillian Hart and Cheryl St. John for historical westerns, and as a bonus I’d get to try new-to-me author Carol Finch. But, I only read Christmas stories in December and January, so this one sat on my shelf way too long. Wendy’s challenge got me moving to finally read this one.
The first novella I read was THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE by Jillian Hart, which has a very unusual premise. The hero served time and comes back to find the woman he had hoped to spend his life with prior to his imprisonment. Nothing is as he expects because he discovers the woman died and he has a son who is now living with another woman in charge of his care.
I love the setting of Montana territory but I didn’t find Caroline Dreyer’s circumstances as believable as Caleb McGraw’s. That she would willingly move to a remote place with her best friend’s son, then speak to a stranger as easily as she does, wasn’t convincing. Caroline seems very naïve for a woman making it on her own.
All three characters have suffered a great loss, but their stories didn’t affect me emotionally as I felt they should. They should have tugged at my heart but I wasn’t invested in their backstory enough for that to happen.
The foundation for this novella was intriguing but it carried on too long without enough subplot to support it. Caleb McGraw’s story is heartbreaking but he’s too ashamed of his background once the reader understands what happened to him. He’s kind and respectable but I wanted him to have more confidence and pride.
A good idea but the characters and their day-to-day lives didn’t appeal to me enough. The writing is good but the story needed more oomph. I’d rate this novella a 3.5 as I will remember the ingenuity of creating a hero who has just been released from prison, but the rest of the story didn’t captivate.
I skipped to Cheryl St. John’s novella next, instead of reading in order so that I could meet my deadline. I have never read Carol Finch before, so I am intrigued. Anthologies are one way I find new-to-me authors, so I’ll go back to her story and update this review when finished.
As always, Cheryl St. John’s story A MAGICAL GIFT AT CHRISTMAS captured my attention from the first page. I love the “stranded in the wilderness” idea, anyways, but this one has several unusual twists.
First, the hero is a marshal in charge of guarding some payroll gold on a train in Colorado. When he suspects a robbery, he detaches the last few cars to hide the gold from the gang. He instructs the engineer to keep going and not stop when the gang tries to overtake them.
The Pullman car attached to the mail car just happens to have a rich, railroad baron’s daughter in it and they become stranded in a snow storm together. If that’s not enough to contend with, they discover two orphans who hid themselves in the mail car, so now they have gold, robbers and the children to worry about as well as their growing attraction to one another.
Jonah and Meredith seem like a most unlikely couple because of her family’s wealth and her obvious upbringing, but Meredith isn’t your normal socialite. She shoots guns and isn’t afraid to use them when the going gets tough. She’s feminine, yet tough as nails – not afraid to stand up to Jonah when he’s being ridiculous. He soon learns Meredith is not predictable and just the kind of woman he can relate to, even though he knows she’s about to be engaged when they reach Denver.
Cheryl St. John’s novella is entertaining, unusual and has some great survival tactics, something I love to read about. The only part that wasn’t perfect for me was the quick, few sentence resolution. I think an epilogue would have been a nice touch because I wanted to know more. Even with that small disappointment, I’d rate this a 4.5 because it’s exciting, unusual and interesting, keeping me glued to the pages from beginning to end.
For me, the SNOWFLAKES AND STETSONS book purchase was worth the money because of the unusual premise of the two stories I read so far. The cover drew me in with the cute child on the cover and both stories contained children who drove the plots forward. Both are also very sweet romances for those who prefer that type of story.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print book purchased by me.
Why was this in Dorine’s TBR? I purchased this book in print because the cover wouldn’t stop calling me. Isn’t it cute? I like Jillian Hart and Cheryl St. John for historical westerns, and as a bonus I’d get to try new-to-me author Carol Finch. But, I only read Christmas stories in December and January, so this one sat on my shelf way too long. Wendy’s challenge got me moving to finally read this one.
The first novella I read was THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE by Jillian Hart, which has a very unusual premise. The hero served time and comes back to find the woman he had hoped to spend his life with prior to his imprisonment. Nothing is as he expects because he discovers the woman died and he has a son who is now living with another woman in charge of his care.
I love the setting of Montana territory but I didn’t find Caroline Dreyer’s circumstances as believable as Caleb McGraw’s. That she would willingly move to a remote place with her best friend’s son, then speak to a stranger as easily as she does, wasn’t convincing. Caroline seems very naïve for a woman making it on her own.
All three characters have suffered a great loss, but their stories didn’t affect me emotionally as I felt they should. They should have tugged at my heart but I wasn’t invested in their backstory enough for that to happen.
The foundation for this novella was intriguing but it carried on too long without enough subplot to support it. Caleb McGraw’s story is heartbreaking but he’s too ashamed of his background once the reader understands what happened to him. He’s kind and respectable but I wanted him to have more confidence and pride.
A good idea but the characters and their day-to-day lives didn’t appeal to me enough. The writing is good but the story needed more oomph. I’d rate this novella a 3.5 as I will remember the ingenuity of creating a hero who has just been released from prison, but the rest of the story didn’t captivate.
I skipped to Cheryl St. John’s novella next, instead of reading in order so that I could meet my deadline. I have never read Carol Finch before, so I am intrigued. Anthologies are one way I find new-to-me authors, so I’ll go back to her story and update this review when finished.
As always, Cheryl St. John’s story A MAGICAL GIFT AT CHRISTMAS captured my attention from the first page. I love the “stranded in the wilderness” idea, anyways, but this one has several unusual twists.
First, the hero is a marshal in charge of guarding some payroll gold on a train in Colorado. When he suspects a robbery, he detaches the last few cars to hide the gold from the gang. He instructs the engineer to keep going and not stop when the gang tries to overtake them.
The Pullman car attached to the mail car just happens to have a rich, railroad baron’s daughter in it and they become stranded in a snow storm together. If that’s not enough to contend with, they discover two orphans who hid themselves in the mail car, so now they have gold, robbers and the children to worry about as well as their growing attraction to one another.
Jonah and Meredith seem like a most unlikely couple because of her family’s wealth and her obvious upbringing, but Meredith isn’t your normal socialite. She shoots guns and isn’t afraid to use them when the going gets tough. She’s feminine, yet tough as nails – not afraid to stand up to Jonah when he’s being ridiculous. He soon learns Meredith is not predictable and just the kind of woman he can relate to, even though he knows she’s about to be engaged when they reach Denver.
Cheryl St. John’s novella is entertaining, unusual and has some great survival tactics, something I love to read about. The only part that wasn’t perfect for me was the quick, few sentence resolution. I think an epilogue would have been a nice touch because I wanted to know more. Even with that small disappointment, I’d rate this a 4.5 because it’s exciting, unusual and interesting, keeping me glued to the pages from beginning to end.
For me, the SNOWFLAKES AND STETSONS book purchase was worth the money because of the unusual premise of the two stories I read so far. The cover drew me in with the cute child on the cover and both stories contained children who drove the plots forward. Both are also very sweet romances for those who prefer that type of story.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print book purchased by me.
December 21, 2016
I’m usually not an anthology junkie, but when Christmas rolls around, I just can’t get enough Christmas stories. As a result, I have quite a stash of holiday anthologies. For this month’s TBR, I pulled out the 2011 Snowflakes and Stetsons collection from Harlequin. While there wasn’t any one story that hit it out of the park, I more or less liked everything I read here so I’ll definitely count this book as one for the win column.
Do you like your holiday tales with a heavy helping of angst? The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart delivers more than a little bit in that department, and frankly, Hart writes a good emotional, “tug at the heartstrings” sort of story. In this tale, Caleb McGraw has just finished serving his sentence for a crime of which he was wrongfully(of course) convicted and he is passing through his old Montana town to see the former sweetheart he left behind.
When Caleb learns his former love has died, he prepares to move on, but then he learns that he has a child. When he finds the child living with a local widow, he can’t drift out of town as quickly as planned. What ensues is as much a story of parental love as romantic love. Caleb’s desire to get to know his son is well-written and I enjoyed seeing this side of Caleb just as much as I liked watching him fall in love with Caroline. Caleb has a lot to overcome if he’s ever going to rebuild his life and while some parts of this story were just a little too pat, I found it moving, sweet, and perfect for the season. B
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text here: http://allaboutromance.com/tbr-challe...
Do you like your holiday tales with a heavy helping of angst? The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart delivers more than a little bit in that department, and frankly, Hart writes a good emotional, “tug at the heartstrings” sort of story. In this tale, Caleb McGraw has just finished serving his sentence for a crime of which he was wrongfully(of course) convicted and he is passing through his old Montana town to see the former sweetheart he left behind.
When Caleb learns his former love has died, he prepares to move on, but then he learns that he has a child. When he finds the child living with a local widow, he can’t drift out of town as quickly as planned. What ensues is as much a story of parental love as romantic love. Caleb’s desire to get to know his son is well-written and I enjoyed seeing this side of Caleb just as much as I liked watching him fall in love with Caroline. Caleb has a lot to overcome if he’s ever going to rebuild his life and while some parts of this story were just a little too pat, I found it moving, sweet, and perfect for the season. B
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text here: http://allaboutromance.com/tbr-challe...
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October 27, 2014Watch for my novella in October!
October 23, 2014
This is an anthology of three Christmas stories:
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart - (5 stars)
Jillian Hart does an excellent job getting you emotionally involved with her characters. I loved Caroline, Thomas, and Caleb, and cared about what happened to them. Anger engulfed me when I found out the reason Caleb was falsely arrested, and enjoyed the way the author worked things out in the end. A very nice, realistic, feel-good story.
Christmas at Cahill Chrossing by Carol Finch - (1 star)
This story had too much bad language and was way too sensual for my taste. If it had been a full length book I would not have finished it. The writing style was ok, but not much happened after an unfortunate accident during a blizzard sets up the plot. Also, the personality of the main character, Rosa, changes way to much, and too quickly, to be believable.
A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John - (5 stars)
Meredith Abbot is not your usual society maiden. She isn't sure exactly what is important to her yet, but slowly discovers that during the course of the story. There is not a dull moment in this one; it has stowaways, train robbers, and, of course, a romantic dilemma. Who will Meredith choose in the end?
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart - (5 stars)
Jillian Hart does an excellent job getting you emotionally involved with her characters. I loved Caroline, Thomas, and Caleb, and cared about what happened to them. Anger engulfed me when I found out the reason Caleb was falsely arrested, and enjoyed the way the author worked things out in the end. A very nice, realistic, feel-good story.
Christmas at Cahill Chrossing by Carol Finch - (1 star)
This story had too much bad language and was way too sensual for my taste. If it had been a full length book I would not have finished it. The writing style was ok, but not much happened after an unfortunate accident during a blizzard sets up the plot. Also, the personality of the main character, Rosa, changes way to much, and too quickly, to be believable.
A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John - (5 stars)
Meredith Abbot is not your usual society maiden. She isn't sure exactly what is important to her yet, but slowly discovers that during the course of the story. There is not a dull moment in this one; it has stowaways, train robbers, and, of course, a romantic dilemma. Who will Meredith choose in the end?
February 12, 2019
I was debating whether or not to give this book 3 stars or 4 stars... since I am a sucker for a good Christmas romance, I decided to go with a 4 star rating. Here is my review for each novella:
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart - 5 Stars
Wow. This was a great read! Absolutely loved it and raced through each chapter in order to find out what was going to happen next. A true heart - felt Christmas story, about love and loss and love again.
Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch - 3 Stars
I have the four books in Carol Finch's Cahill Cowboy's series... this book was a little preview where Quin was introduced as a secondary character. I liked the book, but it was a bit unbelievable / far fetched with regards to character behavior, at times.
A Magical Christmas Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John - 4 Stars
A western historical romance novel by Cheryl St. John introduced me to this romance genre many many years ago, so I always have a soft spot for her novels. This was an exciting read involving train robbers, orphans, Christmas Eve and star crossed lovers. Had a little bit of everything rolled into one.
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart - 5 Stars
Wow. This was a great read! Absolutely loved it and raced through each chapter in order to find out what was going to happen next. A true heart - felt Christmas story, about love and loss and love again.
Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch - 3 Stars
I have the four books in Carol Finch's Cahill Cowboy's series... this book was a little preview where Quin was introduced as a secondary character. I liked the book, but it was a bit unbelievable / far fetched with regards to character behavior, at times.
A Magical Christmas Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John - 4 Stars
A western historical romance novel by Cheryl St. John introduced me to this romance genre many many years ago, so I always have a soft spot for her novels. This was an exciting read involving train robbers, orphans, Christmas Eve and star crossed lovers. Had a little bit of everything rolled into one.
July 3, 2020
Although I'm less familiar with Jillian Hart's work than the other two, I'm particularly fond of Cheryl St. John's stories. I've also read a good number of Carol Finch's works and find her to be a fine writer. Thus, I was looking forward to reading this trio of short stories about Christmas.
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle (Jillian Hart) -- This story fluctuates between trite and corny. I hate to waste the paper describing it. Caleb McGraw, just out of jail for a crime he didn't commit, finds out he has a son. He travels to see his son, just once and meets the woman who took the child into her home. Feeling too guilty to explain, Caleb falls for Caroline (a widow who also lost her son in the past). When she finds out the truth, she doesn't want to hear Caleb's explanation. (frankly, who cares?) (2 stars)
Christmas at Cahill Crossing (Carol Finch) -- This short story was released about the same time as the book listed below. It is tangentially related to the Cahills of that series. Rosalie Greer gets caught in a sudden blizzard and is fortunately found by ex-Texas Ranger Lucas Burnett before she freezes to death. There is instant chemistry between the two but Rosie is a fashionable business owner and Lucas doesn't think they belong together. This is a charming story about opposites that have much in common. (4.5 stars)
A Magical Gift at Christmas (Cheryl St. John) -- US Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh and three other marshals are protecting a gold shipment on a train traveling to Denver. Meredith Abbott is traveling in a private Pullman car on the same train, at the end, with the mail car. Johan finds two stowaway hiding in the mail car, children hoping to travel to Denver to find their father (because their mother has died). Now, suddenly, Jonah is responsible for three others, as well as the gold shipment. The shootout causes damage to the Abbott's train car, but Jonah keeps everyone safe.
When they arrive in Denver, Meredith's intended asks her to marry him. But the two children have gotten under her skin and Meredith decides that she wants more than a society marriage. This is a great story; just what one would expect from this author. (5 stars)
Series contributed to: Cahill Cowboys
The LoneRancher (2011)
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle (Jillian Hart) -- This story fluctuates between trite and corny. I hate to waste the paper describing it. Caleb McGraw, just out of jail for a crime he didn't commit, finds out he has a son. He travels to see his son, just once and meets the woman who took the child into her home. Feeling too guilty to explain, Caleb falls for Caroline (a widow who also lost her son in the past). When she finds out the truth, she doesn't want to hear Caleb's explanation. (frankly, who cares?) (2 stars)
Christmas at Cahill Crossing (Carol Finch) -- This short story was released about the same time as the book listed below. It is tangentially related to the Cahills of that series. Rosalie Greer gets caught in a sudden blizzard and is fortunately found by ex-Texas Ranger Lucas Burnett before she freezes to death. There is instant chemistry between the two but Rosie is a fashionable business owner and Lucas doesn't think they belong together. This is a charming story about opposites that have much in common. (4.5 stars)
A Magical Gift at Christmas (Cheryl St. John) -- US Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh and three other marshals are protecting a gold shipment on a train traveling to Denver. Meredith Abbott is traveling in a private Pullman car on the same train, at the end, with the mail car. Johan finds two stowaway hiding in the mail car, children hoping to travel to Denver to find their father (because their mother has died). Now, suddenly, Jonah is responsible for three others, as well as the gold shipment. The shootout causes damage to the Abbott's train car, but Jonah keeps everyone safe.
When they arrive in Denver, Meredith's intended asks her to marry him. But the two children have gotten under her skin and Meredith decides that she wants more than a society marriage. This is a great story; just what one would expect from this author. (5 stars)
Series contributed to: Cahill Cowboys
The LoneRancher (2011)
December 13, 2020
I'd like to preface this review by pointing out that romance novellas are difficult for me. I need an emotional bond between my main characters before we get to the physical stuff, or it's just icky. Novellas are by definition short, which means that there really isn't a lot of page-time for both emotional bonding and the physical stuff, so an author writing a romance novella has to strike a tricky balance to make me happy.
And now, very briefly and with absolutely no details whatsoever:
The first novella, Jillian Hart's The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle, was too sappy-sweet for my taste. All emotional bonding that was sticky with gooey schmaltz (and which I had a hard time believing), and no compelling physical stuff.
The second, Carol Finch's Christmas at Cahill Crossing, was too much sexy and not enough emotion for me. I felt that she was trying to pass lust off as love. (But your mileage may vary. If you enjoy this one, likely you'll feel that the other two are too tame.)
The third, Cheryl St. John's A Magical Gift at Christmas, was my favorite of the bunch, striking the balance between emotions and kisses.
And now, very briefly and with absolutely no details whatsoever:
The first novella, Jillian Hart's The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle, was too sappy-sweet for my taste. All emotional bonding that was sticky with gooey schmaltz (and which I had a hard time believing), and no compelling physical stuff.
The second, Carol Finch's Christmas at Cahill Crossing, was too much sexy and not enough emotion for me. I felt that she was trying to pass lust off as love. (But your mileage may vary. If you enjoy this one, likely you'll feel that the other two are too tame.)
The third, Cheryl St. John's A Magical Gift at Christmas, was my favorite of the bunch, striking the balance between emotions and kisses.
April 10, 2020
Three very good novellas packaged together. Historical western romance with high quality in all three. Recommended.
January 23, 2024
i read on of the three short stories. i read christmas at cahill crossing, it was pretty good.
January 4, 2017
Turns out I'm not a big fan of historical westerns so it just wasn't really for me.
November 3, 2011
Snowflakes and Stetsons is a Christmas anthology with a western historical romance theme that includes stories by Jillian Hart, Carol Finch and Cheryl St. John. This was my first Christmas read of the year and it was a sweet read! I read it early, during a time when I needed some comfort, but be sure to know that this book will be read again this Holiday season.
"The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle" By Jillian Hart
After serving seven years in a Territory prison for a crime he did not commit, Caleb McGraw goes home only to find out that his fiance is dead and that he has a son. That news takes him to Moose, Montana where his six year old son Thomas now lives with the widow Caroline Dreyer where he prevents a robbery and is invited to stay at least until Christmas. Caroline who lost her husband and child, and Thomas who lost his mother are both cheered by Caleb's company, and soon these three unhappy people are making the best of the season. As Caroline and Caleb's attraction grows and she figures out that he is indeed Thomas' father, they grow closer together and share their pain and hopes for the future. But what will happen when Caroline finds out that Caleb is an ex convict and the reason behind his imprisonment?
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Heart is a lovely, heartwarming holiday story about three people who experience deep loses in their lives and find a second chance at that illusive happiness. Although things happen a bit quickly for these two people and Caroline needs a push to see what is clearly in front of her eyes, I love that Caleb deservedly finds a place where he's respected for the wonderful man he truly is, and happiness with Thomas and Caroline.
"Christmas at Cahill Crossing" by Carol Finch
Beautiful Rosalie Greer is caught in a blizzard on her way to town from a secret Santa shopping trip. It's dark and wolves have her surrounded when Lucas Burnett and his dog, Dog, find her buried under a pile of snow. Lucas takes her to his ranch where as an outcast of society he keeps to himself. He's bitter about the fact that he was a Texas Ranger and helped settle the area, but because of his mixed blood he is not socially acceptable to the townspeople. However, Rosalie is not everybody. She is a respected business owner and despite an initial misunderstanding likes gorgeous Lucas. After he saves her life, she's determined to involve him in the town's events for Christmas and hopefully in her life.
In Christmas at Cahill, I loved both Rosalie's spunky attitude and the fact that Lucas couldn't resist her. Carol Finch brings the whole town into this story, making the Christmas holidays come alive for the reader and including a bit of action by using Lucas' Texas Ranger past. Finch uses sexual tension to build this romance, and later on passion heats up the holiday season in this novella.
"A Magical Gift At Christmas" by Cheryl St. John
U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh and three other Marshals are on the train to Denver, guarding a gold shipment from a gang of train robbers. Desperate circumstances push Jonah to make the fateful decision to disconnect the mail car from the rest of the train, and let the rest of the train go on to Denver. He decides to guard the car, let the other Marshals deal with the gang and wait for reinforcements. Jonah's plans, however, are complicated when he first finds Meredith Abbott riding her father's Pullman car and on her way to Denver for Christmas, and later finds Hayden and Jillian, two stowaway children, in the baggage section of the car. Jonah, Meredith and the children find themselves in the middle of a blizzard, waiting for a gang of thieves to attack, and hoping for rescue. While the situation is stressful, it also helps to pull them together and as the warmth of the holidays, love and giving make way into their hearts both Meredith and Jonah realize what's really important in life.
I really enjoyed A Magical Gift At Christmas. Meredith and Jonah are strong characters, and the children make great secondary characters in this novella. The train robbery, shootouts and action give this story a real western flavor, yet the wonderful heartwarming, family atmosphere that St. John is known for is right there to enjoy. The Christmas theme is well represented in the middle of all the action, and a romance that begins with admiration and respect as its base, has a sweet, sweet ending.
"The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle" By Jillian Hart
After serving seven years in a Territory prison for a crime he did not commit, Caleb McGraw goes home only to find out that his fiance is dead and that he has a son. That news takes him to Moose, Montana where his six year old son Thomas now lives with the widow Caroline Dreyer where he prevents a robbery and is invited to stay at least until Christmas. Caroline who lost her husband and child, and Thomas who lost his mother are both cheered by Caleb's company, and soon these three unhappy people are making the best of the season. As Caroline and Caleb's attraction grows and she figures out that he is indeed Thomas' father, they grow closer together and share their pain and hopes for the future. But what will happen when Caroline finds out that Caleb is an ex convict and the reason behind his imprisonment?
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Heart is a lovely, heartwarming holiday story about three people who experience deep loses in their lives and find a second chance at that illusive happiness. Although things happen a bit quickly for these two people and Caroline needs a push to see what is clearly in front of her eyes, I love that Caleb deservedly finds a place where he's respected for the wonderful man he truly is, and happiness with Thomas and Caroline.
"Christmas at Cahill Crossing" by Carol Finch
Beautiful Rosalie Greer is caught in a blizzard on her way to town from a secret Santa shopping trip. It's dark and wolves have her surrounded when Lucas Burnett and his dog, Dog, find her buried under a pile of snow. Lucas takes her to his ranch where as an outcast of society he keeps to himself. He's bitter about the fact that he was a Texas Ranger and helped settle the area, but because of his mixed blood he is not socially acceptable to the townspeople. However, Rosalie is not everybody. She is a respected business owner and despite an initial misunderstanding likes gorgeous Lucas. After he saves her life, she's determined to involve him in the town's events for Christmas and hopefully in her life.
In Christmas at Cahill, I loved both Rosalie's spunky attitude and the fact that Lucas couldn't resist her. Carol Finch brings the whole town into this story, making the Christmas holidays come alive for the reader and including a bit of action by using Lucas' Texas Ranger past. Finch uses sexual tension to build this romance, and later on passion heats up the holiday season in this novella.
"A Magical Gift At Christmas" by Cheryl St. John
U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh and three other Marshals are on the train to Denver, guarding a gold shipment from a gang of train robbers. Desperate circumstances push Jonah to make the fateful decision to disconnect the mail car from the rest of the train, and let the rest of the train go on to Denver. He decides to guard the car, let the other Marshals deal with the gang and wait for reinforcements. Jonah's plans, however, are complicated when he first finds Meredith Abbott riding her father's Pullman car and on her way to Denver for Christmas, and later finds Hayden and Jillian, two stowaway children, in the baggage section of the car. Jonah, Meredith and the children find themselves in the middle of a blizzard, waiting for a gang of thieves to attack, and hoping for rescue. While the situation is stressful, it also helps to pull them together and as the warmth of the holidays, love and giving make way into their hearts both Meredith and Jonah realize what's really important in life.
I really enjoyed A Magical Gift At Christmas. Meredith and Jonah are strong characters, and the children make great secondary characters in this novella. The train robbery, shootouts and action give this story a real western flavor, yet the wonderful heartwarming, family atmosphere that St. John is known for is right there to enjoy. The Christmas theme is well represented in the middle of all the action, and a romance that begins with admiration and respect as its base, has a sweet, sweet ending.
September 23, 2011
Snowflakes and Stetsons
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle By Jillian Hart
Caleb McGraw has just been released from the Territory prison. He served seven years for a crime he did not commit. He was shunned by the town's people and found out his fiance has died and that he has a son. This new information brings Caleb to Moose, Montana and to Caroline Dreyer's home. And face to face with his six year old son, Thomas.
A man was stealing Kringle, her horse. Caroline runs outside with her gun but don't have the courage to shoot and the snow is coming down too heavy to see. Out of nowhere comes a new voice and before she knows it the horse thief is tied up. Her handsome hero comes into view and everything changes.
Caroline figures out Caleb is Thomas's father and she wants him to stay, at least for Christmas. The sullen boy is cheerful and the season is the best since losing her husband and son four years ago. When Caroline finds out the Caleb's past, will she see the man he is accused of being or what her heart knows is the truth?
I was so excited to see the McKaslin's again. Mac is the sheriff of Moose and his folks own the bakery, where Caroline works. We met these folks in A Season of the Heart: Rocky Mountain Christmas. Another excellent story!
Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch
Lucas Burnett is an outcast in society. His mixed blood was good enough to help settle the area and to be a Texas Ranger but he is not accepted socially. And it's fine by him to stay on his ranch and raise his special breed of horses. He has his appaloosa, Drizzle and his dog, Dog. And then an angel appears in his life.
Rosalie Greer is known in town as a dressmaker. No one knows she is an heiress from the East. She goes out to get her special gifts for Christmas and on the way home a Texas blizzard hits and when the horses get skittish the wagon ends up in the ditch. Rosa is not dressed for the cold.
Lucas and Dog hear some odd noises and skittish horses. He wants to ignore it but when the wolves get louder and horses more upset he sets out to help. He finds Rosa near death and brings her to his cabin.
After leaving Lucas, Rosa is determined to get him involved in town. She invites him to the Christmas festivities and he comes. He even enjoys meeting his neighbor, Quin Cahill.
In November The Lone Rancher will be released. This is Quin's story and Rosa's cousin from the East, Adrianna.
**Sexual situations
A Magical Gift At Christmas by Cheryl St. John
U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is on the train to Denver. Three other Marshal's are in other cars. Jonah has his eyes on the man who will be trying to steal the gold shipment. He has to do something before they reach the rest of Bloom's gang. Jonah decides he'll disconnect the mail car from the train. Little does he know what that decision will cost him when all is said and done.
Meredith Abbott is riding in her father's Pullman car. Hayden & Jillian are stowed away in the baggage car. Jonah now has three more lives in his hands. He's surprised to find that Ms. Abbott does all she is told without a case of the vapors. She is tough, brave and beautiful. For a socialite she truly surprises him.
Meredith has always done what others expected. She was heading to Denver to marry a man her father wanted her to marry. Jonah actually asked her what she wanted to do and let her make up her own mind. She loved the freedom she had while they were waiting for help to come. Although a snow storm would delay rescue and the thieves. The four of them made the best of the situation. They were together over Christmas and Meredith was able to see what little it took to make the children happy. She always had everything she needed and more. It was a great Christmas, stuck in the middle of nowhere in the train car.
By the time they get into Denver, Meredith is a new woman. Will she be strong enough to choose love over duty, if Jonah even wants her?
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle By Jillian Hart
Caleb McGraw has just been released from the Territory prison. He served seven years for a crime he did not commit. He was shunned by the town's people and found out his fiance has died and that he has a son. This new information brings Caleb to Moose, Montana and to Caroline Dreyer's home. And face to face with his six year old son, Thomas.
A man was stealing Kringle, her horse. Caroline runs outside with her gun but don't have the courage to shoot and the snow is coming down too heavy to see. Out of nowhere comes a new voice and before she knows it the horse thief is tied up. Her handsome hero comes into view and everything changes.
Caroline figures out Caleb is Thomas's father and she wants him to stay, at least for Christmas. The sullen boy is cheerful and the season is the best since losing her husband and son four years ago. When Caroline finds out the Caleb's past, will she see the man he is accused of being or what her heart knows is the truth?
I was so excited to see the McKaslin's again. Mac is the sheriff of Moose and his folks own the bakery, where Caroline works. We met these folks in A Season of the Heart: Rocky Mountain Christmas. Another excellent story!
Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch
Lucas Burnett is an outcast in society. His mixed blood was good enough to help settle the area and to be a Texas Ranger but he is not accepted socially. And it's fine by him to stay on his ranch and raise his special breed of horses. He has his appaloosa, Drizzle and his dog, Dog. And then an angel appears in his life.
Rosalie Greer is known in town as a dressmaker. No one knows she is an heiress from the East. She goes out to get her special gifts for Christmas and on the way home a Texas blizzard hits and when the horses get skittish the wagon ends up in the ditch. Rosa is not dressed for the cold.
Lucas and Dog hear some odd noises and skittish horses. He wants to ignore it but when the wolves get louder and horses more upset he sets out to help. He finds Rosa near death and brings her to his cabin.
After leaving Lucas, Rosa is determined to get him involved in town. She invites him to the Christmas festivities and he comes. He even enjoys meeting his neighbor, Quin Cahill.
In November The Lone Rancher will be released. This is Quin's story and Rosa's cousin from the East, Adrianna.
**Sexual situations
A Magical Gift At Christmas by Cheryl St. John
U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is on the train to Denver. Three other Marshal's are in other cars. Jonah has his eyes on the man who will be trying to steal the gold shipment. He has to do something before they reach the rest of Bloom's gang. Jonah decides he'll disconnect the mail car from the train. Little does he know what that decision will cost him when all is said and done.
Meredith Abbott is riding in her father's Pullman car. Hayden & Jillian are stowed away in the baggage car. Jonah now has three more lives in his hands. He's surprised to find that Ms. Abbott does all she is told without a case of the vapors. She is tough, brave and beautiful. For a socialite she truly surprises him.
Meredith has always done what others expected. She was heading to Denver to marry a man her father wanted her to marry. Jonah actually asked her what she wanted to do and let her make up her own mind. She loved the freedom she had while they were waiting for help to come. Although a snow storm would delay rescue and the thieves. The four of them made the best of the situation. They were together over Christmas and Meredith was able to see what little it took to make the children happy. She always had everything she needed and more. It was a great Christmas, stuck in the middle of nowhere in the train car.
By the time they get into Denver, Meredith is a new woman. Will she be strong enough to choose love over duty, if Jonah even wants her?
November 24, 2011
"Snowflakes and Stetsons" is a perfect example of why I have come to really enjoy anthologies: A trio of terrific tales written by three talented authors of the historical western romance genre. Each story is quite different, yet each tale offers poignant romance, and touch of humor, and a satisfying serving of seasonal spirit. I read this book all in one sitting--it was very enjoyable and made me smile while it put me in a much-needed happy holiday mood. The characters are well-defined and the story lines are involving and atmospheric. Hunky western heroes and lovely and spirited heroines offer the perfect romantic pairings, and adorable children and Christmas magic add the extra special touches that romance readers adore!
In "The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle", by Jillian Hart, Caleb McGraw finds freedom from a wrongful imprisonment and then discovers that he had fathered a son by his sweetheart. When the boy's mother died shortly before Caleb was released from prison, she gave the care of her son to her best friend. Determined to see his son just once, Caleb finds himself attracted to the boy's caregiver, the lovely Caroline Dreyer. A young widow grieving the loss of her husband and young son, Caroline is trying her best to make a new life for herself and the young boy, Thomas. Will the three of them find healing and a true Christmas miracle?
"Christmas at Cahill Crossing", by Carol Finch, is a passionate tale of two independent souls, each lonely in their own way, who are brought together by a fateful snow storm. Former Texas Ranger Lucas Burnett is a tough as they come, living a solitary life with only his wolf dog for companionship. When he rescues the beautiful and beguiling Rosalie Greer from snow-bound buggy wreck, his life is forever changed. Rosalie, an Eastern-born daughter of society, had fled to the West to escape troubling family circumstances. While keeping her many suitors at a distance, she runs a successful boutique and also does charity work as the town's "Secret Santa". Will Rosa and Lucas find the gift of true love beneath their Christmas tree?
Cheryl St.John's "A Magical Gift at Christmas" is not just a lovely and touching romance, it is also a rousing Western adventure! US Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh expects trouble when he is guarding a train carrying a payroll load of gold. He is not prepared to meet a beautiful and courageous heiress and two orphaned children who will steal his heart. Meredith Abbott is the privileged daughter of a railroad tycoon, traveling in her father's luxurious custom-built rail car on her way to a society ball and a possible marriage proposal from a suitable gentleman. She never dreams that she will spend Christmas trapped with a handsome lawman and two appealing children, all of them in danger from advancing train robbers. Jonah is impressed with Meredith's calm and fortitude, and also her shooting skill! Meredith is equally smitten with Jonah's underlying sensitivity and true respectfulness. Can four holiday hearts in need of some seasonal magic come together and form a loving family? Be sure to visit Cheryl St.John's blog spot to view her Annual Great Christmas Tree Tour!
In "The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle", by Jillian Hart, Caleb McGraw finds freedom from a wrongful imprisonment and then discovers that he had fathered a son by his sweetheart. When the boy's mother died shortly before Caleb was released from prison, she gave the care of her son to her best friend. Determined to see his son just once, Caleb finds himself attracted to the boy's caregiver, the lovely Caroline Dreyer. A young widow grieving the loss of her husband and young son, Caroline is trying her best to make a new life for herself and the young boy, Thomas. Will the three of them find healing and a true Christmas miracle?
"Christmas at Cahill Crossing", by Carol Finch, is a passionate tale of two independent souls, each lonely in their own way, who are brought together by a fateful snow storm. Former Texas Ranger Lucas Burnett is a tough as they come, living a solitary life with only his wolf dog for companionship. When he rescues the beautiful and beguiling Rosalie Greer from snow-bound buggy wreck, his life is forever changed. Rosalie, an Eastern-born daughter of society, had fled to the West to escape troubling family circumstances. While keeping her many suitors at a distance, she runs a successful boutique and also does charity work as the town's "Secret Santa". Will Rosa and Lucas find the gift of true love beneath their Christmas tree?
Cheryl St.John's "A Magical Gift at Christmas" is not just a lovely and touching romance, it is also a rousing Western adventure! US Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh expects trouble when he is guarding a train carrying a payroll load of gold. He is not prepared to meet a beautiful and courageous heiress and two orphaned children who will steal his heart. Meredith Abbott is the privileged daughter of a railroad tycoon, traveling in her father's luxurious custom-built rail car on her way to a society ball and a possible marriage proposal from a suitable gentleman. She never dreams that she will spend Christmas trapped with a handsome lawman and two appealing children, all of them in danger from advancing train robbers. Jonah is impressed with Meredith's calm and fortitude, and also her shooting skill! Meredith is equally smitten with Jonah's underlying sensitivity and true respectfulness. Can four holiday hearts in need of some seasonal magic come together and form a loving family? Be sure to visit Cheryl St.John's blog spot to view her Annual Great Christmas Tree Tour!
October 28, 2011
If you are looking for sizzling hot Cowboys in a Christmas setting, then this book may not be for you. Don't expect shots of shirtless, muscled cowboys on the cover or hot love scenes.(except in one story) The cowboys in these stories generate a different kind of heat of the heartwarming variety. The homey, sweet cover conveys the tone of the stories in this anthology.
THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: by Jillian Hart
Jillian Hart crafts a heart warming tale of forgiveness and redemption in this short story. Caleb McGraw fits the role of weary loner returning to town after a long absence. He looks up the woman he was involved with before he was hauled off to prison (for a crime he didn't commit) and discovers she is dead and left a son. Seeking out the kindly widow Caroline Dreyer that took in the boy, Caleb stumbles into a horse robbery in progress and thwarts it ably. Caroline is grateful and Caleb becomes a Shane-like hero to Thomas. One look at Thomas and Caleb knows he is his son. The rest of the story is heartwarming and I will admit to getting a lump in my throat at the loneliness and longing of Caleb. The story is sweet and the emotion real, all ends on a happy Christmas note.
3.5 out of 5 Heat Level 1
CHRISTMAS AT CAHILL CROSSING: by Carol Finch
This short story is the only one in the trilogy with any kind of love scene and Carol Finch certainly delivers. Lucas Burnett is a mixed bag of a cowboy, his Indian/White/Mexican heritage makes him an outcast and a loner. Imagine his surprise to find a woman caught in a blizzard, a very beautiful woman, Rosalie Greer. Rosalie awakens to find a 6'3 golden skinned handsome hunk as her rescuer. The attraction between the two is immediate and incendiary, but the obstacles seem insurmountable as Rosalie is from a well to-do rich family and Lucas is hardly husband material, at least in his mind. A cute Christmas sub-plot rounds out this solid short story, the hero and heroine generated lots of heat and you are pulling for them all the way.
3.5 out of 5 Heat Level 3
A MAGICAL GIFT AT CHRISTMAS by Cheryl St. John
I kept thinking of a young, good looking John Wayne while reading this short story. U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is on a train guarding a gold shipment. Under threat of attack, he separates a few of the cars from the rest of train, he finds a woman the sole occupant of the private car. Meredith Abbott is a rich beauty, daughter to a railway magnate. Jonah did not count on having a woman in this mess. Throw a couple of children stowaways into the mix and Jonah has his work cut out for him. The four share some heartwarming moments alone in the luxury car while a storm swirls outside, making their own Christmas. However when the Bloom gang shows up to rob the gold, all hell break loose. Cheryl describes the action scenes wonderfully. What does Meredith do, return to her stuffy fiance, or take life by the horns and chose the loner hunk of Marshal? Is there any doubt?
3 out of 5 Heat Level 1
FOR ENTIRE BOOK 3.5 of out 5 (rounded up to 4) HEAT LEVEL 2
THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: by Jillian Hart
Jillian Hart crafts a heart warming tale of forgiveness and redemption in this short story. Caleb McGraw fits the role of weary loner returning to town after a long absence. He looks up the woman he was involved with before he was hauled off to prison (for a crime he didn't commit) and discovers she is dead and left a son. Seeking out the kindly widow Caroline Dreyer that took in the boy, Caleb stumbles into a horse robbery in progress and thwarts it ably. Caroline is grateful and Caleb becomes a Shane-like hero to Thomas. One look at Thomas and Caleb knows he is his son. The rest of the story is heartwarming and I will admit to getting a lump in my throat at the loneliness and longing of Caleb. The story is sweet and the emotion real, all ends on a happy Christmas note.
3.5 out of 5 Heat Level 1
CHRISTMAS AT CAHILL CROSSING: by Carol Finch
This short story is the only one in the trilogy with any kind of love scene and Carol Finch certainly delivers. Lucas Burnett is a mixed bag of a cowboy, his Indian/White/Mexican heritage makes him an outcast and a loner. Imagine his surprise to find a woman caught in a blizzard, a very beautiful woman, Rosalie Greer. Rosalie awakens to find a 6'3 golden skinned handsome hunk as her rescuer. The attraction between the two is immediate and incendiary, but the obstacles seem insurmountable as Rosalie is from a well to-do rich family and Lucas is hardly husband material, at least in his mind. A cute Christmas sub-plot rounds out this solid short story, the hero and heroine generated lots of heat and you are pulling for them all the way.
3.5 out of 5 Heat Level 3
A MAGICAL GIFT AT CHRISTMAS by Cheryl St. John
I kept thinking of a young, good looking John Wayne while reading this short story. U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is on a train guarding a gold shipment. Under threat of attack, he separates a few of the cars from the rest of train, he finds a woman the sole occupant of the private car. Meredith Abbott is a rich beauty, daughter to a railway magnate. Jonah did not count on having a woman in this mess. Throw a couple of children stowaways into the mix and Jonah has his work cut out for him. The four share some heartwarming moments alone in the luxury car while a storm swirls outside, making their own Christmas. However when the Bloom gang shows up to rob the gold, all hell break loose. Cheryl describes the action scenes wonderfully. What does Meredith do, return to her stuffy fiance, or take life by the horns and chose the loner hunk of Marshal? Is there any doubt?
3 out of 5 Heat Level 1
FOR ENTIRE BOOK 3.5 of out 5 (rounded up to 4) HEAT LEVEL 2
April 2, 2012
Snowflakes and Stetsons is a holiday anthology that features historical western romances by Jillian Hart, Carol Finch, and Cheryl St. John.
In The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Hart, Caleb McGraw is free after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. Now, he's come to make sure that his son is taken care of. What he doesn't count on is falling for Caroline Dreyer, a widow who is caring for his son. But Caleb worries that his imprisonment will ultimately tear him, Caroline, and his son apart.
In Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Finch, Rosalie Greer is trying to bring presents to town when she gets caught in a snowstorm. Lucky for her, Lucas Burnett finds and gets her to safety. Rosalie is drawn to Lucas and determined to bring him out of his shell. Lucas prefers to keep to himself, but he finds himself wanting to spend more and more time with Rosalie.
And in A Magical Gift at Christmas by St. John,U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is charged with keeping a shipment of payroll gold safe from some outlaws. But his job becomes more complicated when he becomes stranded with Meredith Abbott and two children who have stowed away on board the train. Meredith is used to a life of comfort, but she finds herself falling in love with the rugged marshal, and the children steal her heart as well.
I enjoy westerns and anthologies, and this book seemed like it would be a fun read, which it was. Plus, I hadn't read any of the authors before, and it was a way to sample three authors at once.
St. John's story was my favorite, as it had the most action in it, as Jonah, Meredith, and the children band together to take on the train robbers. Finch's story had a memorable character in Rosalie, who is a sort of secret Santa to her town. I didn't enjoy Hart's story quite as much, but that was probably because Caleb and Caroline both have such tragic pasts. Still, it was nice to see them get their happily ever after in the end.
Overall, this is a solid anthology, especially if you like westerns and holiday stories.
In The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Hart, Caleb McGraw is free after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. Now, he's come to make sure that his son is taken care of. What he doesn't count on is falling for Caroline Dreyer, a widow who is caring for his son. But Caleb worries that his imprisonment will ultimately tear him, Caroline, and his son apart.
In Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Finch, Rosalie Greer is trying to bring presents to town when she gets caught in a snowstorm. Lucky for her, Lucas Burnett finds and gets her to safety. Rosalie is drawn to Lucas and determined to bring him out of his shell. Lucas prefers to keep to himself, but he finds himself wanting to spend more and more time with Rosalie.
And in A Magical Gift at Christmas by St. John,U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is charged with keeping a shipment of payroll gold safe from some outlaws. But his job becomes more complicated when he becomes stranded with Meredith Abbott and two children who have stowed away on board the train. Meredith is used to a life of comfort, but she finds herself falling in love with the rugged marshal, and the children steal her heart as well.
I enjoy westerns and anthologies, and this book seemed like it would be a fun read, which it was. Plus, I hadn't read any of the authors before, and it was a way to sample three authors at once.
St. John's story was my favorite, as it had the most action in it, as Jonah, Meredith, and the children band together to take on the train robbers. Finch's story had a memorable character in Rosalie, who is a sort of secret Santa to her town. I didn't enjoy Hart's story quite as much, but that was probably because Caleb and Caroline both have such tragic pasts. Still, it was nice to see them get their happily ever after in the end.
Overall, this is a solid anthology, especially if you like westerns and holiday stories.
November 9, 2013
This review was originally posted on my Alaskan Bookie Website at:
http://alaskanbookie.com/review/snowf...
I enjoyed these short stories from the western frontier time. All three had Christmas themes and showed the spirit of Christmas hopes during the troubling times each faced.
The first, The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle, is a story of hope and forgiveness as Caleb McGraw faces the consequences of his past. Even though he was not guilty of the crime he was imprisoned for, he cannot face the guilt and fess up to the beautiful Caroline. Once she finds out his past, all hopes seems to dwindle that there could ever be a future between them.
The second story, Christmas at Cahill Crossing, was a great story with secret Santas and two independent people who both can’t seem to put the past behind them to move forward. Although the blurp says that Lucas has a frozen heart, Rosalie isn’t far behind and it will take sharing a Christmas between them to thaw either.
In the third story, A Magical Gift at Christmas, we find two people from very different walks of life thrown together in order to survive a band of thieves. It will take courage and determination on both of them to make it through the ordeal. With their lives on the line, will anything change between them in the long run?
All three stories were great Christmas stories filled with all things Christmas: Faith, Hope, and Trust. Okay, maybe some Love thrown in for good measure. If you like western styled romances, I would recommend you pick up this one!
http://alaskanbookie.com/review/snowf...
I enjoyed these short stories from the western frontier time. All three had Christmas themes and showed the spirit of Christmas hopes during the troubling times each faced.
The first, The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle, is a story of hope and forgiveness as Caleb McGraw faces the consequences of his past. Even though he was not guilty of the crime he was imprisoned for, he cannot face the guilt and fess up to the beautiful Caroline. Once she finds out his past, all hopes seems to dwindle that there could ever be a future between them.
The second story, Christmas at Cahill Crossing, was a great story with secret Santas and two independent people who both can’t seem to put the past behind them to move forward. Although the blurp says that Lucas has a frozen heart, Rosalie isn’t far behind and it will take sharing a Christmas between them to thaw either.
In the third story, A Magical Gift at Christmas, we find two people from very different walks of life thrown together in order to survive a band of thieves. It will take courage and determination on both of them to make it through the ordeal. With their lives on the line, will anything change between them in the long run?
All three stories were great Christmas stories filled with all things Christmas: Faith, Hope, and Trust. Okay, maybe some Love thrown in for good measure. If you like western styled romances, I would recommend you pick up this one!
July 5, 2013
1 - The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Jillian Hart - Caleb returns home to find out even more tragedy has struck his life. Determined to make sure his son is taken care of, he finds Thomas with Caroline. They make each other hope for a future. Whittled ponies and wrongfully accused men.
2 - Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch - A half-breed (well not exactly - White, Mexican & Indian) ex-ranger gets roped into the life of a boutique owner against his will. Both have very strong consciouses that tell them what they want isn't possible, but things have a way of working out. Dog is funny.... being bribed into being loyal to someone else .
3 - A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John - A US Marshal is on a train to protect the gold shipment. An heiress is also on board. With fighting train robbers and dealing with two stow aways, they are in for a very eventful Christmas. Only bad point is you do not here the judges decision.
2 - Christmas at Cahill Crossing by Carol Finch - A half-breed (well not exactly - White, Mexican & Indian) ex-ranger gets roped into the life of a boutique owner against his will. Both have very strong consciouses that tell them what they want isn't possible, but things have a way of working out. Dog is funny.... being bribed into being loyal to someone else .
3 - A Magical Gift at Christmas by Cheryl St. John - A US Marshal is on a train to protect the gold shipment. An heiress is also on board. With fighting train robbers and dealing with two stow aways, they are in for a very eventful Christmas. Only bad point is you do not here the judges decision.
February 13, 2015
All three were very good stories. In the first one, I really liked Caleb. He wanted what was best for his son, and originally had no intention of staying, or even letting them know he was Thomas's father. I liked the way that Caroline wanted to make him feel welcome and tried to alleviate the sadness in his eyes. In the second story, Rosalie wanted to get Lucas involved in the life of the town, so that he wouldn't be so alone. She did this by not taking no for an answer when she asked him to do something. Lucas couldn't seem to help himself when it came to her. In the third story, I loved the way that Meredith was a strong capable woman, and Jonah had no problem accepting that. She didn't even realize that she was as capable as she was, because she wasn't allowed to be. I liked the way the story ended.
November 6, 2011
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The book is a great read, warm and toasty and very romantic. I loved it and could hardly put it down in between reads. Highly recommended for any romance fan! Since I hale from Texas the western tilt only added to the pleasure.
December 30, 2014
I really liked all three of the stories in this anthology. Even in the short word count, there are layered and believable. There is action, adventure, angst, and situations that put the characters to the test and show each other what they are truely made of!
December 14, 2011
I enjoy all three different stories by different authors. My favorite would be Jillian's and Cheryl's . But I think all of them were great
October 3, 2011
Good, quick, easy Christmas read
Want to read
August 29, 2011Won on goodreads giveaway. Review coming soon.
Read
November 1, 2011Miniseries: Cahill Cowboys
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Cahill Cowboys
August 22, 2012
Nice to have three short stories! All were read in one setting because I could not put the book down once I started a story!
January 31, 2015
Do you like Western romances? Do you like Christmas stories? If you said yes, then read these 3 novellas.
November 13, 2015
Love this anthology
December 30, 2015
Cute and heart warming stories!
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