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The Bennetts #2
Merry Christmas, Cowboy
A Colorado Christmas To Remember
On the Denver streets, officer Paula Lewis is as tough as she needs to be. But away from skyscrapers and suspects, Paula gives back to the community she loves. This holiday season she's moonlighting at the Christmas House, a turn-of-the-century mansion transformed into a festive wonderland to delight local children thanks to volunteers like Paula--and Zach Bennett.
Zach left his family's Colorado ranch to sign on as a carpenter at the Christmas House. Freewheeling Zach hopes to make this holiday the merriest yet--from coaxing Paula onto the bunny slopes to filling in as a last-minute Santa. And as she and Zach are drawn together to keep one young boy out of harm's way, Paula realizes that the best gifts are second chances, happy endings, and the kind of love that makes every day warm and bright. . .
On the Denver streets, officer Paula Lewis is as tough as she needs to be. But away from skyscrapers and suspects, Paula gives back to the community she loves. This holiday season she's moonlighting at the Christmas House, a turn-of-the-century mansion transformed into a festive wonderland to delight local children thanks to volunteers like Paula--and Zach Bennett.
Zach left his family's Colorado ranch to sign on as a carpenter at the Christmas House. Freewheeling Zach hopes to make this holiday the merriest yet--from coaxing Paula onto the bunny slopes to filling in as a last-minute Santa. And as she and Zach are drawn together to keep one young boy out of harm's way, Paula realizes that the best gifts are second chances, happy endings, and the kind of love that makes every day warm and bright. . .
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
136 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
396 books1,851 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
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November 12, 2015
What first caught my attention with this book was the super sweet cover art. Who can resist a handsome cowboy wearing a stetson on a horse? Unfortunately the book didn't really come through for me.
Paula Lewis is a cop in Denver. Its the Christmas season and she has agreed to volunteer during her off hours at The Christmas House. She hadn't planned on the handsome cowboy, Zach Bennett, being there as well. Zach has taken some time off from his ranch to help out with the carpentry work at The Christmas House. There is instant attraction when these two meet.
I love Christmas books and was in the mood for a nice, sweet read. I just never felt the attraction between these two. Their reactions to each other were hot and cold at times. And the way they talked to each other at times was abrupt. I never really felt the romance. The story, though, was very sweet and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. It was just an ok read for me though. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this book.
Paula Lewis is a cop in Denver. Its the Christmas season and she has agreed to volunteer during her off hours at The Christmas House. She hadn't planned on the handsome cowboy, Zach Bennett, being there as well. Zach has taken some time off from his ranch to help out with the carpentry work at The Christmas House. There is instant attraction when these two meet.
I love Christmas books and was in the mood for a nice, sweet read. I just never felt the attraction between these two. Their reactions to each other were hot and cold at times. And the way they talked to each other at times was abrupt. I never really felt the romance. The story, though, was very sweet and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. It was just an ok read for me though. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this book.
September 15, 2013
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway in return for an honest review. I have read Janet Dailey romances for years, but I must say that Merry Christmas, Cowboy was not one of my favorites. The female main character is a police officer and the story line intermixes romance and crime detection. I found the female lead, Paula, a bit abrupt in her interactions with the male lead, Zach. The crime solution was fairly predictable. I just couldn't get very emotionally invested in either of them. My favorite character was Brandon, a 15 year old who was struggling to find his place in his non-traditonal family.
November 3, 2013
Merry Christmas Cowboy by Janet Dailey
3 Stars
Paula Lewis is an officer with the Denver Police Department. An officer took an interest in her when she was young and it inspired her to follow in her footsteps. A friend is working with a children’s charity and asks Paula for help. Zach Bennett comes into town to help a friend with a project and decides to stay on to volunteer with the charity.
There is no shortage of characters in this book, but in the end I felt I knew them all at the same depth as I did the main characters of Paula and Zach. I knew the basics but not a lot of background, thoughts or feelings. I think the character I understood the most was Brandon the teenager, but I have teenagers in my life. Paula and Zach have an instant connection and one of the first times they are alone in a room they share a heated kiss – which was as steamy as the book got; so if you like your romance implied this is the book for you.
In the end I went back to the internet and GoodReads to try to determine if this book is in a series. (Which I could not determine the author’s website is not up to date and I couldn’t determine from GR) I just felt I was missing something the whole time through. You know when you are in a group of people and they are talking about something that happened before and you sort of feel left out – well that is how I felt the whole book. When I read I obsess over details and want the whole scene down to the scent of the candles explained to me, it helps me get lost in the story and in turn helps me escape my daily life if just for a short time. This one just didn’t help me get lost.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
3 Stars
Paula Lewis is an officer with the Denver Police Department. An officer took an interest in her when she was young and it inspired her to follow in her footsteps. A friend is working with a children’s charity and asks Paula for help. Zach Bennett comes into town to help a friend with a project and decides to stay on to volunteer with the charity.
There is no shortage of characters in this book, but in the end I felt I knew them all at the same depth as I did the main characters of Paula and Zach. I knew the basics but not a lot of background, thoughts or feelings. I think the character I understood the most was Brandon the teenager, but I have teenagers in my life. Paula and Zach have an instant connection and one of the first times they are alone in a room they share a heated kiss – which was as steamy as the book got; so if you like your romance implied this is the book for you.
In the end I went back to the internet and GoodReads to try to determine if this book is in a series. (Which I could not determine the author’s website is not up to date and I couldn’t determine from GR) I just felt I was missing something the whole time through. You know when you are in a group of people and they are talking about something that happened before and you sort of feel left out – well that is how I felt the whole book. When I read I obsess over details and want the whole scene down to the scent of the candles explained to me, it helps me get lost in the story and in turn helps me escape my daily life if just for a short time. This one just didn’t help me get lost.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
December 12, 2016
Sweet Christmas Time
Paula is a Denver cop. Zach is a cowboy visiting Denver for the holidays. They get to know each other while helping at the charity Christmas House, an old home decorated for the holidays with a different theme for each room. The home is a great success, but Paula does not trust easily and not only Zach but those who would be her friends must push through her defenses. There are sinister characters and mysterious happenings but Paula is a woman in charge and you feel confident things will be ok. But she is frustrating in her inability to trust anyone. Even when she has no reason. There is very little back story so you have no frame of reference for her perspective. Zach is a great guy and Paula is lucky he's patient. The turnaround she finally undergoes helps restore our faith in her as a good person. And so it is a warm holiday story.
Paula is a Denver cop. Zach is a cowboy visiting Denver for the holidays. They get to know each other while helping at the charity Christmas House, an old home decorated for the holidays with a different theme for each room. The home is a great success, but Paula does not trust easily and not only Zach but those who would be her friends must push through her defenses. There are sinister characters and mysterious happenings but Paula is a woman in charge and you feel confident things will be ok. But she is frustrating in her inability to trust anyone. Even when she has no reason. There is very little back story so you have no frame of reference for her perspective. Zach is a great guy and Paula is lucky he's patient. The turnaround she finally undergoes helps restore our faith in her as a good person. And so it is a warm holiday story.
December 31, 2020
Poor character development. Both main characters had trust issues that were never explained. Also, lots of”filler” descriptions of unnecessary backdrop to the story. That caused the story to drag in spots. In contrast the last chapter tied everything up so fast it left out half the events leading to the conclusion. Very disappointing
November 2, 2021
I don’t know who wrote this story but it did not measure up to any of my Janet Dailey standards. It was an interesting story but overflowing with extraneous information that had little to do with the plot. It was very unfocused. It really needed a great editor.
November 2, 2014
This book was a quick, fun read to clear my mind after reading a book with heavier themes. The Christmas backdrop adds to the romance between the characters. Great for a weekend read.
December 22, 2024
Paula is a police officer who does security on the side for a Christmas house tour. Zach is in town to visit with his friend and ends up helping at the house. Although Christmas is in the title, it is not really about Christmas other than the house. The house sounded cute, a room for each of the 12 days of Christmas. The book is more about Brandon and Edith, the grandmother he lives with. From the beginning of the book you know that the house is going to be robbed, and that there will be a romance between Zach and Paula. Both are super slow, most of the book is just following the day to day living of the characters, which, quite frankly, is mostly boring. It is not until the end that anything happens and it's anti-climatic. Sorry I stuck with the book. I like to read a holiday book each December and this definitely is not that.
November 21, 2024
Cover had nothing to do with the book! No horses in the book! Paula is a cop volunteering at a Christmas mansion town fundraiser in Denver. Zach came from a ranch nearby to help with construction work on the mansion and they fall for each other. The coordinator of the project has a grandson she cares for who is on the edge of trouble. When money starts to go missing and some thugs are hanging around the suspicion falls on Brandon. Problems… I didn’t like Paula’s dealings with Brandon- very unsympathetic and accusatory. It never told why she was so closed to a relationship with Zach. Great story idea but doesn’t weave together very well.
January 8, 2022
Denver Police Officer Paula Lewis and Cowboy rancher Zach Bennett are the main protagonists. Both are "moonlighting" volunteering at century old mansion during the holidays. The old mansion has been closed for decades due to much needed but expensive repairs including a new boiler. During the holidays the mansion is used for Christmas parties. This is where Officer Lewis and Zach meet. He uses his talents as a carpenter; whereas Officer Lewis used her talents decorating. Sparks fly between them. Ms. Dailey as a certain talent in writing love stories that are believable.
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December 13, 2024Vibes slightly different than my last read!! Paula is a Denver cop whose work is her life. That is, until her elderly grandma friend drags her into volunteering as security at the Christmas House, a christmas charity! I wonder if any tall handsome cowboy-carpenters are also working there this season?! This is 100% a hallmark movie in written form. Maybe the characters aren’t “believable” or “well developed”, but it didn’t bother me because romance and Christmas.
December 27, 2025
I got to chapter 5 or 6 and just couldn’t do it anymore. It’s so corny. Did I really used to read this shit??
They have a nearly instant make out scene and I’m like “where did that come from?” There was so tension or chemistry, it was just a “thing” that was supposed to be there. It has a “romance feel” to it and not a good way. I decided life is too short to finish a book I’m clearly not interested in.
They have a nearly instant make out scene and I’m like “where did that come from?” There was so tension or chemistry, it was just a “thing” that was supposed to be there. It has a “romance feel” to it and not a good way. I decided life is too short to finish a book I’m clearly not interested in.
December 20, 2023
Merry Christmas, Cowboy
I felt the chemistry between the two protagonists from their first meeting. The lack of honest communication between them drives me crazy, but that adds to the sexual tension. The mystery with Brandon and the main characters different opinions added a sense of urgency to the ending.
I felt the chemistry between the two protagonists from their first meeting. The lack of honest communication between them drives me crazy, but that adds to the sexual tension. The mystery with Brandon and the main characters different opinions added a sense of urgency to the ending.
February 2, 2021
Love the honesty
No heavy anxiety about past problems or imagined ones... no explicit sex scenes but sexy feelings and fade outs to what you know is going to happen. Above all, a nice complete story line.
No heavy anxiety about past problems or imagined ones... no explicit sex scenes but sexy feelings and fade outs to what you know is going to happen. Above all, a nice complete story line.
January 11, 2024
Older book 2013 wasn't a favorite. Story line was good but the two leads characters that were supposedly falling in love just didn't connect for me as a couple. I have the next book in series to read I will see if that goes any better. Library book sale books I am starting to get through :)
November 17, 2017
This is a sweet and fun holiday romance with a little bit of suspense. I loved every minute of it and was really sad for it to end.
December 13, 2018
Wonderful book a combination of Christmas and cowboys!! Loved the book
May 17, 2019
Interesting Christmas story
A little mystery and a little romance. Kind of a fun Christmas story. The cop, the Rancher and the delinquent and how they crossed paths.
A little mystery and a little romance. Kind of a fun Christmas story. The cop, the Rancher and the delinquent and how they crossed paths.
December 2, 2020
This was a fun quick read - great for the holiday season. Love the small town and the characters.
October 10, 2021
Brilliant and brilliant.
richland
April 4, 2022e-book only
July 15, 2023
2013 - HB - Forbes Lib
December 1, 2023
Very choppy. Don’t even know what the main story line was supposed to be.
February 23, 2024
Cutesy with a touch of mystery thrown in
December 15, 2024
This is a good book. I read it in a day. It is about Paula and Zach and how they meet and fall in love.
January 25, 2025
Good quick winter day read!
November 4, 2023
In MERRY CHRISTMAS, COWBOY, Paula Lewis, a police officer working in Denver, takes a part time gig at the holidays working security for a Christmas house where families can come in and see the decorated rooms. There she meets Zach Bennett, a handyman, and Brandon, a troubled teen, I enjoy Dailey’s old fashioned Christmas novels and liked seeing the Christmas House project slowly take form. Second chance stories are one of my favorites, and seeing how everyone rallied around Brandon to try to help him made for a heartwarming Christmas message. 4/5 stars 🎄❄🎄❄
January 17, 2014
In Merry Christmas Cowboy, by Janet Dailey, Paula is a police officer in Denver. She's volunteered to work security, as well as generally helping out, at The Christmas House. Zach is a rancher who also does carpentry work, he's in Denver to help a friend. After being pulled over by Paula, he is just as intrigued when he meets her at The Christmas House also. Not needed at his family ranch for a while, Zach decides to stay on in Denver for a while, also volunteering at The Holiday House. Besides being for a good cause, it also means he'll get to see more of Paula.
As Paula and Zach start to know each other, they also start to enjoy each others company more and more. It's been a while since Paula has any kind of social life, but Paula can't help if Zach is hiding something from her back on his ranch. As Paula and Zach alternatively fight the attraction and attempt to give in to it, they are drawn into the life of Brandon, the teenage boy living with his Grandma (who runs The Christmas House). They are worried about the path he's on, who he's hanging around with, and what kind of future he'll have. Between the romantic dance Zach and Paula are doing, Paula's mixed signals, knowing what they want but neither of them sure enough to reach for it, and dealing with Brandon and some mystery's at The Christmas House, Merry Christmas, Cowboy is a sweet holiday read that will keep you on your toes. Will Paula and Zach find a way to be together, or is this destined to be a holiday romance only? Can they find a way to reach Brandon and help him off a destructive path?
Janet gives us a lot of interesting characters in Merry Christmas, Cowboy that help strengthen the story. Paula and Zach alone were a bit ho-hum and even if they could feel the attraction I had a hard time capturing it. I never felt like I had a good grasp on Paula and her story...Zach jumps out at the reader way more! I felt the romance between Zach and Paula had a bit of a too slow build up, so it was a bit hard for me to get into the book.
I liked the concept of the plot, The Christmas House and the mix of a bit of mystery into the story line.
Merry Christmas, Cowboy is a clean Christmas romance, the heat is there but what happens behind closed doors stays off the pages and I think that worked well with Zach and Paula's story.
I'd recommend Merry Christmas, Cowboy to romance readers looking for a light holiday read.
As Paula and Zach start to know each other, they also start to enjoy each others company more and more. It's been a while since Paula has any kind of social life, but Paula can't help if Zach is hiding something from her back on his ranch. As Paula and Zach alternatively fight the attraction and attempt to give in to it, they are drawn into the life of Brandon, the teenage boy living with his Grandma (who runs The Christmas House). They are worried about the path he's on, who he's hanging around with, and what kind of future he'll have. Between the romantic dance Zach and Paula are doing, Paula's mixed signals, knowing what they want but neither of them sure enough to reach for it, and dealing with Brandon and some mystery's at The Christmas House, Merry Christmas, Cowboy is a sweet holiday read that will keep you on your toes. Will Paula and Zach find a way to be together, or is this destined to be a holiday romance only? Can they find a way to reach Brandon and help him off a destructive path?
Janet gives us a lot of interesting characters in Merry Christmas, Cowboy that help strengthen the story. Paula and Zach alone were a bit ho-hum and even if they could feel the attraction I had a hard time capturing it. I never felt like I had a good grasp on Paula and her story...Zach jumps out at the reader way more! I felt the romance between Zach and Paula had a bit of a too slow build up, so it was a bit hard for me to get into the book.
I liked the concept of the plot, The Christmas House and the mix of a bit of mystery into the story line.
Merry Christmas, Cowboy is a clean Christmas romance, the heat is there but what happens behind closed doors stays off the pages and I think that worked well with Zach and Paula's story.
I'd recommend Merry Christmas, Cowboy to romance readers looking for a light holiday read.
October 7, 2013
Merry Christmas Cowboy Paula Lewis and Zachary Bennett met originally when Paula a police officer stopped behind him in a parking lot because the street he turned down was a street that was closed to the public and the sign blew down. The second time they meet it is at the Christmas House to benefit Denver area charitable programs. They are both there volunteering their time. She is there as their main security for insurances purposes and he is there to help his friend who was making the sign for the home. Then he stays on to carpentry work. Edith the elderly lady who talked her into doing this is also playing match maker to both of them. At the same time they are helping Edith with her grandson Brandon.
Brandon seems to be running with the wrong crowd. At first Zach does not care for him. Paula on the other hand has always been there for him like a big sister after nabbing him on a few minor law infractions. Part way through this story Zach takes up for him and Paula starts to question what Brandon is up to. They just know they both want to help out Edith and Brandon.
Paula and Zach are running from each other or is it that they are running from their feelings. Or is Zach hiding something. Paula wants to like him but on the first day Zach drops a picture of a woman out of his wallet that Paula hands back to him. So she starts to wonder if he is attached and therefore she is too worried about losing her heart to want to chance getting hurt. She has no one but herself and her job, he has a family back home on his ranch. When she wants to risk it all with him he starts to go forward and then he says no she is not ready. Which makes her worry all the more that she was right all along about the picture.
This story was good but I felt like I was but not great. I would have only given it a 3 ½ stars though. I felt like it was missing its emotional connection between the couple for a romance. Was missing that spark because they were chasing each other than not I just felt cheated at the end.
Provided by Netgalley
Brandon seems to be running with the wrong crowd. At first Zach does not care for him. Paula on the other hand has always been there for him like a big sister after nabbing him on a few minor law infractions. Part way through this story Zach takes up for him and Paula starts to question what Brandon is up to. They just know they both want to help out Edith and Brandon.
Paula and Zach are running from each other or is it that they are running from their feelings. Or is Zach hiding something. Paula wants to like him but on the first day Zach drops a picture of a woman out of his wallet that Paula hands back to him. So she starts to wonder if he is attached and therefore she is too worried about losing her heart to want to chance getting hurt. She has no one but herself and her job, he has a family back home on his ranch. When she wants to risk it all with him he starts to go forward and then he says no she is not ready. Which makes her worry all the more that she was right all along about the picture.
This story was good but I felt like I was but not great. I would have only given it a 3 ½ stars though. I felt like it was missing its emotional connection between the couple for a romance. Was missing that spark because they were chasing each other than not I just felt cheated at the end.
Provided by Netgalley
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews