Big Sky Christmas

Coffee Creek, Montana #4

by C.J. Carmichael

A Holiday For Healing

Jackson Stone will always be grateful to the Lamberts, who took him in when he was just a kid. But since the accident that killed his foster brother, Brock, he stays away from the family at Coffee Creek Ranch. Especially now that Brock's former fiancee, Winnie Hays, is back in town with her little boy.

The simmering attraction between them may surprise Winnie, but Jackson fell for her at first sight years ago. Loyalty and guilt require he keep his distance, even as their feelings blossom into love. In the end, it's his own conscience Jackson must master. But with the help of the Lamberts, can this Christmas be a time of healing and a new beginning?

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Harlequin, Category Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

USA Today bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 50 novels, including two mystery series, as well as romance and women’s fiction. Three of her novels have been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, including A Bramble House Christmas. A film version of A Bramble House Christmas premiered as a Hallmark Mystery movie in 2017.

Married, with two grown daughters and some adorable grandchildren, C. J. and her husband and their Welsh Springer Jazz divide their time between their home in Calgary, Alberta and the family cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana. C.J. enjoys giving workshops to aspiring authors--her talk on writing a Christmas story is a favorite.

Visit C.J.'s website at http://CJCarmichael.com

For information on C. J.’s new releases and giveaways please sign up for her newsletter.
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Reviews

[Phylis Carpenter]

If you are looking for a great romance story, one that holds your interest from the beginning of the book til the end, then you have come to the right place. I couldn't put it down. It was so good.

I really felt sorry for Jackson, he was confused and torn between what he thought he should do and what he wanted to do. But in the end he made the right decision.

Winnie is a strong determined woman who has been through a lot in her years and is an awesome mother to Bobby.

Just loved the book and think you will too

[★¸. • * ° *Jillie* ° *•.¸☆]

Read these awhile ago. Comments and review to follow.



You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hello.

[Rhonda]

4 STARS
Coffee Creek, Montana series book 4

This was the last book in the Coffee Creek series. I thought it ended on a good note. Somehow I missed reading book 3. I have given the three I have read all 4 stars.

Big Sky Christmas is a feel good story. Some tender moments, some funny moments and just joy of a mother enjoying her son. I have been waiting to see Winnie Hays back in Coffee Creek.

Winnie in book 1 of the series it was her wedding day but her groom Brock never made it to the chapel. He was killed on the way in an accident. His older brother almost died too. His foster brother Jackson was driving.

Winnie had stayed with her parents and almost lost the baby she was carrying. Winnie tried to tell her almost mother-in-law that her son was going to be a father. Olive refused her calls. After Bobby was born she was too stubborn to let her know she was a grandma. Olive did not think Winnie was good enough for her son.

Jackson Stone never knew his father. His mom got sent to prison when he was a teenager. He came to the Coffee Creek Ranch as a foster son. Bob treated him like his own. His wife Olive never really warmed up to him.

Brock became his best friend Corb also accepted him. In fact all 4 Lambert children welcomed him into their lives and treated him like another brother. He feels so guilty for not seeing the moose come out and hit his truck. He also feels guilty because when Brock first brought Winnie to the ranch he fell in love with her. He tried to stay away from her.

Jackson has left the Coffee Creek Ranch and is now working for Olive's sister Maddie that she has not spoken to for 40 years. Olive made her family have nothing to do with Maddie.

Maddie is dying of lung cancer and she told Jackson that if he came and lived at the ranch she would leave it to him. She was not a good business woman and the ranch was down on its luck. Before Brock died he had been coming and helping Maddie take care of some of hard ranch work for her. Jackson had tried to step in Brock's shoes and help Maddie when he was done with his work.

This book dealt a lot relationships, forgiveness and what makes a family. What was best for Bobby. This had some twists I was not expecting. It was a quick read. Bobby at 11 months is a cute kid.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give a honest review of it when finished by Netgalley and Harlequin.
publication: October 1st 2013 by Harlequin Romance 224 pages ISBN:0373754744

[Fiona Marsden]

Colton is one of the Harts. He's the unreliable one. The one who couldn't make it home in time to be his brother's best man. The one who lives in a trailer and spends his time cruising the rodeo's. He rides, broncs and bulls and the odd passing woman. Big brother Ace has almost given up expecting him to pull his weight around the Ranch. Mom Hart is thinking he'll never settle down with a good woman.

Until old friend Leah turns up back in town, rebuilding her life after a failed marriage accompanied by her two small children. Something about Leah makes Colt want to be a better man. But he knows all too well that Leah would never respect the man he is. How could he even risk telling her the shameful secret he's kept even from his family?

This is a rather sweet story of friends who become lovers. Both Leah and Colton are struggling against the chains of past failures. The biggest test is for Colton to step up and and be the man he could be. With or without Leah at his side. But he's willing to try. They both have to work at getting their happy ending.

These American stories are very real in respect to the story lines and sometimes a little too real for someone like myself who reads for escape. They are well written and the characters natural and endearing. As I mentioned in Aiden's story they are a new line for an Aussi. The strong family emphasis makes for good links in a series like this and I look forward to reading Duke's story.

[Rita]

Big Sky Christmas was a great, short romance. I absolutely loved Jackson and Winnie. A couple of years prior to the beginning of the story, Winnie’s fiancé, Brock, died in a car accident on the way to their wedding. Winnie was pregnant at the time and later gave birth to their son. Brock’s foster brother, Jackson, was the one driving and blames himself even though it wasn’t his fault. Jackson had always had a crush on Winnie, but of course, didn’t do anything about it because Brock was his best friend. After sitting next to each other at a double wedding, Winnie finds herself attracted to Jackson. At first, neither wants to act on their feelings because they feel they would be betraying Brock. Also, Brock’s mother Olive is a very difficult person who wants to control every one – especially Winnie since she is the mother of her grandson. Olive also blames Jackson for Brock’s death.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t just a romance. There were a lot of family issues in this book. Olive seemed like a horrible person at first, but there were reasons why she was the way she was. I loved the romance, family issues, and surprises. The side characters, like Vince and Maddie, also added a lot to the story.


*I received my copy from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

[Yazmin]

4.5 Stars
In Big Sky Christmas by C.J. Carmichael, Jackson Stone has always been grateful to the Lamberts for taking him in and giving him a family when he most needed it. But after the death of Brock, for which he still blames himself, he can’t be near them for the guilt kills him. Not only the guilt that he was driving in the accident that killed him, but also that he always coveted his fiancé, Winnie Hayes, even if he never acted on it. Which I why he left Coffee Creek to go help and works with Olive Lambert’s sister Maddie.

Now after a year and a half, Winnie return to town with her and Brock’s son Bobby. But things won’t be easy for her. Olive never wanted her as a daughter-in-law and made it well known, but since Winnie kept away with Bobby for so long, it just added to the reason why Olive dislikes her. To make matters worst, she arrives for a Lambert family wedding. Which only brings back memories of her own wedding day and being informed of Brock’s death in the chapel. Read More...

[Janet]

I think that this is the final book in The Coffee Creek Series, and though the author does a great job of summarizing the series so the book stands alone, I think I would have felt a more emotional connection had I read the others as well. It was a good story focused on family, hearth and home, and is well set for Holiday reading. All in all , I found it a sweet, well written read.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

[Bonnie]

I just finished reading Big Sky Christmas by C.J. Carmichael. The fourth book in the "Coffee Creek Of Montana" Series. Three brothers and one sister stories. "Promise From A Cowboy", "Her Cowboy Dilemma" and "Remember Me, Cowboy". All were excellent books. All the books were tied together. I would recommend the series to everybody who enjoy romance books. Big Sky Christmas was a tear-jerker at times. Happy ending.

[Harlequin Books]

"The final of four connected Coffee Creek stories does well showing the struggle the hero has overcoming his feelings of guilt and embracing love. It's a pleasure to visit this small town one more time." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars

Miniseries: Coffee Creek, Montana

[Mary]

This is a heartwarming story about two people dealing with the death of someone they both loved--Jackson's foster brother and Winnie's fiance. Jackson was always attracted to Winnie, but he would have never made a move toward Brock's fiance. And after the accident that killed Brock, Jackson felt so guilty he wanted to avoid Winnie at all costs.

Winnie was devastated after Brock's death and she had to deal with having a baby without him there. After time off to recuperate and regain her confidence, Winnie is back to run her cafe and let her son's family get to know him. She had always been friendly to Jackson, but she didn't really know him that well. When they start spending more time together, Winnie starts to have feelings she never thought she'd have again. Would it be wrong to fall for her late fiance's foster brother? And if it's not, can she convince Jackson of that?

I liked how Jackson and Winnie tried to do all they could for their family and friends, and how those people supported Jackson and Winnie. Even Olive, the prickly matriach of the Lambert family, was a great character. This was a story of healing and second chances for many of the characters, not just Jackson and Winnie. I'd recommend this for a cozy read at Christmas or any time of year.

[Linda Huddleston]

I really enjoyed Big Sky Christmas!

This was a sweet Christmas romance with a little bit of everything—love, guilt, family drama, forgiveness, and second chances.

Jackson has carried so much guilt since the accident that killed his foster brother, Brock. He has stayed away from the family because he feels responsible, and Brock’s foster mother hasn’t exactly made him feel welcome. Then Winnie, Brock’s former fiancée, comes back to Coffee Creek with her young son.

Of course, Jackson has always tried to ignore his feelings for Winnie, but now that she’s back, that’s getting harder and harder to do! And with Christmas bringing the whole family together, there are a lot of old feelings and painful memories that have to be dealt with.

I really liked Jackson and Winnie together. Their relationship develops slowly, and I enjoyed watching them figure out what they really wanted while dealing with all the guilt and family issues surrounding them.

It was a nice Christmas read with plenty of emotion and a good reminder that sometimes forgiveness—including forgiving yourself—is exactly what you need to be able to move forward.

I enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes Christmas romances with a little more emotional depth.

[Marie Bourgery]

Winnie lost her fiancée Brock in the first book and Jackson continues to blame himself and be ashamed about his attraction to Winnie. She had to be strong for the baby boy Bobby she carried who makes his adorable appearance in this book. Winnie is ready to open her heart again and it wants Jackson but can he overcome his guilt to let her and Bobby in? Brock’s mother Olive started out with her usual managing barbed ways but can she open herself up to forgiveness before it’s too late in this holiday romance? It was great to catch up with the characters from the previous books. I would have liked an epilogue.

[Charlotte L.]

How To Forgive

This story had so many people who didn’t how to forgive themselves.
Jackson was in love with his foster brothers wife. Buy, how could he when he was driving the car on the way to bring Brock to marry Windy.
Then all the other secrets surrounding him that he finds out.

[Sarah Duesterbeck]

Not a super Christmasy book. Hard to pull the book open. Took me a while to complete it.

[Susan]

Very good book with some intense emotional issues. Winnie has finally come back to Coffee Creek after the death of her fiance on their wedding day and the later birth of their son. She arrives on the day of a family wedding and is having a hard time dealing with the memories and emotions. Jackson helps her through it with his humor and understanding. Jackson knows he should stay away from Winnie. He's been in love with her for years but the guilt he feels over Brock's death is nearly overwhelming.

I loved Winnie and Jackson. Now that she is back in Coffee Creek she feels it's time to get on with her life. She is trying to maintain her independence despite the efforts of her late fiance's mother. Jackson has been a big help with that. Being around him stirs up feelings she didn't expect to have. At first she felt guilty about being attracted to another man, especially Brock's foster brother. It really didn't take her long to realize that she deserves a chance to be happy. I really liked seeing her open up herself to the possibilities with Jackson. I also liked the way that she worked so hard, right from the beginning, to let Jackson know that he has no reason to feel guilty over Brock's death. As their love grows she is willing to look at the future but she has to feel that Jackson is able to give his whole heart.

Jackson came to Coffee Creek Ranch as a foster brother to the others. He felt welcomed and accepted by everyone except Olive who always treated him differently. Brock had been his best friend. Jackson still feels guilty over Brock's death, thinking that he should have been able to avoid the moose that they hit. Now that Winnie is back he is suffering even more. Not just about the accident but also the fact that he has been in love with her for years. His guilt tells him to avoid her but his heart won't let him stay away. I loved the way that he came to her rescue when Olive tried to guilt her into moving onto the ranch. I really enjoyed the way that Jackson gave in to his heart and started spending time with Winnie and her son. He still had issues with his guilt causing him to not open up completely to the idea of a happy future with Winnie. He really panics when Winnie's son calls him daddy. I also liked the care he was taking of Maddie. It really showed what a caring man he can be. It was great to see the way that the other Lambert kids helped Jackson deal with his guilt. There was also a surprising twist at the end about why Maddie plans to leave her ranch to Jackson and also the identity of Jackson's father.

There is also more about the feud between Maddie and Olive. I enjoyed seeing the efforts that everyone made to get it resolved. Olive became a more sympathetic character by the end of the book.

[Melissa]

**This book was received in a Goodreads Giveaway**

I have to say, this fourth and final book in the Coffee Creek Montana series certainly improved upon the third book. The characters were written better and the plot moved along better. And because it is the fourth book, it's one of those series that would be helpful to read in order. Especially because this one relies a lot on the history from the other books.

Winnie has finally returned to Coffee Creek. In Book One, we saw her on her wedding day, about to get married to Brock Lambert, when a terrible accident killed him on his way to the church. Now, almost two years later, she returns with her son (she was pregnant with Brock's child)and finds herself trying to fit in with the Lambert family despite an overbearing almost-mother-in-law. And to make things even more complicated, she has feelings for Brock's foster brother, Jackson, who feels so much guilt over the accident that he's just not prepared to have any kind of interest in Winnie.

I was glad we got to see more of Winnie in this book. She kind of just disappears in the first book and then we only have phone conversations between characters with her in the next two. And it did seem unfair that she lost her fiance and never had another chance for love within those books. Jackson is also a well written character. But I can't say I like him. But that's probably because he just isn't my type. Regardless, he has fully developed emotions in this book and is believable. The only character I didn't really like was Olive, the matriarch of the Lambert family. She's hard to get along with anyway, but she has some unexpected changes of heart in this book that are just never fully explained.

This wasn't an exciting plot. It was more angst and emotion driven. But I thought it was well done. I really wanted to see what would happen with Jackson and Winnie. And some side plots that the author had been creating in the previous books were also resolved in this one. So that provided some closure. Maybe they weren't as dramatic as I was expecting, but they were realistic. This is a romance novel, but aside from the unsnapping of a bra, they weren't descriptive. It's a tame romance novel in that regard. So if you're looking for cowboys and love stories, this is going to be in that genre.

I'm glad the series ended on a positive note. Overall it's been pretty good and since I'm partial to cowboys and Montana, I was happy to read about Coffee Creek. I also wouldn't be adverse to this not being the final book in the series.

Big Sky Christmas
Copyright 2013
216 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2013

More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com

[Lisa]

It's been a really long time since I read a romance novel with a baby on the cover. 15 years ago, they were a staple of my romance reading, but since having kids of my own it's just not as romantic as it was. Regardless, the title of this one and the Montana setting made me request a copy. (Apparently I outgrew babies but not cowboys.)

Big Sky Christmas is the fourth book in the Coffee Creek series and it really shows. Winnie has come back home after 18 months away- 18 months after her fiance was killed on their wedding day, and 11 months after the birth of their son. One of the first people she encounters is Jackson Stone, foster brother to her late fiance, and the man who carries a secret torch for her. And that's... pretty much the entire plot. This book is so incredibly light weight that I can't think of anything to even say about it. It's pretty obviously the final book in a series, all the other characters are paired up into neat pairs, and the ranch setting is an obvious series element.

There is nothing outright objectionable about this one, but there's nothing to really recommend it either- unless of course you've read the first three and have a need to wrap it up. (I have not read the first three.) The Christmas setting isn't overwhelming. The ranch tidbits are perfectly paced. Winnie and Jackson are both perfectly nice perfect people. The background story explaining how Jackson came to be part of the story is a nice touch. Do I feel compelled to track down the first three books? Unfortunately, no, this one is pretty darn forgettable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read it- Big Sky Christmas will be out October 1st.

[Christine]

4.5 stars.

Big Sky Christmas is fourth book in a series about the Lambert family who are ranchers and cowboys in Montana. This book focuses on Jackson who has been avoiding his family ever since the accident happened where his foster brother, Brock, was killed. Jackson feels responsible for the accident and has had a hard time dealing with it. Brock’s former fiancée, Winnie, has recently moved back to town and Jackson tries to keep his distance from her.

The characters and setting were well described and the story kept me very interested. I found the growing romance between Jackson and Winnie believable, and liked how they worked through their problems to resolve things that had happened in the past.

Another thing I appreciated about the book is how Olive became a better person and softened up a bit towards her family. I really disliked her at first, but as I found out more about her past it made me understand the person she had become. It was good to see her have a change of heart and work some things out with Maddie.

The only thing that I didn't enjoy about the book is that I found that because I hadn't read the first three books that it was a bit hard to understand the back stories of some of the characters. I felt like something was missing, and I think I would have liked the book even more if I had started at the beginning of the series.

Overall, Big Sky Christmas was a sweet and romantic book. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it, and if I see the other books in the series I will pick them up.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!

[Gina Hott]

Hott Synopsis:
Winnie Hays has finally returned to Coffee Creek to try to get her life back in order after a series of devastating blows. Losing your fiance on your wedding day and then finding out you’re pregnant would devastate anyone but Winnie’s son is almost one and it’s time to return to life and stop hiding.
The first thing she needs to do is to introduce her son to his paternal family. Since her intended’s mother never liked her she’s sure this isn’t going to be an easy reunion but hopefully they’ll be able to work through it… but not if she keeps lusting after the man who feels responsible for the destruction of your life.

Hott Review:
Don’t laugh but I picked this up thinking it went with Linda Lael Miller’s Parable County Series that all start with “Big Sky”. So it was quite a shock when I started reading. Luckily, though, I enjoyed this even more!
What I liked: Though there was quite a lot of back story I really enjoyed this. It’s definitely a stand alone & a great Christmas read but I’m certain that you’re going to want to go back & read the others as well.
I think my favorite part is how close the family is. I really enjoyed feeling like part of the family. Plus… I adore books about single moms finding someone to love them.
What I didn’t like: I REALLY didn’t like the mother-in-law. Even though I tried to understand where she was coming from I really never could develop more than a basic acknowledgement of her character.

More…
Author: C.J. Carmichael
Source: Harlequin via Netgalley
Grade: A
Ages: 16+
Steam: YA
Series: Coffee Creek #4

[Emma]

Big Sky Christmas (Coffee Creek, Montana)
C.J. Carmichael
Holiday For Healing
Winnie Hays and Jackson Stone
Jackson Stone will always be grateful to the Lamberts, who took him in when he was just a kid. But since the accident that killed his foster brother, Brock, he stays away from the family at Coffee Creek Ranch. Especially now that Brock's former fiancée, Winnie Hays, is back in town with her little boy.

The simmering attraction between them may surprise Winnie, but Jackson fell for her at first sight years ago. Loyalty and guilt require he keep his distance…even as their feelings blossom into love. In the end, it's his own conscience Jackson must master. But with the help of the Lamberts, can this Christmas be a time of healing and a new beginning?
how do Winnie Hays and Jackson Stone met?
What is Winnie's son name?
when did Winnie Lose her fiance?
how long was Winnie away from Coffee Creek?
the name of Bobby's father?
Big Sky Christmas (Coffee Creek, Montana)
C.J. Carmichael is a 5 stars book.
I highly recommend Big Sky Christmas (Coffee Creek, Montana)by
C.J. Carmichael
I am looking forward to reading more books by C.J. Carmichael.
Coffee Creek Montana
1. Remember Me, Cowboy
2. Her Cowboy Dilemma
3. Promise from a Cowboy
4. Big Sky Christmas
Carrigans of the Circle C
1. Good Together
Good Together
Copper Mountain Rodeo
Promise Me, Cowboy
Love Me, Cowboy (with Megan Crane, Lilian Darcy and Jane Porter)

[Kimberly Walter]

Jackson Stone will always feel guilt over the death of his foster brother, Brock, and he keeps his distance from the Lambert family and of course Winnie Hays who he has been in love with since they met.
Winnie wants to help Jackson overcome his guilt and let go of the past, and give into their attraction.
Jackson tries his best to keep his distance but he can't resist Winnie. They start dating and it blossoms into love.
Jackson overcomes his conscience after having some much needed conversations with friends and family.
The Holidays turned out to be a joyous affair for the Lamberts and friends.

I enjoyed reading Big Sky Christmas, it was everything I expected and more. Secrets were finally revealed, and the family is healing and looking towards a new beginning. It was freaking awesome. I absolutely loved it.

[Jennifer]

Big Sky Christmas was such a super cute book. I really fell in like with the characters and now I want to read more about the others.

Here we have the magic formula again: Cowboys and Christmas and really, what’s not to love about that? Winnie Hays has returned to Coffee Creek after the death of her fiance, Brock. She now has a son, Brock’s son, since she had just gotten pregnant when he died during an unfortunate auto accident the night before their wedding. The driver of the vehicle? Sexy cowboy Jackson Stone.

Please read my full review at The Bawdy Book Blog.

[Cecile]

I've never read a book in this genre before and doubt that I will again. It reminded me of an over-the-top John Wayne western where the hero accompanied by a handful talented characters dole out justice to nefarious "owlcoots" while successfully guiding a band of innocents across the prairie. A quick read, frustrating at times with the seemingly never ending skirmishes, natural disasters, and gun battles.

[Sharon]

*2.5 STARS. Full review to come.