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Reunited at Christmas
Search and rescue dog handler Shelby Davis is living the dream. Not only does she train search and rescue dogs, but she’s a bestselling suspense author who has waterfront property in the beautiful mountain town of Grand Lake, Colorado. All is well until she receives a call to bring her dog Max and her snowmobile to help rescue a man who is lost in a blizzard up on Gravel Mountain. That man is the one person she never wants to see again—Ryker Anderson—the man who broke her heart the day he called three months before their wedding to say goodbye with no explanation as to why.
After being gone for eighteen months, Ryker Anderson is back in Grand Lake where he hopes to win back the woman he loves. He only hopes Shelby understands why he left. Will he be able to convince Shelby that she can trust him with her heart again even though he broke it before?
After being gone for eighteen months, Ryker Anderson is back in Grand Lake where he hopes to win back the woman he loves. He only hopes Shelby understands why he left. Will he be able to convince Shelby that she can trust him with her heart again even though he broke it before?
141 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2013
16 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 26, 2016
Cute read. Sweet!
January 17, 2014
Shelby Davis is a search and rescue dog handler, trainer and a bestselling suspense author. Everything is going along fairly well until she receives a call to bring Max, her dog, and snowmobile to help rescue a man lost in a blizzard. Not just any man but the one who shattered her heart, the man she was engaged to. The man who left her a message three months before their wedding telling her he was leaving, but with no explanations. Now, eighteen months later, he has returned and he is the last person she wants to rescue. When he left her she had no idea why and it greatly affected her self image, trust in others, and her trust in God. She was completely devastated and broken.
Ryker Anderson is back and he has hopes of winning back the woman he loves. He hopes Shelby will understand why he left.
There are three or four issues that were disturbing to me in this story. I feel they were not dealt with properly and I would like to further explain but it would be a major spoiler. IMO--a couple of those things left the heroine appearing weak, meek, seen and not heard, unable to speak her mind to Ryker and her father. It was actually a bit distressing for me and I was really ready to stop reading this book and move onto something else. You don't have to be meek and/or weak to be a Christian woman and that is how I viewed Shelby.
While waiting for Ryker to explain the whole truth, I became more disillusioned with this story and I feel it made him appear that he didn't care as much as he led us to believe. If you wanted the love of your life back, would you not tell her the whole truth to stop her mind from wandering where it need not go? Just spill it and get it out there because you now know how broken your leaving left her and how much she suffered and is still suffering. Gee...don't continue to torture her. She's been through enough.
This was definitely not a good match for me and I can't recommend it, but if a character who seems weak, meek and very mild doesn't bother you then give it a try. I certainly seem to be in the minority although there was a 4-star review who said much the same thing as I have. In fact I am somewhat surprised at the four and five star reviews. As a Christian and one who follows Christian Romance and Suspense, It just left me feeling disturbed.
Ryker Anderson is back and he has hopes of winning back the woman he loves. He hopes Shelby will understand why he left.
There are three or four issues that were disturbing to me in this story. I feel they were not dealt with properly and I would like to further explain but it would be a major spoiler. IMO--a couple of those things left the heroine appearing weak, meek, seen and not heard, unable to speak her mind to Ryker and her father. It was actually a bit distressing for me and I was really ready to stop reading this book and move onto something else. You don't have to be meek and/or weak to be a Christian woman and that is how I viewed Shelby.
While waiting for Ryker to explain the whole truth, I became more disillusioned with this story and I feel it made him appear that he didn't care as much as he led us to believe. If you wanted the love of your life back, would you not tell her the whole truth to stop her mind from wandering where it need not go? Just spill it and get it out there because you now know how broken your leaving left her and how much she suffered and is still suffering. Gee...don't continue to torture her. She's been through enough.
This was definitely not a good match for me and I can't recommend it, but if a character who seems weak, meek and very mild doesn't bother you then give it a try. I certainly seem to be in the minority although there was a 4-star review who said much the same thing as I have. In fact I am somewhat surprised at the four and five star reviews. As a Christian and one who follows Christian Romance and Suspense, It just left me feeling disturbed.
November 30, 2013
A quick, enjoyable story of love, hope, facing your fears and being who God made you to be. Throw in a Christmas season and some loving, understanding family and friends and you've got a great story by this incredibly talented author.
Ryker and Shelby were engaged to be married. Months before the wedding Ryker suddenly takes the cowards way out and says goodbye over the phone and doesn't even tell her why he can't marry her. It's taken eighteen months but Shelby is finally starting to return to normal life and thinking she'll survive when she is called on a search and rescue mission to find Ryker.
She soon finds that she's not over him and amazingly he's still in love with her. Finally Ryker is able to tell her why he left, why he's back and ask for a second chance. This of courses causes more conflict.
After a kiss that about blows their socks off, they both know they are still in love and want to be married, but Shelby has trust issues. She trusted Ryker once before and he broke her heart. What's to keep him from doing it again? She's afraid to go there.
In addition to that, she fears that she just is not enough for anyone. Her best friend steps in and tells her to stop trying to be who she isn't and she finally realizes that if God wanted her to be someone or something else, He would have made her that person, not who she is.
I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, but it's a story I would gladly pay for and I hope you'll enjoy it too.
Ryker and Shelby were engaged to be married. Months before the wedding Ryker suddenly takes the cowards way out and says goodbye over the phone and doesn't even tell her why he can't marry her. It's taken eighteen months but Shelby is finally starting to return to normal life and thinking she'll survive when she is called on a search and rescue mission to find Ryker.
She soon finds that she's not over him and amazingly he's still in love with her. Finally Ryker is able to tell her why he left, why he's back and ask for a second chance. This of courses causes more conflict.
After a kiss that about blows their socks off, they both know they are still in love and want to be married, but Shelby has trust issues. She trusted Ryker once before and he broke her heart. What's to keep him from doing it again? She's afraid to go there.
In addition to that, she fears that she just is not enough for anyone. Her best friend steps in and tells her to stop trying to be who she isn't and she finally realizes that if God wanted her to be someone or something else, He would have made her that person, not who she is.
I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, but it's a story I would gladly pay for and I hope you'll enjoy it too.
November 30, 2013
What a great read! A Christmas Reunion is a story about missteps, real love where putting someone else's needs above your own, God having a perfect plan, and how life never runs smoothly or exactly the way you want it. Shelby is determined that the man that broke up with her without an explanation is not going to get another chance to break her heart. Ryker does not want to inflict any more pain on Shelby. The heart has a mind of it's own. God had had a plan from the beginning. Every time you think they have resolved things one way or another, there is another twist. This book is well-written, flows smoothly, and keeps you wanting to see what happens next. This book makes you believe in real love again! I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
March 17, 2015
I read this story over a two day period which is generally a good sign, but the story itself was rather short for a novel. I really did want to know the ending but overall it was predictable, even though it did have a few unexpected turn of events near the ending, which actually appeared unbelievable to me. I liked the aspect of the story that dealt with Stacey's job in the Search and Rescue field and also getting to know a little more of life in Colorado, and Stacey's family and church life. I feel these, as well as Ryker's family, could have had further expansion to add more "meat" to the story. The story would have benefited greatly by further editing as there were a number of typos, missing words, etc.
December 1, 2013
I had just been through a hard time in my life when I read this book. It made me feel the wonder of young love again. The excitement, and the pain, and the fear. Going through this with Shelby and Ryker, made me see the joy and hope we all share. Things don't always go the way we see them in our mind, but if we learn to trust and forgive in God and ourselves, things always work out the way God intended.
This book, like life, was a roller coaster ride that is worth the price of the ticket.
I am looking forward to the next ride I take with Debra and her wonderful insight to life and love. Thank you Debra for the reminder to trust in the Lord.
This book, like life, was a roller coaster ride that is worth the price of the ticket.
I am looking forward to the next ride I take with Debra and her wonderful insight to life and love. Thank you Debra for the reminder to trust in the Lord.
January 30, 2016
If this book had not been my book club read, I probably would not have finished it. It was not badly written and it did present a Christian message. There just wasn't much to it other than holding hands and kissing. There was so much more that could have been done with the story.
December 2, 2013
I loved this book! It is a very heart warming story. Made me believe in the power of love again.
December 3, 2013
“Reunited at Christmas” by Debra Ullrick is a sweet contemporary romance set in Colorado. Shelby is a best-selling author who lives in a log cabin, in a small town in the mountains. In addition, she trains search and rescue dogs, and participates in rescue missions. She gets an emergency call and sets out with her rescue dog, Max, to find a missing snowmobiler. The man she is searching for is her ex-fiancée, Ryker Anderson.
Ryker left her eighteen months ago without an explanation. Now, he’s back to beg for forgiveness, hoping she’ll take him back. He explains that he left because he was diagnosed with cancer, and didn’t want to put her through the emotional turmoil that loved ones feel as they watch someone die. Then he says “but I was never really terminal.”
Several chapters later, he admits to having a false positive on his tests. While waiting to admit the truth could be a technique to create a touch of suspense to the story, my reaction was to almost put the book down for good. This is a question of where to place information in the book. It’s a judgment call. There’s no one answer on how to construct a story. But in my opinion, the information should have been given the first time, because I reacted with feeling that this story was going to be lame. The type of cancer wasn’t identified, the tests were questionable, and that made me question the quality of the book.
The book is well written for the most part. The author has published thirteen romance books. The story is well paced, has elements of excitement, and leads to a happy ending. But, it seems that this author is getting story advice from a different agent than I am.
I subscribe to several newsletters put out by literary agents. In one post, an agent recommended avoiding the use of clichés; not just phrases like “light as a feather”, which this author uses, but other clichés. She said that cancer is a cliché because so many manuscripts use that for a dreaded disease. She also said that a heroine who is an author is also a cliché. Yes, we authors think we have the best job in the world, but too many authors are using that as a dream job in their manuscripts.
Mike Rowe, host of “Dirty Jobs” gave a speech to congress in which he pointed out that we have a national shortage of skilled labor. We don’t have enough welders and sheet metal workers. The Escambia County school district has a constant opening for high school welding instructors. If we can’t find a welding teacher now, we won’t have any welders in the future. Perhaps authors should listen to Mr. Rowe and use skilled trades as a respectable job for their characters. It wouldn’t be as cliché as casting them as authors and shop keepers.
Half way through the book the author introduces the cliché of a jilted ex-girlfriend coming after them with a gun. I felt this part of the story was bait and switch in genre, because if it was going to be a suspense story, then the ex-girlfriend should have been stalking them from chapter one. The character wasn’t well-developed or believable, and was just an easy way out.
The author also switches the heroine’s motivation halfway through the book. At first, she is a strong and capable woman. Then she becomes a person with low self-esteem because she’s always felt like she’s not good enough. Then she becomes afraid of being abandoned. Her motivation and the cause of her motivation don’t match up. The last four books I’ve reviewed used low self-esteem as a motivation, so that is becoming a cliché as well.
But I did like the way the author used faith without resorting to a church scene and the cliché sermon. Instead, Shelby’s mother asks her to read the Bible story about Joseph, and then they have a heart to heart talk about it. At first, I thought she was talking about Joseph, Jesus’ father, because this is a Christmas story, but then realized that she’s talking about Old Testament Joseph with the many-colored coat. Even that could have been a little better.
The story is enjoyable, but not great. If you buy your wine at Wal-Mart, you might like it, but if you’re looking for a bottle that has a date on it, you’re in the wrong cellar.
Ryker left her eighteen months ago without an explanation. Now, he’s back to beg for forgiveness, hoping she’ll take him back. He explains that he left because he was diagnosed with cancer, and didn’t want to put her through the emotional turmoil that loved ones feel as they watch someone die. Then he says “but I was never really terminal.”
Several chapters later, he admits to having a false positive on his tests. While waiting to admit the truth could be a technique to create a touch of suspense to the story, my reaction was to almost put the book down for good. This is a question of where to place information in the book. It’s a judgment call. There’s no one answer on how to construct a story. But in my opinion, the information should have been given the first time, because I reacted with feeling that this story was going to be lame. The type of cancer wasn’t identified, the tests were questionable, and that made me question the quality of the book.
The book is well written for the most part. The author has published thirteen romance books. The story is well paced, has elements of excitement, and leads to a happy ending. But, it seems that this author is getting story advice from a different agent than I am.
I subscribe to several newsletters put out by literary agents. In one post, an agent recommended avoiding the use of clichés; not just phrases like “light as a feather”, which this author uses, but other clichés. She said that cancer is a cliché because so many manuscripts use that for a dreaded disease. She also said that a heroine who is an author is also a cliché. Yes, we authors think we have the best job in the world, but too many authors are using that as a dream job in their manuscripts.
Mike Rowe, host of “Dirty Jobs” gave a speech to congress in which he pointed out that we have a national shortage of skilled labor. We don’t have enough welders and sheet metal workers. The Escambia County school district has a constant opening for high school welding instructors. If we can’t find a welding teacher now, we won’t have any welders in the future. Perhaps authors should listen to Mr. Rowe and use skilled trades as a respectable job for their characters. It wouldn’t be as cliché as casting them as authors and shop keepers.
Half way through the book the author introduces the cliché of a jilted ex-girlfriend coming after them with a gun. I felt this part of the story was bait and switch in genre, because if it was going to be a suspense story, then the ex-girlfriend should have been stalking them from chapter one. The character wasn’t well-developed or believable, and was just an easy way out.
The author also switches the heroine’s motivation halfway through the book. At first, she is a strong and capable woman. Then she becomes a person with low self-esteem because she’s always felt like she’s not good enough. Then she becomes afraid of being abandoned. Her motivation and the cause of her motivation don’t match up. The last four books I’ve reviewed used low self-esteem as a motivation, so that is becoming a cliché as well.
But I did like the way the author used faith without resorting to a church scene and the cliché sermon. Instead, Shelby’s mother asks her to read the Bible story about Joseph, and then they have a heart to heart talk about it. At first, I thought she was talking about Joseph, Jesus’ father, because this is a Christmas story, but then realized that she’s talking about Old Testament Joseph with the many-colored coat. Even that could have been a little better.
The story is enjoyable, but not great. If you buy your wine at Wal-Mart, you might like it, but if you’re looking for a bottle that has a date on it, you’re in the wrong cellar.
December 2, 2013
Reunited at Christmas by Debra Ullrick is a wonderful story of love, trust, and forgiveness. Shelby Davis is slowly rebuilding her life after her fiance called three months before the wedding and said that he could not marry her but gave no explanation. Her work as a trainer of search and rescue dogs is helping her overcome her heartbreak. When she receives a call for her rescue dog, Max, and her snowmobile, she learns that the missing person she needs to find is Ryker Anderson, the man that caused her broken heart. She never wants to see him again but she is a professional and it so happens that it is her dog that finds Ryker. He has finally returned home to Grand Lake, Colorado, and is hoping and praying that he can win Shelby's love and trust once again.
Debra did an excellent job in the development of every element of the story. She made the characters so real that I was shedding tears with them or laughing with them. The plot had a few surprises and was so well written that sometimes I was holding my breath to see what would happen next. There was also a good deal of suspense in the story. The scenes were so real that I felt as if I were right in the middle of what was happening, I was even feeling the cold of the snow. I especially like the way the author has God as a vital part of the story. She shows that He is with us on the mountaintops and in the valleys. Learning to trust again was well covered in the story and this also showed the love of God. In my opinion, Debra has written a book that is a must read for the Christmas season for after reading you will have a smile on your face and love in your heart.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romantic story set during the Christmas holidays and that also has the love and forgiveness of God throughout the book.
Thanks to the author, Debra Ullrick, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Debra did an excellent job in the development of every element of the story. She made the characters so real that I was shedding tears with them or laughing with them. The plot had a few surprises and was so well written that sometimes I was holding my breath to see what would happen next. There was also a good deal of suspense in the story. The scenes were so real that I felt as if I were right in the middle of what was happening, I was even feeling the cold of the snow. I especially like the way the author has God as a vital part of the story. She shows that He is with us on the mountaintops and in the valleys. Learning to trust again was well covered in the story and this also showed the love of God. In my opinion, Debra has written a book that is a must read for the Christmas season for after reading you will have a smile on your face and love in your heart.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romantic story set during the Christmas holidays and that also has the love and forgiveness of God throughout the book.
Thanks to the author, Debra Ullrick, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 3, 2013
I have never had the pleasure of reading a Debra Ullrick book, until now! I was offered a free copy of Reunited at Christmas for my honest review and I was excited at the chance to review a new author. I can tell you, I really thought I had found all the “good” Christian Romance authors, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong. Not only was the book well-written, I could hardly put it down. (My house has suffered from lack of attention the last 2 days!!) The characters were so loveable as well as believable. And even though I’m not really a “winter” person, the setting was described so beautifully that I just wanted to jump right in my car and find that place!! To me, the beginning and the ending of a book are the most important parts. The beginning has to grab my attention. I knew from the very first page that Reunited at Christmas was going to be a keeper! The ending is probably the most important part. You can ruin a good book with the wrong ending! Fortunately, that was not the case with Debra’s book. The ending was great!!! The fact that I received this book free had nothing to do with my review. I LOVED the book!! And I can tell you that I will be adding Debra Ullrick to my list of favorite authors!! I’ve already picked up another book and can’t wait to read it!
December 16, 2013
Reunited at Christmas, written by best-selling author Debra Ullrick, is a cozy, touching romance filled with a hint of suspense. Combining themes of faith, love, and reunion, this Christmas miracle story will capture your heart and leave you feeling good.
Shelby Davis’s faith in God is tested as the holiest season of the year approaches and she remains hurt and confused about her broken relationship with Ryker Anderson. Three months before they were to be married and without explanation, he crushed her heart and dashed her dreams. Is it possible for them to be reunited?
This tender story will add joy to the Christmas holiday and keep you turning the pages. Filled with sympathetic characters, this romance had me wanting the best for Shelby and Ryker, and I kept cheering them on. I liked Shelby’s parents and thought they added a lot of fun to this story.
Please note: I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.
Shelby Davis’s faith in God is tested as the holiest season of the year approaches and she remains hurt and confused about her broken relationship with Ryker Anderson. Three months before they were to be married and without explanation, he crushed her heart and dashed her dreams. Is it possible for them to be reunited?
This tender story will add joy to the Christmas holiday and keep you turning the pages. Filled with sympathetic characters, this romance had me wanting the best for Shelby and Ryker, and I kept cheering them on. I liked Shelby’s parents and thought they added a lot of fun to this story.
Please note: I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.
December 17, 2015
I didn't realize at first that this was a novella so I finished it a lot sooner than anticipated.
This was a clean Christian novel. I enjoyed the storyline but admit some sections I just skimmed. It was a fun, quick read even without all the skimming. I was trying to read with a bad headache and just read the really important parts that move the story along.
The ending had a little bit of a surprise twist to it(I won't spoil it for you). The main characters were engaged but he called her up right before the wedding and said he loved her but had to leave. She couldn't understand why and struggled to understand why even after he told her. Thanks to the twist at the end she comes to realize why he did.
If you are looking for a fun read that you can read fast this would definitely fill that criteria. :-)
Happy Reading!!!
This was a clean Christian novel. I enjoyed the storyline but admit some sections I just skimmed. It was a fun, quick read even without all the skimming. I was trying to read with a bad headache and just read the really important parts that move the story along.
The ending had a little bit of a surprise twist to it(I won't spoil it for you). The main characters were engaged but he called her up right before the wedding and said he loved her but had to leave. She couldn't understand why and struggled to understand why even after he told her. Thanks to the twist at the end she comes to realize why he did.
If you are looking for a fun read that you can read fast this would definitely fill that criteria. :-)
Happy Reading!!!
December 9, 2013
Reunited at Christmas is the first book I have read by Debra Ullrick but it will not be the last. It is a sweet love story that examines faith and forgiveness. The characters were warm and believable. I found myself going about my day wondering what was going to happen to them next. Towards the end, I would only let myself read a few pages a day so I could make the book last a little longer (a sure sign that I love a book). Anyway, this was a wonderful Christmas story that reminded me that God has a perfect plan for our lives even when we can't see it. It made me remember that wonderful and vulnerable feeling of being young and in love! Read this book! You will enjoy it! I'm hoping that we will see more stories set in Grand Lake, CO in the future!
December 12, 2013
Reunited at Christmas
By: Debra Ullrick
This was such a wonderful book. A Christian romance done in good taste. I didn’t want to put it down when I was reading it.
Story is about a couple who are going to get married, but he takes off before the wedding. Leaves Shelby wondering what went wrong. Shelby is a rescue person and gets call someone is stranded out in the middle of no where and snow storm and freezing cold. The team needs to rescue him. But can she do it. The person is her ex-husband to be. Can she do it can she help with the rescue? Lot more adventure in this love story. A story of love and forgiveness. I will admit I shed a few tears. Very heart warming. This is the first book I have read of Debra Ullrick but would love to read more.
By: Debra Ullrick
This was such a wonderful book. A Christian romance done in good taste. I didn’t want to put it down when I was reading it.
Story is about a couple who are going to get married, but he takes off before the wedding. Leaves Shelby wondering what went wrong. Shelby is a rescue person and gets call someone is stranded out in the middle of no where and snow storm and freezing cold. The team needs to rescue him. But can she do it. The person is her ex-husband to be. Can she do it can she help with the rescue? Lot more adventure in this love story. A story of love and forgiveness. I will admit I shed a few tears. Very heart warming. This is the first book I have read of Debra Ullrick but would love to read more.
April 20, 2015
So, this heroine does the following:
Trains Search & Rescue dogs
Snow/Mountain Search & Rescue Squad
Writes Suspense Novels
Cooks Award-Winning Chili
Blonde hair, brown eyes, beautiful face and Barbie Doll lips. Peak physical condition - as well as the hero, with his six-pack abs.
The hero and heroine have a past. He left her because he thought he was going to die of cancer. Left without telling her. What a winner!
At this point, I quit reading.
Trains Search & Rescue dogs
Snow/Mountain Search & Rescue Squad
Writes Suspense Novels
Cooks Award-Winning Chili
Blonde hair, brown eyes, beautiful face and Barbie Doll lips. Peak physical condition - as well as the hero, with his six-pack abs.
The hero and heroine have a past. He left her because he thought he was going to die of cancer. Left without telling her. What a winner!
At this point, I quit reading.
December 10, 2015
I really wanted to like this book. It started off well paced and interesting. But after the rescue it fell like a stone. There was so much unnecessary narrative, and Shelby spent way too much time in her own thoughts, as did Ryker. I started to peruse rather than read but gave up only 30% in. The style may appeal to others but wasn't for me.
July 24, 2015
Wonderful reading. I had my ups n downs that they would reunite. Great ending to a very mixed emotions throughout the whole book. Gave it a five star because I couldn't put it down. Read the book in one setting. Great attention grabber.
Happy reading,
Chris
Happy reading,
Chris
December 15, 2015
Christmas Christian Romance
This was a very good story about true love. Two people who loved God, their families, & each other. The wintry, Christmas setting added to the cozyness of the story.
This was a very good story about true love. Two people who loved God, their families, & each other. The wintry, Christmas setting added to the cozyness of the story.
Read
January 13, 2014Good read
I highly recommend for good Christian reading. nice plot with just enough twists and turns to keep your interest and attention.
I highly recommend for good Christian reading. nice plot with just enough twists and turns to keep your interest and attention.
August 16, 2015
reunited at Christmas
This book was just ok for me. It repeated itself several times and was slow moving. This was not one of my favorites.
This book was just ok for me. It repeated itself several times and was slow moving. This was not one of my favorites.
December 3, 2015
Wonderful Christmas story
Anyone who loves a warm fuzzy at Christmas time will enjoy this story as will anyone who enjoys plot twists and surprises.
Anyone who loves a warm fuzzy at Christmas time will enjoy this story as will anyone who enjoys plot twists and surprises.
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