Seaside Cowboy's Christmas Wish

Seaside Cowboys #7

by Alexa Verde

A nurse, a cowboy, and a secret that could get them both killed by Christmas!

Diana Medina isn’t looking for love but for her missing friend who disappeared weeks before Christmas. The search leads her several states away to a small coastal town and a beautiful ranch. When one of the ranch owners, Laredo Lawrence, gets injured, she uses her nursing degree to get a temporary job to help him. After all, she was the one who caused his injury—by accident.

But because a dangerous secret lurks between them, she stifles her growing attraction to the charming cowboy who literally serenades her. Then more accidents start happening around her.… Is it possible someone will do anything to keep this secret hidden?

Welcome to Port Sunshine, a small coastal town where a family of cowboy brothers discover the treasures of love and uncover the mysteries of their pasts!
Book 1: Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance
Book 2: Seaside Cowboy's Best Friend
Book 3: Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience
Book 4: Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale
Book 5: Seaside Cowboy's Assistant
Book 6: Seaside Cowboy's Love at First Sight
Book 7: Seaside Cowboy's Christmas Wish

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

Alexa Verde writes feel-good small-town romances with a smile. She'd love it if you subscribed to her newsletter https://dl.bookfunnel.com/gitieu15ex. Every subscriber gets a free Christian romance after confirming the subscription as a thank-you gift.
She penned her first literary "masterpiece" (a rhymed poem) at the ripe age of eight, and since has had over forty books and 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. Over 60 million pages of her books have been read worldwide. She has bachelor's degrees in English and Spanish, a master's in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters from diverse cultures. She's worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, assistant, model (even one day counts!), and caretaker, but thinks that the writer's hat suits her the best. She hopes and prays that her stories will bring joy to her readers. Heartfelt thanks for your interest in her books!

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books checks all my favorite boxes: clean romance, mystery, suspense, relatable and well-developed characters, faith, and a plot with some twists. Author Alexa Verde has created a place that I'd love to visit in Port Sunshine, a small town on the coast. The Seaside Cowboys series is based around a close-knit family of brothers. Laredo and Diana make a great couple, and they do get their HEA although the road there is a bit bumpy. I love the struggles that the Christian characters go through, which aren't all neatly wrapped up but acknowledge that there will continue to be issues. How refreshing! I did not know who the villain was, but it made perfect sense. I highly recommend Seaside Cowboy's Christmas Wish and look forward to reading more of this author's work.
I got my copy through KU.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laredo and Diana’s story is one of mystery, intrigue and suspense as well as an unexpected love connection. She is in town to search for her missing best friend. Her friend last worked on the ranch Laredo’s family owns and Diana hopes she can find clues to her friend’s whereabouts by asking questions on the ranch. It soon becomes clear the someone doesn’t want her to find any answers as she becomes a target of incidents designed to cause her harm. Unfortunately, Laredo is injured in one such incident, and Diana who is a nurse, feels duty-bound to take care of him.

Both Diana and Laredo had felt an immediate connection when they met. She, however, is not ready or even looking for any new relationship after the recent death of her husband. Laredo has watched his siblings find love and their happily ever afters and has wondered if he would ever find his own. Diana has stirred something within him, but he would never push her into something she isn’t ready for or doesn’t want to do. His close knit family happily welcomes Diana and even try to do a little matchmaking. Diana is amazed by their kindness, support and camaraderie, which is all rather different from her own family dynamics. It is hard for Laredo and Diana to ignore the sparks and the indefinable connection between them as they try to find answers about her missing friend. It is also hard to ignore the dangerous incidents that seem to follow Diana. Laredo is determined to protect the woman who has quickly captured his heart. Their story is sweet, suspenseful and includes a few twists that make it very captivating.

I would happily recommend this captivating book, especially to those who enjoy romance on the sweeter side as well as some suspense.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Laredo and Diana's story! Laredo meets Diana when she comes to town looking for her missing friend. Then, when Laredo takes a hit meant for Diana, she volunteers to look after him since it was her fault and since she's a nurse. As Laredo and his family help Diana search for answers to Pat's disappearance, Diana finds out things about herself, her deceased husband, and others that she's never realized before. Her perception of herself changes as she starts to see herself as someone of value, thanks to Laredo. Diana has been told by words and actions that she's not worthy of time, love, or attention. Laredo shows her that she is, and helps her to find herself and learn what she wants from life, not what others have told her she should want. When Laredo's past love re-enters his life, will Diana lose the love she's found and relapse to her old ways of thinking and coping, or will Laredo's love for Diana change his dreams?

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this story takes off quickly as Diana Medina comes to this small town of Port Sunshine, South Carolina, to search for her missing best friend, Pat. She is introduced to Laredo Lawrence because Pat worked on his family's ranch for a short time before disappearing. Someone seems to want to hurt Diana as she leaves the store to go to her car. Laredo feels drawn to her and wishes he could get to know her and when he sees someone on the roof trying to throw something at Diana, he rushes to save her getting hurt instead. Diana is so upset that he got hurt that she stays to help him recover since she is a nurse.

Diana loves the big Lawrence family and their closeness. Her parents were very distant most of her life and she never felt that she could please them. Laredo is so protective and encouraging to her that she shares some of her past with him. She has a deep secret that causes her shame - can she take a chance and finally share it with Laredo?

Laredo and his family determine to help her find her missing friend. The more they dig into what she did while in town, the more unknown secrets get revealed. The closer they get to finding her friend, the more the threats get.

Will Diana and Laredo have a chance at a relationship after they find her friend since she lives so far away from the South Carolina ranch?

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seaside Cowboy’s Christmas Wish

This is a wonderful and sweet story of a young woman searching for her best friend and finding so much more along the way. Diana Medina is a young widow who is trying to locate her best friend. Her search leads her to a small town on the coast in South Carolina where she is rescued from something being thrown from the roof of a building by Laredo Lawrence. Laredo is injured in the rescue so she moves to the ranch to help him out until he can recover. However, the danger seems to follow her. There are a few twists and turns in the mystery surrounding Diana as well as secret she harbors. Will they be able to discover who is out to kill her and why before they manage to succeed?

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous secrets.

Diana Medina has spent her life never being good enough, always failing. She can’t fail this time. She has to find her missing friend. Her search leads her to a small oceanside town and a trail of secrets.

There is something about the beautiful woman that has Laredo Lawrence wanting to help her even when it lands him in the hospital. Danger seems to be following her. At least she is safe for now and staying at his family's ranch to care for him.

Secrets, intrigue, danger, and suspense! This book kept me guessing as the suspense built. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas in July book to curl up with! When our heroine comes to town looking for her missing friend, Laredo steps in to protect her. As they learn about each other, while the suspense hangs around them, they delve into their past hurts and current fears. A widow with addiction roots and fears of worth and rejection, and a steady cowboy who sings and loves his family. A small town romance with Christianity and suspense, family and a mystery. This was a lovely romance that I really enjoyed. I’m looking forward to the next one.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexa Verde’s Seaside Cowboys stories are part mystery and part romance. The well-crafted stories makes the reader ponder life, relationships between parents and their grown up children and in Seaside Cowboy’s Christmas Wish the constant pull of alcohol for an alcoholic. Seaside Cowboy’s Christmas Wish is a story with a twist and turn plot, relatable characters (widowed nurse Diana Medina and rancher Laredo Lawrence), red herrings, family dynamics and secrets with a believable resolution. A page turning read that inspires the reader -as Pat, Diana’s friend stated even in diversity, life is worth surviving for.

[Terry Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing tale. Alexa Verde's works have just the right amount of danger, which I adore. Along the way, Diana meets Laredo while investigating the disappearance of her best friend Pat. After helping Diana with her search, Laredo finds himself falling in love with her. Prior to another person being killed, a murder and an attempted murder must be resolved. When all is said and done, will Diana and Laredo locate her friend Pat? Read this book to find out. I heartily recommend reading this book. Outstanding work, Alexa Verde. “I received ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.”

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diana and Laredo team up to find her missing friend and stumble into several secrets as they fall in love.
His family is so awesome that they jump in to help with the investigation, regardless of the danger.

The romance element was pretty simple. Enjoyable, but predictable. There is danger and suspense throughout the story. That element was AWAZING. I did not see that coming! It wasn't off the wall, just a surprise.

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Alexa Verde portrayed Diana and her constant battle with alcohol. It's hard to imagine the internal battle that is fought every day to overcome such an addiction. The grace and support she was shown by Laredo's family offer a better way to help someone in this position. There was suspense from page one and I was totally unprepared for the way the story played out. I think you will enjoy this book.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I'm so enjoying this series by one of my favorite authors. I loved Diana and Laredo’s story. It's full of suspense, intrigue and romance. In searching for her best friend Diana finds out so much about herself and her last all with the help of Laredo. As they searched for details you could see them falling for each other.  A really great read that captivated me from the beginning.

[AugustRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about Laredo, Diana, their families, and her missing friend. There are many twists and turns in this book. Diana's family is dysfunctional, secretive, critical and tough on their daughter whereas Laredo's family is loving, supportive and there for one another. Was so lovely to read about Laredo's siblings who previously had their own books. A very special story that will pull you in from the 1st chapter till the final chapter. This is a standalone book with a HEA.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in July! This is Diana's and Laredo's story, Book 7 in the Seaside Cowboy's series by Alexa Verde. A sweet, clean read with just the right touch of mystery and suspense. The portrayal of Diana's struggles with alcoholism was very well-written, and the support by Laredo and his family offered an inspirational alternative to judgment of addiction. I especially appreciated how Diana and her parents were able to begin the long road to reconciliation. A lovely Christmas story!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seaside Cowboy’s Christmas Wish ( Seaside Cowboy’s #7 )
Alexa Verde
This is Laredo and Diana’s story. A cowboy, nurse, and a secret that could get them both killed.
Diana goes in search of her friend, Pat, who disappeared before Christmas. Diana ends up at a beautiful ranch and one of the ranch’s owner, Laredo. She finds out that her friend had been at the ranch but had left. Laredo and his family agree to help Diana look for her friend. Will they find her or will they be tom late. This story has mystery and romance all combine and keeps you reading way in the night. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully suspenseful story. I love Laredo’s family. So welcoming and supportive. Diana’s family seems the exact opposite. This story will definitely keep your interest going until the end. I was definitely surprised to discover who the culprit was and all that was done and why. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book from Alexa Verde is filled with adventure, mystery, suspense and romance. The characters are so well written that you feel like friends.
Diana’s journey of self discovery while searching for her friend, Pat, was very interesting and added an extra dimension to the story. Don’t miss out on a chance to read this book!!!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book you will read about being in danger, a wonderful family who is willing to help in any way. When Diana comes looking for her best friend her life will change forever. Laredo is an amazing guy who is always willing to help anyone. This book is filled with lots of danger and mysterious things happening to people. You won’t be able to stop reading this book

[Nancy Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a book!

Alexa, you did a wonderful job in creating this read of Diana's and Laredo's story. They had some bumps along the way and some suspense along the way, and how family banned together to help solved the mystery. This is a pager turner book. It catches your attention, then your heartstrings, and you're hooked until the end.

[Judith Seale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!

What an interesting and enjoyable read. Diana is looking for her friend Pat who is not responding to her calls. She goes to the last place Pat was and meets Laredo. He is infatuated with Diana. All Diana has on her mind is finding Pat. This turns out to be a very complicated adventure. The suspense is captivating.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT!

Another exciting mystery solved. And all during another of the Lawrence brothers’ delightful romance! Laredo and Diana might just be my new favorite couple…😉 Of course, I do say that after I finish each book!🤣

[Medenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense Filled as usual

Gripping read. The constant vigilance of Laredo and his family were something Diana had never known. I didn’t guess the answer to the mystery. It was a surprise. Definitely a good read.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Amazing Story

I love this authors ability to share stories that are thrilling with danger but also dig deep into emotional issues and how to solve them through the characters she creates. This story was no different in dealing with inadequacy and alcoholism.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on Audible. They used virtual voice. Boo! It’s a book in a series and someone was out to get someone and when stuff came about it wasn’t explained very well how it was resolved. It was a bit irritating.

[Marlia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but digital narration lacking. No inflection in tone and all one voice. Words spoken as spelled which we all know that the English language has more exceptions to the rules 😉

[Janet Demaree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Lots of unexpected twists along the way. Keeps you guessing until the end.