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The Lost Shepherd: Western Christmas Magic
A former Pinkerton’s detective, Deacon (Deke) Shepherd blames himself for the death of his wife ten years earlier. In his grief, and convinced he’d make a horrible father, he left his young son behind in Denver to be raised by the boy’s maternal grandmother. Having given up on his faith, he bought a rundown ranch on the outskirts of Walton, Colorado and lives his life as a hermit.
Carrie Montgomery is Walton’s schoolmarm. The daughter of the town’s minister, she’s taken over for the retiring teacher. When a new student arrives in her classroom, she’s immediately aware of the boy’s sadness and shy demeanor. She makes it her mission to speak with the child’s parents in an effort to bring him out of his shell.
What she wasn’t expecting was a man nearly as withdrawn as his son. Can she turn these two lost souls around? Will the magic of the holidays bring them some much-needed joy? More importantly, can they find themselves, and each other, in a renewal of faith?
Carrie Montgomery is Walton’s schoolmarm. The daughter of the town’s minister, she’s taken over for the retiring teacher. When a new student arrives in her classroom, she’s immediately aware of the boy’s sadness and shy demeanor. She makes it her mission to speak with the child’s parents in an effort to bring him out of his shell.
What she wasn’t expecting was a man nearly as withdrawn as his son. Can she turn these two lost souls around? Will the magic of the holidays bring them some much-needed joy? More importantly, can they find themselves, and each other, in a renewal of faith?
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2024
10 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Fraser
116 books700 followersNancy Fraser has been writing since she was a child, most often on walls and with crayons or (heaven forbid) permanent marker.
Since first becoming published in 1996, Nancy has received numerous five star reviews for her futuristic, time travel romance.
She’s also published in short contemporary, historical romance and is contracted for a series of ten vintage historical romances set during the Golden Decade of Rock & Roll (1955-1964).
When not writing fiction, Nancy likes to spend time with her five wonderful grandchildren.
Since first becoming published in 1996, Nancy has received numerous five star reviews for her futuristic, time travel romance.
She’s also published in short contemporary, historical romance and is contracted for a series of ten vintage historical romances set during the Golden Decade of Rock & Roll (1955-1964).
When not writing fiction, Nancy likes to spend time with her five wonderful grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 14, 2024
RETURNING TO THE FOLD
The story is part of Western Christmas Magic, and each story in the series is stand-alone and can be read in any order. They are clean, historical, heartwarming stories around the Christmas holidays. The series is compiled by various authors who each give a delightful tale of the magic of Christmas found in the hearts and souls of people. The story is faith-based, but it is never preachy.
Deacon ‘Deke’ Shepherd was a traveling US Marshal when he met Willa Weaver. She was enough for him to give up being a Marshal and settling down. He inherited property in Walton, Colorado, so that is where he set up housekeeping with his wife—followed by a son, Hollis. But life as a lawman can have drawbacks, and his past caught up with his present. His wife murdered—a six-month-old son—whom he will leave with his mother-in-law, Charlotte Weaver.
Carrie Montgomery is the new school teacher in Walton. As a small town, it is a one-room schoolhouse with only a small handful of children. She is the youngest daughter of the Reverend in Walton.
The story’s plot will have Deke Sheperd returning to Walton, back to his homestead. He will hire Will Dawson to help with the barn and building of a home. After the death of Willa, he destroyed the home, lived in a stall in the barn, and is rebuilding. What a shock to have the sheriff and a carriage arrive at Shepherd’s Crook and inside is his Charlotte’s attorney and his son, Hollis, who is nearly ten years old now. What has he got to offer his child? It won’t be easy for Hollis either, since he has only really known his maternal grandmother, and now she is gone.
Hollis: She was all the family I had, and I miss her a lot.
Carrie: Well, now you have your father.
Hollis: Yeah, I guess. Although, I’m not sure he likes me very much.
Carrie: Why would you say that?
Hollis: He barely talks to me, other than to ask what I want for supper. Or, how school went.
Carrie: I’m sure he’s as new to being a father, as you are to having one. You two just need to get to know one another better.
Hollis: That’s just it—he’s always been my father. He just never wanted me around.
I loved the story and message—how even when we walk away from God, He never walks away from us. If we return to Him, it is to have arms opened wide welcoming us back. The story is emotional, losing a wife/mother, and needing to have someone care for your child while you search for and deliver justice. While nothing will return Willa to them, Deke knows they paid for taking her life and it also protected his son.
The chemistry between Carrie and Deke was unexpected for both of them. I like how things are taken slow, and how Hollis and Deke benefit from Carrie being in their lives.
The story is part of Western Christmas Magic, and each story in the series is stand-alone and can be read in any order. They are clean, historical, heartwarming stories around the Christmas holidays. The series is compiled by various authors who each give a delightful tale of the magic of Christmas found in the hearts and souls of people. The story is faith-based, but it is never preachy.
Deacon ‘Deke’ Shepherd was a traveling US Marshal when he met Willa Weaver. She was enough for him to give up being a Marshal and settling down. He inherited property in Walton, Colorado, so that is where he set up housekeeping with his wife—followed by a son, Hollis. But life as a lawman can have drawbacks, and his past caught up with his present. His wife murdered—a six-month-old son—whom he will leave with his mother-in-law, Charlotte Weaver.
Carrie Montgomery is the new school teacher in Walton. As a small town, it is a one-room schoolhouse with only a small handful of children. She is the youngest daughter of the Reverend in Walton.
The story’s plot will have Deke Sheperd returning to Walton, back to his homestead. He will hire Will Dawson to help with the barn and building of a home. After the death of Willa, he destroyed the home, lived in a stall in the barn, and is rebuilding. What a shock to have the sheriff and a carriage arrive at Shepherd’s Crook and inside is his Charlotte’s attorney and his son, Hollis, who is nearly ten years old now. What has he got to offer his child? It won’t be easy for Hollis either, since he has only really known his maternal grandmother, and now she is gone.
Hollis: She was all the family I had, and I miss her a lot.
Carrie: Well, now you have your father.
Hollis: Yeah, I guess. Although, I’m not sure he likes me very much.
Carrie: Why would you say that?
Hollis: He barely talks to me, other than to ask what I want for supper. Or, how school went.
Carrie: I’m sure he’s as new to being a father, as you are to having one. You two just need to get to know one another better.
Hollis: That’s just it—he’s always been my father. He just never wanted me around.
I loved the story and message—how even when we walk away from God, He never walks away from us. If we return to Him, it is to have arms opened wide welcoming us back. The story is emotional, losing a wife/mother, and needing to have someone care for your child while you search for and deliver justice. While nothing will return Willa to them, Deke knows they paid for taking her life and it also protected his son.
The chemistry between Carrie and Deke was unexpected for both of them. I like how things are taken slow, and how Hollis and Deke benefit from Carrie being in their lives.
December 14, 2024
I enjoyed the book! Deke’s wife had been murdered several years ago and he left his young son with his grandmother to raise. The grandmother died and Hollis came to live with Deke. Carrie was the schoolteacher and came to see Deke because Hollis was not making friends. The story shows how you can come back to God even if you feel you have done something terrible. I highly recommend reading this book!
December 14, 2024
The Lost Sheppard
This is a story about a man whose wife was killed. He sought out the men who did this horrific crime. Two years later his son was retuned to him, because the grandmother who had cared for him died. Now they are both starting a new life. Very interesting and you will enjoy as I did.
This is a story about a man whose wife was killed. He sought out the men who did this horrific crime. Two years later his son was retuned to him, because the grandmother who had cared for him died. Now they are both starting a new life. Very interesting and you will enjoy as I did.
December 24, 2024
Great book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Hollis is a great kid. I love that Carrie got a happily ever after. I recommend this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Hollis is a great kid. I love that Carrie got a happily ever after. I recommend this book.
October 7, 2025
great book
This was absolutely a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.
This was absolutely a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews