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Cowboys of Cold Creek #6 & 13
The Christmas Ranch & A Cold Creek Holiday
A NEW Cowboys of Cold Creek story from New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne!
Hope Nichols has never felt as if she belonged anywhere except her hometown of Pine Gulch. So when she hears that her family's property, Christmas Ranch, is set to be shut down forever, a determined Hope heads home. She refuses to let anything ruin her holiday--this will be the most memorable ranch Christmas ever! And thanks to hunky former navy SEAL Rafe Santiago and his adorable nephew, she might just pull off that miracle.
Plus a heartwarming RaeAnne Thayne favorite from the Cowboys of Cold Creek series, A Cold Creek Holiday, also included in this book!
"A richly plotted story with characters that are easy to care about, this one is as emotional as it is funny."
--RT Book Reviews on A Cold Creek Holiday
Hope Nichols has never felt as if she belonged anywhere except her hometown of Pine Gulch. So when she hears that her family's property, Christmas Ranch, is set to be shut down forever, a determined Hope heads home. She refuses to let anything ruin her holiday--this will be the most memorable ranch Christmas ever! And thanks to hunky former navy SEAL Rafe Santiago and his adorable nephew, she might just pull off that miracle.
Plus a heartwarming RaeAnne Thayne favorite from the Cowboys of Cold Creek series, A Cold Creek Holiday, also included in this book!
"A richly plotted story with characters that are easy to care about, this one is as emotional as it is funny."
--RT Book Reviews on A Cold Creek Holiday
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 25, 2014
93 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
RaeAnne Thayne
311 books3,836 followersI'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 22, 2020
4.5 Stars
This is the 6th and 13th book in the Cowboys of Cold Creek by RaeAnne Thayne.
Christmas Ranch - This was a fun read and it really helped me put aside all the chaos happening in my own life to focus on the charming love story of Hope Nichols and Rafe Sanatiago. There were a lot of roadblocks keeping these two apart and for awhile I wasn’t certain they would get together. I wasn’t sure why Rafe being on the SEAL team that tried to save Hope’s father and his family was such an issue. Overall, a great read.
A Cold Creek Holiday - This one was more easily relatable to me. Emery is looking for a way to get away from her Christmas angst. She lost her mom months before one christmas and then had another loss on the next Christmas season not long after she divorced her husband. So life hasn’t been kind to Emery. Then she makes her way to the Holiday bungalow she has rented to work on her creative sewing projects and keep her mind off the season. Here she meets Nate Cavazos. He is the uncle to two little girls who had recently lost their parents to an airplane crash. This story is just so heartwarming and classic. I loved the career they chose for the heroine and how it contrasted with all the military-ness of Nate. Just the right story of story for the Christmas holiday.
Definitely going to check out more books by RaeAnne Thayne! Good stuff!
This is the 6th and 13th book in the Cowboys of Cold Creek by RaeAnne Thayne.
Christmas Ranch - This was a fun read and it really helped me put aside all the chaos happening in my own life to focus on the charming love story of Hope Nichols and Rafe Sanatiago. There were a lot of roadblocks keeping these two apart and for awhile I wasn’t certain they would get together. I wasn’t sure why Rafe being on the SEAL team that tried to save Hope’s father and his family was such an issue. Overall, a great read.
A Cold Creek Holiday - This one was more easily relatable to me. Emery is looking for a way to get away from her Christmas angst. She lost her mom months before one christmas and then had another loss on the next Christmas season not long after she divorced her husband. So life hasn’t been kind to Emery. Then she makes her way to the Holiday bungalow she has rented to work on her creative sewing projects and keep her mind off the season. Here she meets Nate Cavazos. He is the uncle to two little girls who had recently lost their parents to an airplane crash. This story is just so heartwarming and classic. I loved the career they chose for the heroine and how it contrasted with all the military-ness of Nate. Just the right story of story for the Christmas holiday.
Definitely going to check out more books by RaeAnne Thayne! Good stuff!
January 8, 2018
Both of these stories were wonderful. Captures the holiday with romance and small town setting. The characters are relatable and memorable. These are delicious reads that you'll love any time of the year.
November 10, 2014
I love RaeAnne's books. Hope Nichols comes back home to the ranch to help with the family's Christmas Ranch but finds out her family has shut it down, Deciding she will not let this ruin her Christmas she decides she is going to reopen it. Read the book today to find out what happens next. It will not disappoint you, A great book for the Christmas season. It is full of hope and the Christmas spirit.
November 19, 2019
A Twofer of Christmas Cheer/HEA!
Rafe and Hope Reconnect! 2.75*****Spoiler Alert
First novel encompassed a retired SEAL home to care for his nephew, Joey /son of his incarcerated sister, while tumbling down memory on his first rescue mission. Hope the middle child of medical missionaries, now deceased and the outcome of Rafe Santiago' s mission, returned home to save the Aunt's Christmas Ranch, her grieving family, and Joey with Rafe' s help. Of course, they lived HEA, once he fessed up by being was outed by Faith.
11/15/19-11/17/19
Nate and Emery’s Xmas Tryst! 3.25***** Spoiler Alert!
The second novel also dealt with an Army Ranger, Nate Cavazos, retired and home to care for his deceased sister's two daughters, after their parents’ plane crashed. Barely managing, his new parental duties and the Hope Springs Guest Cabins, his new guest Emery Kendall, with a hidden dual agenda, created a memorable first Christmas for Tallie and Claire, as she rapidly fell in love with the gruff, 'chip on his shoulder' Nate. New stockings for new beginnings along with new quilts all created by fabric designer/seamstress, and hat designer, Emery, as she coped with her losses at this time. She met her secret step brothers, The Daltons, revealed her mother's death bed secret at their New Year's Eve party, and now has a new lover, and a large, jovial, rich family to surround her. Another HEA! This was the better of the two novels.
11/17/19-11/18/19.
Rafe and Hope Reconnect! 2.75*****Spoiler Alert
First novel encompassed a retired SEAL home to care for his nephew, Joey /son of his incarcerated sister, while tumbling down memory on his first rescue mission. Hope the middle child of medical missionaries, now deceased and the outcome of Rafe Santiago' s mission, returned home to save the Aunt's Christmas Ranch, her grieving family, and Joey with Rafe' s help. Of course, they lived HEA, once he fessed up by being was outed by Faith.
11/15/19-11/17/19
Nate and Emery’s Xmas Tryst! 3.25***** Spoiler Alert!
The second novel also dealt with an Army Ranger, Nate Cavazos, retired and home to care for his deceased sister's two daughters, after their parents’ plane crashed. Barely managing, his new parental duties and the Hope Springs Guest Cabins, his new guest Emery Kendall, with a hidden dual agenda, created a memorable first Christmas for Tallie and Claire, as she rapidly fell in love with the gruff, 'chip on his shoulder' Nate. New stockings for new beginnings along with new quilts all created by fabric designer/seamstress, and hat designer, Emery, as she coped with her losses at this time. She met her secret step brothers, The Daltons, revealed her mother's death bed secret at their New Year's Eve party, and now has a new lover, and a large, jovial, rich family to surround her. Another HEA! This was the better of the two novels.
11/17/19-11/18/19.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2025
Combination review
I have recently (in the past two years) become an avid fan of RaeAnne Thayne. I have loved the series that I have completed (Hopes Crossing and Haven Point). I think that she drew the Cold Creek series out too long, with two many intertwined characters and families, especially for a town as small as Pine Gulch. I read A Cold Creek Holiday as a stand-alone look, without the epilogue, and it kinda left me hanging, so I gave it 4 stars. I’m glad that I noticed that this publishing added an epilogue, and it left me more satisfied with the ending.
The Christmas Ranch bothered me from the beginning. The fact that I have read several Christmas stories in this series, and none of them mentioned The Christmas Ranch being a part of the town’s traditions lost the connection to the series for me. The story also felt more contrived than the previous ones in the series. The coincidence of Hope and Rafe having a previous connection was strained. The fact that their previous connection that he doesn’t tell her about causes a problem felt like a contrived problem to their romance. Overall, this was the most disappointing of her stories that I have read, and it actually was a pretty good storyline, but maybe not in the Cold Creek series.
I have recently (in the past two years) become an avid fan of RaeAnne Thayne. I have loved the series that I have completed (Hopes Crossing and Haven Point). I think that she drew the Cold Creek series out too long, with two many intertwined characters and families, especially for a town as small as Pine Gulch. I read A Cold Creek Holiday as a stand-alone look, without the epilogue, and it kinda left me hanging, so I gave it 4 stars. I’m glad that I noticed that this publishing added an epilogue, and it left me more satisfied with the ending.
The Christmas Ranch bothered me from the beginning. The fact that I have read several Christmas stories in this series, and none of them mentioned The Christmas Ranch being a part of the town’s traditions lost the connection to the series for me. The story also felt more contrived than the previous ones in the series. The coincidence of Hope and Rafe having a previous connection was strained. The fact that their previous connection that he doesn’t tell her about causes a problem felt like a contrived problem to their romance. Overall, this was the most disappointing of her stories that I have read, and it actually was a pretty good storyline, but maybe not in the Cold Creek series.
December 5, 2018
Loved the story but couldn't get past the swearing.
December 19, 2018
Cute! Just what I wanted in a Christmas read.
December 7, 2025
Both are great stories. A really good read especially during the holidays.
December 6, 2019
Did not enjoy the military aspect. Navy and Army should be capitalized.
February 27, 2017
Thayne has a knack for storytelling and creating a winter wonderland. In both The Christmas Ranch and A Cold Creek Holiday Thayne tells the story of a family who lost the spirit of Christmas because of tragedy. With each passing page, Thayne magically transforms the family's lives by adding a gorgeous Christmas tree, holiday decorations and the act of love and kindness.
December 19, 2015
Special Edition of two stories by RaeAnne Thayne, The Christmas Ranch and A Cold Creek Holiday...
The Christmas Ranch is a part of ranch that was set aside for all things for Christmas,decorations with lights, raindeers, a magical wonderland. Hope Nichols had traveled far afield for many years and is now coming home..BUT she finds out that this part of the ranch has been temporarily closed after her sisters husband died a few months before. Hope is determined to open it again even though Christmas is fast approaching.
She meets someone from her past and at the beginning does not remember him, he offers his help to get the place open and she accepts. working together so closely she soon finds she is losing her heart to this former navy seal,Rafe Santiago. Sparks fly when she realizes who he is and that he has not mentioned to her they had a past...One that left her with nightmares for awhile.
Come read a wonderful holiday book where you get two for one. thanks RaeAnne.
The second story , Emory needs to get away and chooses a Bed and Breakfast far away during the holidays to be alone and get some work done. She does not count on meeting a hunk of a man who is gaurdian to some adorable kids that want to be friends. They are drawn to her as a mother figure -now missing their Mom that had died. Holidays is not one to be alone and she is soon in the midst of helping the kids have a memorable Christmas and finding she is being drawn closer to the "The Hunk" more and more. This is a couple of stories you must read for the season.
The Christmas Ranch is a part of ranch that was set aside for all things for Christmas,decorations with lights, raindeers, a magical wonderland. Hope Nichols had traveled far afield for many years and is now coming home..BUT she finds out that this part of the ranch has been temporarily closed after her sisters husband died a few months before. Hope is determined to open it again even though Christmas is fast approaching.
She meets someone from her past and at the beginning does not remember him, he offers his help to get the place open and she accepts. working together so closely she soon finds she is losing her heart to this former navy seal,Rafe Santiago. Sparks fly when she realizes who he is and that he has not mentioned to her they had a past...One that left her with nightmares for awhile.
Come read a wonderful holiday book where you get two for one. thanks RaeAnne.
The second story , Emory needs to get away and chooses a Bed and Breakfast far away during the holidays to be alone and get some work done. She does not count on meeting a hunk of a man who is gaurdian to some adorable kids that want to be friends. They are drawn to her as a mother figure -now missing their Mom that had died. Holidays is not one to be alone and she is soon in the midst of helping the kids have a memorable Christmas and finding she is being drawn closer to the "The Hunk" more and more. This is a couple of stories you must read for the season.
November 14, 2014
What an amazing book. RaeAnne left me with happy tears after reading another fantastic book. Both stories were really hard to read since losing a family member is so hard. The Christmas Ranch plot was so lovely. Loved that Hope was able to bring Christmas back to the ranch and teach her family that life can move on and that giving up on Christmas wasn't the right thing to do. It brings joy and family together. Both stories had a military man with beautiful features who both needed a little push in life and see that life happens for a reason. The stories both had emotional events but was happy with the outcome of each ending. I learned that life will bring some good days and some bad days but that you have to try your best to make it through. Family is the best medicine for a broken heart. Christmas is a time to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful memories with your family. You don't want to miss this book.
November 7, 2015
RaeAnne Thayne writes great romance and I love her books. The Christmas Ranch brings together a Navy Seal and a woman he had rescued when she was 13. A Cold Creek Holiday finds Emery Kendall booking a holiday at Hope Springs Guest Ranch. Nate Cavazos finds himself becoming a father/mother figure to his two nieces and becoming a guest ranch manager. Neither items fit well with his background.
You can just lose yourself in these stories and want to believe that the happy endings are truly happy endings.
You can just lose yourself in these stories and want to believe that the happy endings are truly happy endings.
January 17, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will be reading more of her works.
There are two complete novels in this book, and both are quite pleasing.
The writing is top-notch, and her refreshing plots keep the reader interested from beginning to end.
The characters are beautifully drawn and very realistic. As you read, you will encounter plenty of emotion, laughter, and love in both stories.
Both novels have been written by a master's hand, so grab a cup of tea or coffee, settle back,and enjoy!
There are two complete novels in this book, and both are quite pleasing.
The writing is top-notch, and her refreshing plots keep the reader interested from beginning to end.
The characters are beautifully drawn and very realistic. As you read, you will encounter plenty of emotion, laughter, and love in both stories.
Both novels have been written by a master's hand, so grab a cup of tea or coffee, settle back,and enjoy!
January 1, 2015
This book has two really sweet holiday romances. This was my first read by RaeAnne Thayne and I think I have just found another great author to put on my 'read' list. Hope and Rafe struggle to acknowledge their feelings for one another. Emery and Nate felt they weren't right for each other and really fought their feelings. But...in the end there was a Merry Christmas for all. I really loved this book!!
January 7, 2015
Both of the stories included in this novel were very good. I loved how Ms. Thayne can write about loss without making the characters cold or hardened. The stories she writes are warm -hearted, feel good romances with just enough sizzle. The women characters are strong-willed who do have to have a man, you know it's because of wanting the man, not needing someone to save them. Exactly what I wanted to read on a cold, wintery day.
Read
December 18, 2014Cute Christmas stories!
December 24, 2014
Cute Christmas romance. Perfect for my mood.
December 31, 2014
Wonderfully sweet Christmas romances. Just what I was looking for at this time of the year. I really enjoyed both stories.
Read
January 18, 2015Good book for the holidays. gives you the dome made christmas feel and men in uniform crossed with cowboys. how can you go wrong
January 19, 2015
Accidentally found this and read it on a lark. Lovely stories, but it am not a Harlequin-type reader.
Read
September 6, 2016Two wonderful stories. I could not put the book down. Great characters and story lines.
December 11, 2016
This is the first of RaeAnne Thayne's books that I've read. I'll be checking out the other cowboys of Cold Creek!
December 22, 2016
Two stories of major life adjustments interacting during the holiday season.
January 2, 2017
These two stories were great to read for the end of year. Happy endings!
January 7, 2017
Really a 3.5. Both stories feature Christmas in Pine Gulch, ID and ex-military men who help out a "damsel in distress". Lost souls connecting through the holidays and the wilds of Idaho.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews