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Christmas Moon
“A marvelous story filled with the spirit of Christmas miracles . . . An engaging, intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable story of timeless love” (Love Western Romance). Pregnant, unwed and down on her luck, history teacher Emma Carlyle is facing the worst Christmas of her life. Needing some research for her master’s thesis on legendary Wyoming lawman J.D. McNulty, she makes a Christmas Eve drive to South Pass City, where J.D. was buried. Heading home, she loses her way in a storm. After her car vanishes, she ends up in 1870, half-frozen and in labor, on the doorstep of a remote mountain cabin. When J.D. himself opens the door with a pistol in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other . . . well, let’s just say that sparks start flying. These two lost souls are clearly meant for each other. But there’s one problem. Emma has studied everything about J.D.—and she knows he has only a few weeks to live. Historical author Elizabeth Lane has penned a sensual time travel romp that will delight the reader from beginning to end.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2010
30 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 15, 2016
This book had major tropes that don't usually trip my trigger: time-travel, already-pregnant heroine, holiday-themed. But it just didn't matter! I read the sample, and I was hooked. Immediate download and I couldn't put it down until it reached its very, very satisfying end.
The beginning sets up the situation for heavily pregnant heroine Emma. She seems a bit of a sad-sack early on, then she meets Tilly, a historic resource of sorts on J.D. McNulty, and you begin to see a spark of personality. Not long afterward Emma falls back in time and finds herself on the front stoop of her infatuation, J.D. McNulty himself. The early scenes between Emma and J.D. are terrific. Emma is convinced she is part of some elaborate practical joke and J.D. simply thinks she is slightly insane. It is especially delicious that Emma has some preconceived notions about handsome, hero lawman J.D., and he isn't quite living up to expectations. There is some added depth and poignancy to Emma and J.D.'s relationship because neither are in the first blush of youth; Emma is in her early thirties and J.D. is 44. As Emma falls for J.D., there is the added tension that she knows he only has a few weeks to live.
In the characters of Emma and J.D., Elizabeth Lane has set up two people who become very close very quickly due to circumstances and weather. There is a quick intimacy between the two that is based on more than just physical attraction. I really liked Emma and J.D. and wanted things to work out for them. Knowing that J.D. is doomed to die soon kept me furiously turning pages. It was all I could do not to cheat and skip to the end. And I'm glad I didn't, because I would have missed a wonderful romance.
The beginning sets up the situation for heavily pregnant heroine Emma. She seems a bit of a sad-sack early on, then she meets Tilly, a historic resource of sorts on J.D. McNulty, and you begin to see a spark of personality. Not long afterward Emma falls back in time and finds herself on the front stoop of her infatuation, J.D. McNulty himself. The early scenes between Emma and J.D. are terrific. Emma is convinced she is part of some elaborate practical joke and J.D. simply thinks she is slightly insane. It is especially delicious that Emma has some preconceived notions about handsome, hero lawman J.D., and he isn't quite living up to expectations. There is some added depth and poignancy to Emma and J.D.'s relationship because neither are in the first blush of youth; Emma is in her early thirties and J.D. is 44. As Emma falls for J.D., there is the added tension that she knows he only has a few weeks to live.
In the characters of Emma and J.D., Elizabeth Lane has set up two people who become very close very quickly due to circumstances and weather. There is a quick intimacy between the two that is based on more than just physical attraction. I really liked Emma and J.D. and wanted things to work out for them. Knowing that J.D. is doomed to die soon kept me furiously turning pages. It was all I could do not to cheat and skip to the end. And I'm glad I didn't, because I would have missed a wonderful romance.
April 7, 2011
Do you remember the movie 'Romancing the Stone'? Kathleen Turner was a romance novelist and the movie starts with a sequence of her narrating her latest book? Well, Christmas Moon reminded me of that book. Similes run rampant as do phrases like "The stallion-sized shaft jutting against her rump ..." (pg147)
The story is about a nine-months pregnant Emma Carlyle who crashes her car in a blizzard on Christmas Eve 2010. When she comes to, she makes her way to a nearby cabin and discovers she has arrived on Christmas Eve 1870. The cabin she has found belongs to legendary lawman, J D McNulty. What do you think happens next? You're right!! The story is totally predictable from here on.
BUT ... (yes, capital letters) I found this book so fun to read. There are a ridiculous amount of similes (as I have said) and numerous references to classic literature, and it just works. One of those books that makes you smile when you finish. It is silly and the plot has as many holes as a piece of swiss cheese, but I enjoyed every minute.
In my opinion, a book doesn't need to be Nobel Prize worthy to be a good book. Some books teach, some enlighten, some move us and drive us to make changes in our lives, and some just entertain. Christmas Moon entertained me and that has value.
The story is about a nine-months pregnant Emma Carlyle who crashes her car in a blizzard on Christmas Eve 2010. When she comes to, she makes her way to a nearby cabin and discovers she has arrived on Christmas Eve 1870. The cabin she has found belongs to legendary lawman, J D McNulty. What do you think happens next? You're right!! The story is totally predictable from here on.
BUT ... (yes, capital letters) I found this book so fun to read. There are a ridiculous amount of similes (as I have said) and numerous references to classic literature, and it just works. One of those books that makes you smile when you finish. It is silly and the plot has as many holes as a piece of swiss cheese, but I enjoyed every minute.
In my opinion, a book doesn't need to be Nobel Prize worthy to be a good book. Some books teach, some enlighten, some move us and drive us to make changes in our lives, and some just entertain. Christmas Moon entertained me and that has value.
Read
November 4, 2010This book is excellent. Just the right amount of humor, intrigue and paranormal with a lot of old-west cowboy thrown in. For those of you familiar with the South Pass City area in Wyoming you'll be happy to now the book is extremely accurate in it's history and it's enviroment. I heartily recommend this book!
May 19, 2011
I absolutely loved this book. I would highly recommend!
Read
June 19, 2016Romance Reading Challenge: A romance chosen for you by a reader friend
January 20, 2017
Interesting premise, interesting setting, interestingly written.
However, too much baby, not enough boyfriend.
Will read more by this author.
However, too much baby, not enough boyfriend.
Will read more by this author.
February 3, 2020
Emma and JD
Emma was writing her master's thesis on J D McNulty. She had a few questions that she hadn't found answers to. She visited a ghost town hoping to find answers. Pregnant and alone the store owner subsistence start for town so that she didn't get caught in the storm. Emma realized she had left her lap top and notes at the store. She turned around to hear back. The storm worsened. She couldn't see she felt her wheel dip. She got out to check when she fell. She started walking. She was a light and forced herself to make it. She banged on the door after a while it was opened by JD. He wanted to know where she had come from. She was trying to figure out if it was real. When the baby decided to come
A very good story of love and understanding.
Emma was writing her master's thesis on J D McNulty. She had a few questions that she hadn't found answers to. She visited a ghost town hoping to find answers. Pregnant and alone the store owner subsistence start for town so that she didn't get caught in the storm. Emma realized she had left her lap top and notes at the store. She turned around to hear back. The storm worsened. She couldn't see she felt her wheel dip. She got out to check when she fell. She started walking. She was a light and forced herself to make it. She banged on the door after a while it was opened by JD. He wanted to know where she had come from. She was trying to figure out if it was real. When the baby decided to come
A very good story of love and understanding.
May 14, 2021
It was ok. Started off decently and then fell off the precipice into a dark hole.
Nothing happens in the book and I lost my interest. The repetitions are tedious and irritating. There is so much detail regarding the baby , her breastfeeding and pooping, I had to check if it was a instructional manual for new moms.
She has made J.D this larger than life character but that really doesn't come through. Infact Emma and Mame are the only 2 characters that we can relate to. The end is quite predictable too.
Recommended: meh 😐
Nothing happens in the book and I lost my interest. The repetitions are tedious and irritating. There is so much detail regarding the baby , her breastfeeding and pooping, I had to check if it was a instructional manual for new moms.
She has made J.D this larger than life character but that really doesn't come through. Infact Emma and Mame are the only 2 characters that we can relate to. The end is quite predictable too.
Recommended: meh 😐
December 30, 2017
Juicy history bend
Nothing beats an uplifting heart romp when times are low. Being sick and low on spirit this story was all I needed to bring me back to life. I love a feisty fantasy story, love story, and a bit of juicy romance rolled into one and for all its worth this is just the ticket. Well written and delightful. Sink in a comfy chair and let yourself be transported, and prepare to fall a little bit in love.
Nothing beats an uplifting heart romp when times are low. Being sick and low on spirit this story was all I needed to bring me back to life. I love a feisty fantasy story, love story, and a bit of juicy romance rolled into one and for all its worth this is just the ticket. Well written and delightful. Sink in a comfy chair and let yourself be transported, and prepare to fall a little bit in love.
November 9, 2017
This book was written by a new to me author and after reading this book I am sure I will be looking for other books written by her. I loved this book. If you are reading this book late at night it will keep you reading long after you should have stopped for the night. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical romances.
December 8, 2018
A great time travel!
I usually really enjoy time travel novels, but this was soooo captivating! Held my interest from the start. & hated to see it end. I will follow the author!!
I usually really enjoy time travel novels, but this was soooo captivating! Held my interest from the start. & hated to see it end. I will follow the author!!
June 7, 2020
Lovely story
I do love a good time travel romance and this was a cracker. Pregnant girl researching a lawman from 19th century America goes back in time and meets him. Will be believe where she's from and will she be able to prevent his desth. Feel good read!
I do love a good time travel romance and this was a cracker. Pregnant girl researching a lawman from 19th century America goes back in time and meets him. Will be believe where she's from and will she be able to prevent his desth. Feel good read!
December 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. The setting is perfect for this time of year: a small cabin in snowy Wyoming in 1871. I don't know why I assumed this was a closed-door romance; it's not. I wish it had been, as 'those scenes,' even though few and brief, were kind of cringe for me.
January 2, 2018
Book #1 of 2018. I liked this one a lot, even if it was predictable. Still a cute story
March 24, 2018
Page turner!
This book was very entertaining and had some twists and turns. I loved it and highly recommend it. Looking forward to reading more by Elizabeth Lane.
This book was very entertaining and had some twists and turns. I loved it and highly recommend it. Looking forward to reading more by Elizabeth Lane.
January 27, 2020
Great read
I am not good at reviews. I can tell you though that this book is well worth reading. I read it in 2 days because I enjoyed it so much.
I am not good at reviews. I can tell you though that this book is well worth reading. I read it in 2 days because I enjoyed it so much.
December 23, 2020
3.5 rounded up
December 29, 2020
Time travel
A fun travel through time where a very modern woman meets a very old-fashioned man. If you can suspend your disbelief for a few hours you will enjoy a Christmas love story. Delightful characters abound and the story is wonderful.
A fun travel through time where a very modern woman meets a very old-fashioned man. If you can suspend your disbelief for a few hours you will enjoy a Christmas love story. Delightful characters abound and the story is wonderful.
July 14, 2021
escape
I found this book to be pure, true escapism....Christmas Moon is a good, light read ! A fun summer read!
I found this book to be pure, true escapism....Christmas Moon is a good, light read ! A fun summer read!
September 28, 2021
You will love J.D. McNulty!
I enjoyed reading this book, the story was simple, easy to read and fascinating.
Love story and time travel, perfect combination!
I enjoyed reading this book, the story was simple, easy to read and fascinating.
Love story and time travel, perfect combination!
December 29, 2021
What a great story. An author I have never heard of before but will now endeavour to follow for future reads. Loved it.
December 23, 2022
DNF at 70%, too boring
November 4, 2025
Excellent read!!
This is the best book I have read in a long time. It has a little of everything. I loved the way the story progressed.
Very well written. I highly recommend.
This is the best book I have read in a long time. It has a little of everything. I loved the way the story progressed.
Very well written. I highly recommend.
August 10, 2020
Sappy, predictable, and repetitive. This time travel book started out with a good premise: A very pregnant woman researching a Wyoming lawman for her thesis drives through a sudden winter storm and suddenly goes off the road. She stumbles on through the storm to a cabin and meets this very man who then helps deliver her baby. But the rest of the book becomes circular and disintegrates into such bad writing I almost didn’t finish the book. Meh.
November 28, 2015
Have you ever wanted to step back in time and meet a fascinating real-life character from the past? That's exactly what happens to Emma Carlyle in "Christmas Moon", by author Elizabeth Lane. Emma is experiencing the most difficult holiday season of her life. About to give birth to a child resulting from a disastrous love affair, Emma is unmarried and has to decided to give her baby up for adoption. A history teacher working on a thesis for her master's degree, she heads from her home in Lander, Wyoming to nearby South Pass City to get closer to the source of the information she needs. Intrigued by legendary lawman J.D. McNulty, and infatuated by his photo, Emma is using the life and times of McNulty as the subject of her thesis. Tracking down the owner of the town bookstore, Tilly Farson, also a local historian, Emma is delighted by the woman's tales of J.D.'s exploits. When they finally part company, a Christmas Eve blizzard sets in, and soon Emma is lost in the blinding whiteness, eventually running her car off the road. While investigating the damage to her car as it hangs off the edge of a slope, the snow gives way beneath her feet, and she plunges into a canyon, becoming unconscious when her head strikes a rock. Some time later, she awakens and begins to walk for help, finally seeing a light ahead through the snow. She reaches a rough-hewn log cabin, and when the door finally opens, Emma is in for the surprise of her life as she comes face-to-face with a dead ringer for a dead man. Could it really be J.D. McNulty in the very rugged flesh? Has Emma lost her mind, or is she lost in an Old West time warp? Whoever he is, she desperately needs his help as her child is about to be born, and she has no other choice but to let him deliver her baby girl. Tall, tough, and tender-hearted, the man she accepts as J.D. McNulty is both attracted and intrigued by the troubled woman who lands at his doorstep. Man, woman, and child quickly form an emotional bond despite the strangeness of the situation. As Emma and J.D. share patches of their lives and spar verbally with each other, a sensual awareness blooms between them. J.D.'s outward roughness hides a keen intelligence and a loving, passionate nature. The trouble is, Emma knows what happened to J.D. McNulty, and his death in a gambling-hall shooting is a matter of history unless Emma can find a way to cheat Fate. If you love historical western romance and time travel tales, then you will greatly enjoy "Christmas Moon".
February 16, 2017
Emma is a pregnant teacher finishing her masters thesis on the famous lawman J.D. McNulty. She clearly has a crush on him. J.D. was a private man and there wasn't much detailed information about his life. Emma went to Glory Gulch which is nothing more than an old mining ghost town tourist area to speak with Tilly the owner of a bookstore and a bit of a McNulty historian.
Of course is winter and an impending massive snowstorm is imminent. Emma forgets her briefcase and has to turn around to get it. The snow storm is in full swing, she thinks she is on the right turn off but next thing her vehicle is hanging half off the road. She gets out to check how bad her car is when she slips down a steep incline. Bumps her head, comes to and finds her car missing. She is out in a snowstorm, nine months pregnant and not sure where she is.
The story is of Emma and her bizarre realization that she has somehow traveled back in time and has taken refuge in none other than the illustrious J.D. McNulty's cabin.
I have read this story twice in about 7 years. I still enjoyed the verbal sparring between Emma and J.D.
Elizabeth Lane writes an intriguing story with a satisfying epilogue.
Of course is winter and an impending massive snowstorm is imminent. Emma forgets her briefcase and has to turn around to get it. The snow storm is in full swing, she thinks she is on the right turn off but next thing her vehicle is hanging half off the road. She gets out to check how bad her car is when she slips down a steep incline. Bumps her head, comes to and finds her car missing. She is out in a snowstorm, nine months pregnant and not sure where she is.
The story is of Emma and her bizarre realization that she has somehow traveled back in time and has taken refuge in none other than the illustrious J.D. McNulty's cabin.
I have read this story twice in about 7 years. I still enjoyed the verbal sparring between Emma and J.D.
Elizabeth Lane writes an intriguing story with a satisfying epilogue.
March 20, 2015
This time travel just didn't do it for me at all. And it didn't even have much to do with the plot holes, heck its a time travel. I love them and I am used to just feel the entertainment of them, rather than get all logical.
What didn't work for me was all the diaper changing, leaking breasts and all the baby stuff all throughout. There were numerous mentions of the leaking breasts, I kid not. Milk running down her shirt/dress, stinky cloth diapers, her being horny for the smelly hero.
There really wasn't much of any other story other than the birth and the feeding and changing of the baby. All while stuck in a cabin with a smelly hot guy lol.
I knew that the heroine was pregnant from reading the blurb, but I didn't know the whole book would be about almost nothing but all the baby stuff. At the end I just kept changing pages to get to the ending and see how its resolved.
I was really hoping for more story of the mining community and more of anything really.
What didn't work for me was all the diaper changing, leaking breasts and all the baby stuff all throughout. There were numerous mentions of the leaking breasts, I kid not. Milk running down her shirt/dress, stinky cloth diapers, her being horny for the smelly hero.
There really wasn't much of any other story other than the birth and the feeding and changing of the baby. All while stuck in a cabin with a smelly hot guy lol.
I knew that the heroine was pregnant from reading the blurb, but I didn't know the whole book would be about almost nothing but all the baby stuff. At the end I just kept changing pages to get to the ending and see how its resolved.
I was really hoping for more story of the mining community and more of anything really.
January 24, 2017
A Wonderful Time Travel!
Loved this book! I just added Elizabeth Lane as one of my favorites, to my author list and will be purchasing more of her books. I wasn't sure I would like this time travel book but I couldn't put it down. I loved the gruff talking, whiskey drinking, rugged looking, ex lawman, JD who kept hidden a big loving heart. Emma, sweet and very caring, was the perfect match for him. This book was well written, the characters are ones I will remember, and the descriptions of the surroundings made you feel as though you were there. The last chapter had me spellbound, not knowing what was going to happen. Liked the book so much, I purchased it after reading it the first time on kindle unlimited since I'll be reading it again and want to add it to my library. JudyE
Loved this book! I just added Elizabeth Lane as one of my favorites, to my author list and will be purchasing more of her books. I wasn't sure I would like this time travel book but I couldn't put it down. I loved the gruff talking, whiskey drinking, rugged looking, ex lawman, JD who kept hidden a big loving heart. Emma, sweet and very caring, was the perfect match for him. This book was well written, the characters are ones I will remember, and the descriptions of the surroundings made you feel as though you were there. The last chapter had me spellbound, not knowing what was going to happen. Liked the book so much, I purchased it after reading it the first time on kindle unlimited since I'll be reading it again and want to add it to my library. JudyE
November 30, 2024
Time Travel Possibilities
This was a delightful love story, beginning at Christmas but not a Christmas tale at all. Elizabeth Lane did a nice job describing the settings in a way that you can imagine the smell of whiskey on JD's breath, the tarry taste of coffee, the sting of a snowy blizzard on the face.
Changing time is a tricky business, and this tale handled it in a creative way. No spoilers here, you'll have to read it yourself to find out. I would have liked to see a little different ending, but overall, it was an engaging bit of mind-candy.
This was a delightful love story, beginning at Christmas but not a Christmas tale at all. Elizabeth Lane did a nice job describing the settings in a way that you can imagine the smell of whiskey on JD's breath, the tarry taste of coffee, the sting of a snowy blizzard on the face.
Changing time is a tricky business, and this tale handled it in a creative way. No spoilers here, you'll have to read it yourself to find out. I would have liked to see a little different ending, but overall, it was an engaging bit of mind-candy.
January 4, 2015
Brain candy. But enjoyable brain candy. Personally, I like time travel stories. While I seldom read romances, unless they were written by Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, or Diana Gabaldon, I occasionally try one by another writer, hoping to discover a new favorite. Sadly, this was not one of them, but I did become involved with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews