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Christmas Wishes
They are so close…
Can Christmas Dreams Come True?
Mandie Sellars is a single mom and ranch cook with a to become Seven Tine Ranch’s event planner. She grabs her chance when a last-minute Christmas Eve wedding is booked. There’s just one problem . . . she’s planning her own wedding at the same time.
Hudson Piccolo is a dissatisfied small-town lawyer who has finally been offered his dream job—on the other side of the state. But accepting it would mean uprooting Mandie and her daughter just as life seems to be falling into place.
With conflicting dreams, and a wedding countdown ticking, can their love survive the season?
Can Christmas Dreams Come True?
Mandie Sellars is a single mom and ranch cook with a to become Seven Tine Ranch’s event planner. She grabs her chance when a last-minute Christmas Eve wedding is booked. There’s just one problem . . . she’s planning her own wedding at the same time.
Hudson Piccolo is a dissatisfied small-town lawyer who has finally been offered his dream job—on the other side of the state. But accepting it would mean uprooting Mandie and her daughter just as life seems to be falling into place.
With conflicting dreams, and a wedding countdown ticking, can their love survive the season?
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
61 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Peone
21 books179 followersCarmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult and Contemporary Romance and has lived in Northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation.
She had worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions, which led to her writing career.
With a degree in abnormal psychology, the thought of writing never entered her mind, until she married her husband and they moved to the reservation after college.
With the love of history and the western woman's lifestyle, she weaves threads of hope, family, relationships, and faith into her stories.
To get book news sign up for her newsletter at her website: http://carmenpeone.com
Follow her on Bookbub! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carme...
You can connect with Carmen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmenEPeone
or Twitter: https://twitter.com/carmenpeone
Healing, Hope, Horses
Carmen is represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency
She had worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions, which led to her writing career.
With a degree in abnormal psychology, the thought of writing never entered her mind, until she married her husband and they moved to the reservation after college.
With the love of history and the western woman's lifestyle, she weaves threads of hope, family, relationships, and faith into her stories.
To get book news sign up for her newsletter at her website: http://carmenpeone.com
Follow her on Bookbub! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carme...
You can connect with Carmen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmenEPeone
or Twitter: https://twitter.com/carmenpeone
Healing, Hope, Horses
Carmen is represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 9, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5
Christmas Wishes is the first book I have read written by Carmen Peone. I look forward to reading more by her. This is part of the Seven Tine Ranch Romance series. Though I read this as a standalone and had no issues, I do plan on going back and reading the rest of the books in this series. This was a cute holiday novella.
Mandie is a single mom working at a ranch, trying to become an event planner. With her wedding less than a month away, she jumps on the chance to head up the wedding planning for a wedding a week before hers. In the middle of it all, Hudson, her fiancé, is offered a dream job. Hudson wants to move for a better career. Mandie wants to stay in the country, but they are both open to what God has for them. This was such a fun story to watch unfold.
The romance was sweet and light with kisses only.
The faith aspect was light, but at the root of their relationship.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Christmas Wishes is the first book I have read written by Carmen Peone. I look forward to reading more by her. This is part of the Seven Tine Ranch Romance series. Though I read this as a standalone and had no issues, I do plan on going back and reading the rest of the books in this series. This was a cute holiday novella.
Mandie is a single mom working at a ranch, trying to become an event planner. With her wedding less than a month away, she jumps on the chance to head up the wedding planning for a wedding a week before hers. In the middle of it all, Hudson, her fiancé, is offered a dream job. Hudson wants to move for a better career. Mandie wants to stay in the country, but they are both open to what God has for them. This was such a fun story to watch unfold.
The romance was sweet and light with kisses only.
The faith aspect was light, but at the root of their relationship.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
December 8, 2025
Carmen Peone is a new-to-me author. I found Christmas Wishes to be a sweet, engaging novella, perfect for Christmas time. Even though it is part of the Seven Tine Romance series, it seems to work fairly well as a stand alone.
I liked how both Mandie and Hudson had their own strong opinions on where they should live after their wedding, yet they both were willing to yield to whatever God's will was for them. Also, when problems arise between the two of them, they are fairly quick to resolve them.
If you enjoy a sweet Christmas time romance, with a large dose of Christian faith, add this to your holiday reading TBR list.
I liked how both Mandie and Hudson had their own strong opinions on where they should live after their wedding, yet they both were willing to yield to whatever God's will was for them. Also, when problems arise between the two of them, they are fairly quick to resolve them.
If you enjoy a sweet Christmas time romance, with a large dose of Christian faith, add this to your holiday reading TBR list.
December 13, 2025
Christmas Wishes is a holiday novella based on the Seven Tines Romance series. Although this is a series, this is my first time reading any of the books. We first meet Mandie, a ranch cook and single mom who wants a dream job and a dream wedding. She has a fiance, Hudson, who gets an offer in Seattle, a distance from where they live now. This is when you learn that one of them will need to sacrifice for the other, and will they be able to come to terms for who it should be?
I loved reading this book with the lights of my Christmas tree casting a glow, with my favorite comforter and a mug of hot chocolate to sip while I enjoyed the descriptions of a Christmas wedding. If you need a book to put you into the Christmas spirit, give this one a try!
I loved reading this book with the lights of my Christmas tree casting a glow, with my favorite comforter and a mug of hot chocolate to sip while I enjoyed the descriptions of a Christmas wedding. If you need a book to put you into the Christmas spirit, give this one a try!
December 11, 2025
This was my first Carmen Peone story and I will definitely seek out more of her stories in the future. I really enjoyed the spiritual threads and the struggles the main characters had with control and seeking God’s plan in everything. The struggles were well written and very easy to relate to. I also enjoyed that this couple was already engaged and this story covers their slightly bumpy road to the altar. That made for a really fun read. The way Carmen wove all the threads together and how they all came together in the end was very well done. The added bonus was the Christmastime setting. Great read!
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
December 15, 2025
I love Christmas stories. And this one combines Christmas with weddings and beautiful decorations. The cover is inviting, and the story is one of trusting God and choosing love. Though we don't see her in the story a lot, the main character has a daughter who plays an important role in shaping Mandie's ideas of what her life should be like. And she's found a man who not only wants to love her but also be a father to her little girl. However, the life he was raised in is very different from theirs. These provide the main conflict for the story.
The conflict is a very realistic one. Differences in life goals provide bumps in the road for many couples in love. Add to this the stress of both parties in trying to find the path God has for their professional lives and the stresses of days gone wrong, and you've got a lot these two characters must work through.
This is the fourth in a series, which I haven't read. Though you don't have to read the others to understand this one, there are references to things that happened in previous stories. I feel like as a reader you will enjoy the story more and connect with it in a deeper way if you take the time to read the others first.
While the characters were likable and grounded in their motivations, I did feel at times both came back to their default thinking without delving deeper into the why's even after determining to let God lead. "But I want this because of that", where the want and motivation remained surface level, seemed to be a repeated idea for both and it left me feeling like they both needed to mature a little bit. I do like the fact that the author allowed both characters to struggle with their decisions to trust God, because this is true to life.
The other thing I really enjoyed about this book is the way it includes and revolves around Native people. Other than historical fiction, I've not read a lot of stories that involve Native people either on or off reservations. I think this may be the first one, but I'd love to find more.
I give Christmas Wishes three and a half stars raised to four because there were a few things I wasn't as happy with, but overall it was a good story I'd recommend for an easy Christmas read. And I can't help thinking that if I'd read the others first, I might have been more connected to the story.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. All opinions and reviews are my own and freely given.
The conflict is a very realistic one. Differences in life goals provide bumps in the road for many couples in love. Add to this the stress of both parties in trying to find the path God has for their professional lives and the stresses of days gone wrong, and you've got a lot these two characters must work through.
This is the fourth in a series, which I haven't read. Though you don't have to read the others to understand this one, there are references to things that happened in previous stories. I feel like as a reader you will enjoy the story more and connect with it in a deeper way if you take the time to read the others first.
While the characters were likable and grounded in their motivations, I did feel at times both came back to their default thinking without delving deeper into the why's even after determining to let God lead. "But I want this because of that", where the want and motivation remained surface level, seemed to be a repeated idea for both and it left me feeling like they both needed to mature a little bit. I do like the fact that the author allowed both characters to struggle with their decisions to trust God, because this is true to life.
The other thing I really enjoyed about this book is the way it includes and revolves around Native people. Other than historical fiction, I've not read a lot of stories that involve Native people either on or off reservations. I think this may be the first one, but I'd love to find more.
I give Christmas Wishes three and a half stars raised to four because there were a few things I wasn't as happy with, but overall it was a good story I'd recommend for an easy Christmas read. And I can't help thinking that if I'd read the others first, I might have been more connected to the story.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. All opinions and reviews are my own and freely given.
December 10, 2025
I breezed through this novel, appreciating the mere fact of being back at the Seven Tine Ranch again and seeing healthy, loving relationships that are flourishing.
This is the second book that I’ve read this holiday season that follows an engagement and planning of a Christmas season wedding. They mirror one another in so many ways that I can’t help but wonder if this is how all holiday wedding planning goes. If so, I find it to be interesting and borderline toxic if I’m being honest.
I’m not sure why, but Mandie really bothered me in this story. I get that both she and Hudson are being selfish in their own ways, but she’s not pliable whatsoever. It seems like the only thing she can agree with is the fact that she wants to marry Hudson, and even then, she refuses to consider anything that goes against what she wants. Over the course of the story, this really started to grate on my nerves and that feeling never really went away.
I will say the surprise ending was a very nice touch, and such a simple yet sweet way to end the novel. I hate that I never quite connected with either Hudson or Mandie, but it was nice to see a happy ending. I read this in one sitting and really got into the narrative and the whole holiday wedding planning chaos. Once upon a time, I thought I was going to have my own Christmas wedding, but fate had other plans for me. But after reading several novels about planning a Christmas wedding, and the chaos that clearly comes with the territory, I can’t help but wonder if I dodged a bullet.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
This is the second book that I’ve read this holiday season that follows an engagement and planning of a Christmas season wedding. They mirror one another in so many ways that I can’t help but wonder if this is how all holiday wedding planning goes. If so, I find it to be interesting and borderline toxic if I’m being honest.
I’m not sure why, but Mandie really bothered me in this story. I get that both she and Hudson are being selfish in their own ways, but she’s not pliable whatsoever. It seems like the only thing she can agree with is the fact that she wants to marry Hudson, and even then, she refuses to consider anything that goes against what she wants. Over the course of the story, this really started to grate on my nerves and that feeling never really went away.
I will say the surprise ending was a very nice touch, and such a simple yet sweet way to end the novel. I hate that I never quite connected with either Hudson or Mandie, but it was nice to see a happy ending. I read this in one sitting and really got into the narrative and the whole holiday wedding planning chaos. Once upon a time, I thought I was going to have my own Christmas wedding, but fate had other plans for me. But after reading several novels about planning a Christmas wedding, and the chaos that clearly comes with the territory, I can’t help but wonder if I dodged a bullet.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
December 10, 2025
Christmas Wishes, a novella by Carmen Peone, is related to the “Seven Tine Ranch Romance” series. The heart-warming contemporary story takes place in Eastern Washington on the Colville Indian Reservation.
Mandie Sellars, a single mom, dreams of becoming the Events Planner for the Seven Tine Ranch, a third-generation guest ranch. She is currently their head cook and is valued in that role. When her boss puts her in charge of a wedding, a last-minute Christmas Eve event, Mandie is elated to have the opportunity to prove herself worthy of the job. But there is a big problem—that’s when her own wedding was to take place.
Hudson Piccolo, Mandie’s fiancé, is everything Mandie wants...and needs. Her first husband left when he learned Mandie was pregnant with their daughter, Nona, now five years old. Hudson will be a wonderful husband to Mandie and a great, loving father to Nona.
But there is a hitch in their future plans. Hudson, an attorney, is dissatisfied with his current job of serving foreclosures. He has been offered a dream job at a lucrative environmental law firm in Seattle, a job that would deal with salmon protection in local lakes and streams. However, Mandie wants to live on the Reservation close to family. Living in a big city has no appeal to her; in fact, it frightens her.
Dealing with two weddings due to take place at the same time, and the possible change of jobs that would involve moving away from family and reservation life, has put a strain on Mandie and Hudson’s relationship.
Christmas Wishes is a fast-paced story about the value of faith and compromise, of having the courage to “let go and let God” guide their lives.
Mandie Sellars, a single mom, dreams of becoming the Events Planner for the Seven Tine Ranch, a third-generation guest ranch. She is currently their head cook and is valued in that role. When her boss puts her in charge of a wedding, a last-minute Christmas Eve event, Mandie is elated to have the opportunity to prove herself worthy of the job. But there is a big problem—that’s when her own wedding was to take place.
Hudson Piccolo, Mandie’s fiancé, is everything Mandie wants...and needs. Her first husband left when he learned Mandie was pregnant with their daughter, Nona, now five years old. Hudson will be a wonderful husband to Mandie and a great, loving father to Nona.
But there is a hitch in their future plans. Hudson, an attorney, is dissatisfied with his current job of serving foreclosures. He has been offered a dream job at a lucrative environmental law firm in Seattle, a job that would deal with salmon protection in local lakes and streams. However, Mandie wants to live on the Reservation close to family. Living in a big city has no appeal to her; in fact, it frightens her.
Dealing with two weddings due to take place at the same time, and the possible change of jobs that would involve moving away from family and reservation life, has put a strain on Mandie and Hudson’s relationship.
Christmas Wishes is a fast-paced story about the value of faith and compromise, of having the courage to “let go and let God” guide their lives.
December 14, 2025
Christmas Wishes is a sweet romance novel and part of the Seven Tine Ranch Romance Series. You’re going to love this novel. You can read this as a standalone novel, or you can read this as part of the series. I’m always a fan of reading the entire series because why miss out on good characters and plots if you don’t have to?!
Mandie is our main character. She’s engaged to Hudson and is a single mom trying to make it as an event planner on the ranch. Hudson gets offered his dream job, but it would mean a move. Mandie is not a fan of moving, but could they make this work? Can good come from it all? Can they agree? And can Mandie get her event planner break while also maintaining her relationship and planning a wedding?
This is a sweet romance novel. There is nothing over the top, though just some chaste kisses, and that’s it. This was a nice novel to read. It was short enough to read the whole thing in one sitting, and also kept me entertained and wanting to keep reading.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Mandie is our main character. She’s engaged to Hudson and is a single mom trying to make it as an event planner on the ranch. Hudson gets offered his dream job, but it would mean a move. Mandie is not a fan of moving, but could they make this work? Can good come from it all? Can they agree? And can Mandie get her event planner break while also maintaining her relationship and planning a wedding?
This is a sweet romance novel. There is nothing over the top, though just some chaste kisses, and that’s it. This was a nice novel to read. It was short enough to read the whole thing in one sitting, and also kept me entertained and wanting to keep reading.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
December 8, 2025
Christian Romance novels with a Christmas theme are always enjoyable. Christmas Wishes by Carmen Peone is a novella and a part the Seven Tine Ranch series. I have read other books in this series and was looking forward to this book.
WOW, this book has all the happy vibes from the beginning of the book. The 2 main characters of the book are Mandie Sellars and her fiancé, Hudson Piccolo. Maddie loves working at Seven Tine Guest Ranch. Her dreams of becoming Event Planner Manager at the ranch are reachable. Hudson receives news that his dream job is waiting for him in Seattle, all the way across the country. In the midst of them both reaching for their dream jobs, they are almost close to their wedding date and a client of the Ranch wants to secure the same date for their wedding. Decisions need to be made and it could mean changes in their Dream Jobs. The book is one of reaching for dreams, following God's Will and Faith, Hope and LOVE. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance. BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
WOW, this book has all the happy vibes from the beginning of the book. The 2 main characters of the book are Mandie Sellars and her fiancé, Hudson Piccolo. Maddie loves working at Seven Tine Guest Ranch. Her dreams of becoming Event Planner Manager at the ranch are reachable. Hudson receives news that his dream job is waiting for him in Seattle, all the way across the country. In the midst of them both reaching for their dream jobs, they are almost close to their wedding date and a client of the Ranch wants to secure the same date for their wedding. Decisions need to be made and it could mean changes in their Dream Jobs. The book is one of reaching for dreams, following God's Will and Faith, Hope and LOVE. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance. BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
December 3, 2025
Christmas Wishes is a holiday novella based on the Seven Tines Romance series. Fans of award-winning author Carmon Peone will remember several characters. Taking the spotlight in this story is single mom and ranch cook Mandie. Her Christmas wishes for a dream job and a dream wedding are about to come true. In a few days, she will marry Hudson and prove her abilities as an event coordinator while planning a guest’s winter wonderland wedding.
But when Mandie’s finance Hudson is offered his own dream job in far off Seattle, someone will have to make a sacrifice. Things get more complicated when the ranch guest wants Mandie’s Christmas Eve wedding date. The young couple must lean on their faith to see them through.
This is a heart-warming story of hope, love, and inspiration, perfect for a chilly winter evening. A clean romance, it is appropriate for YA and adult readers.
Although I received a complimentary copy, this positive review is entirely my own.
But when Mandie’s finance Hudson is offered his own dream job in far off Seattle, someone will have to make a sacrifice. Things get more complicated when the ranch guest wants Mandie’s Christmas Eve wedding date. The young couple must lean on their faith to see them through.
This is a heart-warming story of hope, love, and inspiration, perfect for a chilly winter evening. A clean romance, it is appropriate for YA and adult readers.
Although I received a complimentary copy, this positive review is entirely my own.
November 6, 2025
Christmas Wishes is as exciting as all the rest of the Seven Tine Ranch Romances in the series. I was hooked from the first chapter. This one, with a Christmas theme, is inspirational and uplifting, as I followed Mandie and Hudson towards their big day.
The characters are enduring and captured my heart right away. I loved how their faith in God to follow his will was wrapped within the pages—a truly beautiful Christmas story of hope, faith, dreams, and sacrifice. It's definitely full of Christmas spirit. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
The characters are enduring and captured my heart right away. I loved how their faith in God to follow his will was wrapped within the pages—a truly beautiful Christmas story of hope, faith, dreams, and sacrifice. It's definitely full of Christmas spirit. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
November 30, 2025
Part of an interconnected series that has overlapping characters. Can be read as a standalone but best if read in order.
Engaged couple
Her dream job is where they are
His chance at his dream job might require moving.
Family drama
His plan vs her plan vs God's plan
Engaged couple
Her dream job is where they are
His chance at his dream job might require moving.
Family drama
His plan vs her plan vs God's plan
Read
December 3, 2025Writing Christmas Wishes was so fun.
I hope you enjoy Mandie and Hudson's story!
And may your Christmas wishes come true!
Blessings,
Carmen
I hope you enjoy Mandie and Hudson's story!
And may your Christmas wishes come true!
Blessings,
Carmen
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews