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The Oklahoma Brands #1

A Brand of Christmas

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The TWO opening novels from New York Times bestseller Maggie Shayne’s TWO most popular series!


The Oklahoma All-Girl Brands, Book 1: THE BRANDS WHO CAME FOR
When good girl Maya Brand, eldest of five and the pillar of the family, has a moment of weakness and a one night stand with a drifter, she finds herself pregnant with a naked ring finger. Most Big Falls, Oklahomans think it must be a case of immaculate conception. But the drifter returns and trouble follows. So do an early labor, a freak storm, and a Christmas you will never forget.


The Texas Brands, Book 1: THE LITTLEST COWBOY
Upright and Honest Sheriff Garrett Brand is furious with the younger brothers he’s raised when he finds a baby on the doorstep one hot Texas morning…until he sees the note with his own name on it. A motherless baby boy, a soft hearted rancher, an overprotective family, and a woman in deadly trouble spell heartwarming emotion, spine tingling passion, and breathless romance.


The Brand Family…
A Miracle in Every Story!

246 pages, ebook

First published October 21, 2015

1372 people are currently reading
1528 people want to read

About the author

Maggie Shayne

257 books2,571 followers
I live in the teeny, tiny town of Taylor, NY, (Alliteration Alert!) though my mailing address is Cincinnatus, my telephone exchange is Truxton and I pay taxes and vote in Cuyler. All of these are at least in the same rural county in the southern hills of New York State; Cortland County. There are more cattle than people here. The nearest “big” cities are Syracuse and Binghamton and they are an hour away, in different directions, and not really all that big by most standards, though they both seem humongous to me. I look out my window to see rolling, green, thickly forested hills, wildflower laden meadows and wide open blue, blue skies. My road is barely paved. The nearest neighboring place is a 700 acre dairy farm.

My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.

No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)

That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!

And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)

Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.

Glory is not amused.

She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.

My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I

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5 stars
1,019 (45%)
4 stars
678 (30%)
3 stars
357 (16%)
2 stars
107 (4%)
1 star
66 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
Profile Image for Tina "IRead2Escape".
1,475 reviews85 followers
January 22, 2019
The Brands Who Came for Christmas - Oklahoma Brands #1
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5

Oh my goodness I absolutely loved this book! Such a sweet, heartwarming story with tough female leads that aren't afraid to be their quirky selves.

Maya and Caleb met under unusual circumstances that left behind hurt, distrust and a big surprise. It's not your typical one night stand turned instant family read. The author doesn't overdo it on the anger and distrust. She just allows the characters to be honest but explore things with an open heart.

The Littlest Cowboy - Texas Brands #1
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5

I enjoyed this sweet read so much! With the Littlest Cowboy you'll just get a sweet romance that gives you a hint at the passion but doesn't go into too much detail, lots of feels and a few laughs.

Garrett is the best hero - raised his siblings with love and patience, hard working, and self-aware. He knows he's a big guy and that his size can be intimidating to a woman that has had her own past traumas, so he's very careful to be kind and gentle. He loves babies and he's a cowboy - need I say more?

Chelsea is strong and stubborn. Not always a great combination when a person needs to know when to ask for and accept help. But, overall she was a strong character that didn't put up too much of a fight and knew when to give in and apologize.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,206 reviews178 followers
February 8, 2016
The littlest cowboy was the first book in this 2 book set. It was a great book. I loved the characters especially Garret . He was lovable and kind. He was the perfect person for a baby to be left with. There is a mystery and danger and the book certainly held my interest.

The second book, The Brands That Came For Christmas was excellent. Caleb Montgomery comes to the small town where Maya Brand lives and turns her life upside down. He doesn't tell her who he really is and causes quite a problem for her after one exciting night. This story was great and kept me involved with Maya, Caleb and all their families. The Brand family has quite a history and that causes them to be strong and independent. I really liked Caleb, even if he did make a mistake.
Profile Image for Jo-Anne.
1,756 reviews39 followers
November 17, 2015
I loved A Brand of Christmas. It's two stories about the Brand family and they made me wish I could actually meet this group.

The Brands Who Came For Christmas

I loved this book with all it's twists and turns and the way the author pulled it all together so the reader could easily keep track of what was going on. OK, it's surprising to have Maya be a virgin at 29 and it's even more surprising how she decided to take care of that problem! The character development was excellent. Both main characters had issues. Maya didn't want to love someone in case they were not there for her when she needed them, like her father. Caleb was tired of people wanting to be with him because of his money and status when he just wanted to be liked for himself. This made him not trust anyone. All the characters in this book were great. The sisters were so different from each other and had their quirks that made them so much fun.

I liked the way the author showed that experiences in our childhoods affect us later in life, even if we don't realize it. The twist to this billionaire story was great with Caleb being a nice guy who doesn't want the attention his money and family bring.

This book was so good that I didn't want to put it down but when I did, I kept thinking about it all day!


The Littlest Cowboy

The Littlest Cowboy starts out with Garrett Brand being woken up by a sound. He is the sheriff of a small town in Texas so he goes to investigate the noise with his gun drawn. What a surprise when the "noise" is a baby on his doorstep with a note saying he was the baby's father. Garrett knows this can't be his child but cares for the child anyway. He lives on a ranch with his 3 brothers and sister so they help out, however, they have no experience with babies so are not a lot of help. In the middle of the night, Garrett hears pounding on the door and answers it to Chelsea. She has just come from identifying her sister's body and is looking for her sister's baby. Garrett wants to find out about the death of the baby's mother to see if she was murdered or had commit suicide. As Garrett and Chelsea spend more time together, an attraction forms.

I liked this book and thought the first couple of chapters were sooooo funny. I was laughing constantly and didn't want to put it down. It was well written and very descriptive. The book is a great read and definitely captures the reader in the story line, but that wouldn't work if she didn't have good characters. Garrett was a wonderful man who was always looking out for everyone else, especially is siblings. Chelsea was not very likable in the beginning and had every right to be nasty since she believed Garrett to be Ethan's father and murderer of her sister. I liked the secondary characters and thought the Brand clan are fantastic. I love how they worked together to solve problems.
Profile Image for Nancy Brady.
Author 7 books45 followers
January 2, 2019
Two romances for the price of one plus a few sneak peeks at several other romances in the various series. How can a person beat that?

First up: The Littlest Cowboy--when a baby is left on the doorstep of the Texas Brand ranch, Garrett Brand is suddenly looked at with suspicion. He is named as the father, and the baby does have his name, but Bubba isn't his. Soon, his aunt Chelsea appears ready to kill Garrett for the murder of the baby's mother, and the sparks begin to fly. With a distrust of men in general, can Chelsea find that Garrett is trustworthy? Can Garrett open up his heart to not only Bubba, but Chelsea?

Second up: A one-night stand with a handsome stranger becomes a lot more when Maya Brand finds out she is pregnant. What's more she doesn't know his real name. When Caleb Montgomery finds out, there is a matter keeping it quiet. Otherwise, with his spotless name and her family background, this will be the biggest political scandal in Oklahoma in years. Will he buy her off, or will he become a real father? Can they learn to trust one another even with their hearts?

There are similarities to both of these romances. Both had trust issues at their core as well as main female characters who are virgins. The first Brand family is nearly all male (five brothers) with the exception of Jessi; the second Brand family is all female (five daughters and a mother).

Profile Image for Beverly.
1,319 reviews
December 20, 2015
Enjoyed 1st in the series for both books

Different story lines. Wasn't sure if Caleb would stay in politics so kept me interested. Would like to read the next in the Oklahoma Brands series.

Love the sheriif's reaction to a baby being left in his care. Got a feeling I would like this serious also.
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,700 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2015
Two stories about different branches of the Brand family. The one in Texas tells of a baby left on the doorstep. The one in Oklahoma tells of a young woman trying to live down disgrace she didn't earn.
Profile Image for Carol.
383 reviews
December 21, 2015
Family plus Romance

While neither story included much of Christmas, they were both light hearted romances with heroic gentlemen who saved the girl, and strong close heartwarming families (the best part).
Profile Image for Jodi Cain.
1,174 reviews9 followers
November 22, 2015
Loved book one in this set. Couldn't get enough of Chelsea & Garrett. Book two it was like it was missing something, but I don't know what
Profile Image for Betty Wronski.
146 reviews
December 2, 2015
Fantastic books

Love love these book story was great from the beginning to the end pledge everybody u got to read these they r great
Profile Image for Ebony.
472 reviews4 followers
December 29, 2015
3 stars for the story "littlest cowboy". it was a cute, short read.
I started but didn't finish the other novella, found it a bit more unbelievable and harder to get into
Profile Image for Terry.
163 reviews2 followers
November 6, 2016
Not my typically read but it was a cute story.
Profile Image for Karla Renee Goforth Abreu.
667 reviews8 followers
December 18, 2020
I gave this three stars for the genre NOT for any comparison with other genres. It just is nit my style of book. It is romance, modern western, and action. The title of the book is misleading, perhaps it is something to do with the series. I read it because it is Christmas season and I a,ways read Christmas books, of all kinds, this time of year. As much as I recall, this had nothing to do with Christmas.
The characters are cute: 5 brothers and one younger sister, mostly raised by the eldest brother but all are grown now. They are tight knit, and live on a huge family ranch in a rural area of Texas. Romance and mayhem abound.
If you are a fan of romance and action then give this a try.
660 reviews5 followers
November 8, 2022
Two Brand Stories

Littlest Cowboy
About midnight he opened his front door to find a baby. The boys all denied being the father. But the note said he was named after Garrett. Garrett stilled denied it. It was the weekend so they will have to keep him. As the family was settling again there was knock on the door and whirling dervish charged in demanding her nephew. What a great start to a story that kept Building.
The Brands that came for Christmas
It was April 1. Tomorrow was her thirtieth birthday. He was escaping from the life they were planning for him. A flat tire bro
Profile Image for Kelly M..
18 reviews
August 25, 2021
4 and a half stars

I chose this rating for several reasons; one, I enjoyed the story line and the characters; they we're strong and well rounded. Also, the dialogue was easy to read and understand and was well edited and it ended with a happy ever after. For me, though, it was lacking in heat and could of used a little more passion in the one and only love scene of the book. I would read another of this authors books, though only when I wanted a sweet romance with mild passion.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,340 reviews38 followers
December 27, 2017
These are the 1st books I read by Maggie Shayne. THE LITTLEST COWBOY: This book's story line was really good. I really enjoyed the action in this story. I really liked Garrett's character. I liked Chelsea's character. My heart broke 💔 for Chelsea. I loved ❤ Ethan, he's adorable. I really liked the ending. THE BRANDS WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS 🎄🎅🎁: I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 3 because nothing about this story felt like Christmas to me.
31 reviews
October 19, 2021
Caleb gets a flat tire and meets Maya Brand. She has spent all her life trying to do the right thing so she can come up in the world and not be judged by her dad’s crime as a bigamist. Once she meets Caleb who is running away from his responsibilities they both do something out of character that ties them to one another for the rest of their lives. I would have given the book 5 stars if it didn’t have explicit scenes.
Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books82 followers
December 23, 2017
"Not A Feel Good Christmas Story"

Honestly, this is not a feel-good Christmas story which I would recommend to read at this time of the year. It's definitely not joyful nor full of values. It's not even a 'clean' story but is full of explicit sex. I quit ... I wasted my time even reading half the story. These stories lack the spirit of Christmas.
Profile Image for Carol Sandford.
822 reviews11 followers
November 28, 2018
I got this because I thought it was a Christmas story. It wasn't. It was just a sweet romance with a tinge of menace. I liked Garrett, your typical massive American hunky cowboy, didn't much like Chelsea. Chelsea!!?? One minute fire, the next pathetic. Ok story, just disappointed it wasn't Christmassy.
Profile Image for Donna.
Author 7 books33 followers
February 14, 2019
I love the Brands. This box set was wonderful. The Littlest Cowboy is the Texas Brands and The Brands Who Came For Christmas is the Oklahoma Brands. Both families are close-knit and it is one for all and all for one. Troubles occur but they all stand together and conquer them. I highly recommend A Brand of Christmas by Maggie Shayne.
73 reviews
December 23, 2017
Awesome

Wished this story was longer! Would have loved to learn more about the round between, while the couple was apart, and a little more time with them coming to to terms with their feelings. I want to know more! I like these people, cannot wait to know this family better.
Profile Image for Lorna Collins.
Author 33 books53 followers
August 15, 2019
I had a problem with the basic story. I'm not fond of characters who display stupidity. Why didn't Caleb leave her a note? Why didn't he follow up earlier? The love-at-first-sight seemed a stretch. The writing and editing were good, but the story itself seemed forced.
Profile Image for Tommie Morris.
206 reviews7 followers
September 6, 2019
I loved this story! This is a great author ... I have read a lot of her stories & never ever been disappointed... this one was extra special! ... Roman ve, humor , some extending circumstances, really a cute book!! I seldom give a 5 , but this one got it!
Profile Image for Donner.
2 reviews
November 18, 2016
Great quick read

Two stories worth checking out. Romance, adventure and happy endings. Up will read the other Brand stories as well. Nice writing style.
Profile Image for Danny L Walling.
456 reviews4 followers
December 17, 2016
EXCELLENT

Wonderful two books. They kept you glued to them. Could not put them down. Both had suspense that you hoped the couple could work their problems out.
3 reviews
December 22, 2016
Great read!

Very enjoyable easy read. It can put you in the Christmas spirit and have you counting your blessings. Worth the time.
Profile Image for Vickie.
182 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2017
This was a sweet book to read. It was a breeze to read. There was love, babies. If you want a "feel good" book, this is it.
428 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2017
Great story!!

Lots of good emotional interaction. I love the children in Maggie's books. She's got great adult interaction. Not overly sexy. Just enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews

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