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Salvation Falls #2.5
Western Christmas Proposals
A RING, A KISS AND A CHRISTMAS WISH
THREE DELICIOUS SEASONAL STORIES
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER by Carla Kelly
Stranded, Katie becomes chore girl on Ned Avery's ranch. He shows her unexpected kindnessand in exchange, she teaches him how to dance!
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS by Kelly Boyce
Willa Stanford moved to Salvation Falls to start afresh, but then the past—in the shape of her former sweetheart—arrives at her door.
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL by Carol Arens
When widower Roy Garner falls for lovely Belle Key, he's hoping for a very happy Christmas. Until he discovers Belle's dark secret…
THREE DELICIOUS SEASONAL STORIES
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER by Carla Kelly
Stranded, Katie becomes chore girl on Ned Avery's ranch. He shows her unexpected kindnessand in exchange, she teaches him how to dance!
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS by Kelly Boyce
Willa Stanford moved to Salvation Falls to start afresh, but then the past—in the shape of her former sweetheart—arrives at her door.
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL by Carol Arens
When widower Roy Garner falls for lovely Belle Key, he's hoping for a very happy Christmas. Until he discovers Belle's dark secret…
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2016
46 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books802 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 4, 2019
Overall a great Christmas anthology!
Christmas Dance with the Rancher
By Carla Kelly
So very lovely! Ned is a rancher in Wyoming with a dying father in search of a “chore girl”. Katherine’s fiancé never showed up at the train station to claim her, so she accepts the job Ned has to offer.
The storyline is simple but beautiful. How noble Ned is, how much Kate starts to love his father, his brother and obviously him.
A story of love in hard times and circumstances. A love that thrives in the heart but comes from the practical mind of people that battle everyday to survive.
Great novella!
Christmas in Salvation Falls
By Kelly Boyce
This is my first time reading this author and I liked her romantic, yet emotionally charged writing.
Willa waited for Morgan to come back to marry her even after his letters stop coming and people started to feel sorry for her. She only resigned to marry another man when her father threatened to disown her and throw her in the streets otherwise. Still she wrote Morgan a letter and believed, until the last possible moment, that he would come for her.
Six years have passed and Will’s privileged life had turned upside down and she has become the owner of a boarding house at the small town of Salvation Falls.
While she is sweeping her front porch she sees Morgan coming towards the house. A beautiful short story about second chances and the changes time and circumstances bring.
I’m planning to read the other stories interconnected to this novella.
The Sheriff’s Christmas Proposal
By Carol Arens
A widow (Roy)with several small children moves to a small town to be the Sheriff. At the station he meets Belle and her grandmother and a friendship strikes between them all.
The problem was Belle and her grandmother have a secret, and this secret places them against Roy, no matter how much they wish they could just be his real friends.
The story was cute, but the secret was silly and the plot felt weak. What saved the day was the Christmas Spirit and the lovely children.
Christmas Dance with the Rancher
By Carla Kelly
So very lovely! Ned is a rancher in Wyoming with a dying father in search of a “chore girl”. Katherine’s fiancé never showed up at the train station to claim her, so she accepts the job Ned has to offer.
The storyline is simple but beautiful. How noble Ned is, how much Kate starts to love his father, his brother and obviously him.
A story of love in hard times and circumstances. A love that thrives in the heart but comes from the practical mind of people that battle everyday to survive.
Great novella!
Christmas in Salvation Falls
By Kelly Boyce
This is my first time reading this author and I liked her romantic, yet emotionally charged writing.
Willa waited for Morgan to come back to marry her even after his letters stop coming and people started to feel sorry for her. She only resigned to marry another man when her father threatened to disown her and throw her in the streets otherwise. Still she wrote Morgan a letter and believed, until the last possible moment, that he would come for her.
Six years have passed and Will’s privileged life had turned upside down and she has become the owner of a boarding house at the small town of Salvation Falls.
While she is sweeping her front porch she sees Morgan coming towards the house. A beautiful short story about second chances and the changes time and circumstances bring.
I’m planning to read the other stories interconnected to this novella.
The Sheriff’s Christmas Proposal
By Carol Arens
A widow (Roy)with several small children moves to a small town to be the Sheriff. At the station he meets Belle and her grandmother and a friendship strikes between them all.
The problem was Belle and her grandmother have a secret, and this secret places them against Roy, no matter how much they wish they could just be his real friends.
The story was cute, but the secret was silly and the plot felt weak. What saved the day was the Christmas Spirit and the lovely children.
November 10, 2024
One excellent story, one very good story, and one totally unbelievable story. I enjoyed the first two and struggled to get through the other one.
November 6, 2016
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER by Carla Kelly
Stranded, Katie becomes chore girl on Ned Avery's ranch. He shows her unexpected kindness and in exchange, she teaches him how to dance!
Good story. Katie had come to Wyoming from Massachusetts to marry a man she knew from her job at the mill. But when she arrived he was nowhere to be found, until word came that he might have been killed in a bar fight. About that time Ned arrived in Cheyenne, looking for a "chore girl" to help him take care of his bed-ridden father. Katie is a bit wary of going with a stranger, but he seems honest, so she accepts his offer.
I liked Katie. She's a practical woman who looks at her options and moves on. She ran away from an abusive stepfather when she was twelve and made her own way in life from there. He made her cautious, so all she really asks for from Ned is a room of her own in his house. When she arrives, she steps right in to her position. I loved the way that she handled Ned's father, quickly overcoming his grumpiness and finding a way to fix it. She did the same for Ned's younger brother Pete, helping Ned to see that there was an alternative. But mostly I loved how everything she did seemed to revolve around making Ned's life better, including teaching him to dance so that he could go wife hunting.
I liked Ned too, though there were times that his occasionally negative attitude bugged me. He spent some time thinking about how difficult it was to have everyone depending on him and how hard ranching is. His need for a chore girl came about because he couldn't depend on his brother to watch out for their dad. He did redeem himself with how nice he was to Katie. He was sensitive to her fears and tried to make her feel comfortable.
It was sweet to see the relationship develop. By the time Ned got to "wife hunting" at the dance, he realized that he'd rather be with Katie. She had formed a few dreams of her own. But when word came that her fiancé wasn't dead after all, she felt she had to go to him, even though her feelings had changed. I loved the scene at the hotel, as Katie had to decide between the two lives. Ned also knew what he wanted, but had to find the courage to go after it. I really liked their conversation about life in Wyoming. It was real and it was honest. The final scene at the Christmas party was great, though I wouldn't have minded an epilogue.
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS by Kelly Boyce
Series: Salvation Falls (Book 2.5)
Willa Stanford moved to Salvation Falls to start afresh, but then the past - in the shape of her former sweetheart - arrives at her door.
Once upon a time, Willa and Morgan had been in love. But she was the daughter of the town's richest man, and Morgan was only an employee. He knew that if he wanted to give Willa the kind of life she was used to he would have to strike out on his own. Unfortunately, he waited until three days before their wedding to make that decision, promising that he would send for her as soon as he could. But things didn't go as he planned, and too ashamed to tell her, he quit writing to her. Willa held out for a year, but when her father threatened to throw her out with nothing if she didn't marry the man he chose, she gave in. Unfortunately for her, that marriage was a disaster and when her husband was killed she was left with almost nothing. Remembering Morgan's stories of Salvation Falls, she made her way there and created a new life for herself running a successful boardinghouse.
Morgan's shame at failing in his plans caused him to go back on his promise to Willa. When he found out about her marriage he gave up his law practice and became a drifter. But he never forgot her and was haunted by all the things he did wrong. When his uncle Bertram wrote and asked him to join his law practice in Salvation Falls, Morgan decided he was tired of drifting. He did not expect to find Willa living there.
Their reunion was not a happy one. Each was stunned to see the other. Willa's first reaction was joy, but her heart was afraid to trust him again. Morgan was sure that he had blown his chances long ago and that there was no way he could win her again, until he got the slightest hint that maybe she wasn't as indifferent to him as he'd thought. The rekindling of their relationship was not an easy one, as both of them were different from their past selves. Willa had to overcome her fear of being hurt again, and trust that she had the inner strength to stand up for herself. After Morgan puts his foot in his mouth during a hasty proposal, he needs to find a way to show her that he really has changed. It takes the efforts of the whole town to make these two finally find their way together.
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL by Carol Arens
When widower Roy Garner falls for lovely Belle Key, he's hoping for a very happy Christmas. Until he discovers Belle's dark secret...
Good story. Roy is on his way to a new town and a new job accompanied by his four children. A former US Marshal, he had lost his wife a year earlier while he was away on a case. Haunted by the guilt of not being there when she died, he is determined to be a better father.
Belle and her grandmother are on the same train. What Roy doesn't know is that they are following him. They believe that he has stolen Grannie Em's wedding ring. They plan to get it back and then let everyone know that he is a thief. Grannie Em believes that the ring is enchanted, and that if she doesn't have it back by Christmas Day she will die. Belle doesn't believe in the curse, but she isn't taking any chances.
Belle and Roy are drawn to each other from the moment they meet. Roy feels a little guilty at the beginning, feeling that he's being disloyal to his late wife, but he's ready to move on. Belle is much more conflicted. She doesn't understand how she can be falling for a man who is a thief. I loved seeing them grow closer, Roy falling so quickly for her. I ached for Belle and how much she wanted Roy and the children to be part of her life, but afraid of what his reaction would be if he knew the truth. Her confession was the right thing to do and his response was understandable. I loved Roy's big moment at the end.
Grannie Em was quite a character. Her belief in the power of the ring was unshakeable. She was also determined to get Roy and Belle together. Her attitude toward Roy's "theft" was definitely unique. I also loved the children and how quickly they took to Belle and Grannie Em. I did think that the reason the town hired Roy was rather silly, but he did fulfill their needs.
Stranded, Katie becomes chore girl on Ned Avery's ranch. He shows her unexpected kindness and in exchange, she teaches him how to dance!
Good story. Katie had come to Wyoming from Massachusetts to marry a man she knew from her job at the mill. But when she arrived he was nowhere to be found, until word came that he might have been killed in a bar fight. About that time Ned arrived in Cheyenne, looking for a "chore girl" to help him take care of his bed-ridden father. Katie is a bit wary of going with a stranger, but he seems honest, so she accepts his offer.
I liked Katie. She's a practical woman who looks at her options and moves on. She ran away from an abusive stepfather when she was twelve and made her own way in life from there. He made her cautious, so all she really asks for from Ned is a room of her own in his house. When she arrives, she steps right in to her position. I loved the way that she handled Ned's father, quickly overcoming his grumpiness and finding a way to fix it. She did the same for Ned's younger brother Pete, helping Ned to see that there was an alternative. But mostly I loved how everything she did seemed to revolve around making Ned's life better, including teaching him to dance so that he could go wife hunting.
I liked Ned too, though there were times that his occasionally negative attitude bugged me. He spent some time thinking about how difficult it was to have everyone depending on him and how hard ranching is. His need for a chore girl came about because he couldn't depend on his brother to watch out for their dad. He did redeem himself with how nice he was to Katie. He was sensitive to her fears and tried to make her feel comfortable.
It was sweet to see the relationship develop. By the time Ned got to "wife hunting" at the dance, he realized that he'd rather be with Katie. She had formed a few dreams of her own. But when word came that her fiancé wasn't dead after all, she felt she had to go to him, even though her feelings had changed. I loved the scene at the hotel, as Katie had to decide between the two lives. Ned also knew what he wanted, but had to find the courage to go after it. I really liked their conversation about life in Wyoming. It was real and it was honest. The final scene at the Christmas party was great, though I wouldn't have minded an epilogue.
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS by Kelly Boyce
Series: Salvation Falls (Book 2.5)
Willa Stanford moved to Salvation Falls to start afresh, but then the past - in the shape of her former sweetheart - arrives at her door.
Once upon a time, Willa and Morgan had been in love. But she was the daughter of the town's richest man, and Morgan was only an employee. He knew that if he wanted to give Willa the kind of life she was used to he would have to strike out on his own. Unfortunately, he waited until three days before their wedding to make that decision, promising that he would send for her as soon as he could. But things didn't go as he planned, and too ashamed to tell her, he quit writing to her. Willa held out for a year, but when her father threatened to throw her out with nothing if she didn't marry the man he chose, she gave in. Unfortunately for her, that marriage was a disaster and when her husband was killed she was left with almost nothing. Remembering Morgan's stories of Salvation Falls, she made her way there and created a new life for herself running a successful boardinghouse.
Morgan's shame at failing in his plans caused him to go back on his promise to Willa. When he found out about her marriage he gave up his law practice and became a drifter. But he never forgot her and was haunted by all the things he did wrong. When his uncle Bertram wrote and asked him to join his law practice in Salvation Falls, Morgan decided he was tired of drifting. He did not expect to find Willa living there.
Their reunion was not a happy one. Each was stunned to see the other. Willa's first reaction was joy, but her heart was afraid to trust him again. Morgan was sure that he had blown his chances long ago and that there was no way he could win her again, until he got the slightest hint that maybe she wasn't as indifferent to him as he'd thought. The rekindling of their relationship was not an easy one, as both of them were different from their past selves. Willa had to overcome her fear of being hurt again, and trust that she had the inner strength to stand up for herself. After Morgan puts his foot in his mouth during a hasty proposal, he needs to find a way to show her that he really has changed. It takes the efforts of the whole town to make these two finally find their way together.
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL by Carol Arens
When widower Roy Garner falls for lovely Belle Key, he's hoping for a very happy Christmas. Until he discovers Belle's dark secret...
Good story. Roy is on his way to a new town and a new job accompanied by his four children. A former US Marshal, he had lost his wife a year earlier while he was away on a case. Haunted by the guilt of not being there when she died, he is determined to be a better father.
Belle and her grandmother are on the same train. What Roy doesn't know is that they are following him. They believe that he has stolen Grannie Em's wedding ring. They plan to get it back and then let everyone know that he is a thief. Grannie Em believes that the ring is enchanted, and that if she doesn't have it back by Christmas Day she will die. Belle doesn't believe in the curse, but she isn't taking any chances.
Belle and Roy are drawn to each other from the moment they meet. Roy feels a little guilty at the beginning, feeling that he's being disloyal to his late wife, but he's ready to move on. Belle is much more conflicted. She doesn't understand how she can be falling for a man who is a thief. I loved seeing them grow closer, Roy falling so quickly for her. I ached for Belle and how much she wanted Roy and the children to be part of her life, but afraid of what his reaction would be if he knew the truth. Her confession was the right thing to do and his response was understandable. I loved Roy's big moment at the end.
Grannie Em was quite a character. Her belief in the power of the ring was unshakeable. She was also determined to get Roy and Belle together. Her attitude toward Roy's "theft" was definitely unique. I also loved the children and how quickly they took to Belle and Grannie Em. I did think that the reason the town hired Roy was rather silly, but he did fulfill their needs.
October 15, 2016
A very mixed bag for me--as multi-author anthologies often are.
I got the book for the Carla Kelly story and she delivered a wonderful, low-key, emotionally satisfying read. 4 stars for Christmas Dance with the Rancher. I felt like everyone in the story was a real person--not a 'character'. Just lovely.
The other two authors are new to me. Based on their short stories, I shan't be bothering to pick up any of their full-length works.
I found Kelly Boyce's Christmas in Salvation Falls to be on the fluffy side, with waaay too much mental lusting from the 'hero'. Nothing new here--just move along. That one was a 2 star read.
Carol Arens' The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal' condlict hinged on a Big Misunderstanding that could have easily been solved. I think we were supposed to find the granny charming or humorous; I found her annoying. Another 2 star read.
I got the book for the Carla Kelly story and she delivered a wonderful, low-key, emotionally satisfying read. 4 stars for Christmas Dance with the Rancher. I felt like everyone in the story was a real person--not a 'character'. Just lovely.
The other two authors are new to me. Based on their short stories, I shan't be bothering to pick up any of their full-length works.
I found Kelly Boyce's Christmas in Salvation Falls to be on the fluffy side, with waaay too much mental lusting from the 'hero'. Nothing new here--just move along. That one was a 2 star read.
Carol Arens' The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal' condlict hinged on a Big Misunderstanding that could have easily been solved. I think we were supposed to find the granny charming or humorous; I found her annoying. Another 2 star read.
September 5, 2017
Story #1 was "Christmas Dance with the Rancher" by Carla Kelly. I enjoyed the "Texas two step" that Edward Avery and Katherine Peck have throughout the book. Avery's nobility is both his downfall and his salvation, and Katie is the perfect counterpoint–both full of confidence and kindness.
Kelly Boyce gives us "Christmas in Salvation Falls." I like the characters of Willa Stanford Barstou and Morgan Trent. They have history that keeps them apart, but their affection for one another triumphs. I must admit Ms. Boyce's use of split infinitives drove me crazy. I can tolerate a few, especially in dialogue, but soon they dragged me from the story with "What? Another one!" I also was taken out of the story by the term "fountain pen." Do not yell at me. I know that the fountain pen earned a patent in America in the mid 1850s. I just felt the term was too modern. I might suggest using "stylographic pen" instead, for it was in use in the 1870s.
"The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal" comes from Carol Arens. Roy Garner is the new sheriff. He must settle down and take care of his four children. Belle Key and her grandmother think Roy has stolen Belle's granddaddy's ring. Despite this, Belle and Roy found a strong connection. They face multiple setbacks, right up to the last chapter of the book, but they find their way to one another. I do wish the editor would be more aware of agreement issues, such as "everyone whats their own way." The word "everyone" is singular and "their" is plural. Also, there are many split infinitives. "to already be," "to actually feel," "to freely look," etc. And there is no "different than." The correct form is "different from."
Kelly Boyce gives us "Christmas in Salvation Falls." I like the characters of Willa Stanford Barstou and Morgan Trent. They have history that keeps them apart, but their affection for one another triumphs. I must admit Ms. Boyce's use of split infinitives drove me crazy. I can tolerate a few, especially in dialogue, but soon they dragged me from the story with "What? Another one!" I also was taken out of the story by the term "fountain pen." Do not yell at me. I know that the fountain pen earned a patent in America in the mid 1850s. I just felt the term was too modern. I might suggest using "stylographic pen" instead, for it was in use in the 1870s.
"The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal" comes from Carol Arens. Roy Garner is the new sheriff. He must settle down and take care of his four children. Belle Key and her grandmother think Roy has stolen Belle's granddaddy's ring. Despite this, Belle and Roy found a strong connection. They face multiple setbacks, right up to the last chapter of the book, but they find their way to one another. I do wish the editor would be more aware of agreement issues, such as "everyone whats their own way." The word "everyone" is singular and "their" is plural. Also, there are many split infinitives. "to already be," "to actually feel," "to freely look," etc. And there is no "different than." The correct form is "different from."
January 1, 2018
Carla Kelly was a highly recommended author and my library only has two of her books, of which is this Christmas anthology.
I only read her short story so cannot comment on the rest of the book.
This author has a lovely writing style, with strong and interesting characters who are normal regular people, not only the aristocracy. It is a nice change from the usual Regency England stories one usually associates with historical romance.
This western captured the hard lives of the American pioneers who braved the wild west in search of a better life. It's heartening to read our hero having doubts about himself. Inheriting a ranch his father built, his own wishes, hopes and aspirations were never taken into consideration. But with the love of a special strong woman, he could take the bad with the good, because life on the ranch could be so beautiful. Our heroine also felt safe for once, confident enough to know she deserved better in life. It took the presence of good men like the Averys, and special Ned to make her bold enough to grab a good future. Beautiful short story.
I only read her short story so cannot comment on the rest of the book.
This author has a lovely writing style, with strong and interesting characters who are normal regular people, not only the aristocracy. It is a nice change from the usual Regency England stories one usually associates with historical romance.
This western captured the hard lives of the American pioneers who braved the wild west in search of a better life. It's heartening to read our hero having doubts about himself. Inheriting a ranch his father built, his own wishes, hopes and aspirations were never taken into consideration. But with the love of a special strong woman, he could take the bad with the good, because life on the ranch could be so beautiful. Our heroine also felt safe for once, confident enough to know she deserved better in life. It took the presence of good men like the Averys, and special Ned to make her bold enough to grab a good future. Beautiful short story.
June 24, 2021
Reviewing CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS only 😊
First of all I love second chance stories, when you read one that ends so sweetly it just makes it better. 😉 Can't say I liked Willa's sister much even if she changed her tune toward the end. Loved the Salvation Falls series and I will be looking for more by this author. ☺
First of all I love second chance stories, when you read one that ends so sweetly it just makes it better. 😉 Can't say I liked Willa's sister much even if she changed her tune toward the end. Loved the Salvation Falls series and I will be looking for more by this author. ☺
January 6, 2019
Again, Ms. Kelly's story was by far the best in this collection. Her story was a solid 4 stars, the others I'd rate as 2 stars.
May 26, 2021
Only enjoyed the Carla Kelly one
March 18, 2022
Read this because of Carla Kelly. Not my favorite anthology.
December 9, 2023
Fun
This was a sweet and fun read. I liked all three authors and would read more by them. Recommended. Clean but slightly sexy.
This was a sweet and fun read. I liked all three authors and would read more by them. Recommended. Clean but slightly sexy.
April 11, 2025
Rating for Carla kelly.
December 15, 2023
Christmas Dance with the Rancher by Carla Kelly - 5 stars
Christmas in Salvation Falls by Kelly Boyce - DNF
The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal by Carol Arens - DNF
Christmas in Salvation Falls by Kelly Boyce - DNF
The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal by Carol Arens - DNF
January 6, 2017
Three stories-Christmas fun
As always, Carla Kelly's story was great. 5 stars. A rancher hires a chore girl to help with his Pa and love enters the picture. The second story was not nearly as well written, and the story, about a lost love refound was lame. 2 stars. The final story about a missing ring bringing love was charming. 4 stars.
As always, Carla Kelly's story was great. 5 stars. A rancher hires a chore girl to help with his Pa and love enters the picture. The second story was not nearly as well written, and the story, about a lost love refound was lame. 2 stars. The final story about a missing ring bringing love was charming. 4 stars.
June 14, 2019
Having read something by each of these authors before, I was primed for some great reading for the holidays.
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER (Carla Kelly) No one is at the train depot to meet Katherine Peck. Then she receives notice from the sheriff that there was an altercation in a saloon (in another town) and someone was killed (probably her fiancee). Katherine is taken in by the local minister.
Ned Avery has too much to do on his ranch without the twin problems of his gravely ill father and handicapped brother. He decides to hire a chore girl. Katherine agrees to take the job even though Ned's unhappy father swears he doesn't need any help. Within a month, Katherine has made tiny changes that alter the lives of those around her.
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS (Kelly Boyce) Morgan Trent and Wilma Stanford share a lot of history. They were engaged to be married when Morgan left town to earn enough money to keep Wilma in the style in which she was raised. Wilma waited and when Morgan stopped writing, Wilma's father made her marry another man.
Now it is six years later and Morgan is shocked to find Wilma again. She is a widow and he has come to Salvation Falls to join his Uncle Bertram's law practice. Is there anything left of the love they once shared?
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL (Carol Arens) This is a lovely based on two improbable circumstances: Former US Marshal Roy Garner takes a job as a town sheriff so he can take care of his four children; his wife died (while he was out chasing crooks) last Christmas. He's been hired to literally be the social director of the town. The citizens have strong opinions about everything and they need a mediator to lead and keep down on the fisticuffs among the locals.
Bell Annie Key and Grannie Key are following the trail of the man who stole Grannie's wedding band. If she doesn't have it on her finger by Christmas, she will die. They know that Roy Garner has the ring and plan to expose him as a thief after they get the ring back. This highly improbable story is charming and before long I didn't much care how the characters got together.
All three stories were pleasant and well-worth reading.
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER (Carla Kelly) No one is at the train depot to meet Katherine Peck. Then she receives notice from the sheriff that there was an altercation in a saloon (in another town) and someone was killed (probably her fiancee). Katherine is taken in by the local minister.
Ned Avery has too much to do on his ranch without the twin problems of his gravely ill father and handicapped brother. He decides to hire a chore girl. Katherine agrees to take the job even though Ned's unhappy father swears he doesn't need any help. Within a month, Katherine has made tiny changes that alter the lives of those around her.
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS (Kelly Boyce) Morgan Trent and Wilma Stanford share a lot of history. They were engaged to be married when Morgan left town to earn enough money to keep Wilma in the style in which she was raised. Wilma waited and when Morgan stopped writing, Wilma's father made her marry another man.
Now it is six years later and Morgan is shocked to find Wilma again. She is a widow and he has come to Salvation Falls to join his Uncle Bertram's law practice. Is there anything left of the love they once shared?
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL (Carol Arens) This is a lovely based on two improbable circumstances: Former US Marshal Roy Garner takes a job as a town sheriff so he can take care of his four children; his wife died (while he was out chasing crooks) last Christmas. He's been hired to literally be the social director of the town. The citizens have strong opinions about everything and they need a mediator to lead and keep down on the fisticuffs among the locals.
Bell Annie Key and Grannie Key are following the trail of the man who stole Grannie's wedding band. If she doesn't have it on her finger by Christmas, she will die. They know that Roy Garner has the ring and plan to expose him as a thief after they get the ring back. This highly improbable story is charming and before long I didn't much care how the characters got together.
All three stories were pleasant and well-worth reading.
January 2, 2017
4 stars to Carla Kelly's, 3 stars to Kelly Boyce, DNF to Carol Arens (magical rings and love under pretense, not my deal).
Christmas Dance--Kate's intended husband is possibly dead, possibly jailed, so she becomes chore girl for Ned's family and changes all their lives. I mostly just loved how matter of fact and drama free Katie and Ned were, it was really endearing and refreshing. Ned's brother has a disability, and it's handled pretty well.
Christmas Dance--Kate's intended husband is possibly dead, possibly jailed, so she becomes chore girl for Ned's family and changes all their lives. I mostly just loved how matter of fact and drama free Katie and Ned were, it was really endearing and refreshing. Ned's brother has a disability, and it's handled pretty well.
Read
December 19, 2016"For charm and sweetness combined with the joy and spirit of the holiday season, Western Christmas Proposals can’t be beat. Readers will be enchanted by this trio of authors lively, short, yet fully realized stories that shine with the promise of love. There’s something for every Western fan — humor, tenderness, sensuality and even a bit of magic alongside the aura of the Old West" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
I really enjoyed all three stories. Each will capture your heart in a different way. Each has memorable characters. Each will leave you feeling happy. I mentioned the first two stories in my comments so here is my take of the last one in the anthology. Grannie and the kids are adorable. Love is practically in the air, well not for everyone. LOL The town needs to learn how to work together and I loved that they hired a sheriff not only to protect them but to organize events. Highly recommend. ~ Kim
I really enjoyed all three stories. Each will capture your heart in a different way. Each has memorable characters. Each will leave you feeling happy. I mentioned the first two stories in my comments so here is my take of the last one in the anthology. Grannie and the kids are adorable. Love is practically in the air, well not for everyone. LOL The town needs to learn how to work together and I loved that they hired a sheriff not only to protect them but to organize events. Highly recommend. ~ Kim
October 29, 2016
Christmas Dance with a Rancher: 3 stars (Carla Kelly)
Nice story of a young woman who is left abandoned at the Cheyenne station by her supposed fiancé. Having no money and all alone, Kate accepts a job with rancher Ned Avery as a “chore girl”. He desperately needs help with his ill father and is willing to take a chance with Kate helping out.
Christmas in Salvation Falls: 2 ½ stars (Kelly Boyce)
This one was just ok. Rehashing a past experience of a broken promise over and over got tedious. Glad it was a short story.
Sheriff’s Christmas Proposal: 2 1/2 stars (Carol Aherns)
There were some scenes in this one that I liked, but overall the story was just ok. A grandmother and her granddaughter follow a new sheriff into town for the sole purpose of getting a ring back that they assumed he had stolen.
Nice story of a young woman who is left abandoned at the Cheyenne station by her supposed fiancé. Having no money and all alone, Kate accepts a job with rancher Ned Avery as a “chore girl”. He desperately needs help with his ill father and is willing to take a chance with Kate helping out.
Christmas in Salvation Falls: 2 ½ stars (Kelly Boyce)
This one was just ok. Rehashing a past experience of a broken promise over and over got tedious. Glad it was a short story.
Sheriff’s Christmas Proposal: 2 1/2 stars (Carol Aherns)
There were some scenes in this one that I liked, but overall the story was just ok. A grandmother and her granddaughter follow a new sheriff into town for the sole purpose of getting a ring back that they assumed he had stolen.
Read
September 10, 2016Love anthologies!
December 17, 2016
Great historical read - 3 stories in one book
December 20, 2016
Christmas Dance With the Rancher by Carla Kelly was the best of the 3 stories in this Christmas anthology. Katie is left stranded just when Ned is looking for a chore girl to help care for his ailing father. Ordinary people find a place for themselves and awareness of each other; a typical Kelly story. Love her style. In Christmas in Salvation Falls by Kelly Boyce a couple gets a second chance 6 years after their younger selves had a major misunderstanding. And lastly in The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal by Carol Arens a woman and her grandmother follow a widower and his 4 children to a town where he will be sheriff, looking for a charmed ring that will save the grandmother's life. They think he has stolen it. The last 2 stories were average.
November 1, 2016
Not my favorite, but not bad...
I can't say this group of short stories was my favorite. The third one was a bit crass for my liking and I was a little disappointed in some of the characters' actions in the first story, but overall the stories are clean (some biblical profanity, but no explicit scenes) and they're all set during Christmas time (so they get rounded up from 2.5 stars). The second tale was by far my favorite and made the purchase worthwhile.
I can't say this group of short stories was my favorite. The third one was a bit crass for my liking and I was a little disappointed in some of the characters' actions in the first story, but overall the stories are clean (some biblical profanity, but no explicit scenes) and they're all set during Christmas time (so they get rounded up from 2.5 stars). The second tale was by far my favorite and made the purchase worthwhile.
Read
December 19, 2016Enjoyed all 3 stories. Keeper.
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