The Christmas Challenge

The Wilder Brothers #3

by Sinclair Jayne

Prodigal daughter, infamous flirt and fiery-haired champion barrel racer Tucker McTavish blazes back home to Marietta with both a secret, and a personal challenge. She will keep a low profile at her twin sister’s Christmas wedding. Which means no whiskey. No kissing. No scandals. No fun. What she needs is a miracle, so it's too bad when she visits the legendary Miracle Lake to plead for inner strength: a tall, dark, and handsome bad boy is waiting with a challenge of his own.

Extreme sports guide Laird Hunter doesn’t do boring. And he thought he didn’t have secrets. He thrives in carving his own trail through tight and dangerous spots, but when he finds out his entire life has been built on a lie, he heads to Marietta for answers. But when he meets the redhead with the killer smile, laughing eyes and body with more curves than a mountain road, he finds himself asking a whole new set of questions.

Will these two daredevils – with more than a few secrets between them – find the one person from whom they don't need to hide ?

The Wilder Brothers series
Book 1: Seducing the Bachelor
Book 2: Want Me, Cowboy
Book 3: The Christmas Challenge

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, Amazon

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2016

About the author

Sinclair has loved reading romance novels since she discovered Barbara Cartland historical romances when she was in sixth grade. By seventh grade, she was haunting the library shelves looking to fall in love over and over again with the heroes born from the imaginations of her favorite authors. After teaching writing classes and workshops to adults and teens for many years in Seattle and Portland, she returned to her first love of reading romances and became an editor for Tule Publishing last year. Sinclair lives in Oregon’s wine country where she and her family own a small vineyard of Pinot Noir and where she dreams of being able to write at a desk like Jane Austen instead of in parking lots waiting for her kids to finish one of their 12,000 extracurricular activities.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tucker McTavish has returned to her hometown of Marietta, Montana just in time to help her twin sister plan her Christmas wedding. There's only one problem for Tucker, her sister plans to marry the man that Tucker thinks may be the one that got away for her. Tucker had a wild side back when she was dating him and managed to mess things up and push him away only for her sister to begin a relationship later.

Before confronting her sister and trying to put their differences aside Tucker decides to visit Miracle Lake hoping it brings her own miracle for the holiday. What Tucker finds is Laird Hunter who is hoping for his own miracle since he's traveled to Marietta hoping to find his birth family.

The Christmas Challenge is the third book in the Wilder Brothers series. It can be read as a standalone but being set in the small town of Marietta, Montana during the holiday season there is again mentions of other characters and events from the small town that is featured in quite a few series.

With the Christmas Challenge I won't hesitate to say that as usual with one of these lovely small town Christmas reads there was great writing and I did enjoy the relationship developing between Tucker and Laird. But my main concern with this one came as soon as I read that Tucker's twin sister is marrying Tucker's ex-boyfriend, that just seems like all kinds of wrong to make Tucker seem the bad sister in the story. Sure Tucker had her wild ways but what sister dates an ex....especially a twin?

Overall, 3.5 stars for this edition of the Wilder Brothers series. I still love the holiday Marietta books and the couples involved just found a bit of the back story in this one a tad weird for my tastes.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another amazing festive read from the authors who write about events in the community around the town of Marietta in Montana. In this story Tucker McTavish is returning home for her twin sister’s wedding. The problem is, she’s not been home for a decade and the man her sister is marrying is her ex, the man she deliberately split up with because she was worried about how much she loved him. She’s returning to support her sister. There are other reasons she’s worried, most are secrets still to be revealed (so no, I’m not going to tell you them, you need to read the book yourself to find out!). Wanting a miracle to help her face everyone and to help her resist drinking or flirting with any men until after the wedding, she visits Miracle Lake, hoping her wish for help will be answered there. When she gets there, candles illuminate the ice and someone else is there skating. The skater is Laird Hunter.

Laird is going to visit Marietta to seek answers after discovering he was adopted and other information about his birth family. He wants to know more about them, if possible to connect with them. However, he’s not sure if he actually has the courage to do this. When feisty, flirty, red-headed Tucker invades his solitude, their attraction is mutual but she’s determined to resist and he’s determined to help her. As their paths continue to cross, will they be able to continue to resist temptation or will they open up their lives and their hearts to each other, giving love a chance?

I find these intertwining books great to escape into. The back story to this is a more complex one than usual and there are so many secrets being kept by so many different people. I did enjoy reading it but also found some of my reactions to it were confusing - for example, I couldn’t decide whether Tucker was an extremely selfish young lady or one who really didn’t believe anyone could truly love her. Her actions, reactions and behaviours seem to centre around her need for forgiveness for how these have impacted on others, especially on the life of her twin. This is a story of interlocking families with so many secrets to be unravelled to enable all of them to move on to achieve their own happy ending. It is a story of betrayal by people who should have been more caring, deception, double dealing, drama and, of course, romance as well as exorcising guilt, seeking redemption and finding just what being part of a supportive family really means.

I requested and received an ARC of this novel via NetGalley.

[Judy Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY ADDITION TO THE SERIES!!!
Title: The Christmas Challenge
Series: The Wilder Brothers
Author: Sinclair Jayne
Designation: Book 3 of Series, Full-Length, Standalone, No Cliffhanger, Contemporary Holiday Romance #cowgirl #familysaga
My Rating: Three Entertaining Stars****
*Although each book of the series features a different couple finding love and can certainly be read as a standalone, there is an underlying interconnected family conflict with recurring characters running throughout the series and for that reason, I highly recommend reading the books sequentially to avoid spoilers and maximize your reading experience. In other words, don't read them out of order like I did; it kinda spoiled the fun. lol...

The Christmas Challenge by Sinclair Jade is a good book but my least favorite of the collection. Jayne is a relatively new author for me, having discovered her work only a few weeks ago when Kane, the fourth release in The Wilder Brothers Series was featured as free in a Bookbub promotion. There's nothing I enjoy more than a rugged cowboy with lots of sexy swagger, so I snatched it up and was so impressed by Jayne's work that I raced back to purchase the other three books of the series. I truly loved the first two, but The Christmas Challenge didn't really float my boat. It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, because I did, but I just didn't love it. Different strokes for different folks, and all that. Technically, there's nothing wrong with the book, other than a few minor errors missed in the final edit process, but I didn't connect with the story, which was probably due to my disconnect with the two protagonists, Laird Hunter(Anderson) and Tucker McTavish. And even more disappointing, I didn't feel a connection between Laird and Tucker. Contemporary romance is almost always character-driven, meaning the entire storyline/plot revolves around and primarily fueled by the characters, particularly the hero and heroine. Without likable, relatable, interesting, and engaging protagonists with a believable, perceptible connection, the story lacks the necessary element to transform a good read into a great read. And this is where The Christmas Challenge fell short for me personally. I'll admit, after discovering Tucker McTavish would be the heroine, I was somewhat hesitant, because I genuinely disliked Tucker when she was introduced in Book 2 as the spoiled, self-absorbed twin of Tanner McTavish. But in the interest of fairness, I always try to be openminded, since this is the author's vision for her story and not mine. With skillful development, any character can transform from villain to hero, but there just wasn't enough personal growth to redeem Tucker, at least not for me. Personally, I thought it was too little, too late. Also, the ending felt abrupt and rushed, and the entire story felt unfinished and incomplete. Although there was a somewhat tenuous peace established between the McTavish sisters, we never really found out whether Tucker and Laird stayed in Marietta and moved to Colt's with Luke and Tanner, or left the area to continue their careers. We never found out what happened to Tanner and Tucker's mother and why she left, who bought the Triple T ranch, and there was no actual reconciliation with the twins' father. There was no real closure for the reader, and I was so very disappointed. This story had so much potential, but it was all just glossed over for a quick, not-so-tidy ending. And FYI, there's no clarity given in the fourth book, which features the youngest Wilder brother, Kane, because as I stated earlier, I read it first. I even went back and reread it to be sure I didn't miss anything. I'm not sure if there'll be a fifth book, but I sure hope so since there are still so many unanswered questions. But let's talk details.

The Christmas Challenge is a captivating, fast-paced, easy to follow, full-length, standalone, contemporary western romance brimming with delicious drama, heartbreaking angst, undeniable attraction, steamy passion, and sweet, soul-healing love. Sigh... So dreamy! The entire story takes place in the Marietta, Montana world which also serves as the backdrop for several series by Tule Publishing. Marietta is your typical western small town where secrets are hard to keep, gossip runs rampant, the rodeo is their favorite sport, and everyone knows everyone, including the details of their personal life and all their dirty laundry. Sounds like my kind of town! lol... The narrative was beautifully written in the third person with clearly discernible his and her perspectives. The dialogue was smart, snappy, raw, emotional, natural, and flowed effortlessly. I loved the premise, world, and conflict Jayne created for this story, and I especially enjoyed the small town environment and sense of community, but it's the cast of recurring characters that drives this entire series.

Laird Hunter is a ruggedly handsome, almost thirty-year-old adrenaline junkie, adventure guide, and extreme sportsman with a stoic persona who seems to be suffering from a neverending case of wanderlust - until now. His world implodes 6 months earlier when he learns his entire life has been a lie after his dying mother confessed he'd been adopted at birth from a hospital in Marietta, Montana where she'd been working as a nurse, and that he'd had a brother, a fraternal twin, but she didn't know the other baby's name or if he'd survived. After an extremely painful breakup with his girlfriend, discovering he may have a family has left him both confused and hopeful. Tucker McTavish is a self-absorbed, manipulative, fiery-haired rodeo princess, champion barrel racer, notorious flirt, selfish sister, and spoiled prodigal daughter who was considered the beautiful twin and has lived the entire 27 years of her life thinking only of herself. Sadly, it takes a scandal with a married movie director, the downward spiral of her rodeo career, losing her agent, manager, and the man she loved but rejected for Tucker to re-evaluate her life. Tucker and Laird make quite an unusual pair, but nothing's ever easy for a Wilder brother, so you know there's a huge obstacle to overcome for Laird and Tucker to find their happy ending -and man oh man, it's a real doozy! At first, Laird and Tucker seem to be complete opposites but actually have more in common than either initially realizes. Their attraction is immediate, but both are determined to ignore it, and for very valid reasons, bringing yet another slow burn aspect to the story, which I always enjoy. And this one is even more of a slow simmer than the others since our wild and promiscuous Tucker challenges herself to stay out of trouble until after Tanner's wedding and even makes a vow of celibacy. Talk about a recipe for disaster! lol... It's always so much fun watching two protagonists dance around each other, trying to avoid the inevitable, especially when it's believable, and Sinclair Jayne is the queen of slow burn, always making the push/pull of a blossoming romance feel realistic.

No spoilers from me but I will say this... A handsome adrenaline junkie with secrets searching for answers-check! A beautiful, determined rodeo princess seeking forgiveness and redemption-check! A serendipitous meeting-check! A double Christmas Eve wedding-check! Secrets, family drama, angst, heartbreak, humor, and a wonderful cast of characters-check! An unexpected love that will unite two lost, lonely souls, and maybe even a Christmas miracle-you bet! That and a whole lot more!

So, did like this book? Yes, but again, not my favorite! Would I recommend it? Probably, but only for adult readers. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Great entertainment and an awesome read!

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Tucker McTavish. That girl does know how to find every spot of trouble along the road of life. She’s outspoken, puts herself first in all things, and really doesn’t give two… figs about anyone’s opinion. She’s lived rough and knows it – she also knows it’s time to mend fences with her twin sister, Tanner. The wedding may be uncomfortable for her, after all she’d loved Luke first…. or maybe not. Still, it’s going to be awkward no matter how well behaved she tries to be. Vowing to change her ways and stay in control for one month, she sees someone else on the lake in solitude along with her. Little did she know that stranger would have all the answers she’s ever needed.

Laird was used to living life on the edge. In life and profession he thrived on danger, challenges and risks that most sane people would walk away from. Recently the tidy world he’s made for himself has tilted sideways when he discovered that he had a twin that he never knew existed. His mother’s deathbed confession didn’t say boy or girl or name, only that he had a sibling closer than any could be and now he had to find them.

The people of Marietta cal this Miracle Lake. And Laird was in need of a few of those. Making a promise to himself and his twin, he vowed to not leave this small town until he had answers. What he wasn’t expecting to see out here was the fiery redhead who looked to be lost in her own thoughts as well.

I enjoyed Laird and Tucker’s romance. Two risk takers meet their match. Secrets will be revealed, and lives touched in unexpected ways. And one strong, stubborn, mind of her own type of girl will finally find her forever guy. I’ll admit, there’s a lot about Tucker to not like on the surface. It was interesting to see things from her viewpoint. And satisfying to find that with the right man she knows enough to stay put and build on what they have. Even if you’ve read Want Me, Cowboy and couldn’t stand the way Tucker appeared… give the girl a second chance, she deserves it.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*

[Sascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to do something that I may not have done before: I am offering a huge qualification on this review because I feel conflicted.

Let me get this tidbit out of the way: I didn’t like Tucker McTavish. I don’t care that she’s over-sexed. I don’t care that she’s mouthy. I don’t care that she wants to do the right things for the wrong reasons. What I did care about was the fact that she took herself so seriously, that she was superficial, and that she wanted to lick sweat off of a yoga mat when the guy whose sweat it was, was in the shower. I may never get that particular image out of my poor decaying mind, especially since I was eating lunch at the time.

In the romance genre, the reader really needs to like both characters. Lately I’ve read at least four books in which the “heroine” is unlikable. Is this becoming a trend?

In the past couple of days I have given Tucker a lot of thought to see if she would grow on me. She didn’t. She needed a sense of humor, especially about herself, because she just took everything, most things of her own making, way too seriously.

Laird, on the other hand, is practically ideal. He is introspective, active, good-looking, bearded (haha!), and has a quiet charm.

So, back to my qualification: why? Why am I qualifying this review? Because I wonder if my perception would have been altered if I had read the other books in the series. Maybe that’s a copout because if a book says it’s a standalone, it should. Maybe I shouldn’t believe that seeing Tucker through the prism of the other novels would alter my perception of her. And, maybe it helps just to write this down in this rambling fashion and realize that it probably wouldn’t have helped.

Tucker bad. Laird good (actually perfect).

The Christmas Challenge was well-written and I could easily read the other novels in the series since Tucker would not be the “heroine.”

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret Sholders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very active book. I have read Sinclair's book for the first story for me. Everything seems to move all over the place. She did a good job with her story lines. Tucker came home for her twin's wedding. But she just pops in and out so Tanner doesn't believe her sister. Laird was a twin born in Marietta. His mother told him just before she died that he has a twin but she didn't know if it is a girl or boy. Tucker and Laird meet at Miracle Lake. They both have problems and can't seem to fix them. There are all kinds of spoilers through this book. I would recommend this story to read. It will pull you in and make you keep tissues close by! I enjoyed this book. I hope you will too. Read this so you can see how it ends. Enjoy! I volunteered to read and review this book.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tucker is the adventurous twin. Her choices have been risky and shock worthy to many but the thrill of the unknown for her outweighed the people she hurt. Now older and wiser from the life experience under her belt, the adrenaline rush of excitement has become the reflective voice of regret. The Christmas Challenge had it's share of growing pains, but it also learned from them. That is the takeaway from Tucker and Laird's journey. It takes more strength to face down fears than it does to run away from the pain of regret. To forgive and be forgiven was the ultimate reward in this story of redemption.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Tucker was awful. Not because she was sexually active, like she insinuates is why people don't like her, but because she was hateful and selfish and just a disgusting human. Why her sister wants her around is beyond me because I couldn't stand her for more than a couple of chapters. You cannot convince me that little miss selfish is going to make proper amends. She's going to just expect everyone to forgive her because she's home and really, she was just living her life.

If this is your first Marietta based book, please don't judge the other books by other authors based on this one.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

I really enjoyed The Christmas Challenge by Sinclair Jayne and now that I know it's the third book in a series, I will definitely go back to read the first two. Two people, who are both at a crossroads in their lives, find one another in an unlikely place and forge a bond neither one expected. The magic of Miracle Lake, two compelling characters, and a challenge/promise/quest made this book extremely entertaining and frustrating all at the same time.

Tucker McTavish has many regrets about her life; she regrets the distance between her and her twin sister, she regrets the last six months of her life where she made some really bad choices and she regrets staying away from "home" so long. Back for the month of December and her twin's Christmas Eve wedding, Tucker has decided she is going to be "good" and not do anything to cause gossip or bring trouble for her sister. What Tucker doesn't count on is meeting the mysterious and gorgeous Laird Hunter.

Finally getting the truth about his life on his mother's death bed, Laird Hunter is Marietta to see if he can find answers to the questions about his birth. Hoping for some peace and quiet and to connect with the great outdoors Laird is quite sure what to think when he is interrupted from his night skate by a woman who intrigues him like no other.

I really loved the way these two met and how comfortable they were with each other almost from the start (Laird was a bit of a d*ck at first, but got over it quickly). It was so obvious they both needed a friend and while the attraction was pulling at them from the start, Tucker's challenge and Laird's acceptance of it made their interactions quite interesting. I loved that Tucker felt she could share everything with Laird and while he was slower to open up, it was refreshing the way they both accepted one another with no judgments of their past. This was a complex story with many players, all of whom were an integral piece of the story, but the relationship between Tucker and Laird was never lost and with each passing day it just intensified.

A hopeful, heart-warming and engaging story of family, friends, and most of all love; I was completely charmed by The Christmas Challenge.

ARC provided with no expectations.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I Anticipated

I wasn't sure how this was going to be from the beginning, but I really enjoyed this story. I liked Tucker from the beginning. She is completely no-nonsense and real. I like that she is adventurous and lives life to the fullest. I was annoyed with her twin Tanner through most of the story. I get their past made her that way, but she was mean for almost all of the book. Laird was interesting. He was mysterious then all of a sudden he just became likeable. I can't really describe it better than that. His storyline was interesting and engaging, but about midway through I kinda thought what happened was going to happen, just not completely the way I thought. Overall a good story. Would be interested in reading more about them.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first impression of Tucker was that of a spoiled. immature, self-centered brat who has very little self-control. She is always looking for excuses for her behavior with little regard for anyone else. Now that I’ve finished the book, I think she’s still spoiled, immature, and self-centered but she’s trying to get over herself. I also think that is her way of covering for all of her insecurities. Laird sees right through her to the potential she hides from most people.

The Christmas Challenge is a cute, quick, and entertaining holiday story about the magic of Miracle Lake. Or is that the magic we all hold within ourselves?

[Laura Oden · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars I don't want to be unfair I know it's a low rating and mostly has to do with the fact that I don't typically enjoy romance. I was trying this genre to see if maybe I could start to like it and because I was wanting a Christmas read. I have to say I was not a big fan of it the twist was very predictable so much so that I figured it out very early on in the book and when it finally came in the book I was not surprised at all. I also did not connect with any of the characters maybe it's just not my type of genre but I wont give up here.

[Rebecca Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and inspiring

This story was very emotional but it also was inspiring with the challenges they set. Especially Tuckers challenge, it proved strength within herself she may not of even known she had. 2 much 2 say that could give away story so i will say i truly recommend u take a day out and read this series from the start 1 after the other. I know i will be redoing this again myself.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story of coming home to find that everything has changed and there is nothing you can do to change it. Tucker is the screw up while her sister is the steady one who everyone depends on, but Tucker is determined to keep a low profile while she is home for her sister's wedding. She didn't count of meeting Laird, who is in town in the hope of finding his true family. As he falls in love with Tucker he finds the family he is missing.

[Flo Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of sadness a new fulfilling loving relationship

What an amazing story about 2 men finding out they were adopted but not who their birth mother was. Incredibly they both land up at the same place. Slowly they begin to realise that they sort of look familiar. Laird and Colt turned out not just to be brothers but twins who had he been cruelly separated at birth. Also they had found true happiness, Colt with Talon and Laird with Tucker.

[Jansen Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time liking the heroine at the beginning of this book but because I could sort of relate to her (having done some incredibly stupid things in my youth that I later regretted) I kept going. About 4 or 5 chapters in I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to checking out the rest of the series now.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

The twist and turns of two father's making their children miserable. Tucker is back for her twin Tanner's wedding. But she meets Laird while I've skating and it must be fate because they help each other with a challenge of change until Christmas Eve.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Challenge

Loved the book. Especially how it all came together in the end. The Laird and Tucker has been through so much and thought they were broken until they come together.

[Catherine Geist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good readu

This book was great as the story was fantastic & well written. Laird & Tucker made this come alive to the point that you were living it with them. It is about family finding each other & surprises along the way. Highly recommend.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Challenge

Really a great read! Tucker rocks the bad girl persona, although there is that soft side. Laird is something all his own. Both works in progress. Does not disappoint.

[Jo Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do I put this. I really don't like Tucker, I thought I'd warm to her over the book, but I didn't . I know I haven't read the last two books in the series, but they are standalones. Maybe you find out about her character in the other books. Laird on the other hand, I loved him. Great guy. Even the other characters I really liked.

[Melanie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Christmas romance

I enjoyed the romance. Both Tucker and Laird were characters I liked and could relate to. I didn’t like how most people treated Tucker. They weren’t nice to her.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, can't believe the author out did herself!

I loved the first two books, but this one was totally the best yet! Loved that he was not a cowboy and yet fit in so well with the Wilder brother's! Beautiful storyline!

[Mary Vanderheydt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner for you Sinclair Jaynne. Good 👍👍JOB AND LOVE this series. Getting next book and can't wait to read it. All books have b

Those that are front to end with having to put down until end of book. Keep your great books cominh.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story

Typical predictable story line but i enjoyed it and the writing. Probably wouldn't read the series just because I'm not into this particular set, but as an individual story, it was a good read.

[Guy's Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Determination

I really liked how Laird and Tucker helped each other accomplish their goals, even when it seemed impossible. I loved the way all the family was sticking together through thick and thin.

[Slick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not having good luck with Christmas romances this year. DNF at 19% - heroine is toxic, immature, and unlikeable. Hero barely spoke and since this was only one point of view we don't really know what's going on with him or I might have lasted longer.

[Mary Snopl · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartwarming

I absolutely loved this book from the start. Couldn’t put it down. The characters were wonderful and the storyline fantastic! One of the best holiday stories I’ve read. Highly recommend.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/19/2019)! 🎁

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Challenge (The Wilder Brothers Book 3)

The love story of Tucker and Laird. Tucker has challenge herself to stop having sex, stop drinking and stop make scenes. Can she do it? Laird has come to Marietta, Montana to find his twin but he find Tucker who will lead to his family. Will he find happiness with. Tucker? Great story.