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A Cowboy Christmas #3
Just a Little Christmas
Believe in second chances this Christmas . . .
Ellie Marsden couldn’t wait to shake the dust of Branding Iron, Texas, off her heels and chase after bright lights, big city, and a wealthy husband. Now she’s come home, divorced, a little disillusioned, and a whole lot pregnant. Leave it to her one-time high school sweetheart, cattle rancher Jubal McFarland, to point out that citified Ellie is as out of place in small-town Texas as her teacup poodle. So why is there something about being back—and being with Jubal—that feels surprisingly right?
Jubal’s eight-year-old daughter, Gracie, needs a mother, but he hasn’t found the perfect woman. Or maybe the problem is that he did find her, and had his heart broken when she left town. Gracie’s already falling hard for Ellie and that ball of fluff she calls a dog. And no matter how hard the rugged cowboy tries to resist, there’s no denying the appeal of first love and sweet new beginnings—especially when there’s a little Christmas magic in the air . . .
Ellie Marsden couldn’t wait to shake the dust of Branding Iron, Texas, off her heels and chase after bright lights, big city, and a wealthy husband. Now she’s come home, divorced, a little disillusioned, and a whole lot pregnant. Leave it to her one-time high school sweetheart, cattle rancher Jubal McFarland, to point out that citified Ellie is as out of place in small-town Texas as her teacup poodle. So why is there something about being back—and being with Jubal—that feels surprisingly right?
Jubal’s eight-year-old daughter, Gracie, needs a mother, but he hasn’t found the perfect woman. Or maybe the problem is that he did find her, and had his heart broken when she left town. Gracie’s already falling hard for Ellie and that ball of fluff she calls a dog. And no matter how hard the rugged cowboy tries to resist, there’s no denying the appeal of first love and sweet new beginnings—especially when there’s a little Christmas magic in the air . . .
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 26, 2017
921 people are currently reading
1305 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
391 books1,842 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
December 20, 2017
I realize this is not intended to be sophisticated literary fiction, but the low quality of the writing and stale plot rendered this book nearly unbearable to read. The two main characters, Jubal and Ellie, have zero chemistry. They are awkward AF and are so caught up in their respective insecurities to engage in any meaningful, much less interesting, way. The author introduces a mysterious story arc at the beginning (who really owns Jubal’s family farm?) which turns out to be no big deal at all and just a plot device to get the characters to spend more time together.
There are some major inconstancies in the character development that made me wonder if i was reading about the same person. Ellie freaks out when Gracie gets scratched by a dog and takes her to urgent care. Pregnant Ellie also believes she doesn’t need to go to the ER after she hits a deer in the middle of the night and totals he car. Makes sense. Why does Jubal repeatedly use “damn” as an adjective? Why does no one think it appropriate to wake up Clara (Ellie’s mom) when her daughter is having a baby? What is up with Krystle, the town gossip? Why is every social interaction mediated by a teacup poodle? I have so many questions. This book just needed more gravitas. More teeth.
There are some major inconstancies in the character development that made me wonder if i was reading about the same person. Ellie freaks out when Gracie gets scratched by a dog and takes her to urgent care. Pregnant Ellie also believes she doesn’t need to go to the ER after she hits a deer in the middle of the night and totals he car. Makes sense. Why does Jubal repeatedly use “damn” as an adjective? Why does no one think it appropriate to wake up Clara (Ellie’s mom) when her daughter is having a baby? What is up with Krystle, the town gossip? Why is every social interaction mediated by a teacup poodle? I have so many questions. This book just needed more gravitas. More teeth.
December 25, 2017
Ellie Marsden and Jubal McFarland had been in love once. But Ellie had no intention of staying in the small town of Branding Iron. She wanted to experience city life so she left, breaking Jubal's heart in the process. Unfortunately, things didn't work out like she expected. Now she's home, living with her mother, and very pregnant. It's difficult seeing Jubal again, especially since she's divorced and with child, but his young daughter, Gracie, is a jewel who takes to Ellie right away. The two of them fight their attraction to one another but come to realize they were meant to be together all along.
Good second chance romance. Really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend!
Good second chance romance. Really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend!
October 11, 2017
Ellie couldn't get out of Branding Iron, Texas, fast enough. Ten years later, she's back in her hometown, divorced and pregnant and a little embarassed about her failure.
Jubal lost his wife and the baby she was carrying in a car accident four years ago. Single dad of a sweet and wise for her years daughter, he's struggling to save their ranch, thanks to his late father's mismanagement.
Ellie and Jubal used to date. But before getting out of Branding Iron, she turned down his marriage proposal because she didn't want to be a rancher's wife and yearned for something more glorious. Now, she can't help wondering what if she had say yes... Jubal is a proud man and more serious and curt than before. He did not complety forgave her for breaking his heart and he's certainly not ready to give her an another chance. Anyway, he have enough on his plate with trying to reclaim his family land and he value his daughter's happiness above all. Ellie have other things on her mind too. She wants her baby but with only a couple of weeks left, she's full of doubts and apprehension. There's no time for them to rush things or create confusion with sex. But feelings are present all the same.
It's not indicated, but this book is a third in a series. I haven't read the previous one and it's my first time reading something by this author, so it was a pleasant surprise for me. I really liked how the romance evolved. It was not instant chemistry nor was it too heavy with resentment because of the past. It was great to see how serious they were about it. Now, let me tell you about the hero. What a remarkable great guy he was ! Not only is he hard-working and resilient, but he was such a good father, always thinking of Gracie's well-being first and always wanting and trying so hard to make her happy. Ellie is a good person too, it's just that she didn't realize before what's really important in life. But it was sweet to see her learn to appreciated the simple things and become aware of how lucky she was and how precious her mother's love are. Like the heroine, I found it charming that Jubal still had the same truck that when they were teenagers.
I have to warn you, because I know it's a pet peeves for a lot of people, but Ellie didn't intended to tell her ex she's pregnant. It didn't spoil the book for me and probably I found it less upsettting because the father of the baby is not the hero but it's still something that bother me. In fact, I thought the out of nowhere revelation of her ex's abuse felt like a poor excuse added to justify her decision. And it always rankle me when bad guys doesn't pay for their wrongdoing.
But my favorite part of this book is without a doubt Beau the adorable and protective little Poodle :)
"He hasn't bitten anybody yet. But he takes his job of guarding me very seriously, especially when it comes to men. Beau may be little, but he's got the heart of a Rottweiler."
I'm certainly gonna watch for the other books in this series.
Jubal lost his wife and the baby she was carrying in a car accident four years ago. Single dad of a sweet and wise for her years daughter, he's struggling to save their ranch, thanks to his late father's mismanagement.
Ellie and Jubal used to date. But before getting out of Branding Iron, she turned down his marriage proposal because she didn't want to be a rancher's wife and yearned for something more glorious. Now, she can't help wondering what if she had say yes... Jubal is a proud man and more serious and curt than before. He did not complety forgave her for breaking his heart and he's certainly not ready to give her an another chance. Anyway, he have enough on his plate with trying to reclaim his family land and he value his daughter's happiness above all. Ellie have other things on her mind too. She wants her baby but with only a couple of weeks left, she's full of doubts and apprehension. There's no time for them to rush things or create confusion with sex. But feelings are present all the same.
It's not indicated, but this book is a third in a series. I haven't read the previous one and it's my first time reading something by this author, so it was a pleasant surprise for me. I really liked how the romance evolved. It was not instant chemistry nor was it too heavy with resentment because of the past. It was great to see how serious they were about it. Now, let me tell you about the hero. What a remarkable great guy he was ! Not only is he hard-working and resilient, but he was such a good father, always thinking of Gracie's well-being first and always wanting and trying so hard to make her happy. Ellie is a good person too, it's just that she didn't realize before what's really important in life. But it was sweet to see her learn to appreciated the simple things and become aware of how lucky she was and how precious her mother's love are. Like the heroine, I found it charming that Jubal still had the same truck that when they were teenagers.
I have to warn you, because I know it's a pet peeves for a lot of people, but Ellie didn't intended to tell her ex she's pregnant. It didn't spoil the book for me and probably I found it less upsettting because the father of the baby is not the hero but it's still something that bother me. In fact, I thought the out of nowhere revelation of her ex's abuse felt like a poor excuse added to justify her decision. And it always rankle me when bad guys doesn't pay for their wrongdoing.
But my favorite part of this book is without a doubt Beau the adorable and protective little Poodle :)
"He hasn't bitten anybody yet. But he takes his job of guarding me very seriously, especially when it comes to men. Beau may be little, but he's got the heart of a Rottweiler."
I'm certainly gonna watch for the other books in this series.
November 30, 2019
What an amzing reading experience. The characters are real with flaws. The plot is believable and fulfilling.
I loved the hero's little girl. The author wrote her part age appropriate. She seems like a typical 8 year old who has some deep seated grief from the loss of her mother, and a desire to have a new mother who will love and care for her.
Ellie is scared. She's afraid she won't be a good mother that she doesn't know how, yet she's wonderful the hero's daughter.
The hero has lots going on, and is so frustrated and worried. I throughly enjoyed this emotionally-charged romance.
There's so much more to this book than the romance, even thourgh the romantic aspects of this book are perfect. Happy reading/listening!
I loved the hero's little girl. The author wrote her part age appropriate. She seems like a typical 8 year old who has some deep seated grief from the loss of her mother, and a desire to have a new mother who will love and care for her.
Ellie is scared. She's afraid she won't be a good mother that she doesn't know how, yet she's wonderful the hero's daughter.
The hero has lots going on, and is so frustrated and worried. I throughly enjoyed this emotionally-charged romance.
There's so much more to this book than the romance, even thourgh the romantic aspects of this book are perfect. Happy reading/listening!
December 1, 2020
I listened to this book on audio - and really enjoyed it!
This is a great story about family, and reconnecting with old friends.
This is a great story about family, and reconnecting with old friends.
October 25, 2017
ARC REVIEW
Just a Little Christmas by Janet Dailey is book three of her Cowboy Christmas series.You know that old adage, once burned twice shy? That pretty much sums up the romance in this book. Ellie and Jubal fell in love in high school but Ellie's aspiration for getting out of their tiny town broke them up. She left for college and vowed never to come back. Jubal was heart broken all he ever wanted was his family's ranch he knew his love for her wasn't strong enough to keep her from her dreams. Ellie was working on her dream when she put it on hold for a man she met and fell for, they married and now after that disastrous marriage Ellie is back home and very pregnant. Jubal moved on as well unfortunately his wife died and left him to raise their little girl, Gracie, on his own. Jubal was so caught up in his grief and his daughter to notice his father running the ranch into the ground and now he has to find some way to come up with the money or lose the ranch.
Even with the attraction still simmering between them Jubal is scared that she Ellie will leave again or that her ex will come back and claim his family. Ellie is worried that Jubal won't give her another chance after the way she broke his heart the first time. They try to keep their distance but between Gracie and the little tea-cup poodle, Beau, falling in love all over again was inevitable. Gracie latches on to Beau and in turn Ellie and as much as she tries Ellie falls for the charming little girl right back. Jubal is a strong stubborn man who likes to handle his problems on his own but he knows needs Ellie, and even if he doesn't take her advice he still needs her input and understanding and together they deal with the issue and know that they can handle what ever else may come.
Overall, this was really sweet. I've never read Janet Dailey before and this made quite the impression on me so it definitely won't be the last. She has the right amount of romance, heartache, humour and mystery to keep me hooked and wanting more.
Just a Little Christmas by Janet Dailey is book three of her Cowboy Christmas series.You know that old adage, once burned twice shy? That pretty much sums up the romance in this book. Ellie and Jubal fell in love in high school but Ellie's aspiration for getting out of their tiny town broke them up. She left for college and vowed never to come back. Jubal was heart broken all he ever wanted was his family's ranch he knew his love for her wasn't strong enough to keep her from her dreams. Ellie was working on her dream when she put it on hold for a man she met and fell for, they married and now after that disastrous marriage Ellie is back home and very pregnant. Jubal moved on as well unfortunately his wife died and left him to raise their little girl, Gracie, on his own. Jubal was so caught up in his grief and his daughter to notice his father running the ranch into the ground and now he has to find some way to come up with the money or lose the ranch.
Even with the attraction still simmering between them Jubal is scared that she Ellie will leave again or that her ex will come back and claim his family. Ellie is worried that Jubal won't give her another chance after the way she broke his heart the first time. They try to keep their distance but between Gracie and the little tea-cup poodle, Beau, falling in love all over again was inevitable. Gracie latches on to Beau and in turn Ellie and as much as she tries Ellie falls for the charming little girl right back. Jubal is a strong stubborn man who likes to handle his problems on his own but he knows needs Ellie, and even if he doesn't take her advice he still needs her input and understanding and together they deal with the issue and know that they can handle what ever else may come.
Overall, this was really sweet. I've never read Janet Dailey before and this made quite the impression on me so it definitely won't be the last. She has the right amount of romance, heartache, humour and mystery to keep me hooked and wanting more.
October 17, 2017
Ellie Marsden and Jubal McFarland had been high school sweethearts. But, Ellie had big plans to go leave for college and not come back to live. Jubal had grown up on a farmer and planned to farm for the rest of his life. Jubal had proposed to Ellie before she left and asked her to come back but even though she loved Jubal, she didn't want to be a farmer's wife so she had gone to the big city and married a hotshot lawyer, Brent.
Now, Ellie had returned to her small hometown in Branding Iron, Texas. She was divorced and pregnant with her ex-husband's child; one he knew nothing about. Her plans were to have her baby, get her life back on track and leave town for good again. She had never wanted to settle in Branding Iron.
Jubal had married Laura after Ellie left town and they had been able to have a good marriage. They had a beautiful daughter, Gracie. But Laura had been killed in a car accident five years earlier, along with their unborn child. Now, Jubal was a single father raising a young daughter and trying to save his family farm. He wasn't looking to get married again. He realized that even though he had loved Laura, he had never loved her like he has loved Ellie, but Ellie had broken his heart when she left town. Now she was back and Jubal wasn't open to starting anything with her, even though his heart raced when she was around. She was determined to leave town again and he did not want to go through the heartache of that again. But, could things possible be different between them? Could he convince Ellie to stay and make a life with him?
I really enjoyed reading this book. This was clean romance with no descriptive sex scenes. The book was well written and the story was a beautiful story of the power of love and forgiveness and trust. The fact that no matter where you live, if there is love, then you are home.
I was given an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now, Ellie had returned to her small hometown in Branding Iron, Texas. She was divorced and pregnant with her ex-husband's child; one he knew nothing about. Her plans were to have her baby, get her life back on track and leave town for good again. She had never wanted to settle in Branding Iron.
Jubal had married Laura after Ellie left town and they had been able to have a good marriage. They had a beautiful daughter, Gracie. But Laura had been killed in a car accident five years earlier, along with their unborn child. Now, Jubal was a single father raising a young daughter and trying to save his family farm. He wasn't looking to get married again. He realized that even though he had loved Laura, he had never loved her like he has loved Ellie, but Ellie had broken his heart when she left town. Now she was back and Jubal wasn't open to starting anything with her, even though his heart raced when she was around. She was determined to leave town again and he did not want to go through the heartache of that again. But, could things possible be different between them? Could he convince Ellie to stay and make a life with him?
I really enjoyed reading this book. This was clean romance with no descriptive sex scenes. The book was well written and the story was a beautiful story of the power of love and forgiveness and trust. The fact that no matter where you live, if there is love, then you are home.
I was given an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2021
Ellie Marsden returns home to Branding Iron, Texas, late one chilly November day after a ten year absence. Leaving behind the big city she once craved and a failed law career (she quit law school and married Brent). She’s home, divorced and in her last trimester of pregnancy….six weeks shy of her delivery.
She’d left after high school,vowing to never return except for brief visits to her mother. But now, ten years later, the small town had become her refuge.
For a long time she was in denial about Brent’s cheating and his explosive temper. She’d fought to save her marriage, telling herself that with time and patience she could change him. But she should have known better. With the divorce decree almost final, he’d begged her to give him one more chance. Like a fool, she’d agreed to try. Their trial reconciliation had lasted only a couple of weeks before she’d caught him cheating with a wealthy client and she’d left him for good.
Brent had always used protection, he’d never wanted children. Now he was married to one of his wealthy law clients, blissfully unaware that he was about to become a father.
She remembered the night of her high school graduation—the night Jubal had proposed. He’d been her date for the senior party, and afterward they’d driven out to one of their favorite spots, a wooded rise overlooking the moonlit sweep of the open plain. She’d already been admitted to the University of Texas and planned to leave for Austin that summer to find a job and, hopefully, an apartment with roommates before school started in the fall. It was an option Jubal didn’t have. His only choice was to stay in Branding Iron and help his father work the ranch.
They’d snuggled and kissed. Then, to her surprise, he’d taken a small velvet box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond engagement ring. The stone was tiny, but Ellie had known it had probably drained his meager savings to buy it. She’d been moved almost to tears, but even before he spoke, she’d known what her answer would be.
“Say you’ll wear this and come back to me, Ellie, I know you want an education, but for however long it takes, I’ll be waiting for you. There’ll never be anyone else for me.”
She had loved Jubal with all the passion of her young heart. She just hadn’t loved him enough to spend the rest of her life in Branding Iron. She’d made that decision once. Given a second chance, she would make the same choice again.
What if she’d said yes? How did they get there—him widowed, her divorced and pregnant, both of them so unhappy? What if she’d said yes? Where would they be if she’d promised to return?
Jubal had spent almost three years repaying his father’s financial mismanagement. A few weeks ago, he had finally paid off what he’d thought was the last of his father’s creditors. With high hopes and a detailed business plan, he had gone to the local bank and applied for a loan. Researching—looking into the legal background—they discovered that he doesn’t own the land the ranch sits on, it was transferred four years ago, before his father died. That was when the bottom had dropped out of Jubal’s world.
What had compelled his father to transfer the land? Who owned it now, and why had he been allowed to keep running the ranch as if nothing had happened?
It was time he and Ellie had a talk. If they could come to some kind of understanding, maybe things would be less awkward between them. There were bound to be encounters—especially since Gracie was so keen on her dog.
Joining Jubal and Gracie for an impromptu dinner, she realises that although she’d attended many lavish dinners in San Francisco, she’d never felt more like an honoured guest than she did with Jubal and his daughter Gracie.
It was almost like being family. This was what she’d run away from, far and fast, when she’d left Branding Iron ten years ago, for a different life.
Jubal had always been a loner. He’d loved Laura, but theirs had been a practical kind of love, steady and solid. After losing her, then his father, and now possibly his ranch, he seemed to have become even more reclusive. Jubal didn’t operate on sense. He operated on pride.
He found buried under his father’s bed mattress papers from a loan shark to pay for Laura’s funeral, to the tune of $5K. Because he’d failed to repay the 90-day loan, the ranch had been used as collateral. His bank manager Clive Huish and his wife were liars, cheats and swindlers, holding the deed to his ranch. The title loan, gave the lender the signed title to his ranch, for cash. Unless the loan is repaid, along with an obscene amount of interest, by the due date, they keep the title and take his ranch. His father put up the title to the ranch for a ninety-day loan at twenty percent compound interest. Then he gave Jubal the money and pretended it had never happened—hiding the contract under his mattress, so he wouldn’t know what a crazy thing he’d done to help him. Maybe he meant to pay it back and couldn’t. Or maybe he just ignored it, like he did so many debts.
A mundane story that dragged, Ellie grew up in Branding Iron, but a small town was never where she wanted to be. She left as soon as she was out of high school, and she only came back to visit her family. Her mother Clara and her brother Ben, still live in the small town. She has her BMW, her teacup poodle and she’s about to have a baby…with one foot out the door.
Jubal is the "boy" she left behind with a broken heart. His future was ranch life in a small town, whereas she craved big city living. Jubal’s life had nothing going for him, about to lose his ranch, his wife Laura died four years before whilst pregnant; his father passed away a year ago. No money, nothing to look forward to…his father made reckless and questionable financial moves in his last years. There’s no bill of sale, no clue to what happened.
Ellie had been a self-centered, wilful drama queen. If only she could go back in time. She would have been kinder and more appreciative, she would have gone out of her way to make her mother’s life happier. But it was too late to change the past. She could only look towards the future.
Pretty, practical Laura, a farm girl, with her hand-me-down clothes and calloused palms, had been the perfect wife for Jubal. Ellie was everything Laura hadn’t been—pampered, self-indulgent, and ambitious beyond the role of wife and mother. She had never loved anyone the way she loved Jubal. But he’d have to be crazy to take on a woman like her. Even if he proposed—and he seemed on the verge of it—she wouldn’t be doing him any favours by saying yes.
Brent the louse resurfaces and threatens her, her little four-legged bodyguard, Beau attacks him. Finally she confronts him with his abuse, her nurse witnesses every scathing word as she threatens to go public with the abuse, ultimately forcing him to retreat and sign over his parental rights.
She’d left after high school,vowing to never return except for brief visits to her mother. But now, ten years later, the small town had become her refuge.
For a long time she was in denial about Brent’s cheating and his explosive temper. She’d fought to save her marriage, telling herself that with time and patience she could change him. But she should have known better. With the divorce decree almost final, he’d begged her to give him one more chance. Like a fool, she’d agreed to try. Their trial reconciliation had lasted only a couple of weeks before she’d caught him cheating with a wealthy client and she’d left him for good.
Brent had always used protection, he’d never wanted children. Now he was married to one of his wealthy law clients, blissfully unaware that he was about to become a father.
She remembered the night of her high school graduation—the night Jubal had proposed. He’d been her date for the senior party, and afterward they’d driven out to one of their favorite spots, a wooded rise overlooking the moonlit sweep of the open plain. She’d already been admitted to the University of Texas and planned to leave for Austin that summer to find a job and, hopefully, an apartment with roommates before school started in the fall. It was an option Jubal didn’t have. His only choice was to stay in Branding Iron and help his father work the ranch.
They’d snuggled and kissed. Then, to her surprise, he’d taken a small velvet box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond engagement ring. The stone was tiny, but Ellie had known it had probably drained his meager savings to buy it. She’d been moved almost to tears, but even before he spoke, she’d known what her answer would be.
“Say you’ll wear this and come back to me, Ellie, I know you want an education, but for however long it takes, I’ll be waiting for you. There’ll never be anyone else for me.”
She had loved Jubal with all the passion of her young heart. She just hadn’t loved him enough to spend the rest of her life in Branding Iron. She’d made that decision once. Given a second chance, she would make the same choice again.
What if she’d said yes? How did they get there—him widowed, her divorced and pregnant, both of them so unhappy? What if she’d said yes? Where would they be if she’d promised to return?
Jubal had spent almost three years repaying his father’s financial mismanagement. A few weeks ago, he had finally paid off what he’d thought was the last of his father’s creditors. With high hopes and a detailed business plan, he had gone to the local bank and applied for a loan. Researching—looking into the legal background—they discovered that he doesn’t own the land the ranch sits on, it was transferred four years ago, before his father died. That was when the bottom had dropped out of Jubal’s world.
What had compelled his father to transfer the land? Who owned it now, and why had he been allowed to keep running the ranch as if nothing had happened?
It was time he and Ellie had a talk. If they could come to some kind of understanding, maybe things would be less awkward between them. There were bound to be encounters—especially since Gracie was so keen on her dog.
Joining Jubal and Gracie for an impromptu dinner, she realises that although she’d attended many lavish dinners in San Francisco, she’d never felt more like an honoured guest than she did with Jubal and his daughter Gracie.
It was almost like being family. This was what she’d run away from, far and fast, when she’d left Branding Iron ten years ago, for a different life.
Jubal had always been a loner. He’d loved Laura, but theirs had been a practical kind of love, steady and solid. After losing her, then his father, and now possibly his ranch, he seemed to have become even more reclusive. Jubal didn’t operate on sense. He operated on pride.
He found buried under his father’s bed mattress papers from a loan shark to pay for Laura’s funeral, to the tune of $5K. Because he’d failed to repay the 90-day loan, the ranch had been used as collateral. His bank manager Clive Huish and his wife were liars, cheats and swindlers, holding the deed to his ranch. The title loan, gave the lender the signed title to his ranch, for cash. Unless the loan is repaid, along with an obscene amount of interest, by the due date, they keep the title and take his ranch. His father put up the title to the ranch for a ninety-day loan at twenty percent compound interest. Then he gave Jubal the money and pretended it had never happened—hiding the contract under his mattress, so he wouldn’t know what a crazy thing he’d done to help him. Maybe he meant to pay it back and couldn’t. Or maybe he just ignored it, like he did so many debts.
A mundane story that dragged, Ellie grew up in Branding Iron, but a small town was never where she wanted to be. She left as soon as she was out of high school, and she only came back to visit her family. Her mother Clara and her brother Ben, still live in the small town. She has her BMW, her teacup poodle and she’s about to have a baby…with one foot out the door.
Jubal is the "boy" she left behind with a broken heart. His future was ranch life in a small town, whereas she craved big city living. Jubal’s life had nothing going for him, about to lose his ranch, his wife Laura died four years before whilst pregnant; his father passed away a year ago. No money, nothing to look forward to…his father made reckless and questionable financial moves in his last years. There’s no bill of sale, no clue to what happened.
Ellie had been a self-centered, wilful drama queen. If only she could go back in time. She would have been kinder and more appreciative, she would have gone out of her way to make her mother’s life happier. But it was too late to change the past. She could only look towards the future.
Pretty, practical Laura, a farm girl, with her hand-me-down clothes and calloused palms, had been the perfect wife for Jubal. Ellie was everything Laura hadn’t been—pampered, self-indulgent, and ambitious beyond the role of wife and mother. She had never loved anyone the way she loved Jubal. But he’d have to be crazy to take on a woman like her. Even if he proposed—and he seemed on the verge of it—she wouldn’t be doing him any favours by saying yes.
Brent the louse resurfaces and threatens her, her little four-legged bodyguard, Beau attacks him. Finally she confronts him with his abuse, her nurse witnesses every scathing word as she threatens to go public with the abuse, ultimately forcing him to retreat and sign over his parental rights.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com
3.75 Hearts This is a sweet holiday story about second chances. Ellie and Jubal were serious in high school but she wanted more than being a farm wife. He wanted to improve on his family’s land. But now it is ten years later and things are different. Can they make a go of it this time?
I enjoyed most of this book. There were a few things I didn’t like but to be honest they are not huge deals but they just didn’t sit right. Like how often Jubal leaves his 8 year old daughter alone while he runs into town. I get that she is used to being alone if he has to take care of the cows but he is still on the property. And speaking of his daughter, no eight year old speaks like Gracie does. She is a cutie though so it is ok.
While set at Christmas time there is isn’t a lot of Christmas in the story. But there is a holiday feel. I liked Ellie a lot. She is the type of woman I like to be friends with. She has grown into a good person. Jubal is sweet but not one that I would fall head over heels for.
This is a relatively short read, about 185 pages, so a good book to enjoy one snowy weekend this winter.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 Hearts This is a sweet holiday story about second chances. Ellie and Jubal were serious in high school but she wanted more than being a farm wife. He wanted to improve on his family’s land. But now it is ten years later and things are different. Can they make a go of it this time?
I enjoyed most of this book. There were a few things I didn’t like but to be honest they are not huge deals but they just didn’t sit right. Like how often Jubal leaves his 8 year old daughter alone while he runs into town. I get that she is used to being alone if he has to take care of the cows but he is still on the property. And speaking of his daughter, no eight year old speaks like Gracie does. She is a cutie though so it is ok.
While set at Christmas time there is isn’t a lot of Christmas in the story. But there is a holiday feel. I liked Ellie a lot. She is the type of woman I like to be friends with. She has grown into a good person. Jubal is sweet but not one that I would fall head over heels for.
This is a relatively short read, about 185 pages, so a good book to enjoy one snowy weekend this winter.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2017
I absolutely loved this book!!!
I’ve never read a Christmas book, no idea why but the cover of this book totally caught my attention. I had no idea that this book was in a series when I requested this book on netgalley and only realised when looking on good reads for the blurb that its the third in the series. I really enjoyed this story and the characters in the book and will be totally hunting for the first two in this series.
Ellie Marsden and Jubal get a second chance at romance and I loved reading there story. Jubal is a, single father to a eight year old, I loved how protective he was of her. Ellie and Jubal have past one where Ellie left him and broke his heart there story sucked me in from the very beginning.
Another thing I loved in this story was Ellie’s tiny toy poodle Beau, I really, really want one he was so cute and was in through the whole story with Jubal’s daughter, I just fell in love them. Jubal’s daughter acts a lot older than an eight year she was cute, smart, independent and precious.
This story is sweet, charming, cute and heart twisting a book that’s totally worth the read. I truly enjoyed the cute and romantic side of the story, a cute little girl and tiny poodle they totally stole my heart.
I’ve never read a Christmas book, no idea why but the cover of this book totally caught my attention. I had no idea that this book was in a series when I requested this book on netgalley and only realised when looking on good reads for the blurb that its the third in the series. I really enjoyed this story and the characters in the book and will be totally hunting for the first two in this series.
Ellie Marsden and Jubal get a second chance at romance and I loved reading there story. Jubal is a, single father to a eight year old, I loved how protective he was of her. Ellie and Jubal have past one where Ellie left him and broke his heart there story sucked me in from the very beginning.
Another thing I loved in this story was Ellie’s tiny toy poodle Beau, I really, really want one he was so cute and was in through the whole story with Jubal’s daughter, I just fell in love them. Jubal’s daughter acts a lot older than an eight year she was cute, smart, independent and precious.
This story is sweet, charming, cute and heart twisting a book that’s totally worth the read. I truly enjoyed the cute and romantic side of the story, a cute little girl and tiny poodle they totally stole my heart.
January 22, 2018
Ellie Marsden left the small town of Branding Iron in search of a better life. Ten years later she’s back, divorced, pregnant, and disillusioned.
Jubal once loved Ellie with every fiber of his being. She broke his heart when she turned down his marriage proposal and left him high and dry. When she returns to town, he’s once more drawn to Ellie, but it’s not just him anymore, he has an eight year old daughter to consider and the possible loss of his ranch. He can’t afford the distraction of her sweet smile.
A mischievous little dog and a cute little girl makes this the perfect holiday read!
I love Janet Dailey. If you haven’t read her Calder series, you’re missing out on a saga better than Dynasty!
I give Just a Little Christmas 4 lovely kisses- a wonderful read!
First posted on It's All About the Romance
Jubal once loved Ellie with every fiber of his being. She broke his heart when she turned down his marriage proposal and left him high and dry. When she returns to town, he’s once more drawn to Ellie, but it’s not just him anymore, he has an eight year old daughter to consider and the possible loss of his ranch. He can’t afford the distraction of her sweet smile.
A mischievous little dog and a cute little girl makes this the perfect holiday read!
I love Janet Dailey. If you haven’t read her Calder series, you’re missing out on a saga better than Dynasty!
I give Just a Little Christmas 4 lovely kisses- a wonderful read!
First posted on It's All About the Romance
September 8, 2017
A series romance with a man and a woman carrying personal baggage and dealing with family relationships and other problems. (She's way pregnant and he's hiding a mystery about his ranch and future. I found the mystery intriguing.) Can they deal with their past relationship? Ellie really did hurt him. Has she grown beyond that? Can Jubal trust her this time? She's come home to stay with her family and have her baby. Will she move on again? There are other interesting characters, including little Beau and Gracie, Jubal's daughter. The climax--and its twists--is satisfying.
November 21, 2017
Thank you NetGalley for the copy of Just a Little Christmas by Janet Dailey that I read and reviewed.
This book was a very good second chance romance. I really enjoyed Ellie and Jubal's story. This is very heart warming Christmas story. I have not read any of the others in the series but this is a true stand alone.
I thought this was great read and I am giving it five out of five stars.
This book was a very good second chance romance. I really enjoyed Ellie and Jubal's story. This is very heart warming Christmas story. I have not read any of the others in the series but this is a true stand alone.
I thought this was great read and I am giving it five out of five stars.
August 31, 2017
Nice second chance romance. Sometimes it read like it was part of a series and I missed something important. But even if it is, it can still standalone.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 21, 2017
Full Review On The Blog
www.carolineandrus.com/blog
Not bad, but not very memorable for this reader.
Standard contemporary romance with the second-chance-romance trope.
www.carolineandrus.com/blog
Not bad, but not very memorable for this reader.
Standard contemporary romance with the second-chance-romance trope.
October 9, 2017
An enjoyable Christmas novel. Ellie gets pregnant right before her divorce and decides to return to her hometown that she had vowed never to return to. She runs into an old boyfriend who is a widower with a small girl, who is about to lose his farm. She helps him out and the romance grows.
November 10, 2017
What a sweet book, I have truly loved this series. Branding Iron, Texas is certainly a festive ranching community that know no strangers. Truly a heart melting Christmas book that will lift your spirits. Perfect!!!
July 27, 2023
A sweet, sappy, Hallmark-esque Christmas romance. A second chance romance trope, the constant reminders from the two MCs of why them being together wasn't a good idea got a bit old. But the overall sweetness of the story and the cuteness of 8-year-old Gracie made up for that.
September 14, 2017
I enjoyed this book, a good holiday read. It is a second chance romance. Interesting characters, a good story line. I would recommend it.
November 10, 2017
This was actually sweet. The little dog on the cover is the catalyst for reunion, forgiveness, and love. "A whole lot of pregnant" makes an entrance before Christmas, too.
November 5, 2018
Great plot, interesting plot.
December 27, 2021
Ellie Marsden and Jubal McFarland are the main protagonists in this story. Ellie was born and raised in Branding Iron, TX. When Ellie was 20 she rejected Jubal's proposal of marriage thinking the grass was possibly greener on the other side. She subsequently moved to San Francisco where she married a wealthy, prominent attorney. That marriage was a failure, so she moved back to Branding Iron hoping Jubal's proposal of marriage ten years ago would still be on the table. He, however, a married a local girl, had a daughter and moved on. However, Jubal's wife was killed in an automobile accident four years earlier. But Ellie still has, or so she claims, to have feeling for Jubal. I found this story entirely too predictable which is why I did not enjoy it as much as Ms. Dailey's other books.
September 12, 2021
A friend loaned me a copy of Just a Little Christmas.
Jubal and Ellie were high school sweethearts until she broke his heart and left the small town of Branding Iron, Texas, just as he was ready to propose. Ten years later she returns, pregnant with her ex-husband's baby and he is a widower with an eight year old daughter and it is just before Christmas.
Trust is a big issue between Jubal and Ellie. Gracie, Jubal's daughter loves Ellie and her pet poodle Beau. Two car wrecks, a crooked swindle to take Jubal's ranch, lots of ups and downs with good intentions of family and friends and finding solutions to all the problems make Just a Little Christmas a delightful second chance romance that I loved.
Jubal and Ellie were high school sweethearts until she broke his heart and left the small town of Branding Iron, Texas, just as he was ready to propose. Ten years later she returns, pregnant with her ex-husband's baby and he is a widower with an eight year old daughter and it is just before Christmas.
Trust is a big issue between Jubal and Ellie. Gracie, Jubal's daughter loves Ellie and her pet poodle Beau. Two car wrecks, a crooked swindle to take Jubal's ranch, lots of ups and downs with good intentions of family and friends and finding solutions to all the problems make Just a Little Christmas a delightful second chance romance that I loved.
December 7, 2021
This was a really good second chance romance. There’s humor and lose and a bit of suspense and a wonderful HEA.
December 17, 2024
Perfect winter sick day read...
September 26, 2017
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
It’s no secret I don’t like reading a series from the middle. I didn’t realize this book was part of a series when I requested it from Net Galley. Once I realized my gaffe, I did some research and figured it would be okay. Thankfully, I was right. Of course, since I enjoyed this story I will be hunting down the first two of the series so I can read them. But I didn’t NEED to read them to enjoy this tale.
Janet Dailey did a wonderful job of giving the reader the depth of the feelings between Jubal and Ellie without it feeling like any sort of slight to Jubal’s late wife. It’s obvious he loved his wife and was devastated by her death. I didn’t feel as though he harbored feelings for Ellie during his marriage, or even really gave her a lot of thought. Ellie and Jubal had great love for each other as young adults. That love was put aside for other things and they went their separate ways. It was rekindled when they ended up back in each other’s lives.
It was sweet how everyone could see the love Jubal and Ellie have for each other even when they weren’t even sure of their own feelings. I fully understand Jubal’s feelings of weariness when it comes to Ellie, especially since he has a young daughter and her feelings to take into consideration. Ellie’s feelings were a bit more of a mystery to me. She had moved out of her small town and spread her wings already. She enjoyed her life to a certain extent, but it’s obvious she was always missing something. Why would she think it was still the right thing for her to move out of that small town? At least she eventually came to her senses.
This story was really touching and I got the warm-fuzzies a few times throughout. The only other story I’ve read by this author was a short story she had in the compilation Happy is the Bride. I loved that story and it got me to seek out more from her. Well, she’s 2 for 2 so far so that’s great.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
It’s no secret I don’t like reading a series from the middle. I didn’t realize this book was part of a series when I requested it from Net Galley. Once I realized my gaffe, I did some research and figured it would be okay. Thankfully, I was right. Of course, since I enjoyed this story I will be hunting down the first two of the series so I can read them. But I didn’t NEED to read them to enjoy this tale.
Janet Dailey did a wonderful job of giving the reader the depth of the feelings between Jubal and Ellie without it feeling like any sort of slight to Jubal’s late wife. It’s obvious he loved his wife and was devastated by her death. I didn’t feel as though he harbored feelings for Ellie during his marriage, or even really gave her a lot of thought. Ellie and Jubal had great love for each other as young adults. That love was put aside for other things and they went their separate ways. It was rekindled when they ended up back in each other’s lives.
It was sweet how everyone could see the love Jubal and Ellie have for each other even when they weren’t even sure of their own feelings. I fully understand Jubal’s feelings of weariness when it comes to Ellie, especially since he has a young daughter and her feelings to take into consideration. Ellie’s feelings were a bit more of a mystery to me. She had moved out of her small town and spread her wings already. She enjoyed her life to a certain extent, but it’s obvious she was always missing something. Why would she think it was still the right thing for her to move out of that small town? At least she eventually came to her senses.
This story was really touching and I got the warm-fuzzies a few times throughout. The only other story I’ve read by this author was a short story she had in the compilation Happy is the Bride. I loved that story and it got me to seek out more from her. Well, she’s 2 for 2 so far so that’s great.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
September 27, 2017
*** ARC provided by the author for an honest review ***
Divorced. Alone. Pregnant and starting over.
Your heart will melt beyond words with this second chance holiday romance by Janet Dailey. Just a Little Christmas was a delight to read and I consumed it in a day. I am sucker for second chance books and since this one was a holiday special, I loved it even more.
Ellie Marsden has become recently divorced and is very pregnant. Moving back home seems like the logical decision in the small town of Branding Iron, Texas until her eyes catch up with her old flame whom she hurt long ago. 10 years ago she ran away and Jubal, the boy she left behind for a bigger, better, and brighter future is no longer that sweet young boy... nope, he is now handsome, rugged and a cowboy at that!
Jubal, widowed now after losing his wife is left with his beautiful daughter. realizing his old sweetheart is back in town with more baggage (figuratively) than possible, can he trust her again with his heart? He's already been down the heartbreak road and it's one road he's not going down again!
Connecting with Jubal, meeting his daughter, changes things for Ellie. Whether it's the meeting of her past love, finding out his story that brings the present to light. Jubal has a similar revelation and realizes that maybe he never gave himself permission to love again. Will he finally be able to let love in again with Ellie? Ellie has a lot of decisions to make and is not sure where life will lead once her child is born.
A sweet book about forgiveness and moving forward in a time of grief. A little girl and a tiny dog that steals the show along the way. 4 beautiful heartfelt stars.
Divorced. Alone. Pregnant and starting over.
Your heart will melt beyond words with this second chance holiday romance by Janet Dailey. Just a Little Christmas was a delight to read and I consumed it in a day. I am sucker for second chance books and since this one was a holiday special, I loved it even more.
Ellie Marsden has become recently divorced and is very pregnant. Moving back home seems like the logical decision in the small town of Branding Iron, Texas until her eyes catch up with her old flame whom she hurt long ago. 10 years ago she ran away and Jubal, the boy she left behind for a bigger, better, and brighter future is no longer that sweet young boy... nope, he is now handsome, rugged and a cowboy at that!
Jubal, widowed now after losing his wife is left with his beautiful daughter. realizing his old sweetheart is back in town with more baggage (figuratively) than possible, can he trust her again with his heart? He's already been down the heartbreak road and it's one road he's not going down again!
Connecting with Jubal, meeting his daughter, changes things for Ellie. Whether it's the meeting of her past love, finding out his story that brings the present to light. Jubal has a similar revelation and realizes that maybe he never gave himself permission to love again. Will he finally be able to let love in again with Ellie? Ellie has a lot of decisions to make and is not sure where life will lead once her child is born.
A sweet book about forgiveness and moving forward in a time of grief. A little girl and a tiny dog that steals the show along the way. 4 beautiful heartfelt stars.
January 7, 2018
Ellie and Jubal were madly in love and high school sweethearts until the night of the proposal. Ellie leaves town and marries and Jubal stays in Branding Iron and does the same. Ten years later Ellie comes home after a disastrous marriage and pregnant with her ex-husbands child and intending to leave after the baby is born and return to a big city. Jubal is widowed and raising his 8 year old daughter Gracie and trying to save the family ranch. Jubal wants Ellie to keep her distance because he knows that she'll leave again and he doesn't want Gracie and himself to get hurt. After Gracie saves Beau, Ellie's teacup poodle. from co-owner of the B & B's cat. Ellie rewards her by taking her out for pizza and bringing her home to play with Beau. When she returns Gracie home, Ellie is told about Jubal's problem with the ranch. Ellie helps Jubal try to figure out how to safe his ranch. They still seem to be able to read and know each other so well after all this time but they keep fighting it their feelings. They solve the mystery of the ranch and at the Cowboy Christmas Ball Ellie's baby decides it wants to make an appearance. An unexpected visitor shows up at the hospital for a visit and a little chaos ensues. When things calm down and Jubal and Ellie want to tell each other how they feel, Gracie goes first and tells them what she wants for Christmas. Janet Dailey's annual holiday book is always a joy to read, Just a Little Christmas as all of her books are a heartwarming celebration of love no matter the time of year they're set in.
October 7, 2017
A fun read filled with second chances, un-extinguished embers, family and fun.
I'm a sucker for second chance romance and Janet Dailey does not disappoint in "Just a Little Christmas." I enjoyed seeing the spark between Ellie and Jubal rekindle. This pair has a lot to overcome. She flat out refused his marriage proposal in their teens and headed for the bright light and flurry of societal activities in the big city... several states away.
After a decade away, she's returned 9 months pregnant and divorced to live with her mom til her kid is born - after the holidays according to her due date.
Jubal had his heart shattered once and but managed to pick up the pieces, marry someone else and have another on the way before his wife and unborn child died in a car crash. Of course, he's also lost his dad in the meantime and is busting it to make a go of the ranch, pay off his dad's debts and raise his little girl.
Naturally, he doesn't want anything to do with the woman who crushed his young hopes because the farm and her hometown weren't enough for her... he wasn't enough for her.
Too bad his daughter tales a shine to her and her little dog Beau too. Then there's the situation with the ranch-someone took advantage of his dad's declining health a few years back on a high stakes loan.
As this pair is constantly thrown together, they try to fight their attraction. And you know there's one. She's huge with another man's child.
Both learn some valuable lessons about themselves, each other, family and priorities. Enjoyed their accompanying them on their journeys.
I'm a sucker for second chance romance and Janet Dailey does not disappoint in "Just a Little Christmas." I enjoyed seeing the spark between Ellie and Jubal rekindle. This pair has a lot to overcome. She flat out refused his marriage proposal in their teens and headed for the bright light and flurry of societal activities in the big city... several states away.
After a decade away, she's returned 9 months pregnant and divorced to live with her mom til her kid is born - after the holidays according to her due date.
Jubal had his heart shattered once and but managed to pick up the pieces, marry someone else and have another on the way before his wife and unborn child died in a car crash. Of course, he's also lost his dad in the meantime and is busting it to make a go of the ranch, pay off his dad's debts and raise his little girl.
Naturally, he doesn't want anything to do with the woman who crushed his young hopes because the farm and her hometown weren't enough for her... he wasn't enough for her.
Too bad his daughter tales a shine to her and her little dog Beau too. Then there's the situation with the ranch-someone took advantage of his dad's declining health a few years back on a high stakes loan.
As this pair is constantly thrown together, they try to fight their attraction. And you know there's one. She's huge with another man's child.
Both learn some valuable lessons about themselves, each other, family and priorities. Enjoyed their accompanying them on their journeys.
September 28, 2017
I really enjoy second chance romances and romantic intrigue so was thrilled when this book had both! Usually, I connect more with the woman so I was surprised that I really liked Jubal more than Ellie. When she left town and broke his heart, I know that she thought she was doing the right thing but that was just so cold and cruel.
Ellie seemed to have matured during the years away from Branding Iron but still had hang-ups about being stuck in her childhood home. I really could not see why she felt that way when she didn't have a job or friends to go back to! If she stayed, she would be surrounded by family and Jubal, and with a new baby that would be a great support system.
I loved that Jubal was so protective of his daughter and did not want her hurt when Ellie started paying attention to her. What a great dad, and how could Ellie resist this man??!!
The mystery of the ranch "theft" and Jubal's father was an added benefit to the story. This time, Jubal annoyed me a little because he could have pressed charges and yet he was too nice! I did not see how that mystery played out so it was fun to read.
I didn't realize that there were more books in this "series" as this was easy to consider this a stand alone book. I would love to read more about Ellie's family - her brother, Ben and his wife sound like a good book! I enjoyed reading this book as it was a fun, clean read with romance and intrigue thrown in.
Ellie seemed to have matured during the years away from Branding Iron but still had hang-ups about being stuck in her childhood home. I really could not see why she felt that way when she didn't have a job or friends to go back to! If she stayed, she would be surrounded by family and Jubal, and with a new baby that would be a great support system.
I loved that Jubal was so protective of his daughter and did not want her hurt when Ellie started paying attention to her. What a great dad, and how could Ellie resist this man??!!
The mystery of the ranch "theft" and Jubal's father was an added benefit to the story. This time, Jubal annoyed me a little because he could have pressed charges and yet he was too nice! I did not see how that mystery played out so it was fun to read.
I didn't realize that there were more books in this "series" as this was easy to consider this a stand alone book. I would love to read more about Ellie's family - her brother, Ben and his wife sound like a good book! I enjoyed reading this book as it was a fun, clean read with romance and intrigue thrown in.
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