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The Christmas Tree Ranch #1
My Kind of Christmas
Returning to Branding Iron, Texas, is Travis Morgan’s last resort, and the abandoned ranch he inherited isn’t much more welcoming than the prison cell where he spent the last three years doing time for a tragic accident. Completely without funds or family, Travis finds celebrating Christmas is the last thing on his mind, but there’s no escaping the holiday spirit in this close-knit little town—not with Branding Iron’s longtime Santa retiring, and sweetly stubborn Mayor Maggie Delaney determined to find a replacement. When her no-nonsense façade slips to reveal the sensual, vulnerable woman beneath it, Travis realizes Maggie just might be as lonely as he is—and that this holiday season, love could be the gift that heals them both.
234 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2018
2639 people are currently reading
2734 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
397 books1,844 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 338 reviews
October 14, 2024
Travis is a former police officer who spent three years in jail after a traffic stop that went wrong. He’s back on his family’s ranch and trying to make a fresh start, but things are stacked against him. I liked how friends and family slowly wormed their way into Travis’s life, especially the cute dog and the horses. Maggie is the town mayor and she needs someone to play Santa. Travis’s dad would be perfect, but he and Travis haven’t spoken in years and neither will mend the family feud. This was a sweet western Christmas romance that I enjoyed. 5/5 stars.
January 1, 2019
My Kind of Christmas is book one in The Christmas Tree Ranch series by Janet Dailey.
This one was meh for me… It just didn’t work. I had some issues; mainly with Maggie aka Mayor Maggie Delaney. She’s noise. She stuck her nose into anything and everything she wanted justifying it as doing her job, but it just didn’t work. Ya, their’s going to be a parade, but it doesn’t give you the right to interfere in people’s personal lives.
Travis was ok and the author explained why he acted the way he did. I could understand him and why he didn’t want to get involved. He’d already been burned a few times.
As for the romance. I didn’t feel the love. Attraction, yes, but no love. These two have only had a handful of interactions, not even a real date between them and at one point they where getting hot and heavy. They don’t knock boots, but it was going their and I was like really you two don’t know much about each other nor have you had a date. Throughout the whole book it was Maggie interfering and no date between them, so I don’t understand how they could fall in love.
I will say the secondary characters, mainly the two men who ended up at Travis ranch where interesting and I was curious about them.
As for the writing it wasn’t horrible, but I did feel that things would happen out of nowhere.
My Kind of Christmas was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Rated: 2 Stars
This one was meh for me… It just didn’t work. I had some issues; mainly with Maggie aka Mayor Maggie Delaney. She’s noise. She stuck her nose into anything and everything she wanted justifying it as doing her job, but it just didn’t work. Ya, their’s going to be a parade, but it doesn’t give you the right to interfere in people’s personal lives.
Travis was ok and the author explained why he acted the way he did. I could understand him and why he didn’t want to get involved. He’d already been burned a few times.
As for the romance. I didn’t feel the love. Attraction, yes, but no love. These two have only had a handful of interactions, not even a real date between them and at one point they where getting hot and heavy. They don’t knock boots, but it was going their and I was like really you two don’t know much about each other nor have you had a date. Throughout the whole book it was Maggie interfering and no date between them, so I don’t understand how they could fall in love.
I will say the secondary characters, mainly the two men who ended up at Travis ranch where interesting and I was curious about them.
As for the writing it wasn’t horrible, but I did feel that things would happen out of nowhere.
My Kind of Christmas was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Rated: 2 Stars
January 5, 2019
Christmas, a cowboy, and a parade, all make for a very sweet satisfying holiday read!
This is my final Christmas review, I promise! If you are a fan of Hallmark movies or Fa La La La Lifetime this is the perfect festive story for you! A small town, a hero with a dark past, and A high spirited heroine...
Maggie is the mayor of small town Branding Iron, Texas, travis just spent three years in jail for a tragic accident.... not a likely couple, but the two of them are thrown together to plan an epic Christmas parade... there is instant attraction, but both of them try to quell the fire... Maggie was a tad bit on the annoying side, she needed to stay in her own lane a little more... travis was much more likable, and I did like his bond with his buddies... The book is fairly predictable but hey it’s Christmas y’all!🤠
An uplifting holiday read with a small town vibe, recommend!
*** Big thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***
This is my final Christmas review, I promise! If you are a fan of Hallmark movies or Fa La La La Lifetime this is the perfect festive story for you! A small town, a hero with a dark past, and A high spirited heroine...
Maggie is the mayor of small town Branding Iron, Texas, travis just spent three years in jail for a tragic accident.... not a likely couple, but the two of them are thrown together to plan an epic Christmas parade... there is instant attraction, but both of them try to quell the fire... Maggie was a tad bit on the annoying side, she needed to stay in her own lane a little more... travis was much more likable, and I did like his bond with his buddies... The book is fairly predictable but hey it’s Christmas y’all!🤠
An uplifting holiday read with a small town vibe, recommend!
*** Big thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***
April 16, 2024
This is a Christmas Cowboy Romance, and this is the first book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series. I have already read the second and third book in this book series before picking up this book, and I am glad I pick this book up. I love to find out how Christmas Tree Ranch really started, and How all three of the guys ended up at Christmas Tree Ranch. I also loved really getting to know Mayor Maggie Delaney character because she has been a side character in the other books. I do not think you have to read this series in order, but it will help you to get to know the characters better. I really enjoyed this book, and I loved this series.
December 3, 2025
First read ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Second read~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Christmas re~read!😊
I remember this series being so cute and cozy!! I am excited to see what I still think of this 3 years later!
It was just as fun the second time around!! It is so cozy with a little bit of (I'll be it, kinda fast) romance and a lot of plot/storyline!!
I really, really love these characters and this town, and the freakin Ranch 😅
Our main characters fall for each other fast, BUT this book itself is pretty dang short so it has to be fast! The relationship development is seamless for how short this is, also the pacing is perfect! Especially when you are getting to know this town and it's people for a whole (idk ish) 5 book series! There is also some fun plot revealing going on too!
This is such a good Christmas book. It's a feel-good, cozy, holiday read that is super easy to follow And, won't bore you to death. and as I have already said, it is super short! Less than 300 pages! It definitely got me in the mood for Christmas, now I want to read the rest of the series or more Christmas books🥰🥰
Second read~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I remember this series being so cute and cozy!! I am excited to see what I still think of this 3 years later!
It was just as fun the second time around!! It is so cozy with a little bit of (I'll be it, kinda fast) romance and a lot of plot/storyline!!
I really, really love these characters and this town, and the freakin Ranch 😅
Our main characters fall for each other fast, BUT this book itself is pretty dang short so it has to be fast! The relationship development is seamless for how short this is, also the pacing is perfect! Especially when you are getting to know this town and it's people for a whole (idk ish) 5 book series! There is also some fun plot revealing going on too!
This is such a good Christmas book. It's a feel-good, cozy, holiday read that is super easy to follow And, won't bore you to death. and as I have already said, it is super short! Less than 300 pages! It definitely got me in the mood for Christmas, now I want to read the rest of the series or more Christmas books🥰🥰
January 29, 2020
Good holiday story. Not deep or thought provoking. A good in-between romance novel.
November 19, 2018
What a sweet, wonderful story My Kind of Christmas was. Janet Dailey wrote a wonderful, heart-warming story about second chances, family struggles and falling in love.
Travis Morgan really held my heart. He was given a bad rap but was really trying to get his life together. His upbringing wasn't the best and now he has to face his past. With the help of an old friend, he may have finally found a way to save the old, run-down family farm.
There is only one problem … he is again being accused of something he didn't do. Now, couple that with falling in love with the Mayor and still refusing to grant her her one wish, he can't help but wonder where it will all lead and when it will all end.
Mayor Maggie is one persistent woman. She has to put on the Christmas Parade but can't do it without Santa. Her only hope is Travis. He has the Sleigh so all she needs to do is find a new Santa. Unfortunately, the only one that will do it is the one person that Travis will have nothing to do with. She has to find a way to convince him that the Spirit of Christmas and the children of Branding Iron are more important than past transgressions. Besides having to get him to agree, she has to fight the feelings she's has for him … there is no room in her life for a man especially one as sexy, kind and sweet as Travis.
Unwanted advances and jealousy brings this story full circle, brings old hurts out in the open, brings the truth and reunites and unites. What could have been a disaster turns into the best thing that could happen to Travis and Maggie.
I really liked this Christmas story. As the season is growing closer and closer, you can't help but want to have the warm and fuzzy feeling that love and the holidays bring. And, that's exactly what Janet Daily brought to us. A little bit of love and a whole lot of forgiveness made this an enchanting story.
July 20, 2021
Awww there is nothing like a nice Christmas story.
This story takes place in Branding Iron a small Texas town. The townies are getting ready for Christmas and for the annual Christmas parade with Santa’s arrival on a horse drawn sleigh. This year they are missing Santa and looking for an appropriate replacement.
There is some family drama going on, a romance and of course, a bad guy trying to mess up everything.
It has been years since I read a Janet Daily novel ~ Not sure Why.
I love there characters and want to read more about them so just download next in this series.
Personal Note: This story brought back a fun Santa memory.
When my daughters were little, we lived in the Chicago suburb’s in a neighborhood full of young families. We moms got together and organized to take our little ones out for ’Breakfast with Santa’. Only we chose a farm outside of our typical hustle and bustle area. As we drove to the farm, I am sure the children thought we were driving to the North Pole as the land was covered in a blanket of fresh brilliant white snow. When we arrived at the farm, we were greeted by a horse drawn sleigh that took as to the farm house. The house was decorated in old fashion homemade Christmas decorations.
Santa, of course, arrives last in the sleigh. The food was yummy and the day was magical and unforgettable.
This story takes place in Branding Iron a small Texas town. The townies are getting ready for Christmas and for the annual Christmas parade with Santa’s arrival on a horse drawn sleigh. This year they are missing Santa and looking for an appropriate replacement.
There is some family drama going on, a romance and of course, a bad guy trying to mess up everything.
It has been years since I read a Janet Daily novel ~ Not sure Why.
I love there characters and want to read more about them so just download next in this series.
Personal Note: This story brought back a fun Santa memory.
When my daughters were little, we lived in the Chicago suburb’s in a neighborhood full of young families. We moms got together and organized to take our little ones out for ’Breakfast with Santa’. Only we chose a farm outside of our typical hustle and bustle area. As we drove to the farm, I am sure the children thought we were driving to the North Pole as the land was covered in a blanket of fresh brilliant white snow. When we arrived at the farm, we were greeted by a horse drawn sleigh that took as to the farm house. The house was decorated in old fashion homemade Christmas decorations.
Santa, of course, arrives last in the sleigh. The food was yummy and the day was magical and unforgettable.
December 9, 2020
This could have been a good Christmas story. It had all the makings of it. But around the halfway point it starts to really, REALLY, go downhill. The main female love interest begins becoming super pushy about getting the main male love interest to reconnect with his father.
She persists in this, threatening to leave him if he won't reconcile with his father because the 'negativity' is too disruptive to her.
Now, early in the book we learn that the son did jail time for accidental manslaughter, but even knowing that, the father does some crappy things.
There's just too much that goes off the rails in the last half of the book for it to still feel like a Christmas story at that point. Kind of disappointing, it felt like the book had some potential.
She persists in this, threatening to leave him if he won't reconcile with his father because the 'negativity' is too disruptive to her.
Now, early in the book we learn that the son did jail time for accidental manslaughter, but even knowing that, the father does some crappy things.
There's just too much that goes off the rails in the last half of the book for it to still feel like a Christmas story at that point. Kind of disappointing, it felt like the book had some potential.
June 29, 2018
Okay, again, sappy Christmas story...reliably out in June...Janet Dailey likes to get us in the holiday spirit early, I guess!
Maybe it is the nostalgia for my Texas years...maybe it is that I can't help myself when it comes to holiday reads...maybe it is that the fictitious town of Branding Iron provides an ideal I wish existed...or, maybe it is really the draw of the cowboy and the romance Dailey writes so well (yeah, I think this is really it...lol), but I am a sucker for this stuff!
This time, though, it wasn't over the top gratituity. The romance between Mayor Maggie and Travis Morgan is slow (in relative terms for one of these novels) and sweet. The idea of forgiveness, reunion, and minimal conflict is soul-rejuvenating. And, Christmas in the middle of summer just feels good...cozy!
Maybe it is the nostalgia for my Texas years...maybe it is that I can't help myself when it comes to holiday reads...maybe it is that the fictitious town of Branding Iron provides an ideal I wish existed...or, maybe it is really the draw of the cowboy and the romance Dailey writes so well (yeah, I think this is really it...lol), but I am a sucker for this stuff!
This time, though, it wasn't over the top gratituity. The romance between Mayor Maggie and Travis Morgan is slow (in relative terms for one of these novels) and sweet. The idea of forgiveness, reunion, and minimal conflict is soul-rejuvenating. And, Christmas in the middle of summer just feels good...cozy!
September 22, 2018
I enjoyed My Kind of Christmas. It's like having a Hallmark movie on my Kindle.
Travis is a down on his luck ex-cop who is looking to rebuild his life on the dilapidated family ranch in Branding Iron, Texas. Maggie, Branding Iron's mayor, is looking for a volunteer to replace Santa in the town's annual Christmas parade. When these two meet, sparks fly and soon Maggie wants more than Travis's help with the parade.
I really enjoyed this heartfelt holiday tale. My favorite part of this book is the camaraderie between Travis, Connor, and Rush. It gives true meaning to brotherhood.
Travis is a down on his luck ex-cop who is looking to rebuild his life on the dilapidated family ranch in Branding Iron, Texas. Maggie, Branding Iron's mayor, is looking for a volunteer to replace Santa in the town's annual Christmas parade. When these two meet, sparks fly and soon Maggie wants more than Travis's help with the parade.
I really enjoyed this heartfelt holiday tale. My favorite part of this book is the camaraderie between Travis, Connor, and Rush. It gives true meaning to brotherhood.
November 24, 2018
Travis is an excop who went to jail for 3 years and has returned to the broken down ranch he inherited. It isn't much and he knows nothing about ranching. He is given a sleigh and some horses. The mayor of the town wants to use his sleigh and talk Travis's dad into playing santa in the parade. Travis and his father don't get along at all and both refuse to help at the parade. Travis sets up a Christmas tree farm taking business from his father. The feud is mended in an a different way . Travis is falling in love with the mayor and picks up some roommates over time.
December 27, 2025
Cute story. Wanted more build up between Maggie and Travis. This is a really quick read, had I not been so busy with my own Christmas going on I would’ve gotten through this book much faster.
September 21, 2018
3.5 stars
Another light and sweet Christmas story from Janet Dailey. (Although, I can’t seem to find who writes “Janet Dailey” books since she’s been deceased for about 5 years. Or maybe they could be works she left behind?) This one is actually an offshoot of the A Cowboy Christmas series as it takes place in Branding Iron and some of the key players from that series pop their heads into this one. But you absolutely do not have to read that series to read this book.
I fell in love with Travis right away. There’s something about the grumbly cowboy hero that just gets to me. I guess it’s because I know there will be a heart of gold that will be uncovered eventually. I liked Maggie, too. It just took a little longer to love her. She comes across as a bit uptight and straight-laced at first. Not that that is a bad thing. But I definitely enjoyed her more once I saw her soft underbelly and realized that she is such a caring person.
Maggie and Travis have solid chemistry. I found it beyond sweet that, although they both seemed to want more, they were content with hugs and snuggles; neither willing to take it further until some issues were worked out. And although they didn’t sleep with each other, they still craved and missed being together.
This book seemed like a bit of an introduction of characters to me. Since Travis was on his family “ranch” himself and didn’t have much money or experience, he called in an old friend to help. Then they meet another guy who they hit it off with. I don’t want to give spoilers so I won’t say much more than that, but as much as I loved meeting everyone I could feel myself being “told” the story of the ranch instead of immersing myself in the atmosphere. Not through the whole book, but at certain times it definitely came across that way.
Overall, this is a lovely Christmas romance. It did it’s job of giving me all the emotions plus making me curious as to the other people who ended up on the ranch and seeing them eventually get their HEA.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
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Another light and sweet Christmas story from Janet Dailey. (Although, I can’t seem to find who writes “Janet Dailey” books since she’s been deceased for about 5 years. Or maybe they could be works she left behind?) This one is actually an offshoot of the A Cowboy Christmas series as it takes place in Branding Iron and some of the key players from that series pop their heads into this one. But you absolutely do not have to read that series to read this book.
I fell in love with Travis right away. There’s something about the grumbly cowboy hero that just gets to me. I guess it’s because I know there will be a heart of gold that will be uncovered eventually. I liked Maggie, too. It just took a little longer to love her. She comes across as a bit uptight and straight-laced at first. Not that that is a bad thing. But I definitely enjoyed her more once I saw her soft underbelly and realized that she is such a caring person.
Maggie and Travis have solid chemistry. I found it beyond sweet that, although they both seemed to want more, they were content with hugs and snuggles; neither willing to take it further until some issues were worked out. And although they didn’t sleep with each other, they still craved and missed being together.
This book seemed like a bit of an introduction of characters to me. Since Travis was on his family “ranch” himself and didn’t have much money or experience, he called in an old friend to help. Then they meet another guy who they hit it off with. I don’t want to give spoilers so I won’t say much more than that, but as much as I loved meeting everyone I could feel myself being “told” the story of the ranch instead of immersing myself in the atmosphere. Not through the whole book, but at certain times it definitely came across that way.
Overall, this is a lovely Christmas romance. It did it’s job of giving me all the emotions plus making me curious as to the other people who ended up on the ranch and seeing them eventually get their HEA.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
October 10, 2018
ARC REVIEW
Christmas Tree Ranch #1, This was a good getting into the Christmas spirit book. The romance was a little forced. I guess it was love at first sight because the attraction was pretty much right off the back and they didn't actually spend a lot time together get to know one another before declaring their love for each other and that just didn't work for me. I have no problem with instalove but I need something to back it up and this didn't have enough of that. The romance part of this was a miss for me everything else about this book I loved.
Travis Morgan was an Oklahoma State Trooper before a stupid misunderstanding lead to a death and he spent the last three years in prison. Branding Iron, Texas is his start over, a beaten up ranch he inherited from his mother's side is all he has, well that and his father who lives in town but their non-existent relationship doesn't count. Travis would be happy if he just stayed alone but before he knows it he's agreed to take care of two giant horses and old dog and a handcrafted wooden sleigh. Desperate in need of help now because he has no idea how to take care of horses he calls his best friend, Conner, which was excellent timing because Conner needed the work. Now the guys just need a way to earn money to keep the ranch running, the ranch has a surprise in store for them.
Meanwhile, the new mayor Maggie Delaney is trying her best to be the kind of mayor her father was before her but then the man who played Santa moves away and she has no one to replace him in the Christmas parade. The one man who would be perfect for the job won't do it because the son who hates him is in possession of the horses and sleigh. Maggie doesn't give up easy she's got a plan. For Travis the troubles are only just beginning. Overall it was a good read. I could see it as a Hallmark movie.
Christmas Tree Ranch #1, This was a good getting into the Christmas spirit book. The romance was a little forced. I guess it was love at first sight because the attraction was pretty much right off the back and they didn't actually spend a lot time together get to know one another before declaring their love for each other and that just didn't work for me. I have no problem with instalove but I need something to back it up and this didn't have enough of that. The romance part of this was a miss for me everything else about this book I loved.
Travis Morgan was an Oklahoma State Trooper before a stupid misunderstanding lead to a death and he spent the last three years in prison. Branding Iron, Texas is his start over, a beaten up ranch he inherited from his mother's side is all he has, well that and his father who lives in town but their non-existent relationship doesn't count. Travis would be happy if he just stayed alone but before he knows it he's agreed to take care of two giant horses and old dog and a handcrafted wooden sleigh. Desperate in need of help now because he has no idea how to take care of horses he calls his best friend, Conner, which was excellent timing because Conner needed the work. Now the guys just need a way to earn money to keep the ranch running, the ranch has a surprise in store for them.
Meanwhile, the new mayor Maggie Delaney is trying her best to be the kind of mayor her father was before her but then the man who played Santa moves away and she has no one to replace him in the Christmas parade. The one man who would be perfect for the job won't do it because the son who hates him is in possession of the horses and sleigh. Maggie doesn't give up easy she's got a plan. For Travis the troubles are only just beginning. Overall it was a good read. I could see it as a Hallmark movie.
September 7, 2021
My Kind of Christmas is the first novel of the series of The Christmas Tree Ranch by Janet Dailey.
Maggie Delaney is the mayor of small town, Branding Iron, Texas. Maggie is set out to find a new Santa Claus to continue the traditional Christmas parade in Branding Iron after the original Santa has to move away and can't be Santa anymore. When Maggie learns that she has to find a new Santa she runs through a list of people she has in mind but runs into mishaps along the way.
Travis is an ex- cop who was sent to prison for 3 years of killing an innocent man when Travis was covering a kidnapping case. Travis and his mom left his father when he was young because his father, Hank was always drunk and got physical with Travis's mom. When Travis returns to Branding Iron he moves into the ranch, where his best friend Conner joins him. Travis takes on two horses, a dog Bucket who I absolutely adored, the Santa outfit,and the sleigh from his neighbor who was the original Santa but has to leave for reasons to go live with his daughter.
Hank owns a Christmas tree stand when he learns that Travis and Conner are in competition with Hank to sell Christmas trees, because Travis and Conner don't have much money. Maggie tries to get Travis to be Santa Claus but he won't budge. I often found Maggie a bit nosey but she was also super sweet and wanted what's best for Branding Iron. Maggie bakes cookies to try and win Travis's heart. I found myself along for the ride on this hectic Christmas trip and instantly fell in love with this sweet story.
Maggie Delaney is the mayor of small town, Branding Iron, Texas. Maggie is set out to find a new Santa Claus to continue the traditional Christmas parade in Branding Iron after the original Santa has to move away and can't be Santa anymore. When Maggie learns that she has to find a new Santa she runs through a list of people she has in mind but runs into mishaps along the way.
Travis is an ex- cop who was sent to prison for 3 years of killing an innocent man when Travis was covering a kidnapping case. Travis and his mom left his father when he was young because his father, Hank was always drunk and got physical with Travis's mom. When Travis returns to Branding Iron he moves into the ranch, where his best friend Conner joins him. Travis takes on two horses, a dog Bucket who I absolutely adored, the Santa outfit,and the sleigh from his neighbor who was the original Santa but has to leave for reasons to go live with his daughter.
Hank owns a Christmas tree stand when he learns that Travis and Conner are in competition with Hank to sell Christmas trees, because Travis and Conner don't have much money. Maggie tries to get Travis to be Santa Claus but he won't budge. I often found Maggie a bit nosey but she was also super sweet and wanted what's best for Branding Iron. Maggie bakes cookies to try and win Travis's heart. I found myself along for the ride on this hectic Christmas trip and instantly fell in love with this sweet story.
August 19, 2018
With nowhere to go following a three year stint in prison for manslaughter, former Cop Travis Morgan has taken over a rundown farm in rural Texas he inherited from his mom. His path collides with the pretty mayor of the small town, Maggie.
This sweet romance is a heartwarming tale of acceptance & forgiveness. Maggie & Travis fall in love despite the odds. She recognizes the good man beneath the gruff exterior & he doesn't mind what the townsfolk call her bossy ways. There are the usual Christmas season dramas over who's going to play Santa in the Christmas parade & will Travis reconcile with his dad. All told with the skill one expects from a Janet Dailey story.
My Kind of Christmas is an enjoyable, somewhat predictable, clean romance.
Arc provided by Net Galley.
This sweet romance is a heartwarming tale of acceptance & forgiveness. Maggie & Travis fall in love despite the odds. She recognizes the good man beneath the gruff exterior & he doesn't mind what the townsfolk call her bossy ways. There are the usual Christmas season dramas over who's going to play Santa in the Christmas parade & will Travis reconcile with his dad. All told with the skill one expects from a Janet Dailey story.
My Kind of Christmas is an enjoyable, somewhat predictable, clean romance.
Arc provided by Net Galley.
November 20, 2018
Branding Iron
Janet Dailey brings us another great holiday story set in ranching country.
After getting out of prison Travis Morgan comes back to the only place he has to call home. An abandoned ranch from his mother's side of the family. He hasn't decided what to do with the place yet but when two men who need a new start themselves comes to live with him things start looking up.
Meeting the Mayor Maggie and feeling a connection there just adds to the story.
David's dad lives in Branding Icon but there is no love lost there so Travis steers clear.
Between getting ready for Christmas and the drama unfolding within this book will keep you turning the pages until the end. Enjoy.
Janet Dailey brings us another great holiday story set in ranching country.
After getting out of prison Travis Morgan comes back to the only place he has to call home. An abandoned ranch from his mother's side of the family. He hasn't decided what to do with the place yet but when two men who need a new start themselves comes to live with him things start looking up.
Meeting the Mayor Maggie and feeling a connection there just adds to the story.
David's dad lives in Branding Icon but there is no love lost there so Travis steers clear.
Between getting ready for Christmas and the drama unfolding within this book will keep you turning the pages until the end. Enjoy.
October 10, 2018
Plot: Romance novel maven Janet Daily delivers another tightly-plotted romance, this one seeing an ex-convict moving into his abandoned, inherited ranch in Texas and being forced to play Santa Claus by the town’s gorgeous Mayor—who has her own demons.
Holiday Cheer: High.
Verdict: Let your heart be light.
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018
Holiday Cheer: High.
Verdict: Let your heart be light.
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018
October 5, 2018
A cute, sweet romance My Kind of Christmas is an enjoyable Christmas romance. I just loved Travis, he and Maggie were well suited. The characters interaction and the overall story made for a wonderful weekend read. If you are looking for something sweet, then this is a must for you
August 31, 2018
I always enjoy Janet Dailey’s books and My Kind of Christmas was no exception. Great plot, characters and setting. I highly recommend this book.
December 10, 2019
I liked all of the characters and it is just a nice cozy.
November 14, 2024
I’ve seen more attraction between two parallel side magnets having their north sides pushed together.
In other words, there was zero attraction or tension between the couple.
Oh, I almost forgot this absolute literary gold that literally made me gasp from the sheer audacity: “anger at the idiot boy who drove away and caused me to shoot him, and the judge who let the boy’s parents push him into sending me to prison for a damned misunderstanding.”
…caused you to shoot him? A misunderstanding? He killed an innocent kid and blames him?? What?!?!?!
In other words, there was zero attraction or tension between the couple.
Oh, I almost forgot this absolute literary gold that literally made me gasp from the sheer audacity: “anger at the idiot boy who drove away and caused me to shoot him, and the judge who let the boy’s parents push him into sending me to prison for a damned misunderstanding.”
…caused you to shoot him? A misunderstanding? He killed an innocent kid and blames him?? What?!?!?!
November 11, 2024
3.5 🌟 I was expecting it to be more hallmark Christmas Romance. It had actual plot besides Romance which I enjoyed. The characters all had back stories and weren’t just there for the sake of it which was nice. It was very cute and wholesome and a quick read which I enjoyed.
December 8, 2023
What a fun Country Christmas story. It had drama, intrigue, villains and Santa. What more could you ask for?
November 26, 2024
3.5 stars
December 9, 2021
Omg the clichés! I guess it was to be expected but I wanted a Christmas read🤷🏼♀️
January 15, 2023
I enjoyed this Christmas romance very much. This novel had all the feels, likable characters, a quirky small town, and the fact that it takes place during the Christmas season, makes it even better. While there were times where this book moved a little bit slowly I didn’t mind because the ending was so beautiful and I’m really looking forward to reading the next in the series. Even though Christmas is over, it’s never over in my heart, and I want to read more Christmas right now.
December 8, 2021
Good story. A little forces at times. Good characters. Great writing.
December 19, 2019
This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to read! A Hallmark Christmas movie wannabe novel! It’s the season for sappy, things always work out, and love conquers all kind of books! Merry Christmas to all!
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