What do you think?
Rate this book
Springwater #6
A Springwater Christmas
When Jack McLaughlin drifted into Springwater, he carried little more with him than his bitter memories of the Civil War and the shattering secret of a promise betrayed in the heat of battle. Wounded soul-deep, and fearing the wrath of his own parents, Jack has hidden his identity and come to Springwater to see his mother and father from afar, even if he can't bear to face them. Taking odd jobs and keeping a low profile, Jack finds a safe haven at the town's new rooming house.
Olivia Darling had never done anything impulsive -- until she left the east and opened a boarding house in Springwater. But still an outsider at heart, and struggling to make a success of her business, Olivia finds herself turning to the other newcomer in town, the rough-hewn and embittered man she's taken in. As the Christmas season brings them together, Olivia finds in Jack's arms a passionate sweetness she never knew existed. And with the stunning revelation of Jack's true identity, all of Springwater witnesses a heartwarming reunion that will change their lives forever.
Olivia Darling had never done anything impulsive -- until she left the east and opened a boarding house in Springwater. But still an outsider at heart, and struggling to make a success of her business, Olivia finds herself turning to the other newcomer in town, the rough-hewn and embittered man she's taken in. As the Christmas season brings them together, Olivia finds in Jack's arms a passionate sweetness she never knew existed. And with the stunning revelation of Jack's true identity, all of Springwater witnesses a heartwarming reunion that will change their lives forever.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
127 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
551 books3,237 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 11, 2023
I just read each in series in order - and I enjoyed each story. The first 5 are novellas - something I don't usually pickup. All the characters were good and engaging, but the stories were too short to grow roots and take hold - I wished each story went a little deeper and lasted a little longer.
Then this more standard length novel (#6) brought them all together. It is definitely my favorite, but I will say you will enjoy it much more if you've read the first five stories beforehand.
I've been on a Linda Lael Miller kick and plowing through so many of her stories, and I look forward to every one.
Then this more standard length novel (#6) brought them all together. It is definitely my favorite, but I will say you will enjoy it much more if you've read the first five stories beforehand.
I've been on a Linda Lael Miller kick and plowing through so many of her stories, and I look forward to every one.
January 17, 2011
A Springwater Christmas will no doubt please fans of the "Springwater" series because it appears that every character (and all of their many kids) make an appearance here. I hadn't read the previous books and found these people to be nothing more than a huge distraction because they did nothing to enhance the love story. But I suppose if you're a fan you'll love seeing these people again.
The main story focuses on Olivia Darling, a grumpy spinster who spent her best years tending for an ailing aunt who thanked her by berating her and destroying her confidence. Now that the horrid aunt has finally croaked Olivia is free to live her life the way she chooses. Sure that her childbearing years are well behind her she has given up on her dreams of love and family and has instead purchased a boarding house in Springwater.
Olivia's first boarder is Jack McLaughlin, a secretive civil-war survivor looking for a quiet place to rest. These two lonely, wounded souls make an immediate connection but Jack's past haunts him and until he finds peace with himself he is unable to give his heart to Olivia.
Jack makes this often predictable book worth reading. He is a great hero who really leaps off the pages. If you have a soft spot for wounded heroes you'll probably like Jack too. Olivia, on the other hand, takes the "prickly" heroine to a whole new level and often behaves like a crabby granny rather than a thirty-two year old woman. Boo, hiss on her.
Although I wish the author had toned down the constant interruptions made by the secondary characters this was still a better than average romance because of Jack. I recommend it with caveats to readers on the lookout for a warm and sweetish Americana who can tolerate the prickly heroine better than me.
The main story focuses on Olivia Darling, a grumpy spinster who spent her best years tending for an ailing aunt who thanked her by berating her and destroying her confidence. Now that the horrid aunt has finally croaked Olivia is free to live her life the way she chooses. Sure that her childbearing years are well behind her she has given up on her dreams of love and family and has instead purchased a boarding house in Springwater.
Olivia's first boarder is Jack McLaughlin, a secretive civil-war survivor looking for a quiet place to rest. These two lonely, wounded souls make an immediate connection but Jack's past haunts him and until he finds peace with himself he is unable to give his heart to Olivia.
Jack makes this often predictable book worth reading. He is a great hero who really leaps off the pages. If you have a soft spot for wounded heroes you'll probably like Jack too. Olivia, on the other hand, takes the "prickly" heroine to a whole new level and often behaves like a crabby granny rather than a thirty-two year old woman. Boo, hiss on her.
Although I wish the author had toned down the constant interruptions made by the secondary characters this was still a better than average romance because of Jack. I recommend it with caveats to readers on the lookout for a warm and sweetish Americana who can tolerate the prickly heroine better than me.
August 20, 2014
`I gave this an extra star because it was a sweet story that made me feel emotional. The story had the hero having some real emotional baggage from losing his twin brother in the civil war. I liked how the story moved and how the back story was interwoven so I was interested to keep reading. At the end the main characters had changed and grown and it reminded me why I like this author.
August 20, 2016
I forget how well, Linda Lael Miller's stories are until I read a new one. This is a gem. The plot is the personal struggles of the characters. The characters are people one would welcome as friends. Highly recommended.
December 15, 2022
5 stars
A Springwater Christmas is lush, descriptive storytelling at its best. Sure, it's a mass market western historical romance, but Linda Lael Miller's talent seems to transcend such parochial grenre descriptors. Her characters are rich and multi-faceted, and the world she has created is nothing short of cinematic. She has a very particular voice, flourishing just on the edge of grandiloquence, but it suits her classical style. Moreover, her characters thoughts, beliefs and actions seem quite appropriate and believable to the time period in which they live.
That said, it's still a mass market romance novel and I would be remiss not mention the obligatory love scene at the end. Consider this a content warning of sorts. It's not vulgar, but it is plenty elaborate and carries on for a few pages... Some readers may want to proceed with caution. Otherwise, it is a truly wonderful story filled with love and hope.
A Springwater Christmas is lush, descriptive storytelling at its best. Sure, it's a mass market western historical romance, but Linda Lael Miller's talent seems to transcend such parochial grenre descriptors. Her characters are rich and multi-faceted, and the world she has created is nothing short of cinematic. She has a very particular voice, flourishing just on the edge of grandiloquence, but it suits her classical style. Moreover, her characters thoughts, beliefs and actions seem quite appropriate and believable to the time period in which they live.
That said, it's still a mass market romance novel and I would be remiss not mention the obligatory love scene at the end. Consider this a content warning of sorts. It's not vulgar, but it is plenty elaborate and carries on for a few pages... Some readers may want to proceed with caution. Otherwise, it is a truly wonderful story filled with love and hope.
December 4, 2020
This is a fun book to read. Its an easy read for those looking for a light read, this is the book for you.
You fall in love with the characters and the old historical town of Springwater. This story weaves in an out of the civil war and 15 years later. This book does follow after the Springwater series but can be read without reading the series. Warning Linda Lael Miller most often has a steamy scene or two in her books. This particular book has it in the epilogue after the first page so be aware...a bit to descriptive for me but an easy skip and you miss nothing from the rest of the story. Enjoy!
You fall in love with the characters and the old historical town of Springwater. This story weaves in an out of the civil war and 15 years later. This book does follow after the Springwater series but can be read without reading the series. Warning Linda Lael Miller most often has a steamy scene or two in her books. This particular book has it in the epilogue after the first page so be aware...a bit to descriptive for me but an easy skip and you miss nothing from the rest of the story. Enjoy!
December 21, 2025
Engaging story and characters which I listened to on audio. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for the ‘affected’ tone of the narration used for some of the female characters, in particular the female protagonist, Olivia. I’m generally glad when I choose audio over another format for the depth and nuance narration can provide but in this case, in my opinion, it made a 5 star book a 4 star review. I am curious about other books by this author however I’ll stay away from audio if they’re read by the same actress.
September 22, 2022
Good book by Linda
Olivia Darling is running a boarding house. She is barely keeping it going.
Jack McLaughlin comes to Springwater and pays for a room.
He is not who he says he is.
They become friends and slowly a relationship.
Olivia takes in Jamie, a girl who has no one.
She finds out that Jack is Wes McCaffery.
Eventually, love wins out. They both find a love neither one expected to come their way,
I like Linda's books.
Olivia Darling is running a boarding house. She is barely keeping it going.
Jack McLaughlin comes to Springwater and pays for a room.
He is not who he says he is.
They become friends and slowly a relationship.
Olivia takes in Jamie, a girl who has no one.
She finds out that Jack is Wes McCaffery.
Eventually, love wins out. They both find a love neither one expected to come their way,
I like Linda's books.
December 20, 2021
A Spring water Christmas
I totally enjoyed this book as I always do with anything written by Linda Label Miller. She is one of my favorite authors and I'm never disappointed in one of her books. Loved the ending but I wish she had revealed the new babies gender. Can't t wait to read her next book!!!
I totally enjoyed this book as I always do with anything written by Linda Label Miller. She is one of my favorite authors and I'm never disappointed in one of her books. Loved the ending but I wish she had revealed the new babies gender. Can't t wait to read her next book!!!
December 29, 2020
Olivia is a spinster running a boarding house. Then The mysterious Jack takes a room and she loses her heart- the little Jamie, a starving waif is caught stealing her hen and a family is born. Heartwarming and filled with a few surprises as well!
October 2, 2024
After I read Spring Water(#1) I also had this book in a found stack of old books. So I also read this one. It was also in the same Montana setting with some of the same characters and the Stage Coach Inn in the small town. Enjoyed it, romance and the west.
January 22, 2018
It is a an okay book. Not as romantic as her other novels. Very predictable novel.
October 29, 2018
I loved this book! Full of surprises too.
August 3, 2020
What an emotional story! The best of the Springwater series for many reasons especially because of all the time bringing back the characters from the previous stories.
library
July 30, 20215
January 3, 2022
Empty broken lives are renewed!
A beautiful spinster falls in love with a broken Civil War veteran and a rambunctious, unloved girl and lives are changed forever!!
A beautiful spinster falls in love with a broken Civil War veteran and a rambunctious, unloved girl and lives are changed forever!!
October 22, 2023
An older book
This was one of her earlier books. I enjoy any book by this author, but her newer books are better.
This was one of her earlier books. I enjoy any book by this author, but her newer books are better.
December 28, 2024
Written in the style of historical period fiction. It has some spots that could have been sped up... but it was a good story.
January 30, 2025
Wonderful story
A man on the run from his own tortured past runs into a future that brings healing and heart to a whole town.
A man on the run from his own tortured past runs into a future that brings healing and heart to a whole town.
March 19, 2025
Maybe the best book of this series
December 23, 2025
Great book. Audio narration was five star too!
February 4, 2008
received as part of a spiral.
This was the last and I enjoyed this longer story, just like the first in the spiral, much better than the short ones. At last the author had time and space to develop her characters, but more especially, to unfold the plot within a plausible timeframe. I found the book moving and was surprised by the final revelation... found I had to adjust, as presumably all the other characters did (not wanting to spoil anything here).
I had fun reading this series.
This was the last and I enjoyed this longer story, just like the first in the spiral, much better than the short ones. At last the author had time and space to develop her characters, but more especially, to unfold the plot within a plausible timeframe. I found the book moving and was surprised by the final revelation... found I had to adjust, as presumably all the other characters did (not wanting to spoil anything here).
I had fun reading this series.
April 10, 2010
The characters in this book, unlike most historical romances, have some unpleasant mileage behind them. It's a nice change to read a historical romance where the heroine is over 30. I like that Miller does not isolate their relationship from their connections to the community.
May 6, 2013
Wow I really need to read the rest of Linda Lael Millers books that I have sitting in my TBR - this was a great book - kept me reading from start to finish in the wee hours this morning - I laughed - I cried & was shocked by the twist the story takes. Well worth the non stop yawning today.
August 29, 2008
I love all of the Springwater books! They have become my favorite because I love each of the storeis and the characters!! They are all just truly great love stories!!
Read
January 24, 2009it was ok
March 26, 2010
This book is pretty amazing and I recommend it to anyone who loved the Springwater series. It was a great way to tie everything up. Now next is Springwater Wedding!
July 20, 2024
I have read this series many times. I love that June Bug and Jacob are featured in this one.
May 20, 2012
Another great installment of the springwater series and it was as wonderful as all the previous books. I love this series, the town of Springwater and the people.
July 25, 2011
This book is pretty amazing and I recommend it to anyone who loved the Springwater series. It was a great way to tie everything up. Now next is Springwater Wedding!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews