What do you think?
Rate this book
Oak Grove #5.5
A Western Christmas Homecoming: An Anthology
Three festive romances
Christmas in the Wild West!
In Christmas Day Wedding Bells by Lynna Banning, buttoned-up librarian Alice is swept away by US marshal Rand Logan on a new adventure.
Then, Welles is Snowbound in Big Springs in this novella by Lauri Robinson, where he must confront Sophie and their undeclared feelings…
Finally, rugged outlaw Russ rescues Abigail from spending the festive season alone in Christmas with the Outlaw by Kathryn Albright!
Christmas in the Wild West!
In Christmas Day Wedding Bells by Lynna Banning, buttoned-up librarian Alice is swept away by US marshal Rand Logan on a new adventure.
Then, Welles is Snowbound in Big Springs in this novella by Lauri Robinson, where he must confront Sophie and their undeclared feelings…
Finally, rugged outlaw Russ rescues Abigail from spending the festive season alone in Christmas with the Outlaw by Kathryn Albright!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 18, 2018
15 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Lynna Banning
77 books83 followersI was born in Oregon and raised in northern California. While growing up I listened to my grandparents' and my mother's stories about life on the ranch they owned in Douglas County, some miles east of Roseburg.
Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.
A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.
I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.
Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.
A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.
I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 4, 2018
Wedding Bells: Librarian Alice gets swept up helping a marshal find out who murdered her sister; romance ensues. Funny and light hearted despite the plot, though I didn't get much of a historical vibe from the characters as much as the setting.
Big Springs: Welles is frustrated to be stuck in his old town with his old flame that he's been trying hard to forget. Romance ensues. I think I was supposed to know these characters, and I didn't, so it was hard to be engaged. I liked Annie and Isaac.
Outlaw: Abigail is happy being a newspaperwoman, and then her brother's old best friend shows up half dead with warrants out for his arrest. Romance ensues. Again, I think I was supposed to know this town and these characters, and since I didn't, it fell a little flat.
Big Springs: Welles is frustrated to be stuck in his old town with his old flame that he's been trying hard to forget. Romance ensues. I think I was supposed to know these characters, and I didn't, so it was hard to be engaged. I liked Annie and Isaac.
Outlaw: Abigail is happy being a newspaperwoman, and then her brother's old best friend shows up half dead with warrants out for his arrest. Romance ensues. Again, I think I was supposed to know this town and these characters, and since I didn't, it fell a little flat.
October 22, 2018
I really enjoyed reading these three short stories by three really good authors. I like reading Christmas stories year around and these were no exception. The stories they picked to put into the book were all so interesting after I read one I couldn't wait to go to the next one. Lynna Banning,Lauri Robinson and Kathryn Albright put together a book that you will really enjoy this season!
October 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this collection of short - Christmas holiday romances from Harlequin.
The stories were unique, featuring a variety of delightful characters and settings. There is nothing quite as special as falling in love, especially during the holiday season :D
The stories were unique, featuring a variety of delightful characters and settings. There is nothing quite as special as falling in love, especially during the holiday season :D
October 7, 2018
Ready for Christmas
Three enchanting stories full of love and good cheer. These will fill your heart with the Christmas spirit. Highly recommended.
Three enchanting stories full of love and good cheer. These will fill your heart with the Christmas spirit. Highly recommended.
October 2, 2018
THREE HISTORICAL STORIES THAT REVOLVE AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME
In Christmas Day Wedding Bells by Lynna Banning
THE LIBRARIAN AND THE U.S. MARSHALL
U.S. Marshall, Rand Logan will have the unpleasant duty of informing Alice Montgomery that her baby sister, Mrs. Dottie Coleman is deceased. But even worse, she was murdered, and for three weeks, nothing has been solved in the town of Silver City, Idaho. With the Marshalls and Pinkertons, it is decided that if Alice agrees to go in undercover, she may be able to get miners to share information that will help solve this crime.
“This girl was no ordinary librarian. In fact, he was beginning to realize that Alice Montgomery was not ordinary in any way.”
How can a librarian get miners to talk? Change her name, and occupation to saloon girl and put on a sequins red dress and become Lolly Maguire. What a lonely miner is willing to tell for a little attention and a dance.
“And it makes me wonder who I am. I mean who I really am inside. Am I a librarian who is play-acting at being a seductive siren? Or am I a siren play-acting as a librarian?”
While the crime is solved and those responsible are arrested, the loss is painful for Alice to know that her sister Dottie is never coming back. And what about the feelings that Rand and Alice have for each other? He is a U.S. Marshall and duty calls, she is the librarian in Smoke River. Will they find their happily ever after ending or is this truly goodbye?
Snowbound in Big Springs by Lauri Robinson
MY BLUFF WAS CALLED
Caught and stranded in a blizzard will have Big Springs native walking the tracks for miles to the town to get help for the other stranded passengers on the train. He will stumble in the livery and home of his grandfathers, a place he has been for nearly five years. What a shock to see Sophie, the girl of his dreams and one of the reasons he has stayed away.
The story will bring up what kept Welles away when he left to go on a horse buying trip and never returned. He has lived with guilt, and over the years has sent home money to her grandfather. He is taking a gamble by stopping in on his way to Denver for a Christmas day poker game. His visit is met with mixed emotions by both Chester and Sophie.
“Never trust a gambler. They’ll trick the love out of your heart as quickly as they do money out of another man’s pockets.”
Chester isn’t happy that Welles plans on leaving again for another poker game. Sophie is disappointed in him and can’t believe she has spent five years in love with a man who gambles for a living. She has been the one who has cared for Chester, and that doesn’t look like it is going to change.
“When are you going to learn that sometimes we have to play the hand that we’ve been dealt?”
Chester and Sophie have taken care of each other for nearly five years. When her mother died, he took her in, gave her a home, and she has helped with the house and livery. Welles being home leaves to mixed emotions—will he return, and then what will happen to her?
“We can do anything, go anywhere, be anything you want to be, Sophie. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. All you have to do is believe—and be willing to work for it. It’s not just going to fall in your lap.”
Has the past been skewed with mistruths that have kept Welles from returning? Was he protecting Sophie and because of what happened, doing penance for what he did to Chester?
Christmas with the Outlaw by Kathryn Albright
A PROMISE—A COMMITMENT—A FOREVER
How fun to be back in Oak Grove and to see Abigail White have her story. Even if you haven’t read previous Oak Grove stories, with all the mail-ordered brides, you won’t be lost. Abigail is an intelligent, strong-willed, determined woman, but she doesn’t ever think she will find love, and will just remain a spinster, working on the town's newspaper.
The plot will have Abigail hearing something and discovering a man in the back room, and he is injured. What a shock to see his face and the past is brought to the present. Knowing this man is seriously hurt, he needs medical attention. But how to keep a gunshot victim a secret, especially when there are wanted poster with his picture on them.
“Christmas is the perfect time of the year to forgive old hurts.”
The story will have Abigail and Teddy doing their best for their childhood friend, Russell Carter, but they are placing themselves in jeopardy by having him at the newspaper office. Especially after Sheriff Baniff has already given Teddy the wanted information to place in the paper. They just need a little more time.
This intriguing tale will also have two people sharing about their lives, their past, and their hopes for the future. As teenagers, the age difference was an issue; now it is facing charges of murder. What will become of Abigail and Russ? Is there a chance for a future? Did they just become reunited to be separated again?
“Wouldn’t it be something if we could have a practice go at life? Then we would be prepared for the difficulties.”
With the help of an inspiring little girl, Patricia Owens, who wants to be a newspaperwoman just like Abigail, it opens up the possibilities for not only Patricia, but her insight may help the entire town with having little elves help with projects. After all, the spirit of Christmas should be in all of us.
The spirit of Christmas and goodwill is prevalent in the town of Oak Grove. Sheriff Baniff must do his sworn duty as an officer of the law, but he also does more to help Russ Carter obtain a fair trial, with an attorney. Now that justice has been served, what will become of Abigail and Russ? Was it all from wishing on a shooting star—or did fate finally bring two people together.
"I’ve missed you, Abby. I didn’t know how much until I saw you again.”
In Christmas Day Wedding Bells by Lynna Banning
THE LIBRARIAN AND THE U.S. MARSHALL
U.S. Marshall, Rand Logan will have the unpleasant duty of informing Alice Montgomery that her baby sister, Mrs. Dottie Coleman is deceased. But even worse, she was murdered, and for three weeks, nothing has been solved in the town of Silver City, Idaho. With the Marshalls and Pinkertons, it is decided that if Alice agrees to go in undercover, she may be able to get miners to share information that will help solve this crime.
“This girl was no ordinary librarian. In fact, he was beginning to realize that Alice Montgomery was not ordinary in any way.”
How can a librarian get miners to talk? Change her name, and occupation to saloon girl and put on a sequins red dress and become Lolly Maguire. What a lonely miner is willing to tell for a little attention and a dance.
“And it makes me wonder who I am. I mean who I really am inside. Am I a librarian who is play-acting at being a seductive siren? Or am I a siren play-acting as a librarian?”
While the crime is solved and those responsible are arrested, the loss is painful for Alice to know that her sister Dottie is never coming back. And what about the feelings that Rand and Alice have for each other? He is a U.S. Marshall and duty calls, she is the librarian in Smoke River. Will they find their happily ever after ending or is this truly goodbye?
Snowbound in Big Springs by Lauri Robinson
MY BLUFF WAS CALLED
Caught and stranded in a blizzard will have Big Springs native walking the tracks for miles to the town to get help for the other stranded passengers on the train. He will stumble in the livery and home of his grandfathers, a place he has been for nearly five years. What a shock to see Sophie, the girl of his dreams and one of the reasons he has stayed away.
The story will bring up what kept Welles away when he left to go on a horse buying trip and never returned. He has lived with guilt, and over the years has sent home money to her grandfather. He is taking a gamble by stopping in on his way to Denver for a Christmas day poker game. His visit is met with mixed emotions by both Chester and Sophie.
“Never trust a gambler. They’ll trick the love out of your heart as quickly as they do money out of another man’s pockets.”
Chester isn’t happy that Welles plans on leaving again for another poker game. Sophie is disappointed in him and can’t believe she has spent five years in love with a man who gambles for a living. She has been the one who has cared for Chester, and that doesn’t look like it is going to change.
“When are you going to learn that sometimes we have to play the hand that we’ve been dealt?”
Chester and Sophie have taken care of each other for nearly five years. When her mother died, he took her in, gave her a home, and she has helped with the house and livery. Welles being home leaves to mixed emotions—will he return, and then what will happen to her?
“We can do anything, go anywhere, be anything you want to be, Sophie. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. All you have to do is believe—and be willing to work for it. It’s not just going to fall in your lap.”
Has the past been skewed with mistruths that have kept Welles from returning? Was he protecting Sophie and because of what happened, doing penance for what he did to Chester?
Christmas with the Outlaw by Kathryn Albright
A PROMISE—A COMMITMENT—A FOREVER
How fun to be back in Oak Grove and to see Abigail White have her story. Even if you haven’t read previous Oak Grove stories, with all the mail-ordered brides, you won’t be lost. Abigail is an intelligent, strong-willed, determined woman, but she doesn’t ever think she will find love, and will just remain a spinster, working on the town's newspaper.
The plot will have Abigail hearing something and discovering a man in the back room, and he is injured. What a shock to see his face and the past is brought to the present. Knowing this man is seriously hurt, he needs medical attention. But how to keep a gunshot victim a secret, especially when there are wanted poster with his picture on them.
“Christmas is the perfect time of the year to forgive old hurts.”
The story will have Abigail and Teddy doing their best for their childhood friend, Russell Carter, but they are placing themselves in jeopardy by having him at the newspaper office. Especially after Sheriff Baniff has already given Teddy the wanted information to place in the paper. They just need a little more time.
This intriguing tale will also have two people sharing about their lives, their past, and their hopes for the future. As teenagers, the age difference was an issue; now it is facing charges of murder. What will become of Abigail and Russ? Is there a chance for a future? Did they just become reunited to be separated again?
“Wouldn’t it be something if we could have a practice go at life? Then we would be prepared for the difficulties.”
With the help of an inspiring little girl, Patricia Owens, who wants to be a newspaperwoman just like Abigail, it opens up the possibilities for not only Patricia, but her insight may help the entire town with having little elves help with projects. After all, the spirit of Christmas should be in all of us.
The spirit of Christmas and goodwill is prevalent in the town of Oak Grove. Sheriff Baniff must do his sworn duty as an officer of the law, but he also does more to help Russ Carter obtain a fair trial, with an attorney. Now that justice has been served, what will become of Abigail and Russ? Was it all from wishing on a shooting star—or did fate finally bring two people together.
"I’ve missed you, Abby. I didn’t know how much until I saw you again.”
October 2, 2018
THREE HISTORICAL STORIES THAT REVOLVE AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME
In Christmas Day Wedding Bells by Lynna Banning
THE LIBRARIAN AND THE U.S. MARSHALL
U.S. Marshall, Rand Logan will have the unpleasant duty of informing Alice Montgomery that her baby sister, Mrs. Dottie Coleman is deceased. But even worse, she was murdered, and for three weeks, nothing has been solved in the town of Silver City, Idaho. With the Marshalls and Pinkertons, it is decided that if Alice agrees to go in undercover, she may be able to get miners to share information that will help solve this crime.
“This girl was no ordinary librarian. In fact, he was beginning to realize that Alice Montgomery was not ordinary in any way.”
How can a librarian get miners to talk? Change her name, and occupation to saloon girl and put on a sequins red dress and become Lolly Maguire. What a lonely miner is willing to tell for a little attention and a dance.
“And it makes me wonder who I am. I mean who I really am inside. Am I a librarian who is play-acting at being a seductive siren? Or am I a siren play-acting as a librarian?”
While the crime is solved and those responsible are arrested, the loss is painful for Alice to know that her sister Dottie is never coming back. And what about the feelings that Rand and Alice have for each other? He is a U.S. Marshall and duty calls, she is the librarian in Smoke River. Will they find their happily ever after ending or is this truly goodbye?
Snowbound in Big Springs by Lauri Robinson
MY BLUFF WAS CALLED
Caught and stranded in a blizzard will have Big Springs native walking the tracks for miles to the town to get help for the other stranded passengers on the train. He will stumble in the livery and home of his grandfathers, a place he has been for nearly five years. What a shock to see Sophie, the girl of his dreams and one of the reasons he has stayed away.
The story will bring up what kept Welles away when he left to go on a horse buying trip and never returned. He has lived with guilt, and over the years has sent home money to her grandfather. He is taking a gamble by stopping in on his way to Denver for a Christmas day poker game. His visit is met with mixed emotions by both Chester and Sophie.
“Never trust a gambler. They’ll trick the love out of your heart as quickly as they do money out of another man’s pockets.”
Chester isn’t happy that Welles plans on leaving again for another poker game. Sophie is disappointed in him and can’t believe she has spent five years in love with a man who gambles for a living. She has been the one who has cared for Chester, and that doesn’t look like it is going to change.
“When are you going to learn that sometimes we have to play the hand that we’ve been dealt?”
Chester and Sophie have taken care of each other for nearly five years. When her mother died, he took her in, gave her a home, and she has helped with the house and livery. Welles being home leaves to mixed emotions—will he return, and then what will happen to her?
“We can do anything, go anywhere, be anything you want to be, Sophie. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. All you have to do is believe—and be willing to work for it. It’s not just going to fall in your lap.”
Has the past been skewed with mistruths that have kept Welles from returning? Was he protecting Sophie and because of what happened, doing penance for what he did to Chester?
Christmas with the Outlaw by Kathryn Albright
A PROMISE—A COMMITMENT—A FOREVER
How fun to be back in Oak Grove and to see Abigail White have her story. Even if you haven’t read previous Oak Grove stories, with all the mail-ordered brides, you won’t be lost. Abigail is an intelligent, strong-willed, determined woman, but she doesn’t ever think she will find love, and will just remain a spinster, working on the town's newspaper.
The plot will have Abigail hearing something and discovering a man in the back room, and he is injured. What a shock to see his face and the past is brought to the present. Knowing this man is seriously hurt, he needs medical attention. But how to keep a gunshot victim a secret, especially when there are wanted poster with his picture on them.
“Christmas is the perfect time of the year to forgive old hurts.”
The story will have Abigail and Teddy doing their best for their childhood friend, Russell Carter, but they are placing themselves in jeopardy by having him at the newspaper office. Especially after Sheriff Baniff has already given Teddy the wanted information to place in the paper. They just need a little more time.
This intriguing tale will also have two people sharing about their lives, their past, and their hopes for the future. As teenagers, the age difference was an issue; now it is facing charges of murder. What will become of Abigail and Russ? Is there a chance for a future? Did they just become reunited to be separated again?
“Wouldn’t it be something if we could have a practice go at life? Then we would be prepared for the difficulties.”
With the help of an inspiring little girl, Patricia Owens, who wants to be a newspaperwoman just like Abigail, it opens up the possibilities for not only Patricia, but her insight may help the entire town with having little elves help with projects. After all, the spirit of Christmas should be in all of us.
The spirit of Christmas and goodwill is prevalent in the town of Oak Grove. Sheriff Baniff must do his sworn duty as an officer of the law, but he also does more to help Russ Carter obtain a fair trial, with an attorney. Now that justice has been served, what will become of Abigail and Russ? Was it all from wishing on a shooting star—or did fate finally bring two people together.
"I’ve missed you, Abby. I didn’t know how much until I saw you again.”
In Christmas Day Wedding Bells by Lynna Banning
THE LIBRARIAN AND THE U.S. MARSHALL
U.S. Marshall, Rand Logan will have the unpleasant duty of informing Alice Montgomery that her baby sister, Mrs. Dottie Coleman is deceased. But even worse, she was murdered, and for three weeks, nothing has been solved in the town of Silver City, Idaho. With the Marshalls and Pinkertons, it is decided that if Alice agrees to go in undercover, she may be able to get miners to share information that will help solve this crime.
“This girl was no ordinary librarian. In fact, he was beginning to realize that Alice Montgomery was not ordinary in any way.”
How can a librarian get miners to talk? Change her name, and occupation to saloon girl and put on a sequins red dress and become Lolly Maguire. What a lonely miner is willing to tell for a little attention and a dance.
“And it makes me wonder who I am. I mean who I really am inside. Am I a librarian who is play-acting at being a seductive siren? Or am I a siren play-acting as a librarian?”
While the crime is solved and those responsible are arrested, the loss is painful for Alice to know that her sister Dottie is never coming back. And what about the feelings that Rand and Alice have for each other? He is a U.S. Marshall and duty calls, she is the librarian in Smoke River. Will they find their happily ever after ending or is this truly goodbye?
Snowbound in Big Springs by Lauri Robinson
MY BLUFF WAS CALLED
Caught and stranded in a blizzard will have Big Springs native walking the tracks for miles to the town to get help for the other stranded passengers on the train. He will stumble in the livery and home of his grandfathers, a place he has been for nearly five years. What a shock to see Sophie, the girl of his dreams and one of the reasons he has stayed away.
The story will bring up what kept Welles away when he left to go on a horse buying trip and never returned. He has lived with guilt, and over the years has sent home money to her grandfather. He is taking a gamble by stopping in on his way to Denver for a Christmas day poker game. His visit is met with mixed emotions by both Chester and Sophie.
“Never trust a gambler. They’ll trick the love out of your heart as quickly as they do money out of another man’s pockets.”
Chester isn’t happy that Welles plans on leaving again for another poker game. Sophie is disappointed in him and can’t believe she has spent five years in love with a man who gambles for a living. She has been the one who has cared for Chester, and that doesn’t look like it is going to change.
“When are you going to learn that sometimes we have to play the hand that we’ve been dealt?”
Chester and Sophie have taken care of each other for nearly five years. When her mother died, he took her in, gave her a home, and she has helped with the house and livery. Welles being home leaves to mixed emotions—will he return, and then what will happen to her?
“We can do anything, go anywhere, be anything you want to be, Sophie. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. All you have to do is believe—and be willing to work for it. It’s not just going to fall in your lap.”
Has the past been skewed with mistruths that have kept Welles from returning? Was he protecting Sophie and because of what happened, doing penance for what he did to Chester?
Christmas with the Outlaw by Kathryn Albright
A PROMISE—A COMMITMENT—A FOREVER
How fun to be back in Oak Grove and to see Abigail White have her story. Even if you haven’t read previous Oak Grove stories, with all the mail-ordered brides, you won’t be lost. Abigail is an intelligent, strong-willed, determined woman, but she doesn’t ever think she will find love, and will just remain a spinster, working on the town's newspaper.
The plot will have Abigail hearing something and discovering a man in the back room, and he is injured. What a shock to see his face and the past is brought to the present. Knowing this man is seriously hurt, he needs medical attention. But how to keep a gunshot victim a secret, especially when there are wanted poster with his picture on them.
“Christmas is the perfect time of the year to forgive old hurts.”
The story will have Abigail and Teddy doing their best for their childhood friend, Russell Carter, but they are placing themselves in jeopardy by having him at the newspaper office. Especially after Sheriff Baniff has already given Teddy the wanted information to place in the paper. They just need a little more time.
This intriguing tale will also have two people sharing about their lives, their past, and their hopes for the future. As teenagers, the age difference was an issue; now it is facing charges of murder. What will become of Abigail and Russ? Is there a chance for a future? Did they just become reunited to be separated again?
“Wouldn’t it be something if we could have a practice go at life? Then we would be prepared for the difficulties.”
With the help of an inspiring little girl, Patricia Owens, who wants to be a newspaperwoman just like Abigail, it opens up the possibilities for not only Patricia, but her insight may help the entire town with having little elves help with projects. After all, the spirit of Christmas should be in all of us.
The spirit of Christmas and goodwill is prevalent in the town of Oak Grove. Sheriff Baniff must do his sworn duty as an officer of the law, but he also does more to help Russ Carter obtain a fair trial, with an attorney. Now that justice has been served, what will become of Abigail and Russ? Was it all from wishing on a shooting star—or did fate finally bring two people together.
"I’ve missed you, Abby. I didn’t know how much until I saw you again.”
October 11, 2021
All three of these stories are new to this publication. Because of the great reception of their last anthology, WESTERN SPRING WEDDINGS, in 2016, these authors brought out another trio of stories -- this time about Christmas. In my opinion, I thought the last short story was the most interesting and involving. I just didn't buy the nonsense about the Pinkertons working with a US Marshall.
CHRISTMAS DAY WEDDING BELLS (Lynna Banning) -- G
When Smoke River's town librarian is informed of her younger sister's death, Alice Montgomery is asked by the US Marshall to accompany him to find out who killed her sister in Idaho. Because the law couldn't get any miners to talk about the death, The Pinkerton Company and the Marshall decided that a woman was needed to get people to talk.
SNOWBOUND IN BIG SPRINGS (Lauri Robinson) -- G+
Welles Carmichael has been gambling for five long years, but it is time to stop off in Big Spring to check on his aged grandfather, Chester Carmichael. Welles is surprised to find Sophie George living with his grandfather. Her own mother, the town madam, had died. Sophie had learned how to tend and love horses from Welles, and she began to live with and work for Chester. As Welles looks around himself and sees how others have pursued their lives, he takes stock in his own life.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE OUTLAW (Kathryn Albright) -- VG
Teddy White and his sister Abigail have published the local paper in town for years. The siblings are very close because their parents died years before from cholera. Now, Teddy is married (with a baby daughter) and he worries about Abigail's inability to loosen up and find a life partner. Suddenly, an old friend of Teddy's -- Russell Carter -- hides in the newspaper back office. He's wounded and in trouble with the law.
This was the most interesting of the trio. Overall score = G+
CHRISTMAS DAY WEDDING BELLS (Lynna Banning) -- G
When Smoke River's town librarian is informed of her younger sister's death, Alice Montgomery is asked by the US Marshall to accompany him to find out who killed her sister in Idaho. Because the law couldn't get any miners to talk about the death, The Pinkerton Company and the Marshall decided that a woman was needed to get people to talk.
SNOWBOUND IN BIG SPRINGS (Lauri Robinson) -- G+
Welles Carmichael has been gambling for five long years, but it is time to stop off in Big Spring to check on his aged grandfather, Chester Carmichael. Welles is surprised to find Sophie George living with his grandfather. Her own mother, the town madam, had died. Sophie had learned how to tend and love horses from Welles, and she began to live with and work for Chester. As Welles looks around himself and sees how others have pursued their lives, he takes stock in his own life.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE OUTLAW (Kathryn Albright) -- VG
Teddy White and his sister Abigail have published the local paper in town for years. The siblings are very close because their parents died years before from cholera. Now, Teddy is married (with a baby daughter) and he worries about Abigail's inability to loosen up and find a life partner. Suddenly, an old friend of Teddy's -- Russell Carter -- hides in the newspaper back office. He's wounded and in trouble with the law.
This was the most interesting of the trio. Overall score = G+
January 28, 2023
The first story was depressing. A dnf.
The second story was stuck on stupid. The big M in spades.
The third? To be honest I didn't read it. If it was half as bad as the first two I would have stomped on my kindle.
The second story was stuck on stupid. The big M in spades.
The third? To be honest I didn't read it. If it was half as bad as the first two I would have stomped on my kindle.
December 7, 2018
I'd only recommend Christmas with the Outlaw.
December 10, 2018
Another Great Christmas story. Enjoyed it very much.
August 16, 2023
Fabulous story. A wonderful way to end the series although I think I would have liked more about the elves and the help they gave.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews