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HIS BULLET … HIS RESPONSIBILITY

Caught in crossfire between a bounty hunter and an outlaw, widowed mother, Abby March, catches a bullet in the shoulder. The Christmas tree she and her son were cutting is forgotten as they fall under the care of a dangerous stranger. As she recovers, she finds that Ford Statler hides his softer side and has suffered the kind of loss she well understands. As Christmas, and their parting approach, she wonders if they could have so much more than a happy Christmas together.

Since the loss of his wife and child, Ford Statler lives a reckless existence. He’s always known a mistake would be costly, but never intended to harm an innocent. Now he’s made his bounty but missed seeing the small woman that the murderous outlaw held before him until it was too late. Saddled with the responsibility for an injured woman and boy, he finds himself longing to provide them with so much more than a Christmas to remember.

Fallen Angel is the first in a three-book holiday Western historical novella series by Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Jenna Kernan. If you love strangers-to-lovers Christmas romance, buy Fallen Angel today!


106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2019

30 people are currently reading
26 people want to read

About the author

Jenna Kernan

123 books395 followers
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Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Julianna.
Author 5 books1,341 followers
January 9, 2022
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Fallen Angel is a sweet, holiday-themed, western romance novella about a bounty hunter and a single mother who find love in time for Christmas. While searching for the perfect Christmas tree for her son, Abby finds herself caught up in a gunfight between the bounty hunter and an outlaw and she’s accidentally shot. Before he could see her and react, Ford had already fired at the outlaw with his bullet hitting a woman instead. He goes to her rescue and takes responsibility for Abby and her young son, Daniel. Over the next several days, he cares for them both and does everything he can to make sure they have a good Christmas. Although he finds himself developing feelings for Abby and Daniel, Ford has experienced a tremendous loss in his life, and if he can’t get over his fear of losing someone he loves again, they may not have a future together.

Abby was raised in a well-to-do family back East, but following her heart left her heartbroken and alone. She married a man she thought she loved, but of whom her family didn’t approve. He turned out to be a gold-digging scoundrel who left her when it became apparent that no money would be forthcoming from her family. Disowned and with nowhere else to go, she took a position as a ladies companion to an older woman who was traveling to San Francisco, but found herself sacked and left to fend for herself in Colorado. She’s been struggling ever since to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads for the sake of her son, Daniel. Although she can’t afford much, she’s determined to give her son a nice Christmas and all he wants is the perfect tree. However, while out searching for that tree, she comes upon a gunman who points his weapon right at Daniel. Trying to save her son, Abby rushes the man, only to be shot herself. She awakens in the care of the bounty hunter who wounded her. At first, she’s afraid of this dangerous man, but as he cares for her tenderly over the next several days, she begins to discover his softer side that makes her fall for him. Abby is a great mother whose biggest priority is her son. She’s also a stubborn, determined woman who won’t let Ford get away easily.

After losing his wife and daughter and feeling responsible for their deaths, Ford took up bounty hunting as a way to avenge them. He knew that it was a risky proposition, especially given that he usually goes after the most hardened criminals. However, a part of him doesn’t care if he lives or dies, until the day he accidentally shoots a woman who reminds him of an angel. Feeling terrible about what he’s done, Ford pays for Abby’s care as well as a room for her and Daniel at the hotel. There, he keeps watch over them both and does everything in his power to give them a good Christmas. Although he develops feelings for Abby along the way, Ford fears what it might do to him if he lost her and Daniel, too. It will take some determination on her part to get him to see reason and fully let them into his life and heart. Ford is a man who’s lost everything that meant anything to him, which has caused him to more or less check out on life, but Abby and Daniel bring him back to a place where he can open his heart again.

Overall, Fallen Angel was a good read that I enjoyed. I liked both Abby and Ford, and little Daniel is a sweet boy who’s been raised well. Their romance was perhaps a bit rushed. It takes place over, I think, less than a week’s time, which is maybe a bit too quickly to fully believe that they could fall in love that fast. But the story was heartwarming enough to help make up for that and I did feel a connection between them. I enjoyed the little twist at the end. What Abby did to get Ford back was cute. So, overall, I had a good time reading this story. Fallen Angel is the first novella in Jenna Kernan’s Winter Wild West Weddings series, but since there were few supporting characters in the story, I’m not entirely sure how it connects to the others. I look forward to continuing the series, though, to find out. Fallen Angel was originally published in the multi-author anthology A Western Winter Wonderland and was later reprinted as a stand-alone novella.
Profile Image for Amelia.
794 reviews22 followers
December 7, 2019
Since I was in the mood for a holiday historical romance, I was thrilled to discover this story by Jenna Kernan whose work I always enjoy. In the compelling first book of the Winter Wild West Weddings series, emotions run high and the lives of three people become unexpectedly entwined. A bounty hunter just wants to stop anyone who might end up harming those who are innocent. But the latest assignment taken has consequences that leave him conflicted when his long-buried feeling resurface. The woman and young boy whose lives become entangled with his have not been very lucky lately, but the Christmas holidays are the time when miracles might just occur.

To give her son some happiness at Christmas time, Abigail March takes the boy in search of a tree in the nearby Colorado hills. Unfortunately, they come up a wanted individual and the bounty hunter who is after him, resulting in her being shot when the two men exchange gunfire. Ford Statler had only wanted to collect the money offered for bringing in the criminal. But what he got was becoming responsible for Abby and her son because of his actions. Ford may appear intimidating at first, but she comes to realize there is more to him than he lets others comprehend. I am already looking forward to the upcoming

FALLEN ANGEL is a riveting story filled with believable situations and very convincing characters. The storyline comes across as so plausible, and I could easily imagine each incident happening as described. The old west setting is colorfully depicted, and I especially liked how some previous Christmas customs are included. Ford and Abby are especially likable, as their behavior clearly showed me their inner natures that most people never see. She is a wonderful mother, and the misfortunes in her life are not of her doing. Ford is definitely haunted by events in his past, and I was not certain if he could ever get over what he has endured. Jenna Kernan had me smiling during the more cheerful moments in the story, while any occurrences that are emotional greatly touched my heart. I am already looking forward to the other books in the series.
247 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2019
Ford, a bounty hunter, and Abigail, a struggling single mother of 8 year old Daniel. Two people so hurt in their past they've built walls to protect themselves. Their shocking encounter starts the ball rolling toward their future.

Set in a small town it brings you back in time. You become a witness to the life and thoughts of three remarkable people. You'll laugh, you'll cry and root for a perfect ending. Since this book is set at Christmas time, it makes an excellent addition to your holiday stories.
713 reviews7 followers
June 28, 2020
A Sweet Story

I don't normally like shorter stories as I find the storylines undeveloped, but this one was just right. It had a little bit of everything I like.

Abigail and her son Daniel are searching for a Christmas tree when a stranger with a rifle threatens their safety. Before she realises what is happening, her son shouts a warning, shots are fired and she awakes in a strange room with another stranger.
Ford Statler hides his grief with bounty hunting. Now he has another problem.
Profile Image for Diane Horne.
682 reviews6 followers
June 22, 2024
Fallen Angel By Jenna Kernan

Five stars, really cute storyline. Started off Abigail had baggage being divorced and a single parent. But when bounty hunter Ford enter the scene, by accidentally shooting her it was evident that he also carried baggage. Feelings grew but memories kept coming back. Love brings him around. Good ending.
1,134 reviews18 followers
December 12, 2021
Not a fan of Insta love but for this short Christmas story it worked.
150 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2023
Awe

Really enjoyed but once again a little dis appointed in the needing of having to add sexual tones. Guess I am just a prude but just find the story is great without this.
158 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2024
Just finished this short story for the second time. Really liked it. A feel good story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews