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Sweet Plains, TX #2 incl.
Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy: Three Charming Christmas Cowboy Romance Stories
New York Times Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Fans of Jill Shalvis, Linda Lael Miller, and Maisey Yates won’t want to miss these delightful Christmas love stories filled with humor and heart. Plenty of cowboy kisses under the mistletoe are the perfect escape this holiday season!
MISTLETOE COWBOY * Diana Palmer
Horse whisperer Parker doesn't drink, smoke, or gamble, and he doesn't have much to do with women, either. Until he meets winsome widow Katy, and her sweet child. Could Christmas kisses under the mistletoe bring the handsome wrangler the gift of his very own family?
“No one beats this author for sensual anticipation.”
—Rave Reviews
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE * Marina Adair
To claim his slice of the family ranch, Texas Ranger Noah is forced back to Tucker’s Crossing. All he expects to find is a tractor load of painful memories—until a holiday storm, a power outage—and perhaps the magic of Christmas—deliver him to rescue an intriguing woman named Faith. But just who’s rescuing whom?
“Marina Adair is a breath of fresh air.”
— New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones
MISTLETOE DETOUR * Kate Pearce
When Morgan Valley rancher Ted Baker gets out his tow truck to pick up a snowbound driver, he doesn’t expect to find his old school friend Veronica on the lam with her pet pig—much less true love—just in time for Christmas . . .
“Captures the spirit of the West.”
—Booklist on The Maverick Cowboy
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Fans of Jill Shalvis, Linda Lael Miller, and Maisey Yates won’t want to miss these delightful Christmas love stories filled with humor and heart. Plenty of cowboy kisses under the mistletoe are the perfect escape this holiday season!
MISTLETOE COWBOY * Diana Palmer
Horse whisperer Parker doesn't drink, smoke, or gamble, and he doesn't have much to do with women, either. Until he meets winsome widow Katy, and her sweet child. Could Christmas kisses under the mistletoe bring the handsome wrangler the gift of his very own family?
“No one beats this author for sensual anticipation.”
—Rave Reviews
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE * Marina Adair
To claim his slice of the family ranch, Texas Ranger Noah is forced back to Tucker’s Crossing. All he expects to find is a tractor load of painful memories—until a holiday storm, a power outage—and perhaps the magic of Christmas—deliver him to rescue an intriguing woman named Faith. But just who’s rescuing whom?
“Marina Adair is a breath of fresh air.”
— New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones
MISTLETOE DETOUR * Kate Pearce
When Morgan Valley rancher Ted Baker gets out his tow truck to pick up a snowbound driver, he doesn’t expect to find his old school friend Veronica on the lam with her pet pig—much less true love—just in time for Christmas . . .
“Captures the spirit of the West.”
—Booklist on The Maverick Cowboy
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,011 books3,127 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
June 12, 2024
This is three cowboy Christmas romance novella. I loved two out of three of these Novellas. I love Diana Palmer's and Marina Adair's Novellas, but I really did not like Kate Pearce's Novella. Remember that with novellas the romance moves fast and sometimes leave things up in the air. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra) or author (Diana Palmer, Marina Adair, and Kate Pearce) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
January 28, 2021
If you are looking for the perfect book to enjoy a tender love story during the magical Christmas, then Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy by Diana Palmer; Marina Adair and Kate Pearce is more than the perfect choice for you. Three stories that masterfully capture the sweet anticipation of true love intertwined with the magic of Christmas. A storm of emotions, sweet and bitter situations, and a true fireworks of passion and love are a sure combination to keep your attention to the very end.
You are guaranteed to enjoy the fabulous Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer where two souls, marked by the loss of their loved ones, overwhelmed by the heavy burden of loneliness, slowly venture into the unknown, in the desire to find the other, the twin of their soul who will warm their souls in a gentle embrace, who will feed them with love, who will cherish them with all virtues and flaws. Little Teddy is the part of the story that will cocker you to tears, and you will enjoy in the moments filled with childish innocence and ideals.
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair will cheer you up and make you smile with its unique blend of humor and outwitting between the two characters Noah and Faith, who in a such an interesting way start the game of cat and mouse, fighting to accept and reject, fear to indulge and desire to not lose the chance. The gentle words of the powerful ranger will spoil your senses, and the fighting spirit and sacrifice of his Christmas angel will make you see the world around you from a slightly different angle.
A gentle story for two souls who meet after a long time, Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce is guaranteed to relax and make you smile. You'll just enjoy reading about Veronica Hernandez and Ted Baker, the secrets that threaten to separate them, and the trust that is slowly deepening between them. The piggy, called Bacon, has an important part in the whole story.
Definitely, the style in which all the stories are written, as well as the fact that all are short novellas, contribute to fact that the storyline is quite rapid and do not allow the reader to get bored.
You are guaranteed to enjoy the fabulous Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer where two souls, marked by the loss of their loved ones, overwhelmed by the heavy burden of loneliness, slowly venture into the unknown, in the desire to find the other, the twin of their soul who will warm their souls in a gentle embrace, who will feed them with love, who will cherish them with all virtues and flaws. Little Teddy is the part of the story that will cocker you to tears, and you will enjoy in the moments filled with childish innocence and ideals.
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair will cheer you up and make you smile with its unique blend of humor and outwitting between the two characters Noah and Faith, who in a such an interesting way start the game of cat and mouse, fighting to accept and reject, fear to indulge and desire to not lose the chance. The gentle words of the powerful ranger will spoil your senses, and the fighting spirit and sacrifice of his Christmas angel will make you see the world around you from a slightly different angle.
A gentle story for two souls who meet after a long time, Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce is guaranteed to relax and make you smile. You'll just enjoy reading about Veronica Hernandez and Ted Baker, the secrets that threaten to separate them, and the trust that is slowly deepening between them. The piggy, called Bacon, has an important part in the whole story.
Definitely, the style in which all the stories are written, as well as the fact that all are short novellas, contribute to fact that the storyline is quite rapid and do not allow the reader to get bored.
November 11, 2020
Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I always look forward to reading holiday romance reads. This is such a good book because we get three stories/novellas all in one. I have read all the authors involved before and I really enjoyed all the stories. They each pull at your heartstrings and make you feel the magic of Christmas with each of these romance stories.
Mistletoe Cowboy is probably my fave in this book. The characters are so different and they really challenge each other while also bringing out a different side of one another.
Blame it on the Mistletoe is a all about healing and opening up yourself to love. When these characters meet, they are both dealing with tough times and find a way to overcome their hurt by sticking by each other.
Mistletoe Detour is about old high school buddies meeting again and being forced together. As they spend the holidays together and get to know each other more, feelings develop and makes for a swoon worthy romance.
I give Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy 4 stars. I think romance readers, especially fans of holiday romances will enjoy these stories. They all made me wish Christmas was already here. The tropes were some of my favorites and think this was a great read to start off my holiday reads list.
Mistletoe Cowboy is probably my fave in this book. The characters are so different and they really challenge each other while also bringing out a different side of one another.
Blame it on the Mistletoe is a all about healing and opening up yourself to love. When these characters meet, they are both dealing with tough times and find a way to overcome their hurt by sticking by each other.
Mistletoe Detour is about old high school buddies meeting again and being forced together. As they spend the holidays together and get to know each other more, feelings develop and makes for a swoon worthy romance.
I give Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy 4 stars. I think romance readers, especially fans of holiday romances will enjoy these stories. They all made me wish Christmas was already here. The tropes were some of my favorites and think this was a great read to start off my holiday reads list.
September 27, 2020
Adair, Pearce and Palmer prove that love is more than a seasonal occurance. Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy plays the heart like a fiddle with stories that give emotions something to sing about. Palmer and Adair stir up trouble while finding their heart's desire.
Mistletoe Cowboy is a fascinating tale of unique characters, heartbreaking tragedies and new beginnings that come with a number of twists. (4 stars)
Blame it on the Mistletoe revisits old hurts and inspire new romance with captivating clarity. (4.5 stars)
Mistletoe Detour- Pearce takes a bump in the road and turns into an adventure of the heart. Ted and Veronica find a way to turn tears into smiles and pain into laughter. (5 stars)
September 21, 2020
Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer
Unfortunately, this story wasn’t really my cup of tea. The beginning and ending both read like a laundry list of information, and the dialogue was cheesy and unnatural. I didn’t really connect with the characters, either. There were also some plot and character inconsistencies that took me out of the story several times. Overall, this story just wasn’t for me. 1/5 stars
Blame It On The Mistletoe by Marina Adair
I liked this novella! It had some depth and was an enjoyable story. It could’ve used more of an ending, maybe a short epilogue, but it was still satisfying. None of these stories are in my usual genre, so the humor was a bit more crude than I like to read, but still made me laugh. 3/5 stars
Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce
Not my type of story. I skimmed through it just to finish the collection, and it definitely wasn’t for me. 1/5 stars
The only one I semi-enjoyed was Blame It On The Mistletoe. Can’t say I recommend this collection to my followers/friends. 2/5 stars overall
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Unfortunately, this story wasn’t really my cup of tea. The beginning and ending both read like a laundry list of information, and the dialogue was cheesy and unnatural. I didn’t really connect with the characters, either. There were also some plot and character inconsistencies that took me out of the story several times. Overall, this story just wasn’t for me. 1/5 stars
Blame It On The Mistletoe by Marina Adair
I liked this novella! It had some depth and was an enjoyable story. It could’ve used more of an ending, maybe a short epilogue, but it was still satisfying. None of these stories are in my usual genre, so the humor was a bit more crude than I like to read, but still made me laugh. 3/5 stars
Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce
Not my type of story. I skimmed through it just to finish the collection, and it definitely wasn’t for me. 1/5 stars
The only one I semi-enjoyed was Blame It On The Mistletoe. Can’t say I recommend this collection to my followers/friends. 2/5 stars overall
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 22, 2020
In this book, you get three different stories with the theme being Christmas. In the first one, a widowed mom with her daughter has left the East Coast after her husband was killed while being deployed. Now taking over his family's ranch she is looking for a new start and hoping that she and her daughter can get closer as well. Does not start off good when the daughter goes missing chasing a horse and is found at a neighbor’s ranch. There she meets horse whisper, Parker. He is more than a horse whisper he is also former military and of mixed race. But Katy finds herself having feelings for him which she was not expecting. After the banker from the back, East makes a play for her She now must make her feelings known to Parker or walk away, a good story.
In the second book, A Texas Ranger comes into town to visit his family and deal with old feelings about his family’s ranch and about his father. When he meets a woman and her brother whom she is raising. They seem to be doing well together until items go missing along with money from a charity function. Seeing an empty box outside of the house he comes with the sheriff instead of talking to her first. Thinking that because they are poor, they should not have an x-box and such, he must have stolen it. When the truth comes out that one of the rich kids did the deed, he now must crow if she will let him. Another good story.
Last you have a man living alone mostly working at the garage, going out on a call. What he finds is a woman who he had a crush on during high school Victoria. Glad to see her and to see she is more attractive now, what he was surprised to also see was a pig she had as a pet. Having nowhere to stay because her uncle is in Hawaii, he takes her in, and slowly they find they have a lot in common. The one problem is that she needs to get it through his thick skull he is worth being with someone. See what happens. All good stories. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
In the second book, A Texas Ranger comes into town to visit his family and deal with old feelings about his family’s ranch and about his father. When he meets a woman and her brother whom she is raising. They seem to be doing well together until items go missing along with money from a charity function. Seeing an empty box outside of the house he comes with the sheriff instead of talking to her first. Thinking that because they are poor, they should not have an x-box and such, he must have stolen it. When the truth comes out that one of the rich kids did the deed, he now must crow if she will let him. Another good story.
Last you have a man living alone mostly working at the garage, going out on a call. What he finds is a woman who he had a crush on during high school Victoria. Glad to see her and to see she is more attractive now, what he was surprised to also see was a pig she had as a pet. Having nowhere to stay because her uncle is in Hawaii, he takes her in, and slowly they find they have a lot in common. The one problem is that she needs to get it through his thick skull he is worth being with someone. See what happens. All good stories. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
September 29, 2020
I read this because I love Diana Palmer but I like finding new authors to read as well so the other two stories in this book sounded good, but all of the stories in this book were great. But I especially like Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer. Parker was hard to get to know at first but Katy and her daughter seem to bring him exactly what he needs. Parker is more than he seems because he's not just a horse wrangler, he's smart and has the schooling and military time behind him to prove it but people still think of him a certain way because of his mixed heritage. Of course there's a small misunderstanding that they have to work through before the end but I loved this story and I knew that Diana Palmer would bring me this kind of story and I was right.
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair is the first story I've read by this author and it was great. Noah comes back to town and runs into Faith but she's busy trying to make sure her brother has a good holiday and isn't made to feel bad by the townspeople. Watching these two trying to get to know one another was fun. But when someone is accused of theft, there's a rift in the budding relationship until things are all sorted out.
Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce was so much fun. Ted goes to help a stranded passenger and finds his old friend Veronica needing his tow truck help. She's running from something but it's her pet pig (Bacon) that really stole the show for me. Veronica stays with Ted while waiting for her uncle to get back from vacation and they decide to celebrate Christmas together which brings them closer as they get to know one another.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair is the first story I've read by this author and it was great. Noah comes back to town and runs into Faith but she's busy trying to make sure her brother has a good holiday and isn't made to feel bad by the townspeople. Watching these two trying to get to know one another was fun. But when someone is accused of theft, there's a rift in the budding relationship until things are all sorted out.
Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce was so much fun. Ted goes to help a stranded passenger and finds his old friend Veronica needing his tow truck help. She's running from something but it's her pet pig (Bacon) that really stole the show for me. Veronica stays with Ted while waiting for her uncle to get back from vacation and they decide to celebrate Christmas together which brings them closer as they get to know one another.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 15, 2020
Review for Mistletoe Cowboy ...
So many things that did not make sense; like why would the h all of a sudden become so insensitive to her child's needs? ...
So many things that did not make sense; like why would the h all of a sudden become so insensitive to her child's needs? ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2020
MISTLETOE COWBOY * Diana Palmer
Horse whisperer Parker doesn't drink, smoke, or gamble, and he doesn't have much to do with women, either. Until he meets winsome widow Katy, and her sweet child. Could Christmas kisses under the mistletoe bring the handsome wrangler the gift of his very own family?
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE * Marina Adair
To claim his slice of the family ranch, Texas Ranger Noah is forced back to Tucker’s Crossing. All he expects to find is a tractor load of painful memories—until a holiday storm, a power outage—and perhaps the magic of Christmas—deliver him to rescue an intriguing woman named Faith. But just who’s rescuing whom?
MISTLETOE DETOUR - Kate Pearce 5Stars
When Morgan Valley garage owner Ted Baker gets out his tow truck to pick up a snowbound driver, he doesn’t expect to find his old school friend Veronica had run out of petrol so he took her, her pet pig & her car back to Morgansville. It's nearing Christmas & Veronica's uncle is on a Hawaiian cruise with Ted's father so Ted invites to stay in his apartment until they return.
A lovely second chance romance, Ted was sweet on Veronica in high school but she moved away but is now back although she’s definitely hiding something. Well written, with strong characters & I read it in a sitting. I loved this novella about another inhabitant of Morgansville finding love, of course there are appearances from characters from other books which builds up a beautiful picture of the town & whole valley
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Horse whisperer Parker doesn't drink, smoke, or gamble, and he doesn't have much to do with women, either. Until he meets winsome widow Katy, and her sweet child. Could Christmas kisses under the mistletoe bring the handsome wrangler the gift of his very own family?
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE * Marina Adair
To claim his slice of the family ranch, Texas Ranger Noah is forced back to Tucker’s Crossing. All he expects to find is a tractor load of painful memories—until a holiday storm, a power outage—and perhaps the magic of Christmas—deliver him to rescue an intriguing woman named Faith. But just who’s rescuing whom?
MISTLETOE DETOUR - Kate Pearce 5Stars
When Morgan Valley garage owner Ted Baker gets out his tow truck to pick up a snowbound driver, he doesn’t expect to find his old school friend Veronica had run out of petrol so he took her, her pet pig & her car back to Morgansville. It's nearing Christmas & Veronica's uncle is on a Hawaiian cruise with Ted's father so Ted invites to stay in his apartment until they return.
A lovely second chance romance, Ted was sweet on Veronica in high school but she moved away but is now back although she’s definitely hiding something. Well written, with strong characters & I read it in a sitting. I loved this novella about another inhabitant of Morgansville finding love, of course there are appearances from characters from other books which builds up a beautiful picture of the town & whole valley
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
December 30, 2023
This book made me grimace😬
September 29, 2020
Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy
Three Christmas cowboy romance novellas with a Hallmark happily ever after for three lucky couples made this a warm feel-good read.
Marina Adair’s BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE had me chuckling at the quips and humorous thoughts and one of the first that happened early on was when Texas Ranger Noah Tucker saw a woman in an elf costume decorating a tree and thought, “…sexiest elf on the shelf he’d ever seen.” For some reason that tickled my fancy and I knew it might be cheesy but it was also charming
I was most interested in reading Kate Pearce’s MISTLETOE DETOUR as it takes place in Morgantown. I have been following what happens since the beginning of the series so couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. This time around a third-generation mechanic, Ted Baker, is put in touch with his high school crush after over a decade apart. He asked to tow a stalled car stuck in a snowstorm and in so doing sees Veronica Hernandez and takes her, her car and pet to safety. The two end up spending time together and are quite compatible but there is a secret worry that Veronica has that won’t let her fully relax. I enjoyed this one and kept thinking that it was “all about the pig.”
I still have Diana Palmer’s MISTLETOE COWBOY to read and look forward to doing so soon but wanted to get the review posted on release day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Three Christmas cowboy romance novellas with a Hallmark happily ever after for three lucky couples made this a warm feel-good read.
Marina Adair’s BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE had me chuckling at the quips and humorous thoughts and one of the first that happened early on was when Texas Ranger Noah Tucker saw a woman in an elf costume decorating a tree and thought, “…sexiest elf on the shelf he’d ever seen.” For some reason that tickled my fancy and I knew it might be cheesy but it was also charming
I was most interested in reading Kate Pearce’s MISTLETOE DETOUR as it takes place in Morgantown. I have been following what happens since the beginning of the series so couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. This time around a third-generation mechanic, Ted Baker, is put in touch with his high school crush after over a decade apart. He asked to tow a stalled car stuck in a snowstorm and in so doing sees Veronica Hernandez and takes her, her car and pet to safety. The two end up spending time together and are quite compatible but there is a secret worry that Veronica has that won’t let her fully relax. I enjoyed this one and kept thinking that it was “all about the pig.”
I still have Diana Palmer’s MISTLETOE COWBOY to read and look forward to doing so soon but wanted to get the review posted on release day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
March 26, 2021
This book is three "shortened" books or romances set during the Christmas holiday. I must say I enjoyed two of the stories better than the third. It was a quick read. None of the stories had epilogues which might have given the book five stars. I would have loved to see where the stories went.
Keep in mind, these are novellas so the stories moved pretty quick.
If you're looking for a good book for the holidays, this would be it.
Keep in mind, these are novellas so the stories moved pretty quick.
If you're looking for a good book for the holidays, this would be it.
September 11, 2020
Always love holiday stories, especially with cowboys. I originally read this book for Ms. Pearce’s story, but enjoyed the other two as well. In Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer, we meet Parker who comes across as ‘just’ a cowboy when in fact, he is so much more. He has a reputation as being a ‘horse whisperer’ as he has a special bond with animals. But he has this sorta secret life as a government…let’s call it agent, if you will…as he is absolutely brilliant. He meets up with Katy, and her daughter Teddie. He actually meets Teddie first and they bond over her abused (new) horse. The intrigue around Bartholomew (that’s the horse’s name) brings these three together and working thru all that goes on is the rough road they must travel towards an HEA.
In Blame it on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair, Noah is home for an uneasy holiday and his first foray into town he runs into an elf…who is just adorable as she secretly decorates a tree in front of the Sheriff’s station. And that’s the first of her Christmas good deeds! Faith, the Elf, and Noah have to navigate personal histories and trust issues but they keep working towards that holiday HEA.
In Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce, I have always enjoyed her Morgan Ranch stories so a holiday return trip was fun to read. Ted Baker is the quintessential good guy. He owns the local garage and bails out a stranded motorist, Veronica Hernandez. They actually went to school together but she’s been gone a while. The sparks are immediate. There is a little kicker to this reunion – Veronica is hauling around a pig, in a bad snow storm, and things get a wee bit complicated. Annnnnnnnnd the pig’s name is Bacon. Veronica is keeping secrets from Ted (and yeah, you can assume it revolves around Bacon), but until they learn how to navigate the way to mutual trust, they won’t have an HEA. But this is a holiday story and I loved the ending.
In Blame it on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair, Noah is home for an uneasy holiday and his first foray into town he runs into an elf…who is just adorable as she secretly decorates a tree in front of the Sheriff’s station. And that’s the first of her Christmas good deeds! Faith, the Elf, and Noah have to navigate personal histories and trust issues but they keep working towards that holiday HEA.
In Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce, I have always enjoyed her Morgan Ranch stories so a holiday return trip was fun to read. Ted Baker is the quintessential good guy. He owns the local garage and bails out a stranded motorist, Veronica Hernandez. They actually went to school together but she’s been gone a while. The sparks are immediate. There is a little kicker to this reunion – Veronica is hauling around a pig, in a bad snow storm, and things get a wee bit complicated. Annnnnnnnnd the pig’s name is Bacon. Veronica is keeping secrets from Ted (and yeah, you can assume it revolves around Bacon), but until they learn how to navigate the way to mutual trust, they won’t have an HEA. But this is a holiday story and I loved the ending.
April 21, 2021
Best book I have read in a while. Loved all 3 stories.
July 6, 2021
This is a collection of three stories about sensitive alpha cowboys and the women they grow to love. Each story is written by a different author. I really enjoyed the first two stories but didn't love the third. It wasn't bad but the sex was more descriptive and I felt it detracted from the story.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
December 7, 2023
Oh baby!
September 29, 2020
Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy was a light, heartfelt, enjoyable anthology of 3 holiday-themed stories. Even though all 3 were clearly part of a larger series, the only one of which I have read is Kate Pearce's Morgan Ranch series, I followed along just fine and plan to check out more of Diana Palmer and Marina Adair's backlist.
As novellas, these stories moved at a fairly quick pace but were perfect for a rainy, dreary day snuggled under a blanket on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book provided by the author via NetGalley.
As novellas, these stories moved at a fairly quick pace but were perfect for a rainy, dreary day snuggled under a blanket on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book provided by the author via NetGalley.
August 15, 2020
3.5 stars
This was a cute book with three novellas by Diana Palmer, Marina Adair and Kate Pearce. It's hard to follow a romance through a novella as there really isn't enough time for trust to fully materialize. But I feel all three of these did as good a job as possible.
The first story by Diana Palmer dealt with a widowed mom and her young daughter who have moved near a bachelor native american. Their paths cross and they fall in love. Was it too soon too fast? yes, but since it was a novella, I guess that's to be expected.
The second story by Marina Adair was probably my favorite. A Texas Ranger comes home for the holidays after a 10 year absence - mainly because his mother passed away and he can't bear to face the memories. He runs into a girl he barely remembered from high school, but he is intrigued by her. Before the end, they fall in love.
The third story by Kate Pearce was cute - a recently divorced woman comes back to her hometown and her car breaks down. The tow truck driver sent to rescue her was the guy that crushed on her in high school. Since her uncle is out of town and wasn't expecting her, she has to stay with the tow truck driver and they fall in love. It was a cute story.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
This was a cute book with three novellas by Diana Palmer, Marina Adair and Kate Pearce. It's hard to follow a romance through a novella as there really isn't enough time for trust to fully materialize. But I feel all three of these did as good a job as possible.
The first story by Diana Palmer dealt with a widowed mom and her young daughter who have moved near a bachelor native american. Their paths cross and they fall in love. Was it too soon too fast? yes, but since it was a novella, I guess that's to be expected.
The second story by Marina Adair was probably my favorite. A Texas Ranger comes home for the holidays after a 10 year absence - mainly because his mother passed away and he can't bear to face the memories. He runs into a girl he barely remembered from high school, but he is intrigued by her. Before the end, they fall in love.
The third story by Kate Pearce was cute - a recently divorced woman comes back to her hometown and her car breaks down. The tow truck driver sent to rescue her was the guy that crushed on her in high school. Since her uncle is out of town and wasn't expecting her, she has to stay with the tow truck driver and they fall in love. It was a cute story.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
September 7, 2020
A trio of sweet romantic western tales by talented authors
Diana Palmer's Mistletoe Cowboy pairs Katy, a recently widowed mother of a young girl with Parker, a Native American horse wrangler. She develops her characters fully, with backgrounds that explain their action/reactions and weaves a sweet story of love at first sight, between all three.
Parker help them both with their adjustments and problems, and he just wants to be with both...always.
Marina Adair's Blame It On the Mistletoe brings a good man to overworked Faith Loren. She gave up much to care for her younger brother and lives down her parent's infamy daily.
Texas Ranger Noah Tucker is fascinated by her and becomes determined to date her...at the least. She's wary and skittish, he wants to know why, and she's also generous and sweet. They overcome the barriers and survive some misunderstandings to become a solid couple.
Kate Pearce's Mistletoe Detour pairs former classmate Ted Baker and Veronica Hernandez together. Ted never married, he had a crush on the younger Veronica, but was insecure and she married badly. He tows her from the side of the road when she runs out of gas returning to stay with her uncle. They are thrown together over the holidays and he helps her over her mistrust of men...him in particular to have a happy ending.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc and recommend to fans of cowboys and sweet romances. I offer my opinion freely.
Diana Palmer's Mistletoe Cowboy pairs Katy, a recently widowed mother of a young girl with Parker, a Native American horse wrangler. She develops her characters fully, with backgrounds that explain their action/reactions and weaves a sweet story of love at first sight, between all three.
Parker help them both with their adjustments and problems, and he just wants to be with both...always.
Marina Adair's Blame It On the Mistletoe brings a good man to overworked Faith Loren. She gave up much to care for her younger brother and lives down her parent's infamy daily.
Texas Ranger Noah Tucker is fascinated by her and becomes determined to date her...at the least. She's wary and skittish, he wants to know why, and she's also generous and sweet. They overcome the barriers and survive some misunderstandings to become a solid couple.
Kate Pearce's Mistletoe Detour pairs former classmate Ted Baker and Veronica Hernandez together. Ted never married, he had a crush on the younger Veronica, but was insecure and she married badly. He tows her from the side of the road when she runs out of gas returning to stay with her uncle. They are thrown together over the holidays and he helps her over her mistrust of men...him in particular to have a happy ending.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc and recommend to fans of cowboys and sweet romances. I offer my opinion freely.
September 17, 2020
Who doesn't want a cowboy for Christmas?
This mixed trio of Christmas cowboy romances has something for everyone. Two of the three were absolute winners in my book, so I highly recommend this set.
MISTLETOE COWBOY by Diana Palmer
Parker and Katy chart a predictable path to their HEA as he helps her daughter learn about horses while Katy gets them settled on her late husband's family ranch. There's an abundance of social commentary in this story, unencumbered by subtlety and with a clear directive to educate. There were a couple details that had me shaking my head, but all-in-all, it's a decent romance with a solid HEA.
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE by Marina Adair
This amazing story had me laughing out loud many, many times. Noah and Faith cross paths again after barely knowing each other in high school, and their chemistry is off-the-charts and guaranteed to change their lives.
The writing was so much fun to read, with amazing phraseology that not only capitalized on the holiday theme but effortlessly established the characters' personalities. I'll never look at a stocking stuffer the same way again!
The obstacles they face are deeply emotional and thought-provoking, yet handled in an authentic manner that made the whole story feel genuine. I truly enjoyed the fabulous "HEA in a Stetson."
This is the first I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. I'm already delving into her back catalog. This story alone is why I'm giving the set five stars.
MISTLETOE DETOUR by Kate Pearce
I loved this wonderful return to Morgantown. Local mechanic Ted heads out to help a stranded motorist, only to find it's the girl he crushed on in high school, Veronica. She's back in town to stay with her uncle, who is currently on a cruise with his buddy who happens to be Ted's dad. Ted offers to let her stay with him until they get back, and their friendship becomes the foundation of a sweet, tender romance. We're treated to Ry and Avery's wedding and an assortment of small-town holiday cheer, along with a bit of a mystery surrounding Veronica's flight from LA.
These are both beautifully-developed characters who gently work through their emotional baggage as their romance takes shape. I was drawn in right away and loved every bit of this story. Their HEA is the stuff of small-town legends.
If you're a fan of any of these authors or have read others in the series, you'll definitely want to snag this delightful collection. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This mixed trio of Christmas cowboy romances has something for everyone. Two of the three were absolute winners in my book, so I highly recommend this set.
MISTLETOE COWBOY by Diana Palmer
Parker and Katy chart a predictable path to their HEA as he helps her daughter learn about horses while Katy gets them settled on her late husband's family ranch. There's an abundance of social commentary in this story, unencumbered by subtlety and with a clear directive to educate. There were a couple details that had me shaking my head, but all-in-all, it's a decent romance with a solid HEA.
BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE by Marina Adair
This amazing story had me laughing out loud many, many times. Noah and Faith cross paths again after barely knowing each other in high school, and their chemistry is off-the-charts and guaranteed to change their lives.
The writing was so much fun to read, with amazing phraseology that not only capitalized on the holiday theme but effortlessly established the characters' personalities. I'll never look at a stocking stuffer the same way again!
The obstacles they face are deeply emotional and thought-provoking, yet handled in an authentic manner that made the whole story feel genuine. I truly enjoyed the fabulous "HEA in a Stetson."
This is the first I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. I'm already delving into her back catalog. This story alone is why I'm giving the set five stars.
MISTLETOE DETOUR by Kate Pearce
I loved this wonderful return to Morgantown. Local mechanic Ted heads out to help a stranded motorist, only to find it's the girl he crushed on in high school, Veronica. She's back in town to stay with her uncle, who is currently on a cruise with his buddy who happens to be Ted's dad. Ted offers to let her stay with him until they get back, and their friendship becomes the foundation of a sweet, tender romance. We're treated to Ry and Avery's wedding and an assortment of small-town holiday cheer, along with a bit of a mystery surrounding Veronica's flight from LA.
These are both beautifully-developed characters who gently work through their emotional baggage as their romance takes shape. I was drawn in right away and loved every bit of this story. Their HEA is the stuff of small-town legends.
If you're a fan of any of these authors or have read others in the series, you'll definitely want to snag this delightful collection. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
October 6, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this via the publisher through NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
Mistletoe Cowboy – Diana Palmer
This is a favorite author of mine but for some reason the story fell a little flat for me. While collections like this have shorter stories and therefore a little tighter of development, this just didn’t work for me. Also there can be formatting issues in an advanced reader copy that could explain why I had to go back and read a couple of sections as I couldn’t tell who was speaking.
Blame it on the Mistletoe – Marina Adair
Noah Tucker is a Texas Ranger and he comes back to Sweet, Texas to spend Christmas with his brother and family. He comes across an elf of all things decorating the tree outside of the Sheriff’s department. Noah is intrigued with the sprite dressed as an elf. Faith is very leery of anyone in law enforcement because of her family history. The two are striking sparks off each other right from the beginning. They seem to keep crossing paths and get to know each other better. But can a Texas Ranger see a woman with a family history like her’s? Beside he works out of Austin not Sweet so can they even have a relationship?
This is a sweet, clean romance that anyone can read.
Mistletoe Detour – Kate Pearce
Ted is a local tow truck driver. He gets a call about a stranded car and driver along side the road. It is a cold snowy night. After traversing over the snowy roads, he comes to the car and out pops an old child friend. Veronica hasn’t been back to town in years. She is on her way to see her uncle when her car ran out of gas. Ted also has a bit of bad news for her. Her uncle is with his dad on a cruise around Hawaii. Ted invites her and her pet pig to stay with him in the interim.
Veronica has a secret (well two actually). She tells Ted that she had stolen her pet pig, Bacon from her ex-husband. Ted can feel that something more is going on than she is telling him. What could that secret be? Will it drive these two apart?
This story is written in a dual POV format. I love that. I can get into the characters’ mind and really see how they think in any given situation.
This is a slightly sexy read. The author does not go into any great and graphic detail. It was really glossed over. That being said, and I would hate to offend any parents of minor children, I would only recommend this to someone over the age of 18.
Mistletoe Cowboy – Diana Palmer
This is a favorite author of mine but for some reason the story fell a little flat for me. While collections like this have shorter stories and therefore a little tighter of development, this just didn’t work for me. Also there can be formatting issues in an advanced reader copy that could explain why I had to go back and read a couple of sections as I couldn’t tell who was speaking.
Blame it on the Mistletoe – Marina Adair
Noah Tucker is a Texas Ranger and he comes back to Sweet, Texas to spend Christmas with his brother and family. He comes across an elf of all things decorating the tree outside of the Sheriff’s department. Noah is intrigued with the sprite dressed as an elf. Faith is very leery of anyone in law enforcement because of her family history. The two are striking sparks off each other right from the beginning. They seem to keep crossing paths and get to know each other better. But can a Texas Ranger see a woman with a family history like her’s? Beside he works out of Austin not Sweet so can they even have a relationship?
This is a sweet, clean romance that anyone can read.
Mistletoe Detour – Kate Pearce
Ted is a local tow truck driver. He gets a call about a stranded car and driver along side the road. It is a cold snowy night. After traversing over the snowy roads, he comes to the car and out pops an old child friend. Veronica hasn’t been back to town in years. She is on her way to see her uncle when her car ran out of gas. Ted also has a bit of bad news for her. Her uncle is with his dad on a cruise around Hawaii. Ted invites her and her pet pig to stay with him in the interim.
Veronica has a secret (well two actually). She tells Ted that she had stolen her pet pig, Bacon from her ex-husband. Ted can feel that something more is going on than she is telling him. What could that secret be? Will it drive these two apart?
This story is written in a dual POV format. I love that. I can get into the characters’ mind and really see how they think in any given situation.
This is a slightly sexy read. The author does not go into any great and graphic detail. It was really glossed over. That being said, and I would hate to offend any parents of minor children, I would only recommend this to someone over the age of 18.
August 26, 2020
I received Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a collection of three Christmas-themed novellas--Mistletoe Cowboy, Blame It on the Mistletoe, and Mistletoe Detour--featuring small-town love stories about people thrown together by chance but who
These were all fairly by-the-book contemporary Western novellas, for better or worse. I don't know what it is about this genre, as the lifestyle doesn't appeal to me at all, but I'm drawn to romance novels in that setting. That said, there are issues with it as a whole, and these stories don't exactly break any new ground. First, there's the archetype of "small town good, city bad" that permeates the whole thing, without paying due attention to the drawbacks of small town life and the positives of living in a more urban setting. Anyone "from the city" is crooked and bad and artificial and the small town denizens are generous, kind, "real" men/women, almost to a fault. Going along with that, there's an inherent conservative slant to these stories. Military/law enforcement are near-worshipped professions, religion is taken as a given (and scorn is often heaped on people who aren't religious). These are Hallmark-movie stories, and while I find Hallmark movies as addicting as any white lady, I also acknowledge that they leave a lot of people out in the cold and depict a fantasy world. These are quick, light reads, but not devoid of eyeroll-worthy tropes.
This is a collection of three Christmas-themed novellas--Mistletoe Cowboy, Blame It on the Mistletoe, and Mistletoe Detour--featuring small-town love stories about people thrown together by chance but who
These were all fairly by-the-book contemporary Western novellas, for better or worse. I don't know what it is about this genre, as the lifestyle doesn't appeal to me at all, but I'm drawn to romance novels in that setting. That said, there are issues with it as a whole, and these stories don't exactly break any new ground. First, there's the archetype of "small town good, city bad" that permeates the whole thing, without paying due attention to the drawbacks of small town life and the positives of living in a more urban setting. Anyone "from the city" is crooked and bad and artificial and the small town denizens are generous, kind, "real" men/women, almost to a fault. Going along with that, there's an inherent conservative slant to these stories. Military/law enforcement are near-worshipped professions, religion is taken as a given (and scorn is often heaped on people who aren't religious). These are Hallmark-movie stories, and while I find Hallmark movies as addicting as any white lady, I also acknowledge that they leave a lot of people out in the cold and depict a fantasy world. These are quick, light reads, but not devoid of eyeroll-worthy tropes.
July 30, 2020
This is a sweet trio of holiday western romances. All three stories are connected with larger series by the authors - so fans of those authors will definitely recognize families and small towns. Each story is really about taking a chance again and opening yourself up to someone else. All of these writers are wonderful and have written some amazing books - these stories definitely hold up that tradition!
I liked all of the stories - but I think my favorite was Diana Palmer's. The only thing I'll add is that Kate Pearce's story felt unfinished - like I turned the last page and was left wanting more. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends left open - and maybe she;ll tackle them in another book - but still...
Novella's are always hard in romance, because you have to accept a lot of love in a very short period of time - but it definitely worked in all of these.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
I liked all of the stories - but I think my favorite was Diana Palmer's. The only thing I'll add is that Kate Pearce's story felt unfinished - like I turned the last page and was left wanting more. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends left open - and maybe she;ll tackle them in another book - but still...
Novella's are always hard in romance, because you have to accept a lot of love in a very short period of time - but it definitely worked in all of these.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
September 8, 2020
I enjoyed reading all three stories in the anthology Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy. Katy Blake and sweet little Teddie won over the heart of Parker in Diana Palmer's Mistletoe Cowboy. Faith Loren bravely opens her heart to Texas Ranger Noah Tucker in Blame It on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair. In Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce Veronica Hernandez and her pet pig, Bacon are rescued by Ted Baker when Veronica runs out of gas on her way to Morgantown, California. Veronica and Ted find being friends is good but falling in love is better. These stories are filled with lots of love and Christmas cheer. Very entertaining.
November 20, 2020
i enjoy seeing lots of authors at once, great cover!! i love a sexy cowboy, but who doesn't???! found this at Walmart, i gotta say, as a reader, i wish they were not so pricey, i would enjoy buying more, but being what price they are ... can't do as many as i did or do wish for??! i love Christmas reads, such a fan of the book cover. so festive!! great characters. i wanna read more, and will do so soon. very soon.
September 1, 2020
I am a really big fan of Christmas books and can read them anytime of the year. These were no exception. They held my interest from start to finish and can't wait to read more from these three authors. The stories had great characters and a great storyline. Who wouldn't want a cowboy for Christmas.
September 13, 2020
Fans of Kate Pearce’s Morgan Valley series will love this new novella that includes the wedding of a favorite couple. Ted and Veronica are the perfect cold winter afternoon escape, complete with a pig.
July 17, 2026
This is a collection of 3 novellas set in the contemporary west, with a cowboy or two, if not the MC, part of the story in one way or another. Each author has a series set in the communities or families where these novellas are set and ranching abounds. These were originally published with a different title in 2020 and the authors are established in western romance.
Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer - Parker had just finished putting a filly he was training through her paces at the line house on his employer's ranch when he spots a palomino galloping 'hell for leather' down the trail. Running behind was a youngster. Thus Parker and Teddie meet, along with Bartholomew, the palomino. Teddie's mom, Katy of course is the other half of the love interest. Parker is half Crow with an interesting - and dark - background. Katy is a recent military widow with her own shadows. Teddie is adorable, as is Bartholomew whose rescue from abuse history drives the plot. And wait until you meet Two Toes. Oh and there's a really shyster of an East Coast lawyer. This one is set in Colorado ranching country. I give this 3.5 stars (it would have rated 4 except Katy late in the story has some really bad and unnecessary behavior. It gets a 2💋 smut rating.
Blame It on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair - Texas ranger Noah Tucker arrives back in his home time at Christmas, reluctantly, to spend time with his siblings and their family. While passing through town on way to his brother's ranch, he spots a very attractive elf up a ladder decorating a tree outside the local Sheriff's office. Thinking he may have caught the town's Christmas Good Samaritan at work, he stops, flirts, and finds himself left with the remaining decorations. The elf is Faith, whose family history is notorious, well-known in the town, and the cause of why she does not trust men, especially any in the police, in addition to being the guardian of a younger brother now in a young teen whom she is determined not to be harmed or follow the family criminal legacy. Of course these two are meant to fall in love just in time for Christmas! Of course, first Noah has to be a bit bone-headed and nearly lose the girl. I give this 3 stars and 1💋smut rating - it's very sweet but full of hot kisses. Alas, there is no recipe included for the ginger bear with Santa hat cookies Faith bakes for a Christmas bake sale. That cost a half a star.
Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce - Ted, who is a mechanic, owns a garage and provides tow truck service, is called out on a snowy night to tow a car into town and rescue the driver. Off he goes and finds that the stranded driver is his high school crush Veronica, who left their small California ranching town for the big city years earlier. She's headed to her uncle's ranch, and also clearly looking to hide out from something she's left behind. Oh, and she's traveling with a pet pig named Bacon who is part of whatever drama may be following her. Since her uncle is on a cruise of Hawaii with Ted's dad, of course Ted has her stay with him. This was a let of fun, and the resolution of Veronica's drama was rather hilarious, and the entire town and side characters, each of which clearly have their own series book, have me adding to the TBR. Another 3.5 stars with a 4💋 smut rating.
Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer - Parker had just finished putting a filly he was training through her paces at the line house on his employer's ranch when he spots a palomino galloping 'hell for leather' down the trail. Running behind was a youngster. Thus Parker and Teddie meet, along with Bartholomew, the palomino. Teddie's mom, Katy of course is the other half of the love interest. Parker is half Crow with an interesting - and dark - background. Katy is a recent military widow with her own shadows. Teddie is adorable, as is Bartholomew whose rescue from abuse history drives the plot. And wait until you meet Two Toes. Oh and there's a really shyster of an East Coast lawyer. This one is set in Colorado ranching country. I give this 3.5 stars (it would have rated 4 except Katy late in the story has some really bad and unnecessary behavior. It gets a 2💋 smut rating.
Blame It on the Mistletoe by Marina Adair - Texas ranger Noah Tucker arrives back in his home time at Christmas, reluctantly, to spend time with his siblings and their family. While passing through town on way to his brother's ranch, he spots a very attractive elf up a ladder decorating a tree outside the local Sheriff's office. Thinking he may have caught the town's Christmas Good Samaritan at work, he stops, flirts, and finds himself left with the remaining decorations. The elf is Faith, whose family history is notorious, well-known in the town, and the cause of why she does not trust men, especially any in the police, in addition to being the guardian of a younger brother now in a young teen whom she is determined not to be harmed or follow the family criminal legacy. Of course these two are meant to fall in love just in time for Christmas! Of course, first Noah has to be a bit bone-headed and nearly lose the girl. I give this 3 stars and 1💋smut rating - it's very sweet but full of hot kisses. Alas, there is no recipe included for the ginger bear with Santa hat cookies Faith bakes for a Christmas bake sale. That cost a half a star.
Mistletoe Detour by Kate Pearce - Ted, who is a mechanic, owns a garage and provides tow truck service, is called out on a snowy night to tow a car into town and rescue the driver. Off he goes and finds that the stranded driver is his high school crush Veronica, who left their small California ranching town for the big city years earlier. She's headed to her uncle's ranch, and also clearly looking to hide out from something she's left behind. Oh, and she's traveling with a pet pig named Bacon who is part of whatever drama may be following her. Since her uncle is on a cruise of Hawaii with Ted's dad, of course Ted has her stay with him. This was a let of fun, and the resolution of Veronica's drama was rather hilarious, and the entire town and side characters, each of which clearly have their own series book, have me adding to the TBR. Another 3.5 stars with a 4💋 smut rating.
October 2, 2020
Oops, I did it again. So, I happen to love Kate Pearce and Marina Adair. I remembered that I didn’t have the best relationship with Diana Palmer’s books, but just couldn’t pass this compilation up when 2/3 of the stories would be by favorites of mine. After reading the first story in this book, Mistletoe Cowboy by Diana Palmer, I decided to do the same thing as last time I read a compilation in which she was involved…save the review of her story for last.
Blame it on the Mistletoe
(Sweet Plains novella)
by Marina Adair
I’ve actually had this author’s Tucker’s Crossing on my TBR for about 6 years. Then, more than a year ago I bought the book. It was on sale, she’s a favorite author of mine, I’ve been wanting to read it forever, etc. Still haven’t read the darn thing! After reading this short story, which I guess would be a book #2 in the Sweet Plains series, I want to read that story even more. I was hooked from the beginning and rooting for Faith and Noah to find their way to one another. They are both amazingly kind characters, Noah with some added swagger. Both with much added baggage. I felt as though the author packed a lot into this story without bogging things down. The chemistry between Noah and Faith was off the charts, whether they were flirting or telling each other their secrets. The perfect Christmas story.
~ 5 stars
Mistletoe Detour
(Morgan Valley novella)
by Kate Pearce
This author always pulls me in and holds me tight. On top of my love of her writing, this story starts off with some awesome forced proximity and continues with a bit of fake relationship. I was in heaven! Ted and Veronica are so sweet together in the beginning, their chemistry simmering under the surface while they’re both unsure if they should admit what they’re feeling. That chemistry flames up once they realize their feelings aren’t one-sided. Even with the passion, the sweetness is still there. Both Veronica and Ted are such good people who deserve the best. I love that Veronica grew up in Morgan Valley and had many connections to the town, as well as her and Ted having gone to school together, so the story felt natural even when it was moving quickly. I didn’t want this one to end.
~ 5 stars
Mistletoe Cowboy
by Diana Palmer
As I’ve mentioned, I am not a fan of this author. I gave some of her full-length books a try years back and just had too many issues with her writing. Trying to keep an open mind going into this story, I was pleasantly surprised for the first little bit. There was something to her writing style I still found quite plodding and simple without a good flow, but issues I’ve had with her story content in the past (misogyny, racisim, etc.) weren’t so prevalent. In fact, it almost seemed as though the author was overcompensating to almost a preachy degree about some hot-button issues.
Don’t you hate when you are reading and can pinpoint the exact moment a character you found to be smart and kind turns into an unthinking and selfish idiot? And then doubles down on their stupidity as the story progresses. Seriously, I went from liking Katy to flat out hating the woman. I didn’t see how the author could redeem her (in my eyes she never did) or how her daughter or Parker could ever look at her the same. On top of it all, there was a lot of repetition (especially for a short story) and inconsistencies. Please guys, remind me to skip her stories if I ever get another compilation with her involved. I just can’t read her stuff without getting mad.
~1 star
What I usually do when rating a compilation is take the average rating of all of the stories and use that. I feel that is unfair to Marina Adair and Kate Pearce to do that since I loved their stories so much. So, instead, I’m giving this 5 stars and pretending the Diana Palmer story wasn’t included.
**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**
You can find more of my reviews on my blog, All In Good Time.
Blame it on the Mistletoe
(Sweet Plains novella)
by Marina Adair
I’ve actually had this author’s Tucker’s Crossing on my TBR for about 6 years. Then, more than a year ago I bought the book. It was on sale, she’s a favorite author of mine, I’ve been wanting to read it forever, etc. Still haven’t read the darn thing! After reading this short story, which I guess would be a book #2 in the Sweet Plains series, I want to read that story even more. I was hooked from the beginning and rooting for Faith and Noah to find their way to one another. They are both amazingly kind characters, Noah with some added swagger. Both with much added baggage. I felt as though the author packed a lot into this story without bogging things down. The chemistry between Noah and Faith was off the charts, whether they were flirting or telling each other their secrets. The perfect Christmas story.
~ 5 stars
Mistletoe Detour
(Morgan Valley novella)
by Kate Pearce
This author always pulls me in and holds me tight. On top of my love of her writing, this story starts off with some awesome forced proximity and continues with a bit of fake relationship. I was in heaven! Ted and Veronica are so sweet together in the beginning, their chemistry simmering under the surface while they’re both unsure if they should admit what they’re feeling. That chemistry flames up once they realize their feelings aren’t one-sided. Even with the passion, the sweetness is still there. Both Veronica and Ted are such good people who deserve the best. I love that Veronica grew up in Morgan Valley and had many connections to the town, as well as her and Ted having gone to school together, so the story felt natural even when it was moving quickly. I didn’t want this one to end.
~ 5 stars
Mistletoe Cowboy
by Diana Palmer
As I’ve mentioned, I am not a fan of this author. I gave some of her full-length books a try years back and just had too many issues with her writing. Trying to keep an open mind going into this story, I was pleasantly surprised for the first little bit. There was something to her writing style I still found quite plodding and simple without a good flow, but issues I’ve had with her story content in the past (misogyny, racisim, etc.) weren’t so prevalent. In fact, it almost seemed as though the author was overcompensating to almost a preachy degree about some hot-button issues.
Don’t you hate when you are reading and can pinpoint the exact moment a character you found to be smart and kind turns into an unthinking and selfish idiot? And then doubles down on their stupidity as the story progresses. Seriously, I went from liking Katy to flat out hating the woman. I didn’t see how the author could redeem her (in my eyes she never did) or how her daughter or Parker could ever look at her the same. On top of it all, there was a lot of repetition (especially for a short story) and inconsistencies. Please guys, remind me to skip her stories if I ever get another compilation with her involved. I just can’t read her stuff without getting mad.
~1 star
What I usually do when rating a compilation is take the average rating of all of the stories and use that. I feel that is unfair to Marina Adair and Kate Pearce to do that since I loved their stories so much. So, instead, I’m giving this 5 stars and pretending the Diana Palmer story wasn’t included.
**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**
You can find more of my reviews on my blog, All In Good Time.
September 20, 2020
I read this anthology for Kate Pearce's Mistletoe Detour which is part of her Miller's of Morgan Valley series that I've really been enjoying. I really liked Marina Adair's Blame it on the Mistletoe part of her Sweet Plains series and will have to dig for more of that. Then there was Diana Palmer's Mistletoe Cowboy that I was just bored reading. Sorry Diana, you did not float my boat. Anthologies give you a taste of authors and their series and this one was interesting.
Palmer's Mistletoe Cowboy is part of a series but I don't know which one. This is about Parker, 1/2 Crow Native American & 1/2 Scot who works part time for the NASA and is a horse whisperer for the J.L. Denton Ranch. He befriends a Katy, a young girl struggling with a wild palomino who was abused by his previous owner. Katy's mother is the new widow next door who's taking over her In-Law's ranch next door after their passing. This is a pretty predictable story with lots of social issues dealing with race, assumptions and abuse.
Adair's Blame It On The Mistletoe just made me laugh out loud over and over. It was a pure delight. Noah Tucker is home for the first time in 12 years after leaving his mean, abusive Father. He's a Texas Ranger and is a stable and honorable man. Faith Loren is working overtime to make up for her family's destructive legacy in town. She's prejudged by the town for her family's bad reputation. She's determined to make up for it by being the town's Secret Samaritan. She works two jobs to make ends meet and then is forever doing things for others. She doesn't have time to date. In comes Noah who she knew in school. The chemistry between them is so much fun to watch develope. In the end Faith learns there's always time for love and Noah learns home is where he belongs.
Pearce's Mistletoe Detour is Ted Baker the ever faithful Morgantown mechanic alone for the first time at Christmas. His Dad is off on a Hawaiian Cruise with Veronica Hernandez's Uncle Victor. Veronica is unexpectedly back home and is at a loss with her only family Uncle Victor out of town. Ted has stayed around for his ailing and seemingly ever dependant Dad. He lives with his Dad above the shop in a remodeled apartment and never managed to move out. When Veronica's car breaks down he ends up telling her she can stay in his Dad's room so she won't be alone and he'll help with her pet pig. They're friends of a sort, knowing each other from school. Turns out she's running from a misunderstanding and a controlling ex-boyfriend. This was a fun story as friendship and Christmas move them to love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Palmer's Mistletoe Cowboy is part of a series but I don't know which one. This is about Parker, 1/2 Crow Native American & 1/2 Scot who works part time for the NASA and is a horse whisperer for the J.L. Denton Ranch. He befriends a Katy, a young girl struggling with a wild palomino who was abused by his previous owner. Katy's mother is the new widow next door who's taking over her In-Law's ranch next door after their passing. This is a pretty predictable story with lots of social issues dealing with race, assumptions and abuse.
Adair's Blame It On The Mistletoe just made me laugh out loud over and over. It was a pure delight. Noah Tucker is home for the first time in 12 years after leaving his mean, abusive Father. He's a Texas Ranger and is a stable and honorable man. Faith Loren is working overtime to make up for her family's destructive legacy in town. She's prejudged by the town for her family's bad reputation. She's determined to make up for it by being the town's Secret Samaritan. She works two jobs to make ends meet and then is forever doing things for others. She doesn't have time to date. In comes Noah who she knew in school. The chemistry between them is so much fun to watch develope. In the end Faith learns there's always time for love and Noah learns home is where he belongs.
Pearce's Mistletoe Detour is Ted Baker the ever faithful Morgantown mechanic alone for the first time at Christmas. His Dad is off on a Hawaiian Cruise with Veronica Hernandez's Uncle Victor. Veronica is unexpectedly back home and is at a loss with her only family Uncle Victor out of town. Ted has stayed around for his ailing and seemingly ever dependant Dad. He lives with his Dad above the shop in a remodeled apartment and never managed to move out. When Veronica's car breaks down he ends up telling her she can stay in his Dad's room so she won't be alone and he'll help with her pet pig. They're friends of a sort, knowing each other from school. Turns out she's running from a misunderstanding and a controlling ex-boyfriend. This was a fun story as friendship and Christmas move them to love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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