A Little Country Christmas

Longhorn Canyon

by Carolyn Brown, Rochelle Alers, Hope Ramsay

From matchmaking carolers to a festive lights competition, four bestselling authors explore the magic of the holidays in these heartwarming small towns.

The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown
Rugged cowboy Landon Griffin can't help being smitten by single mom Dixie Boudreaux and her baby girl. To help win their hearts, he wants to give them both the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch -- baking cookies, trimming the tree, building snowmen, and the whole works. But when nothing seems to go right, he might need a Christmas miracle to help him out of the mess.

Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay
Retired music teacher Brenda McMillan has lost her holiday spirit, but reluctantly agrees to fill in for the director of the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale -- even though Dr. James Killough, the town's biggest Christmas enthusiast, is the group's accompanist. Will he have enough Christmas magic to mend her broken heart?

Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers
Pastry chef Iris Nelson is looking forward to spending Christmas on Cavanaugh Island with her best friend's family. But she wasn't expecting to celebrate with their very handsome visitor on leave from Afghanistan. Is their attraction just the glow of the season or a gift to enjoy forever?

Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine
For Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia, no hometown tradition makes her happier than the Meadow Valley Holiday Light Parade. This year she's planning for the sheriff's office to have the most dazzling lights. But when the new mayor -- and certified grinch -- threatens to cancel the event, Dani will have to show him the true meaning of Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Westerns, Holiday, Contemporary, Anthologies, Small Town Romance

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!

Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.

I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.

I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.

Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!

I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Country Christmas was an enjoyable collection of holiday romances covering a variety of tropes.

Overall average rating — 3 Stars


The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown — 2 Stars

Cowboy Landon Griffin fell for single mom Dixie Boudreaux the minute he saw her. And after he finds out Dixie hasn't experienced many of his favorite Christmas pastimes, he makes it his mission to give Dixie and her little girl the perfect holiday season. I knew going into this story that I probably wouldn't love it as I typically do not enjoy romances where one of the main characters has a baby. And while I loved the idea of Landon showing Dixie some of his favorite Christmas activities, unfortunately a large number of those activities are centered around Sally, Dixie's little girl. So in this case, it was only due to my own preferences that I did not enjoy this story and if you're someone who likes babies in your romances then this story would definitely be more up your alley.


Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine — 3 Stars

Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia loves her hometown's traditions with her favorite being the Meadow Valley Holiday Light Parade which she plans for the sheriff's office to win this year. But Meadow Valley's new mayor plans to get rid of the event if Dani can't change his mind. I enjoyed this story, particularly the character of Dani. She's smart, great at her job, and speaks her mind. Unfortunately I didn't love the hero of the story, Peyton Cooper. He initially comes across as someone who thinks he's better than the small town's other residents which didn't endear him to me. He did get better as the story goes on, but due to the shortness of the story there wasn't enough time for me to overcome my initial feelings on him. But overall this was a cute story and I will be checking out more from the author in the future.


Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers — 3 Stars

Iris Nelson is looking forward to spending her first holiday season on Cavanaugh Island. She wasn't expecting to start a romance with her best friend's brother, on leave from Afghanistan. Iris is a fantastic character and I loved her relationships with her family and best friend. She works as a pastry chef and listening to her describe food definitely made me hungry, the descriptions were so well done. Collier, the love interest, was an intriguing character. He's on leave from the Army and has been dealing with PTSD for several months. My only issue with the story is that I wasn't completely sold on the pair's romance as I felt physical chemistry between the pair was lacking. Overall though this was a cute story and I would be interested in picking up something else by this author in the future.


Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay — 4 Stars

Brenda McMillan has hated Christmas for over thirty years so when she's asked to fill in for the director of the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale, her answer is an emphatic no. But Dr. James Killough refuses to take no for an answer. This story features a romance between an older couple and was my favorite story in the collection. Brenda has experienced a lot of loss at Christmastime and dislikes the holiday as a result. Jim lost his wife on Christmas day but took the opposite path as Brenda and tries to make it a happy time of year. Despite their opposite views on Christmas, the pair have a lot in common including their shared love of music. I really enjoyed how the author was able to slowly build their romance despite the short length of the story. Overall I really enjoyed the story and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be picking up more from the author in the future.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Could Be The Best...
Maybe A Couple Of Novellas...
That Have To Do With Country Living...

What Would Make These Tales Even Better...
Why Having Them Be About the Best Season Of All...

Christmas...
And Marrying Christmas With Country...
Perfect...

Now To Make This As Perfect As Possible...
Have Carolyn Brown, Rochelle Alers,
Hope Ramsay, And A.J. Pine Write The Stories...

Enjoy
The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers
Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine


A Little Country Christmas
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[✨Briana B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute bundle of novellas to get you into the holiday spirit! I want Christmas to be here right now🎄 You cannot go wrong with the small country town atmosphere during the holiday season ☃️

I have read books by Carolyn Brown before, but this was a first for me by the other three authors. Reading them has definitely peaked by interest and has made me look into AJ Pine, Hope Ramsay, and Rochelle Alers.

I voluntarily read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ryan - Sweet Red Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me forever and a day to finish this book so now that I've read the last page, I really feel like I accomplished something! All the stories were good - two were from authors I've read before and two are new to me. They were all emotional and heartfelt and a bit on the wholesome side, so if that's what you're into definitely check them out. Rochelle Alers contribution was my favorite, but all of them were pretty good - I just prefer a bit more heat with my romance. They were all like watching Christmas Hallmark movies so I do recommend them if you're looking to get into the Christmas spirit, any time of the year! 3.5 out of 5 wine glasses.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming family and romance, simple pleasures, and the holiday season make for a splendid comfy read in preparation of the season. Four stellar authors delivered a bounty of holiday cheer in their novellas.

Carolyn Brown's The Perfect Christmas is the adorably country charmer finishing off the Longhorn Canyon series with a follow up romance for two side characters from an earlier book. Landon has an itchy boot that feels the need to roam, but single mom Dixie and her little girl Sally hope to give him a reason to stay put after a series of holiday encounters meant to give them all their first real Christmas.

It's back to Magnolia Bay in Hope Ramsay's Joy to the World when private grinch, music instructor, Brenda agrees to take on directing the town Christmas chorale with Christmas' biggest fan, Dr. James Killough as her music accompanist. Can a bit of holiday magic heal her from her past?

My sweet tooth was touched when Iris, a pastry chef spends Christmas with her friend's family on Cavanagh Island and encounters a delicious guest all the way from Afghanistan in Rochelle Alers' Home for the Holidays. Can a holiday romance lead to forever love?

And, then AJ Pine to Meadow Valley in A Christmas Cowboy at Heart just in time for Deputy Sheriff Dani to convince their new mayor who is her old crush and something of a grinch that the Light Parade must go on as an important town Christmas tradition and love is a big part of Christmas' joy.

All four authors chose to write stories in the world of their respective series (Longhorn Ranch, Magnolia Bay, Cavanaugh Island, and Meadow Valley), but they are all stories that easily stood alone so newcomers or old fans can all appreciate them.

I have read books by three of the four authors so I was prepared for what I was going to get in this delightful anthology. The stories were all laid back even gently-paced in ways depicting the right tone for the book's themes. I got comfortable and easily settled into each story. I liked that there was a nice variety created by writing style, but also the variety in the various holiday romance situations though there was a cohesiveness so no one's story felt wrong for the book. I needed the light charm that didn't dig too deep emotionally or force me to focus too hard to match my mood and they were great because I was able to pick them up in separate readings between tasks and chores and still get a whole, well-developed story.

Usually, I can pick out stories in anthologies that were better or more suited to me than others, but this was a foursome that I felt were equals and all grabbed my attention about the same. Definitely a holiday anthology that I would eagerly press on other contemporary romance fans to try.

I rec'd this book through Net Galley from Forever to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED Hope Ramsay's addition (Joy to the World) to this Christmas collection of stories. It includes characters from her Moonlight Bay series and was very enjoyable. Carolyn Brown's story (The Perfect Christmas) involved characters from her Longhorn Ranch series and was also terrific. These two stories were my favorites. ;)

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four novellas about finding the spirit of Christmas for one person in each story and how love can bring the spirit back into their lives.

In The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown, a young mother who has never had a Christmas, is shown by a young handsome cowboy how to have a Christmas to remember for her and her child. How the little things can bring the joy of the season when love comes with Santa.

This was a wonderful heartwarming story and you felt the spirit of the season with every word that only Carolyn Brown can bring to a cowboy Christmas. it’s a story that fills your heart with love and laughter of the season.

In Joy to the World by Hope Ramsey, a retired music teacher who has had the joy of the season and music not playing the in her heart is asked to do the one thing this Grinch, as she is called by the towns people, to lead the Christmas Chorale and the handsome doctor who’s clinic is the recipient of the proceeds of the concert, shows her how to have the joy and spirt of the season back in her heart along with the love and family too.

Hope Ramsey brings out the love and heart of a women who has lost the joy of Christmas and makes her “Grinch” heart grow with music and the love she never thought she would have again.

In Cowboy Christmas at Heart by P J Pine, It’s a hard sell for Deputy Sherrif Dani Garcia to get the Mayor to light up the town for Christmas. The Mayor is also her high school crush, so she has to work her magic to help him find his way back to Christmas and light up him from the inside out. She can do that by showing him that Christmas can still be a time of friendship and love and that they can spend the rest of their lives helping each other to trust and love again.

I will admit that I had a hard time getting into this story, but once the truth comes out about why the Mayor has denied himself the pleasure of Christmas this story took off for me.

In Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers, Iris Nelson is a gal who loves to bake and puts all her skills into her dream of owning her own shop one day, but before this comes true, she is looking forward to her first Christmas in Cavanaugh Island and hosting her family and friends. But her best friend has invited her brother to come along and it turns out that he is someone one she already knows... She is very much attracted to him and this joy and love of the holiday season just might bring more than she asked for from Santa!

I enjoyed this story. It was heartwarming and gave you a good feeling when you finished the story. The joy of the season was felt on each page.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this lovely Christmas novellas.

[Readsandeats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has 4 Christmas Novellas.
The 1st is by Carolyn Brown. We meet Landon, a lovely cowboy who really likes local seamstress Dixie and her wee girl Sally. They don’t have much and Dixie is trying to make ends meet whilst giving Sally all the love she needs. To make this Christmas really special for them both Landon decides to give them the perfect Christmas, lots of fun activities to build memories. However, things don’t go to plan and they all may end up with more than they thought. I loved the interplay between Landon and Sally, she is such a cute character. A lovely festive read.
The 2nd book is by Hope Ramsay. Brenda has the name and reputation of being a Grinch. She doesn’t like Christmas and wants nothing to so with it or the town’s festivities. Reluctantly she agrees to help out with the town’s Christmas Chorale, which means she spends time with the town’s Dr. Can the Dr help Brenda find the Joy in Christmas once more? I enjoyed seeing Brenda come alive again, I also enjoyed seeing her joy of music come back.
The 3rd book is by Rochelle Alers. Iris works at the local bakery as a pastry chef, she loves her job but would love to run her own business one day. On a night out she meets Collier, they have a nice evening chatting and say Goodbye. However, he turns out to be her best friend’s brother who is home on leave from the Army. As they spend time together can they help each other heal? Rochelle Alers did a really good job about writing about PTSD and its effects on sufferers, it was handled sensitively. I enjoyed the interplay between characters.
The 4th book is by A.J.Pine. Deputy Daniela Garcia loves Christmas, especially the towns lights display and this year she wants the Sherriff’s Office to have the best display. However, the town’s major is not sure he wants the lights festival to go ahead. Daniela is determined to show him how important it is to the town and that Christmas is a time to celebrate. Daniela is a force of nature; can Cooper resist her? I liked seeing both characters learn to appreciate each other and to understand their feelings about Christmas.

All in all a really lovely book with very enjoyable stories.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Little Country Christmas is a collection of novellas by some excellent authors guaranteed to fill readers with Christmas spirit.
The Perfect Christmas, the concluding book in Carolyn Brown’s Longhorn Ranch series is about a jaded single mom whose pre-Christmas dealings with a sexy cowboy renews her faith in men as the pair set out to make Christmas memories. The adventures Landon, Dixie, and precious baby Sally have as they fall in love are sure to delight Ms. Brown’s legend of fans.

A Cowboy Christmas At Heart by A. J. Pine pits cost cutting Mayor “Grinch” against Deputy Police Chief, Dani when Peyton Cooper refuses to put Christmas lights up on city hall. The banter between these two is delightful as they finally acknowledge mutual high school crushes and reveal personal secrets, but will Cooper want to stay in town or be lured back to Chicago where he used to work?

In Home For The Holidays author Rochelle Akers tells the story of a career military man home for the holidays and a former military brat who is besties with his sister. This is a more serious relationship story than the previous two. Collier is suffering from nightmares since his last deployment. Iris is a survivor of an abusive relationship. It’s crucial that these two learn to trust in the power of new relationships...plus there are some great recipes included.

Joy to the World is Hope Ramsay’s contribution. Magnolia Harbor needs a director for the Christmas chorale that funds the free medical clinic. Brenda is highly qualified but she hates Christmas. Jim, who gave up a promising musical career to become a doctor, convinces her to take the job. Ms. Ramsay has written an engaging silver fox story as these two lonely characters come to find they are very compatible musically and otherwise.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep the tissues close by as you are reading A LITTLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS. These authors will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to all of these characters. All of the characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again.

Just because A LITTLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is four novellas doesn’t mean you will feel cheated. Each story is just the perfect length to meet and care for each character. If you have never read any of these authors, this book would make a perfect introduction to the reader. Each story involves a Christmas tale that is sure to pull at your heart strings. A LITTLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is a cute holiday collection that is sure to appeal to the country romance reader’s heart. Get comfortable in your favorite chair and be ready to be totally entertained by these four wonderful authors.

A LITTLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is without a doubt one of the best collection of novellas I’ve read in 2020 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. All of these authors really know how to write about family drama, heartbreak, the holiday spirit, and forgiveness. These stories will surely get you in the Christmas spirit if you aren’t already!🎄 I can not wait to read more stories by them. All four are among my favorite fiction authors and these novellas are exactly why.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Carole Burant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown....I must say, this was my favourite story out of the 4!! I loved how Landon worked so hard to make it a special Christmas for Dixie and her baby daughter. Lots of romance and humour amidst all the Christmas joy.

Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine....I really enjoyed this story as well. Dani has always had a crush on Peyton and now that he's back in town as the new mayor, she finds herself fighting with him about the town's Christmas decorating! He's turned into a Grinch and it's her duty to find out why and make him believe again.

Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers....This is not your typical lighthearted Christmas story and in fact deals more with Collier's PTSD and Iris' fear of being abused again. I did enjoy the recipes written at the start of each chapter:)

Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay..... Brenda has no love for Christmas because everything bad that's ever happened in her life has been around the holidays. So, it's up to Jim, the town doctor, to convince her to start loving it again. A cute story that involves an older couple who are given a chance to find happiness again.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories ranged from cute to emotional. Loved the Carolyn Brown one. It featured a single mom with the cutest little girl and the cowboy who did everything in his power to help them have a perfect Christmas. A.J. Pine's featured a deputy policewoman try to convince the town mayor to get back into the holiday spirit and let the town celebrate in their usual way. I loved the Rochelle Alers story and how it featured a soldier dealing with PTSD, though the ending of that one was a bit odd. Hope Ramsey's story was about older people, which was great. A doctor had to convince a woman known as the town Grinch to direct a Christmas choir. In the end, I think I liked Carolyn Brown and Hope Ramsey's offerings the best, though each story was great on its own. I've definitely got to try more works by these authors, that's for sure. Check this out if you're looking to squeeze in some more holiday reading before Christmas. There's something here for everyone!

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Christmas
Full disclosure: Not a fan of babies in romance. When I realized this featured a baby as a principle character, I stopped reading.
A Christmas Cowboy at Heart
I thought Peyton came across as thinking of himself way too much as opposed to thinking of the residents he serves (he is mayor). It turns out he had his own tragedy that shaped his viewpoint of the holiday season. Dani is all about the holidays. This took some time to get into (and then was over).
Home for the Holidays
Warning- chapters start with a recipe (except for the first). If you are hungry, sorry, not sorry! Iris is a pastey chef with dreams of opening her own business. Collier is home on leave. This was more of a "I like you, but..." Each character has a past. Collier with PTSD, Iris with an abusive relationship. Ending was more of a HFN.
Joy to the World
This features older characters, but I had a hard time getting into it.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four novellas to put you in a Christmas mood!


The Perfect Christmas
Carolyn Brown

A sweet cowboy gives a single mother the whimsical Christmas she never had growing up.


A Christmas Cowboy at Heart
A.J. Pine

Sparks fly between a deputy and the town's mayor for the Holiday Lights Parade competition.


Home for the Holidays
Rochelle Alers

When her friend can't make it to Girls night out, a pastry chef meet a military man at the club. Recipes included. Diverse read.


Joy to the World
Hope Ramsay

A too charming for his own good doctor try to convince the town's Scrooge to substitute for the musical director for the Christmas Chorale. A love story between two older people.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave each story in this collection 4 stars! Each one was a joy to read, and each a little different from the other. I am sad to see the Longhorn Canyon series come to a close in the first story, but I am excited to see what else Brown has in store for us!
This was also my first time reading anything by Rochelle Alers, and I really enjoyed their writing! Will definitely be looking into their backlist.
Ramsay and Pine came at us with great stories in their small towns also, and it was such a treat to experience them all in this collection.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each one of these stories is short little ones with a couple I am sure to go along with other series. The only author I had not read before was Rochelle Aires. Hers was about a pastry chef finding herself again with the help of a visitor who turns out to be the brother of her friend. He is a soldier and though Iris is leery of starting a relationship because of her marriage ending the way it did, she does like the thought of trying. The soldier has decided to get help for his PTSD and what you have is a very good and different Christmas story one that I could relate to. This one was very good and really added to the book for me. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Claudia Pinillos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown (3.5 stars)- read 12/14-12/15:
-This was a super cute friends to lovers story and I absolutely adored the baby!!! She was precious!

____

A Christmas Cowboy at Heart by A.J. Pine (4.5 stars)- read 12/21-12/22:
-Take a grinch-y mayor, a deputy sheriff that loves decorating town for the holidays, mix in some old high school crushes and you get something super sweet and adorable and fun. This one just kept a smile on my face the entire time and I wish we could have so much more of them.

_____

Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers (4 stars)- read 12/28:
-I could not put this one down. I was so hooked on the story right away and just wanted more and more of it. I loved all the characters and really wish I got to spend more time with them. The conflict in this one is resolved so quickly, which makes sense for a novella, but sometimes I like to see the characters work through their differences and really dig into it.
**CW for PTSD, and abusive relationships.
______

Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay (4 stars) - read 12/29:
-I loved this one! They're both older and have full grown children, which we don't get to see too often. I also loved that she was the grump and he was the sunshine. I just had a great time with this one.

[Donna Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology contains 4 novellas. I liked that one featured people of color and another was about older people. I really liked two of the stories. One story didn't really feel like a Christmas story but more of a romance that happened to be set during the holidays. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Loved all the stories in the book!! I love Hope Ramsay books!! Read a few books by Carolyn Brown!! I haven't read any books by Rochelle Alers and A.J. pine!!

[kaylasbookishlife · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Country Christmas is a collection of four stories. It’s full of cute, cosy, Christmas stories that are perfect to read in one sitting. It contains a little something for everyone and I particularly enjoyed A Cowboy Christmas At Heart by A.J. Pine.
⁣
Thank you so much to @readforeverpib for sending this my way.
⁣
#gifted
💛

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the stories in this boxed set are short, they do not lack for an emotional connection. Each story features a second chance at romance, each delightfully sweet (some with just an added touch of spice), intriguing and captivating. The characters in each story are real to life and fascinating, and more than one will pull hard on your heartstrings. The joy of the season, and love rekindled or found again is illustrated in each of these charming stories.

The Perfect Christmas features a handsome, hardworking cowboy, Landon, with a heart of gold and a touch of wanderlust, and Dixie a young single mother struggling to provide for herself and her infant daughter. He is determined to give mother and daughter a sweet, unforgettable Christmas they will never forget. Loathe to reveal her growing feelings to a man who will soon be leaving town, Dixie does her best to safeguard her heart and just enjoy the holidays with Landon. Their Christmas activities are simple, homespun and heartwarming and Dixie’s young daughter is a heart stealer. Dixie is not the only one smitten. Landon comes to realize that both mother and tiny daughter have stolen his heart and that his future may not turn out as he has planned. Will he choose love or wanderlust?

In Cowboy Christmas at Heart, Dani, a deputy sheriff, tomboy and town sweetheart all in one comes face to face with the person who broke her heart when they were teenagers. Peyton, the town’s new mayor, has just come back to town after a long absence and he is determined to revitalize the family property as well as the town. He has never forgotten the girl who was his teenage crush, Dani, but she never gave him the time of they then, and has take to calling him Grinch now. Christmas is painful for him, and though he can’t cancel Christmas festivities for the town, he is doing his best to minimize and downplay them. Dani challenges his decisions, keeps him on his toes and forces him to confront the emotions and pain the holiday season bring. As they work together, their mutual attraction is sparked and they give into their desires. Secrets from the past are revealed, and decisions loom. Will they choose each other?

Home For The Holidays brings pastry chef, Iris, and soldier, Collier together. She is a new resident to the island, while he is a favourite son of the island on leave from military duty for the holidays. They meet at a nightclub and, attraction smouldering between them, end up a her apartment, where her painful past and his honourable code of conduct lead to nothing more than shared kisses. When they meet again, they discover they have an unexpected connection....his sister, her best friend. Close proximity over the holiday season allows them to get to know each other, their attraction to deepen and to give into their desires. Though they both know that his stay is temporary, they both begin to yearn for something more, until one dangerous and painful incident forces them apart. Will they find their way back to each other?

In Joy To The World, former music teacher Brenda is coerced into being the stand in choral director for a Christmas charity function that will benefit the local medical clinic. Jim, a doctor at the clinic, doesn’t want to take no for an answer, but he is perceptive enough to realize that emotional trauma is at the heart of Brenda’s reasons for wanting to avoid all things Christmas. Unable to withstand the pressure, the guilt and name calling heaped on her by fellow townspeople and her own mother, Brenda agrees to direct the chorus. Jim discovers the reasons behind her aversion to all things Christmas and takes it upon himself to help her rediscover the joy of the season. Along the way, they grow closer, emotionally and physically, much to the dismay and amazement of the townspeople and his son. Though they are middle aged, and have loved and lost before, love can still be sweet the second time around.

I would recommend this set of books to all lovers of romance. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Forever/Grand Central Publishing

A Little Country Christmas was a nice anthology to read a novella a night. The romances were set actually set during the holidays season. They really encompassed that warm feelings of the holidays and romances. There is one story that I wasn't super crazy over so I did rate it about 4 stars. The first novella by Carolyn Brown melted my heart, and I am looking forward to reading the series it is a part of, Longhorn Canyon Series. AJ Pine and Hope Ramsay are also on my TBR list! That is what I also liked about this collection is that you get to see how the authors write, before you commit to a series.

***I received a complimentary copy of this mass market paperback book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the weather finally turns a little cooler this was a perfect week to pick up this book with 4 novellas and a Christmas theme. Carolyn Brown is an author I always read. Her contribution of, The Perfect Christmas, was sweet and a fun read. The small town ranch setting was a good one for Landon, Dixie and her baby daughter, Sally to celebrate the season. Also included is Joy to the World by Hope Ramsey, another favorite author, Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers and Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine. All embrace the small town neighborly vibe. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation received from NetGalley and Forever 4.5 stars

A Little Country Christmas anthology by Carolyn Brown, Hope Ramsey, AJ Pine and a new to me author, Rochelle Alers. What awesome Christmas stories to get you in the holiday spirit! Each book is a standalone with romance, small towns, some are connected to previous series by these authors and of course..Christmas makes for a joyous season! Such a sweet read!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 464 pages
Expected publication: September 29th 2020 by Forever
ISBN 1538735776 (ISBN13: 9781538735770)
Edition Language English
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon B&N

BOOK BLURB

From matchmaking carolers to a festive lights competition, four bestselling authors explore the magic of the holidays in these heartwarming small towns.


The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown
Rugged cowboy Landon Griffin can't help being smitten by single mom Dixie Boudreaux and her baby girl. To help win their hearts, he wants to give them both the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch -- baking cookies, trimming the tree, building snowmen, and the whole works. But when nothing seems to go right, he might need a Christmas miracle to help him out of the mess.

Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay
Retired music teacher Brenda McMillan has lost her holiday spirit, but reluctantly agrees to fill in for the director of the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale -- even though Dr. James Killough, the town's biggest Christmas enthusiast, is the group's accompanist. Will he have enough Christmas magic to mend her broken heart?

Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers
Pastry chef Iris Nelson is looking forward to spending Christmas on Cavanaugh Island with her best friend's family. But she wasn't expecting to celebrate with their very handsome visitor on leave from Afghanistan. Is their attraction just the glow of the season or a gift to enjoy forever?

Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine
For Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia, no hometown tradition makes her happier than the Meadow Valley Holiday Light Parade. This year she's planning for the sheriff's office to have the most dazzling lights. But when the new mayor -- and certified grinch -- threatens to cancel the event, Dani will have to show him the true meaning of Christmas.

My Thoughts

The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown

Author Carolyn Brown introduced the characters of Dixie Boudreaux and her daughter Sally to readers in the full length books of her Longhorn Canyon series.

This is their own Happy Ever After Story which is as sweet as the mother/daughter duo are!

The journey for all was full of firsts as well giving Dixie, Landon and Sally special memories of their first Christmas together, but not the last!

Characters fans know and love are guests who add their own elements to this tale of romance.

As others have said sad to see the series end but the stories will be around for future readers enjoyment for years to come.

Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine

Mayor Peyton Cooper and Deputy Daniela/Dani Garcia have different memories of their time in high school together 15 years ago.

In the here and now that this story is set those recollections still color Dani’s feelings at first for the man who left her beloved town of Mountain Valley all those years ago.

As the two get to know each other as adults however both Dani and Peytons prior perceptions change, growing quickly into something neither expected but both need.

During this story events unfold that test the pairs tenuous new bond, but in the end Christmas works its magic as expected.

Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers

After being prey to an abusive husband, but now divorced, moving to Cavanaugh Island and finding work as a pastry chef turns out to be the best decision that Iris Nelson had made in her life.

The move came about because of events in her past that still trigger bad memories for Iris, memories she hates thinking about much less talking about with anyone.

Collier Ward has spent 20-years in the military, the last tour which left him with bad memories of his own.

Meeting Iris when he stopped into the islands local nightclub on ladies night gave him something else to dream about after they parted ways.

Although they allow themselves to grow closer both Iris and Collier hide their particular secrets from each other.

A course of action that becomes regrettable when the pair least expect it to do so.

Can a Master Sergeant and a Pastry Chef with trust issues overcome their pasts to create a new future together?

This short story answers that question and gives the reader some insight into the minds of each character along the way that will leave them possibly rethinking a few things once the novella is over.

Not my favorite of the four offerings as it did not exactly work into what I expected once reading the first two stories.

Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay

The main thing I thought of when reading this story were the tales of Ebeneezer Scrooge and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

The reason why is simple because the main character, Brenda McMillan, was compared to both numerous times by the people of Magnolia Harbor due to her initial refusal to step in as director of the towns annual Christmas Chorale.

Tasked with the effort of getting the against-all-things-Christmas Brenda to accept the volunteer job is Dr. James Killough, Dr. Jim to his patients.

The town doctor whose own personal holiday trials 20 years ago are not forgotten but they have been circumvented as he embraces all things Christmas related with joy, an emotion that Brenda herself has not felt in many years.

The effort is rewarded with side benefits that of course the reader sees coming, and indeed expects, as Christmas waves its proverbial magic wand one more time!

A collection of novellas with 2 authors have read before and 2 have not read works of.

Enjoyed them each individually but as a whole 1 of the offerings did not quite fit with the other 3 so not a total love affair all the way through.

[EArc from Netgalley]

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book with four short Christmas stories. All of them were unique and kept with the spirit of Christmas. Carolyn Brown is one of my all time favorite authors and I loved her story the most.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always love Christmas anthologies, so I jumped at the chance to read this one (we could all use some Christmas cheer right about now). The whole 'country' Christmas part didn't make much sense to me though, more like 'small town' Christmas. I did like that a couple of the stories had NC/SC references (I'm from NC).

"The Perfect Christmas" by Carolyn Brown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a cute little Christmas story. I don't think I've read any of the books that included Landon & Dixie before now, so if you're like me, you'll miss out on some of the story that brought these two together. This book starts after they've known each other for months and are already friendly with one another, so it seems a bit like insta-love, but I guess we just missed the part that saw them developing a friendship and then into something more. Regardless, I really enjoyed "Lan Lan" and Dixie's story. Landon was such a gentleman with the biggest heart and he just made me swoon with his love of Dixie's toddler, Sally. And Dixie was such a strong momma. She was a single mother and apparently they experienced a fire scare in a previous book that landed her being brought in by the town and now running/living in the quilting shop. There isn't much drama, just a lot of Hallmark-worthy love, just what you want in a Christmas story.

"Cowboy Christmas at Heart" by A.J. Pine⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was another cute story, although there was a little more drama in this one compared to the Carolyn Brown story. Dani & Peyton knew each other in passing in high school, apparently both of them having a crush on the other, but not acting on it. Now Peyton is back in town after losing his city government job in Chicago and is trying to get rid of Christmas traditions - in other words, he's a Grinch. That makes this start out as an enemies-to-lovers type of romance. I thought they had great chemistry, but they lacked communication skills oftentimes. The grand gesture was cute and funny though and I enjoyed the epilogue. Another easy to enjoy Christmas romance.

"Home for the Holidays" by Rochelle Alers⭐️⭐️

I struggled with this novella and it was definitely my least favorite of the 4. The best part were the recipes though and I'm definitely saving them for later! This was a new-to-me author and I guess I wasn't use to her writing style. I felt like I got whiplash from the 180 in conversation that happened throughout the story. For example, Collier & Iris go from chatting in her apartment and almost hooking up to him leaving abruptly without warning. It really threw me off and I kept thinking I was missing part of the story. The POVs change in the middle of the chapter without warning as well. The story itself wasn't bad, just the writing style. I also didn't feel like we really got to know Iris & Collier. We knew about the trauma they each experienced before meeting and I appreciated the author including characters who were not perfect. But outside of that, we really didn't get to know them well. I didn't find them falling in love believable at all since they didn't spend a ton of time together getting to know one another. And then we're supposed to believe that in less than a week Collier went from having nightmares and Iris being scared of him/kicking him out to him getting therapy and back in her life days later with professions of love? It surely would have taken more than a few days for Collier to begin working through the PTSD and recurring nightmares. I just wasn't buying that. The story just seemed incomplete. Had it been a full length novel, I'm sure the author could have expanded more, but this just seemed too disjointed for me to enjoy. Since this was an ARC, I'll assume all the spelling/grammar mistakes will be corrected in the final version. It was the only story of the 4 that I kept noticing some editing issues.

"Joy to the World" by Hope Ramsay⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was actually an older couple romance (late 40's/early 50's) that was unexpected. It was a nice change of pace from the normal contemporary romance, although this book was lacking in the heat department and glossed over those parts. I loved how persistent Jim was and how he made the best of everything despite having experienced the loss of his wife 20 years prior. Brenda took a while to warm up to the idea of not being a Grinch and instead embracing the community's love of Christmas and all the joy it can bring. But she wasn't a bad person, she just had a lot of bad things happen to her right around Christmas that made her dislike that time of year. The part with Jim's son seems unfinished and I wish that hadn't been left so open-ended. In fact, the ending was just a week after the final chapter, so it felt as though we really don't know much about how their HEA comes about other than them 'dating' I suppose. But it was still a sweet romance.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

"The Perfect Christmas” by Carolyn Brown (3 Stars)

London Griffin is only temporarily helping out with the Longhorn Canyon Ranch. However, he has grown quite fond of the ranch and the nearby town, especially Dixie Boudreaux, and her daughter, Sally. Dixie has never had a good Christmas and she is forever grateful for the twist of fate that led her to Sunset, Texas. She enjoys spending time with London, but will this Christmas bring more than snow?

This is a very sweet story and I enjoyed the premise. It was too rushed, with some scenes being glazed over. It probably would have been better if I had read the rest of the series.

“A Christmas Cowboy at Heart” by A.J. Pine (5 Stars)

What happens when your high school crush returns home, becomes mayor, and decides everything related to Christmas should be banished? Deputy Daniela Garcia is determined to make Peyton Cooper remember the importance of town traditions. She just prays he doesn’t remember her teenage embarrassment.

I absolutely loved this story. Every aspect of this novella felt full, and complete. The characters were relatable, the town was charming, and the ending wad satisfying. This is definitely a feel-good must read for the holiday season.

“Home for the Holidays” by Rochelle Alers (4 Stars)

Iris Nelson just wants to own her own bakery, in the quiet town of Cavanaugh Island. She’s had the abusive ex-husband, therefore she is not interested in going down that road again. Collier Ward is home from his latest tour overseas, and hopes to surprise his sister and niece. What he doesn’t expect, is finding his sister’s best friend is the kind of woman to trigger dreams of a happy future. Will these two be able to put their pasts behind them? Or will this surprise connection fizzle before the first cool night?

How exciting to find a story set on a small-town island in South Carolina. I truly loved the realness of this story. When Collier reflects back on a previous homecoming, I could relate to what his mother said to him. I wished the story could have added an extra ten pages to the end, so it wasn’t quite as rushed. However, I will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by this author.

“Joy to the World” by Hope Ramsay (5 Stars)

Brenda McMillan has experienced too much sadness in life, and this year is no different. She doesn’t wish ill-will on her small-town, she just wants to personally hide until the holidays are over. Dr. Jim Killough loves Christmas, the town, and helping those in need. His free-clinic is helps the islanders, and the clinic relies on the annual Christmas Gala for funding. Will he be able to convince the town grinch to help or will the clinic have to close their doors?

Another delightful surprise set in S. C. I really enjoyed the message of how important free clinics are, as well as how sometimes too much trauma, can consume a person. Both of the main characters are dynamic and portray different ways to handle life’s curveballs. The ending was slightly rushed, while the cozy town was filled with a lot of quirky characters. Readers’ hearts will definitely be on a journey with this story.


I found the overall book, very cute. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but was surprised to find two stories set in S.C. I added two authors to my continue-to-read list. I enjoyed this escape into the holidays.

Notes:

I signed up to honestly review an advanced copy of this book.
This review was originally posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful collection!

I knew I had to read this one when I saw that two of the included novellas were set within series that I had previously read, so I was familiar with these characters. I loved both those stories, and I enjoyed the visits to their familiar settings. The two new ones were also terrific, and I plan to read more by those authors.

The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown

This was a sweet, low-angst novella about finding a reason to put down roots. Landon is the surprise brother to two of the cowboys in the Longhorn Canyon series, and we met Dixie in one of the earlier books. It was so great to see both these familiar characters find their HEA, and especially nice to see them together.

A Christmas Cowboy at Heart by A.J. Pine

This selection was the best of the collection in terms of character and emotional development. Dani and Peyton had an almost-thing back in high school, and now that he's back in Meadow Valley they have a chance to pursue that still-simmering connection. There's a bit of a tragic back story that is gently addressed as the major internal conflict. I really enjoyed the way the community came together to celebrate the holidays, and their HEA was especially satisfying.

Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers

Iris considers but ultimately walks away from a one-night-stand with the handsome stranger despite their intense chemistry, only to find out the next day that he's her best friend's brother home on leave for the holidays. Her past makes a new relationship difficult at best, and Collier's plans also prevent him from settling down for a while, so their HEA requires that they address and resolve several major issues first. I loved the double family merger with the secondary romance. Her family really conveyed the spirit of the holidays.

Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay

This compelling novella focuses on an older couple in their late 40s/early 50s with grown children, which was a refreshing change. Jim is tasked with convincing Brenda to lead the Christmas Chorale, despite her long-standing, deeply emotional aversion to all things Christmas. My only complaint with this story was Jim - the local doctor - and his relaxed discussion of his patients' ailments as they related to his availability, a clear HIPAA violation by today's standards. Other than that, this was a wonderful romance with a heartfelt HEA.

Altogether, this is a substantive anthology that highlights all the best aspects of the Christmas holiday, and I heartily recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Country Christmas, by Carolyn Brown, A.J. Pine, Rochelle Alers, and Hope Ramsay, contains four amazing small town holiday novellas and the magic of the season. Carolyn Brown’s The Perfect Christmas pairs cowboy Landon Griffin with single mom Dixie Boudreaux and her baby girl. He is determined to win their hearts by giving them the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch at Longhorn Ranch; baking cookies, trimming a tree; checking out the holiday lights, building snowmen, etc. When things start to go wrong, Landon looks for a Christmas miracle and some magic to help him win over Dixie. A.J. Pine’s Cowboy Christmas at Heart pairs up Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia with her high school crush, Coop, who is now the mayor of Meadow Valley. Daniela has her work cut out for her to convince Coop to keep the Holiday Light Parade, discover why he has become a Grinch, and show him the true meaning of Christmas. Rochelle Alers’ Home for the Holidays has pastry chef Iris Nelson enjoying life on Cavanaugh Island and excited to spend the holidays with her family and her best friend, Tracy. Iris never expected the handsome Collier Ward, on leave from Afghanistan and Tracy’s brother, to sweep her off her feet. These two will have to determine if their attraction is part of the magic of the season or a forever gift of true love. Hope Ramsay’s Joy to the World features a seasoned couple. Retired music teacher Brenda McMillan has long lost her holiday spirit, but reluctantly agrees to become the director for the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale for Dr. James Killough. James is not only the town’s biggest Christmas enthusiast he’s also the group accompanist. As James and Brenda spend time playing music and dating, they find a connection, an attraction, sizzling chemistry that draws them together. James just hopes he can work some Christmas magic to help mend Brenda’s broken heart.

Each story is a perfect representation of a series written by the author. All of these stories are new, standalone novellas, written within each author’s world. I found these stories to be well written, have a great storyline, amazing characters, and wonderful holiday magic. You will find romance, emotions, attraction, and sizzling chemistry within each story and they will have you wanting to seek out other books by these amazing authors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the stories in A Little Country Christmas and I highly recommend the anthology to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.