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Castle Falls #4
The Holiday Secret
She could make a little girl’s wish come true
But her secret stands in the way
Family’s all Ellery Marshall wants for Christmas. To connect with her long-lost brothers, she travels to Castle Falls and instantly falls for the innkeeper’s five-year-old granddaughter. Carter Bristow—Bea’s handsome father—has given up on love. But Bea hasn’t given up on him, and Ellery could be the answer to her holiday wish to make Daddy happy again.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2019
About the author
Kathryn Springer
59 books492 followersKathryn Springer grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child, she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books – which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own.
After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a book. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published.
Fast forward to today and Kathryn has written over thirty novels. She lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the "change" between winter and spring didn't last quite so long!) When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! If you want to know more, follow her blog Table Grace. . .thoughts and musings on living a life with nothing artificial added.
After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a book. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published.
Fast forward to today and Kathryn has written over thirty novels. She lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the "change" between winter and spring didn't last quite so long!) When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! If you want to know more, follow her blog Table Grace. . .thoughts and musings on living a life with nothing artificial added.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 3, 2019
Last book in a good series!
This moved a bit slow but all loose ends tied up :)
This moved a bit slow but all loose ends tied up :)
October 23, 2019
A perfect blend of holiday and romance embellished with the sweet spark of hope. Christmas isn't just mentioned -- it's part of the setting! So often a Christmas story doesn't really feature the season -- it's more of an afterthought lurking in the background so I really appreciate the way the seasonal aspects enrich Ellery and Carter's love story.
A five-year-old who doesn't stop talking -- even in her sleep, a guarded dad ever vigilant against potential hurts and a quietly grieving woman who yearns to connect with the brothers she's never known -- doesn't that sound like an amazing character line-up for a scrumptiously emotional holiday romance? (You'd be right if you said 'yes'.)
And those brothers? They would be Brendan, Liam and Aiden Kane -- who have each starred in their own stories in the Castle Falls series. I still can't wipe my grin off my face over their antics -- there's so much misdirected Kaneish brotherly love to go around! It was a real treat to meet up with them (and their lady loves) again -- but you needn't fret if you haven't read any of the other books -- The Holiday Secret works perfectly fine as a standalone. Wait. I take that back -- you really do have a reason to fret if you haven't read the other books because you are missing on some great storytelling!
A five-year-old who doesn't stop talking -- even in her sleep, a guarded dad ever vigilant against potential hurts and a quietly grieving woman who yearns to connect with the brothers she's never known -- doesn't that sound like an amazing character line-up for a scrumptiously emotional holiday romance? (You'd be right if you said 'yes'.)
And those brothers? They would be Brendan, Liam and Aiden Kane -- who have each starred in their own stories in the Castle Falls series. I still can't wipe my grin off my face over their antics -- there's so much misdirected Kaneish brotherly love to go around! It was a real treat to meet up with them (and their lady loves) again -- but you needn't fret if you haven't read any of the other books -- The Holiday Secret works perfectly fine as a standalone. Wait. I take that back -- you really do have a reason to fret if you haven't read the other books because you are missing on some great storytelling!
January 2, 2023
This book was like a hallmark movie.
July 17, 2023
Couldn't put it down!! Loved the characters and now want to read the rest of the series!
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October 1, 2019Categories
Inspirational Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Holiday, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Castle Falls
Inspirational Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Holiday, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Castle Falls
February 2, 2025
Springer had the set-up to make this a potentially over-dramatized, issue-full mess... and had the grace to avoid that completely. Instead, she took a plot that had me concerned and carved it into a delightful story.
The plot: Ellery was adopted as a child, her parents are now deceased and she runs their non-profit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She's just heard from the adoption agency, however, that she has three brothers from her birth mother who are looking for her and live in the U.P. ((Michigan's Upper Peninsula))
So Ellery goes there to scope them out, first - find out what kind of people these guys are, if they're after money or something else, to see if they're worth contacting. She's promised her legal advisor NOT to tell who she is until she knows more about these men, which is *SO* smart.
She stays at the local inn, meeting the innkeeper's precocious granddaughter and aloof ex-Navy-SEAL (<
But Ellery isn't like that - she jumps in and helps, watches his daughter, works with his mother, is thrilled with the small town vibe...
You know Springer could have gone is wildly dramatic directions with the 'you don't know who I am' angle of this. Or with the 'could never love her, she's rich' thing. But she doesn't - she keeps it very simple and light, and the story is a beautiful one, because of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and am definitely going to try to find the first book to add to my collection, but I've got everyone in my family reading the books, so that's a testament to how well this one went over with me. THIS is what 'Love, Inspired' should be.
The plot: Ellery was adopted as a child, her parents are now deceased and she runs their non-profit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She's just heard from the adoption agency, however, that she has three brothers from her birth mother who are looking for her and live in the U.P. ((Michigan's Upper Peninsula))
So Ellery goes there to scope them out, first - find out what kind of people these guys are, if they're after money or something else, to see if they're worth contacting. She's promised her legal advisor NOT to tell who she is until she knows more about these men, which is *SO* smart.
She stays at the local inn, meeting the innkeeper's precocious granddaughter and aloof ex-Navy-SEAL (<
But Ellery isn't like that - she jumps in and helps, watches his daughter, works with his mother, is thrilled with the small town vibe...
You know Springer could have gone is wildly dramatic directions with the 'you don't know who I am' angle of this. Or with the 'could never love her, she's rich' thing. But she doesn't - she keeps it very simple and light, and the story is a beautiful one, because of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and am definitely going to try to find the first book to add to my collection, but I've got everyone in my family reading the books, so that's a testament to how well this one went over with me. THIS is what 'Love, Inspired' should be.
October 12, 2019
Another Castle Falls title in which Ellery Marshall visits Castle Falls in order to see for herself the three brothers she has whom she never knew about until after her wealthy parents' death. Her attorney is certain the brothers are trying to cash in. Ellery isn't sure and decides to find out for herself. So she secures a room in a B&B run by a grandmother who is occasionally helped by her adorable 5-year-old granddaughter, child of the town's deputy sheriff.
Carter Bristow, little Bea's father, is drawn to Ellery but has no intention of acting on his attraction: not after his previous experience that ended in heartache. No such hesitation stops Bea from wanting to spend time with Ellery.
Thus a conundrum: how should Ellery react when she meets those brothers and is taken in by their adoptive family far more than she ever imagined and then decides she has to leave in order to get over her heartbreak when Carter seems not to love her like she loves him? Read to find out.
Carter Bristow, little Bea's father, is drawn to Ellery but has no intention of acting on his attraction: not after his previous experience that ended in heartache. No such hesitation stops Bea from wanting to spend time with Ellery.
Thus a conundrum: how should Ellery react when she meets those brothers and is taken in by their adoptive family far more than she ever imagined and then decides she has to leave in order to get over her heartbreak when Carter seems not to love her like she loves him? Read to find out.
March 26, 2020
Lots of levels to this story! First, there is the romantic tension between a strong but silent Carter and the sweet city girl, Ellery. Then there is Bea, a 5 year old who will win your heart over within pages of meeting her! You can't help but cheer for this little girl and hold your breath to see if she will get her Christmas wishes to come true. Plus, there is the reason Ellery came to Castle Falls in the first place, to re-unite with her brothers. I read this book in a weekend because I couldn't put it down!
Favorite quote: "Are you cold?"
"No," Ellergy said quickly, holding up the ends of Karen's purple-and-red scarf as proof. "Your mom was kind enough to lend me a few things."
Carter flicked a look at the gold bells threaded through the tassels. "I'm not sure I'd call that kind," he murmured.
Favorite quote: "Are you cold?"
"No," Ellergy said quickly, holding up the ends of Karen's purple-and-red scarf as proof. "Your mom was kind enough to lend me a few things."
Carter flicked a look at the gold bells threaded through the tassels. "I'm not sure I'd call that kind," he murmured.
February 7, 2025
I loved this entire series so much! Kathryn was a new to me author and now has become one of my favorites. She writes beautiful stories, with just the right amount of depth, emotion and humor. I’ve loved all of the characters in each book and so enjoyed seeing them have their happily ever afters. The romance is sweet and engaging. And above all, and crucial for my enjoyment of a book, is the faith content. She weaves it throughout the story in a natural and beautiful way! Thank you Kathryn, for honoring God with your gifts and talents!
January 1, 2021
Cute read about a young lady searching for her family in a town she has never heard about. She arrives at the inn and is instantly enamored with the 5 year old granddaughter of the owner, and daughter of Carter. Mommy walked out on them, but Bea is not letting Ellery go and will be her cute self in bringing them together. While doing so Ellery will find her three brothers and find out something she did not know about her youngest brother. Great holiday read.
November 27, 2019
Sweet story in an idyllic U.P. town with winter approaching. In the space of a few weeks (maybe only days?), Ellery Marshall meets and falls in love with the local deputy and his daughter, takes over the kitchen duties of a popular B&B when the innkeeper falls ill, wrangles the barn guest, Sugar, and reunites with her biological family. Fast paced, quick read, sugary sweet!
November 6, 2019
I love a Kathryn Springer books! She just doesn't write them fast enough! Her characters have such distinct personalities and vivid surroundings. I love a series, and really hate when they end! This was a nice wrap up of the Kane family and Castle Falls series.
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December 5, 2019It was sweet story of girl finding out she had 3 brothers that after 25 years was looking for her.
she goes looking for them but keeps it a secret falls in love then finds out why they were
looking for her.She then lets them know that she is the sister
she goes looking for them but keeps it a secret falls in love then finds out why they were
looking for her.She then lets them know that she is the sister
January 8, 2020
I loved this book start to finish and could not wait to see how it would end. I def want to read more of this author.
January 11, 2020
I liked it but there were a lot of little plot holes. Springer is one of my favorite authors but this series wasn’t my favorite.
March 25, 2020
This book was great....made me cry a few times. This whole series deserves a lot more than 5 Gold Stars!
January 23, 2024
Cute, quick, heart-felt read about family and romance and hope. Christian-centered.
April 4, 2024
What a great book
Love the 4th book of this series. Was wondering how and when she was gonna tell her brothers. Very very good
Love the 4th book of this series. Was wondering how and when she was gonna tell her brothers. Very very good
November 2, 2023
Wrapping up a lovely series by a favorite author... the author notes that she did not originally plan to tell Ellery's story. I for one am sooo glad she did! It really does tie everything up from the previous books. Plus it is such a great story.. of love and redemption.
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October 1, 2019Categories
Inspirational Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Holiday, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Castle Falls
Inspirational Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Holiday, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Castle Falls
January 13, 2022
A lovely end to the series. As always Springer made me laugh while awakening pain. Good resolution at the end and a few lovely scenes with all three brothers.
November 26, 2019
A little far fetched but an enjoyable, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews