What do you think?
Rate this book
Dangerous Delaneys #3
Texas Christmas Tycoon
Only she could open up his closed-off heart
Lea Dunwoody has always been the classic girl-next-door right down to the tips of her elf booties she wears as a volunteer Santa’s helper. One night her bestie teases her that she should make a play for the handsome bad boy Braden Delaney as she’s always been better with animals than people and Braden is rumored to be a total Scrooge. Braden has always tempted Lea and then the night of the Corbyn Christmas Open House, she sees him make a wish on an evening star. Does she dare make a wish for her own fairytale?
Braden Delaney has had it bad for Lea since…well, forever. As soon as he realized how boys and girls were different, she’d been the only one he had eyes for. But the Delaney men aren’t easy for the women they love so Braden has kept his distance. Until this Christmas. He’s tired of spending the holiday alone.
He normally avoids the holidays, but this year Lea is giving him a reason to celebrate the season.
Lea Dunwoody has always been the classic girl-next-door right down to the tips of her elf booties she wears as a volunteer Santa’s helper. One night her bestie teases her that she should make a play for the handsome bad boy Braden Delaney as she’s always been better with animals than people and Braden is rumored to be a total Scrooge. Braden has always tempted Lea and then the night of the Corbyn Christmas Open House, she sees him make a wish on an evening star. Does she dare make a wish for her own fairytale?
Braden Delaney has had it bad for Lea since…well, forever. As soon as he realized how boys and girls were different, she’d been the only one he had eyes for. But the Delaney men aren’t easy for the women they love so Braden has kept his distance. Until this Christmas. He’s tired of spending the holiday alone.
He normally avoids the holidays, but this year Lea is giving him a reason to celebrate the season.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2019
506 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Garbera
801 books662 followersKatherine Garbera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 novels, which have been translated into over two dozen languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the mother of two incredibly creative and snarky grown children. Katherine enjoys drinking champagne, reading, walking and traveling with her husband. She lives in Kent, UK, where she is working on her next novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 15, 2020
FREE today (December 15, 2020) on Amazon.
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
4.5 stars.
A quote (from ARC):
“He might have been a flirt but there was something very solid about Braden.”
“Texas Christmas Tycoon”, by Katherine Garbera, is a fabulous story with amazing characters, wonderfully written.
The emotionally wounded hero, Braden, is such a fascinating character. So painfully honest, Braden and his hot corporate tycoon persona is carefully dismantled while deep defense mechanisms are revealed. What a journey of discovery, healing and love Katherine Garbera writes about this hero and how solid and authentic this “notorious flirt” remains through all the process. I loved Finn Delaney, but Braden is awesome, too. The “resident Scrooge of the Delaney clan”, the “calm, cool” brother is such a pleasure to read.
The journey is similar for the heroine, Lea, even if for different reasons. A great take on the secret crush and how to overcome childhood wounds and instable or emotionally detached parents.
I was touched again by the siblings’ relationship and amused with their easy banter, their love for their orphaned nephew, Lane, and how all the community rallies to care for their most vulnerable members, young and old.
The grief is still present and sometimes it was heartbreaking to read about it but it felt very realistic, and I appreciated that the author didn’t try to minimize it and that Rose and TJ are still missed.
Great dialogue, setting and secondary characters in this story, book 3 of the Dangerous Delaney series (Tule Publishing); I hope we get to read Emma and Red’s story.
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
4.5 stars.
A quote (from ARC):
“He might have been a flirt but there was something very solid about Braden.”
“Texas Christmas Tycoon”, by Katherine Garbera, is a fabulous story with amazing characters, wonderfully written.
The emotionally wounded hero, Braden, is such a fascinating character. So painfully honest, Braden and his hot corporate tycoon persona is carefully dismantled while deep defense mechanisms are revealed. What a journey of discovery, healing and love Katherine Garbera writes about this hero and how solid and authentic this “notorious flirt” remains through all the process. I loved Finn Delaney, but Braden is awesome, too. The “resident Scrooge of the Delaney clan”, the “calm, cool” brother is such a pleasure to read.
The journey is similar for the heroine, Lea, even if for different reasons. A great take on the secret crush and how to overcome childhood wounds and instable or emotionally detached parents.
I was touched again by the siblings’ relationship and amused with their easy banter, their love for their orphaned nephew, Lane, and how all the community rallies to care for their most vulnerable members, young and old.
The grief is still present and sometimes it was heartbreaking to read about it but it felt very realistic, and I appreciated that the author didn’t try to minimize it and that Rose and TJ are still missed.
Great dialogue, setting and secondary characters in this story, book 3 of the Dangerous Delaney series (Tule Publishing); I hope we get to read Emma and Red’s story.
December 7, 2019
Texas Christmas Tycoon is the third book in the Dangerous Delaney series. It can be read as a standalone, however I recommend you grab the other two books as well.
The Delaney family has been through so much tragedy during the course of the series. In book one the unspeakable happens. By book three, I am cheering on the happily-ever-afters. I want nothing more for this family than to be happy and in love. I have always enjoyed reading this author. She does an amazing job with giving the reader all the feels. I felt everything the H/h felt as I read. Sometimes I was frustrated, sometimes I laughed out loud (just adored Lane) and there were some tears as well.
Both Lea and Braden are not looking for relationships. Neither believes they can be part of one without trust issues for different reasons. They both are dealing with sad pasts that I won't go into as you should experience all this book offers on your own. There are quite a few romantic, swoon-worthy moments and a lot of family interaction. I loved seeing the other Delaney brothers and how things are continuing to work out for them. As I said, this family has been through horrific times so no one deserves a happy ending like they do.
I truly enjoyed this sweet, endearing Christmas romance and recommend it as well as the previous books in the series.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
The Delaney family has been through so much tragedy during the course of the series. In book one the unspeakable happens. By book three, I am cheering on the happily-ever-afters. I want nothing more for this family than to be happy and in love. I have always enjoyed reading this author. She does an amazing job with giving the reader all the feels. I felt everything the H/h felt as I read. Sometimes I was frustrated, sometimes I laughed out loud (just adored Lane) and there were some tears as well.
Both Lea and Braden are not looking for relationships. Neither believes they can be part of one without trust issues for different reasons. They both are dealing with sad pasts that I won't go into as you should experience all this book offers on your own. There are quite a few romantic, swoon-worthy moments and a lot of family interaction. I loved seeing the other Delaney brothers and how things are continuing to work out for them. As I said, this family has been through horrific times so no one deserves a happy ending like they do.
I truly enjoyed this sweet, endearing Christmas romance and recommend it as well as the previous books in the series.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
December 31, 2020
Major plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
I took sometime to sit with my thoughts before writing this review. It’s going to be a complicated one due to the fact that my feelings ping pong from one end of the spectrum to the other. I think this review is going to be all over the place a bit so keep that in mind while reading it.
Before I even started reading, I was really excited from synopsis because there seemed to be a lot of tropes that I really enjoy while reading a romance.. It just seemed to tick all my boxes especially the fact that this was a Christmas romance, which I have been reading this month. It just seemed to be what I was looking for. However, it didn’t exactly go like I was expecting.
First off the whole setup behind this story was absolutely heartbreaking. It gutted me more than I was prepared for especially in the beginning. It did make me understand Braden of why he was a Scrooge and not exactly looking forward to the Christmas holiday due to his losses as well as his father’s reaction to the holidays after his mom died. That really colored Braden’s view about Christmas in general. I didn’t blame him for that. What really pierced my heart was the fact that his little sister, who he was extremely close with and adored, was killed in a car accident six months prior leaving her little boy without parents. Seeing Braden to not only have to overcome that, but as well as try to keep in the Christmas spirit for his nephew while despising Christmas itself was just utterly gut wrenching. It was great to see Braden doing that for his nephew, but it was hard to see the pain he was suffering over his memories of Christmas as well as his losses that he had faced over his life. That really pulled at the heartstrings. While dealing with all this, Braden was dealing with his massive crush on his deceased sister’s best friend, Lea, which just proving all the more complicated with everything else going on. So, it was quite a doozy of a beginning.
Lea had a crush on Braden as well, however she vowed not to get involved with him for multiple reasons. The biggest reason being that he was a playboy, who tended not to do serious relationships. Lea was a relationship girl and not into casual flings like Braden was known for, but that didn’t stop her from being drawn to him and wanting to be with him. She had these feelings for quite awhile being that he was her best friend’s brother that added to even more complicated feelings, not for usual reasons of forbidden though. It was more that she believed that he would never been interested in her that way because he was this bigger than life man. Rich, handsome, and just drew woman to him like hunny while Lea was just plain old herself. She wasn’t the glamorous type like he tended to go for. It seemed to be the case all their lives.
They have an encounter under the mistletoe with their first heated kiss beneath it. While it finally was a culmination after years of wanting each other, I didn’t quite feel the heat or connection that I was expecting to be getting especially after all this time of unrequited feelings for one another. In fact for most of the first half of the book, I just wasn’t feeling it between them. There was just something missing between them that I wasn’t a hundred percent on board with them as a couple. They had moments here and there, but nothing that I felt deep in my soul. That left me very disappointed because I wanted to feel that tension between them. I wanted to feel that pull that neither could resist. I wanted more connection. They were just not clicking for me as a couple.
Until about halfway through the book, then it finally hit me like a ton of bricks, and I finally got what was between them. The turning point was when they have that first intimate conversation with one another that just really sealed deal for me. It was when they were starting to trust one another with each other secrets, hurts and vulnerabilities. It was heartbreaking as the relayed their stories that they had never told another soul until that moment. It brought them closer and bonded them, which was what I wanted to see happening. This was where they started making sense as a couple. I could finally feel the feelings between them in a real way that hadn’t felt in pervious chapters. Then the romance just really took off for me, which was all that wanting. It got really good after that.
I was surprised that they were physically intimate right after that emotional baring scene, but it made sense because they wanted that connection in all ways that matter and not leave a stone unturned. It was really sweet, lovely, and tender yet very hot and spicy as the two of them came together in passion after denying themselves for so long. It was a really good scene that was intimate and very satisfying for both involved. It was about them being bonded and close in that moment. It was really nice to see that happen between them. It showed what they really could be as a couple. I appreciated that.
They faced some bumps in the road as they tried to learn what being a couple really meant. How they had to communicate in order to get what they both needed out of each other. They needed to honest about their fears that drove them apart instead of bring them together. It wasn’t an easy road, but they both had to learn as they dealt with each other as romantic partners. They had to face that together.
What was really sweet was when they came together again was the effort that Braden made to show Lea how much she meant to him. He did this by creating an awesome date with meaningful things for her. They were just simple things that symbolized their relationship as well as what she liked as a person. It showed that he truly understood her as a person. He just wanted to make her feel special. It just made my heart soar with every present that he presented to her that words couldn’t express. I loved that so much. It really brought them together as a couple.
Then they made love to each other immediately after that because they needed that connection between them. They could express what they felt for each other with their bodies. It was very intimate, yet very passionate as they came together. It just showed how much they craved that closeness between them as they held onto each other. It was just a confirmation of what was in their hearts. I thought that was really well done. It was a perfect way to end their perfect date night. I loved it.
The only thing that ruined that night was the fact that Lea kind of pushed Braden into saying that he loved her, and if he couldn’t say that then they couldn’t be together. It was very clear that Braden’s feelings were deep for her. He was very much wanted to be with her as his partner. He felt love in his heart for her, but with her forcing him to say the words just made it less meaningful. I think it needed to be something that he wanted/needed to say not feel like he had to otherwise he was going to loose her. I get it was due to her insecurities that she pushed him on this, but it just made for a very unsatisfying of declaration. At that point it just didn’t seem genuine or real. It degraded what they had as a couple by having that push in there. I didn’t like that at all.
The fact it ended abruptly after that made it twice as bad because I felt no real resolution or felt like those words came from the heart because she forced the issue with him. I wish the ending was more satisfying and had more of conclusion than it did. Yes, there was an epilogue, but I still felt that the ending was lacking something. I didn’t like it ended on that forced declaration. In my opinion that’s not how you end a romance.
There were things I wanted to mention that didn’t pertain to the relationship between Lea and Braden. Firstly, I liked seeing Lane’s relationship with Branden as well as his other uncles and his aunt. It showed how they had come together as a family to help raise this little, sweet boy that lost both of his parents in the car accident. There were such cute interactions between Braden and Lane (nephew) that just made my heart soar. It made me love Braden even more how he was willing to go through the effort to make the best Christmas for Lane even though he was suffering. Secondly, the feeling of Christmas was very much present in this story. I loved it. I felt very much in the Christmassy mood between the atmosphere and the activities that they did throughout the story that gave the perfect holiday vibes. Some of those holiday vibes really added a lot to the romance between Braden and Lea. In fact some of the them were the impetus of them getting together in the first place. Yes, the mistletoe scene was big push for them to acknowledge their attraction and want to explore even more between them. Christmas just added a lot to the story, which was exactly what I want from my Christmas romances. This one delivered in spades. Thirdly I liked the whole small town/family vibe to it. It reminded me a lot of the cowboy romances that I love and adore. It was just a very familiar and welcome vibe that I felt while reading it. I enjoyed that feeling so much that it reminded me why I like cowboy romances so much. Plus it just reminded me of my favorite authors in general, which was good.
Even though I did have a couple of issues with the beginning and the end, I did enjoy this story. It got so much better once the emotional intimacy developed between Braden and Lea because that was for the first time that I could see them as couple. I could feel that pull and bond that they had with one another that I wanted to see throughout the story. It was just missing that connection between them for me in the beginning. I was just wasn’t feeling it there. But once they did connect, the connected and connected in a big way. I loved seeing them draw closer and closer to one other, instead of pulling away from one another. It showed that the amount of tenderness and sweetness they had between them as a couple. i really enjoyed that aspect and wished that was more on display especially in the beginning. This was a book with lots of emotional punches especially in the case of Braden. I wasn’t expecting it get that deep and scarring especially so early but when it did I was glad it was there. I liked seeing the vulnerability and rawness. It made me understand him and love him all the more over what he was going through that caused him not to go after Lea in the first place. It was a whopper, but that was what made it satisfying when he finally got Lea in the end. Lea did some questionable things that I didn’t like especially at the end. I loved Lane and his relationship with his family. I loved the Christmas. I loved how the Christmas played a big part in Braden and Lea’s relationship. In fact they had some really romantic experiences moments with some Christmas activities that fit perfectly for a Christmas romance. I loved that.
This was not a perfect read. There were things that I really loved, and there were things that I didn’t care for, but the things that I loved was what made it an enjoyable and worthwhile Christmas read in the end.
I took sometime to sit with my thoughts before writing this review. It’s going to be a complicated one due to the fact that my feelings ping pong from one end of the spectrum to the other. I think this review is going to be all over the place a bit so keep that in mind while reading it.
Before I even started reading, I was really excited from synopsis because there seemed to be a lot of tropes that I really enjoy while reading a romance.. It just seemed to tick all my boxes especially the fact that this was a Christmas romance, which I have been reading this month. It just seemed to be what I was looking for. However, it didn’t exactly go like I was expecting.
First off the whole setup behind this story was absolutely heartbreaking. It gutted me more than I was prepared for especially in the beginning. It did make me understand Braden of why he was a Scrooge and not exactly looking forward to the Christmas holiday due to his losses as well as his father’s reaction to the holidays after his mom died. That really colored Braden’s view about Christmas in general. I didn’t blame him for that. What really pierced my heart was the fact that his little sister, who he was extremely close with and adored, was killed in a car accident six months prior leaving her little boy without parents. Seeing Braden to not only have to overcome that, but as well as try to keep in the Christmas spirit for his nephew while despising Christmas itself was just utterly gut wrenching. It was great to see Braden doing that for his nephew, but it was hard to see the pain he was suffering over his memories of Christmas as well as his losses that he had faced over his life. That really pulled at the heartstrings. While dealing with all this, Braden was dealing with his massive crush on his deceased sister’s best friend, Lea, which just proving all the more complicated with everything else going on. So, it was quite a doozy of a beginning.
Lea had a crush on Braden as well, however she vowed not to get involved with him for multiple reasons. The biggest reason being that he was a playboy, who tended not to do serious relationships. Lea was a relationship girl and not into casual flings like Braden was known for, but that didn’t stop her from being drawn to him and wanting to be with him. She had these feelings for quite awhile being that he was her best friend’s brother that added to even more complicated feelings, not for usual reasons of forbidden though. It was more that she believed that he would never been interested in her that way because he was this bigger than life man. Rich, handsome, and just drew woman to him like hunny while Lea was just plain old herself. She wasn’t the glamorous type like he tended to go for. It seemed to be the case all their lives.
They have an encounter under the mistletoe with their first heated kiss beneath it. While it finally was a culmination after years of wanting each other, I didn’t quite feel the heat or connection that I was expecting to be getting especially after all this time of unrequited feelings for one another. In fact for most of the first half of the book, I just wasn’t feeling it between them. There was just something missing between them that I wasn’t a hundred percent on board with them as a couple. They had moments here and there, but nothing that I felt deep in my soul. That left me very disappointed because I wanted to feel that tension between them. I wanted to feel that pull that neither could resist. I wanted more connection. They were just not clicking for me as a couple.
Until about halfway through the book, then it finally hit me like a ton of bricks, and I finally got what was between them. The turning point was when they have that first intimate conversation with one another that just really sealed deal for me. It was when they were starting to trust one another with each other secrets, hurts and vulnerabilities. It was heartbreaking as the relayed their stories that they had never told another soul until that moment. It brought them closer and bonded them, which was what I wanted to see happening. This was where they started making sense as a couple. I could finally feel the feelings between them in a real way that hadn’t felt in pervious chapters. Then the romance just really took off for me, which was all that wanting. It got really good after that.
I was surprised that they were physically intimate right after that emotional baring scene, but it made sense because they wanted that connection in all ways that matter and not leave a stone unturned. It was really sweet, lovely, and tender yet very hot and spicy as the two of them came together in passion after denying themselves for so long. It was a really good scene that was intimate and very satisfying for both involved. It was about them being bonded and close in that moment. It was really nice to see that happen between them. It showed what they really could be as a couple. I appreciated that.
They faced some bumps in the road as they tried to learn what being a couple really meant. How they had to communicate in order to get what they both needed out of each other. They needed to honest about their fears that drove them apart instead of bring them together. It wasn’t an easy road, but they both had to learn as they dealt with each other as romantic partners. They had to face that together.
What was really sweet was when they came together again was the effort that Braden made to show Lea how much she meant to him. He did this by creating an awesome date with meaningful things for her. They were just simple things that symbolized their relationship as well as what she liked as a person. It showed that he truly understood her as a person. He just wanted to make her feel special. It just made my heart soar with every present that he presented to her that words couldn’t express. I loved that so much. It really brought them together as a couple.
Then they made love to each other immediately after that because they needed that connection between them. They could express what they felt for each other with their bodies. It was very intimate, yet very passionate as they came together. It just showed how much they craved that closeness between them as they held onto each other. It was just a confirmation of what was in their hearts. I thought that was really well done. It was a perfect way to end their perfect date night. I loved it.
The only thing that ruined that night was the fact that Lea kind of pushed Braden into saying that he loved her, and if he couldn’t say that then they couldn’t be together. It was very clear that Braden’s feelings were deep for her. He was very much wanted to be with her as his partner. He felt love in his heart for her, but with her forcing him to say the words just made it less meaningful. I think it needed to be something that he wanted/needed to say not feel like he had to otherwise he was going to loose her. I get it was due to her insecurities that she pushed him on this, but it just made for a very unsatisfying of declaration. At that point it just didn’t seem genuine or real. It degraded what they had as a couple by having that push in there. I didn’t like that at all.
The fact it ended abruptly after that made it twice as bad because I felt no real resolution or felt like those words came from the heart because she forced the issue with him. I wish the ending was more satisfying and had more of conclusion than it did. Yes, there was an epilogue, but I still felt that the ending was lacking something. I didn’t like it ended on that forced declaration. In my opinion that’s not how you end a romance.
There were things I wanted to mention that didn’t pertain to the relationship between Lea and Braden. Firstly, I liked seeing Lane’s relationship with Branden as well as his other uncles and his aunt. It showed how they had come together as a family to help raise this little, sweet boy that lost both of his parents in the car accident. There were such cute interactions between Braden and Lane (nephew) that just made my heart soar. It made me love Braden even more how he was willing to go through the effort to make the best Christmas for Lane even though he was suffering. Secondly, the feeling of Christmas was very much present in this story. I loved it. I felt very much in the Christmassy mood between the atmosphere and the activities that they did throughout the story that gave the perfect holiday vibes. Some of those holiday vibes really added a lot to the romance between Braden and Lea. In fact some of the them were the impetus of them getting together in the first place. Yes, the mistletoe scene was big push for them to acknowledge their attraction and want to explore even more between them. Christmas just added a lot to the story, which was exactly what I want from my Christmas romances. This one delivered in spades. Thirdly I liked the whole small town/family vibe to it. It reminded me a lot of the cowboy romances that I love and adore. It was just a very familiar and welcome vibe that I felt while reading it. I enjoyed that feeling so much that it reminded me why I like cowboy romances so much. Plus it just reminded me of my favorite authors in general, which was good.
Even though I did have a couple of issues with the beginning and the end, I did enjoy this story. It got so much better once the emotional intimacy developed between Braden and Lea because that was for the first time that I could see them as couple. I could feel that pull and bond that they had with one another that I wanted to see throughout the story. It was just missing that connection between them for me in the beginning. I was just wasn’t feeling it there. But once they did connect, the connected and connected in a big way. I loved seeing them draw closer and closer to one other, instead of pulling away from one another. It showed that the amount of tenderness and sweetness they had between them as a couple. i really enjoyed that aspect and wished that was more on display especially in the beginning. This was a book with lots of emotional punches especially in the case of Braden. I wasn’t expecting it get that deep and scarring especially so early but when it did I was glad it was there. I liked seeing the vulnerability and rawness. It made me understand him and love him all the more over what he was going through that caused him not to go after Lea in the first place. It was a whopper, but that was what made it satisfying when he finally got Lea in the end. Lea did some questionable things that I didn’t like especially at the end. I loved Lane and his relationship with his family. I loved the Christmas. I loved how the Christmas played a big part in Braden and Lea’s relationship. In fact they had some really romantic experiences moments with some Christmas activities that fit perfectly for a Christmas romance. I loved that.
This was not a perfect read. There were things that I really loved, and there were things that I didn’t care for, but the things that I loved was what made it an enjoyable and worthwhile Christmas read in the end.
November 16, 2019
Really loved this book but it was so sad. Lane is a three year old little boy who lost his parents in a car accident. His Mother's family has taken him to raise and they are going to make sure that he has a great Christmas or at least the best considering the circumstances.
They are sharing memories of her so that he will remember her and so that they will as well. But the main thing is his happiness and trying to keep his life as normal as possible. Braden is the resident Grinch at Christmas time and he usually goes somewhere so he doesn't ruin everyone else's time. This year he is sticking around for Lane and now he has Lea to help him, she was his sister's best friend but Braden wanted her to be much more than that.
They are sharing memories of her so that he will remember her and so that they will as well. But the main thing is his happiness and trying to keep his life as normal as possible. Braden is the resident Grinch at Christmas time and he usually goes somewhere so he doesn't ruin everyone else's time. This year he is sticking around for Lane and now he has Lea to help him, she was his sister's best friend but Braden wanted her to be much more than that.
November 14, 2019
This is one of those stories that will tug at your heart - often. It’s an emotional journey we take with Braden and Lea. Having had nothing but seeing their parents in bad relationships, they didn’t think they could ever love another because when the only examples you have are fraught with pain, you associate one with the other. There are others in the book who also have had poor experiences but were able to overcome them, who provide some what-ifs and maybes for Braden and Lea. This is a wonderful Christmas story that shows not everyone has a merry holiday.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for my volunteer review.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for my volunteer review.
November 16, 2019
I enjoyed this, thought it was a cute read, but I felt a bit lost at times having not read the first two books in the series. I think although series about families are great you should have the ability to jump in to a book when it’s not an ongoing series about 2 specific characters ongoing and not feel lost. Unfortunately this doesn’t do that and I’ve read lots where they do it well. The couple were cute with lots of angst moments, but at times they felt a bit too cowardly both of them.
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
August 9, 2020
Katherine Garbera’s third installment in The Dangerous Delaneys series, Texas Christmas Tycoon, wraps up all the goodness of the Christmas holiday season, sprinkles it with a bit of angst, lots of love, and a plethora of memories, then ties it up with a beautiful bow of a HEA. Her characters as always are first rate, relatable, enjoyable, with human frailties and emotions, but best of all, the perseverance to overcome and seek out your own HEA. I so enjoy this author’s series, with characters you come to love and think about long after the story has ended.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
March 8, 2021
This was a little underwhelming for me, I wanted a bit more happening, also I was a bit confused at one point where Braden says "I have a surprise for you, will you come with me?" Then the chapter ends, it feels like something was edited out and they forgot to remove the lead up.
Also I wanted to yell at Lea when she puts a kazoo her mouth then gives it to three year old Lane, eww and ick, and haven't you heard about meningitis? Yes, they are fictional people but still, eww.
What I did like was how physical attraction turns into something more, and two quite different people find the good in each other, and help each other move past their pasts, that was nice.
Also I wanted to yell at Lea when she puts a kazoo her mouth then gives it to three year old Lane, eww and ick, and haven't you heard about meningitis? Yes, they are fictional people but still, eww.
What I did like was how physical attraction turns into something more, and two quite different people find the good in each other, and help each other move past their pasts, that was nice.
December 19, 2020
Reflective holiday story
I don’t know how much it was the story, the season, or just me, but this story really pulled at my heartstrings. There were a few spots I got downright teary especially when it came to little Lane.
This is a family story. I read it as a stand-alone and it was fine but I get the sense there are other books explaining the pairings of the other adults.
Holidays make you think of the past especially people that figured prominently in our lives but are no longer with us. This story brought out those thoughts for me.
I don’t know how much it was the story, the season, or just me, but this story really pulled at my heartstrings. There were a few spots I got downright teary especially when it came to little Lane.
This is a family story. I read it as a stand-alone and it was fine but I get the sense there are other books explaining the pairings of the other adults.
Holidays make you think of the past especially people that figured prominently in our lives but are no longer with us. This story brought out those thoughts for me.
Want to read
December 29, 2020DEC 2020:
Tried reading this one, but only made it about 15% in. Not that it's badly written, but there are so many characters mentioned by name (and romance-novel-worthy story) that it was rather an overwhelming info-dump. This is the third in a series, which in itself seems to spin off (or parallel) another series. Just so many names and details and I wasn't in the mood for it. Will tackle them again, but in order next time.
Also, the three year old does not sound like a three year old at all.
Tried reading this one, but only made it about 15% in. Not that it's badly written, but there are so many characters mentioned by name (and romance-novel-worthy story) that it was rather an overwhelming info-dump. This is the third in a series, which in itself seems to spin off (or parallel) another series. Just so many names and details and I wasn't in the mood for it. Will tackle them again, but in order next time.
Also, the three year old does not sound like a three year old at all.
January 13, 2021
I really did enjoy that this story was set at Christmas. While I believed the heartbreak that the main characters have experienced could cause hesitation to falling in love, I thought there needed to be a little more. Braden seems to be very easy to convince every time Lea runs away and Vice versa. If the story was a little longer it’d be a little more believable, but still overall very good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
Building love and trust day by day
Braden had lost the Christmas spirit with the death of his mother and sister. Lea had trust issues due to her mother's constant changing of boyfriends. When Braden and Lea met the chemistry was instant and powerful. Braden had to work hard to convince Lea to trust his love for her before they could find their happily ever after.
Braden had lost the Christmas spirit with the death of his mother and sister. Lea had trust issues due to her mother's constant changing of boyfriends. When Braden and Lea met the chemistry was instant and powerful. Braden had to work hard to convince Lea to trust his love for her before they could find their happily ever after.
December 22, 2020
This was a sweet small town holiday story. I enjoyed this couple and the fact they both had some baggage that kept them from going all in so they had to work at being together. At times it was a bit sad as they'd both lost someone close to them recently, but having each other helped them both.
January 16, 2021
Hot romance
Fun, hot romance. Great story with the romance. First book of the series for me but it stands alone. Katherine Garbera is a talented author that does a wonderful job mixing good story with good romance.
Fun, hot romance. Great story with the romance. First book of the series for me but it stands alone. Katherine Garbera is a talented author that does a wonderful job mixing good story with good romance.
November 22, 2021
Too many characters to keep track of (I suppose it would be easier if read in order). Writing style was choppy and I really didn't feel the characters. Relationship issues kind of resolved, but not really, and the HEA was meh.
December 23, 2020
Sweet romance
A sweet and steamy holiday romance with compelling characters and an engaging sort-of-friends to lovers premise. Set in a picturesque community.
A sweet and steamy holiday romance with compelling characters and an engaging sort-of-friends to lovers premise. Set in a picturesque community.
December 25, 2020
Very fun story.
I gave this story a 5 star. Great interaction of the characters, a great story line. Enjoy this authors books.
I gave this story a 5 star. Great interaction of the characters, a great story line. Enjoy this authors books.
January 6, 2021
Loss And Love
This is a Sweet Christmas story. Walls melt, hearts grow two sizes bigger, and happily ever afters are found. Magic is in the air.
This is a Sweet Christmas story. Walls melt, hearts grow two sizes bigger, and happily ever afters are found. Magic is in the air.
January 12, 2021
Life goes on.
Braden and Lea both missed Rose and Ty but with Lane and the family life needed to go on. And love crept in and they were unsure about that.
Braden and Lea both missed Rose and Ty but with Lane and the family life needed to go on. And love crept in and they were unsure about that.
January 26, 2021
Predictable meet, chemistry, conflict, happiness. Just the kind of book you need every now and then for mindless entertainment.
February 1, 2021
Cute and fun holiday read. The characters seemed a little stuck with their issues, but I liked the way it came together at the end.
February 26, 2021
Simple
This book was just okay for me. I felt like there was part of the story that was missing. The parts that were told were related a lot.
This book was just okay for me. I felt like there was part of the story that was missing. The parts that were told were related a lot.
November 9, 2021
Mediocre seasonal fare, too many inner monologues.
November 19, 2022
Christmas themed, two lost souls fighting demons from the past come together.
November 27, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
It’s going to be a difficult Christmas season in Last Stand, Texas this year. The accident that affected so many families, friends, or simply general acquaintances is a long road to travel – and the first Christmas, the first of everything after losing a loved one is the most difficult of all. The Delaney family lost their beloved sister and her husband in that accident leaving behind grieving brothers and one little boy who has had his foundation ripped from under him. It’s for Lane’s sake that the brothers returned, and it’s also for Lane that they will do their best to make this Christmas memorable and, if not as perfect as it could be then at least a celebration of what matters most – love.
Of all the brothers, Braden seemed to be hit the hardest this holiday season for not only is Rose gone but it’s the time of year when his mother died and his father changed into a tyrant no one could love. A man Braden believes mistakenly that he takes after in so many ways, and in order to protect a “future” woman, he’ll simply not commit to anyone so as not to destroy a woman’s love with his bad luck attitude. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else, that Braden believes that hogwash is enough to keep him focused as the town player and a man who will always be alone. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a dream, a possibility, an if-only woman who he could stand by but there’s no way she’ll ever take a chance on him.
TEXAS CHRISTMAS TYCOON is such an emotional, bittersweet romance – and for good reason. Lea and Braden both are afraid of commitment, leary of anyone truly being willing to stick by their side no matter what. So one flirts, the other avoids. Trouble is, that’s not going to work between them because that spark is very real and if they don’t both put aside their past conceptions and learn a lesson they will miss the best thing possible – a love to last a lifetime, no matter what may come along.
This story is also very realistic in expressing, dealing with and learning to live with grief. There are no magic cures, and for that my respect for Ms. Garbera rises a bit higher because there could have been far easier fixes for this couple. Reality is that death happens. How we deal, how we cope, how we survive is different for every single person, but differences or not we all still grieve, we hurt, we remember, we wish – and Braden will experience all of that before coming out on the other side stronger, a bit wiser, and a lot more settled within himself.
This review has gone on longer than I intended because I feel very strongly about allowing people to experience grief in their own ways for it’s a very personal emotion. We all must deal, but there is no right or wrong way to go through that process, only our own way. Of this entire series, even this particular line, I would call TEXAS CHRISTMAS TYCOON a must-read story for any reader who has followed along from the beginning. (it may get confusing if you have picked up this one on its own because of the large cast, but the previous stories are so well worth going back for, IMO) I loved Braden and Lea’s story and would not hesitate to recommend it to any reader who loves a realist look at life, death, and love with all of the complications, tears, and joys involved.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
It’s going to be a difficult Christmas season in Last Stand, Texas this year. The accident that affected so many families, friends, or simply general acquaintances is a long road to travel – and the first Christmas, the first of everything after losing a loved one is the most difficult of all. The Delaney family lost their beloved sister and her husband in that accident leaving behind grieving brothers and one little boy who has had his foundation ripped from under him. It’s for Lane’s sake that the brothers returned, and it’s also for Lane that they will do their best to make this Christmas memorable and, if not as perfect as it could be then at least a celebration of what matters most – love.
Of all the brothers, Braden seemed to be hit the hardest this holiday season for not only is Rose gone but it’s the time of year when his mother died and his father changed into a tyrant no one could love. A man Braden believes mistakenly that he takes after in so many ways, and in order to protect a “future” woman, he’ll simply not commit to anyone so as not to destroy a woman’s love with his bad luck attitude. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else, that Braden believes that hogwash is enough to keep him focused as the town player and a man who will always be alone. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a dream, a possibility, an if-only woman who he could stand by but there’s no way she’ll ever take a chance on him.
TEXAS CHRISTMAS TYCOON is such an emotional, bittersweet romance – and for good reason. Lea and Braden both are afraid of commitment, leary of anyone truly being willing to stick by their side no matter what. So one flirts, the other avoids. Trouble is, that’s not going to work between them because that spark is very real and if they don’t both put aside their past conceptions and learn a lesson they will miss the best thing possible – a love to last a lifetime, no matter what may come along.
This story is also very realistic in expressing, dealing with and learning to live with grief. There are no magic cures, and for that my respect for Ms. Garbera rises a bit higher because there could have been far easier fixes for this couple. Reality is that death happens. How we deal, how we cope, how we survive is different for every single person, but differences or not we all still grieve, we hurt, we remember, we wish – and Braden will experience all of that before coming out on the other side stronger, a bit wiser, and a lot more settled within himself.
This review has gone on longer than I intended because I feel very strongly about allowing people to experience grief in their own ways for it’s a very personal emotion. We all must deal, but there is no right or wrong way to go through that process, only our own way. Of this entire series, even this particular line, I would call TEXAS CHRISTMAS TYCOON a must-read story for any reader who has followed along from the beginning. (it may get confusing if you have picked up this one on its own because of the large cast, but the previous stories are so well worth going back for, IMO) I loved Braden and Lea’s story and would not hesitate to recommend it to any reader who loves a realist look at life, death, and love with all of the complications, tears, and joys involved.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
November 14, 2019
Texas Christmas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera
Only she could open up his closed-off heart
Lea Dunwoody has always been the classic girl-next-door right down to the tips of her elf booties she wears as a volunteer Santa’s helper. One night her bestie teases her that she should make a play for the handsome bad boy Braden Delaney as she’s always been better with animals than people and Braden is rumored to be a total Scrooge. Braden has always tempted Lea and then the night of the Corbyn Christmas Open House, she sees him make a wish on an evening star. Does she dare make a wish for her own fairytale?
Braden Delaney has had it bad for Lea since…well, forever. As soon as he realized how boys and girls were different, she’d been the only one he had eyes for. But the Delaney men aren’t easy for the women they love so Braden has kept his distance. Until this Christmas. He’s tired of spending the holiday alone.
He normally avoids the holidays, but this year Lea is giving him a reason to celebrate the season.
This is Lea Dunwoody and Braden Delaney's story.
“You need help with your holiday cheer?” Lea asked.
“I do,” he admitted.
“I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’re a bit of a Scrooge,” she said.
What does spirit of Christmas mean?” three-year-old Lane Maverick asked. The words were a bit garbled but clear enough as Braden Delaney held his nephew on his lap in the family room of the Delaney Ranch, the onetime hideaway of outlaws back when Texas was a republic and not a state. It had been Braden’s home for his entire life and as much as his brothers had wanted to get out of Last Stand—the Texas Hill Country town they’d been born and raised in—he’d never wanted to leave. The youngest of the brothers by a good five years, he’d been closest to Rose, their only sister and Lane’s mom, who’d been killed in a car accident back in April.
“It just means that you…ah, heck, kid, I’m not the right one to ask,” Braden said. Lane shifted on his lap, turning his face up toward him, and for a moment Braden had to wonder about a world that would take the parents from a kid like Lane. He’d never had much Christmas spirit but this year he was finding it even harder not to be super-Grinchy all the time.
“Why not?” Lane asked.
Texas Christmas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera is a 3 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Katherine's Books with Tule:
A Cowboy for Christmas
Copper Mountain Christmas
The Scott Brothers of Montana
The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride
The Scott Brothers of Montana
Her Summer Cowboy
Big Marietta Fair
The Scott Brothers of Montana
No Rest for the Wicked
International Bad Boys
Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside
The Scott Brothers of Montana
Seduce Me Tonight
Stand Alone Titles
The Great Wedding Giveaway
Texas Heirs
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Texas Tycoon
The Brothers of Whiskey River
The Billionaire’s Pleasure
Amalfi Night Billionaires
Texas Lover
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Crushed
Sons of San Clemente
Texas Bachelor
The Brothers of Whiskey River
and more
Only she could open up his closed-off heart
Lea Dunwoody has always been the classic girl-next-door right down to the tips of her elf booties she wears as a volunteer Santa’s helper. One night her bestie teases her that she should make a play for the handsome bad boy Braden Delaney as she’s always been better with animals than people and Braden is rumored to be a total Scrooge. Braden has always tempted Lea and then the night of the Corbyn Christmas Open House, she sees him make a wish on an evening star. Does she dare make a wish for her own fairytale?
Braden Delaney has had it bad for Lea since…well, forever. As soon as he realized how boys and girls were different, she’d been the only one he had eyes for. But the Delaney men aren’t easy for the women they love so Braden has kept his distance. Until this Christmas. He’s tired of spending the holiday alone.
He normally avoids the holidays, but this year Lea is giving him a reason to celebrate the season.
This is Lea Dunwoody and Braden Delaney's story.
“You need help with your holiday cheer?” Lea asked.
“I do,” he admitted.
“I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’re a bit of a Scrooge,” she said.
What does spirit of Christmas mean?” three-year-old Lane Maverick asked. The words were a bit garbled but clear enough as Braden Delaney held his nephew on his lap in the family room of the Delaney Ranch, the onetime hideaway of outlaws back when Texas was a republic and not a state. It had been Braden’s home for his entire life and as much as his brothers had wanted to get out of Last Stand—the Texas Hill Country town they’d been born and raised in—he’d never wanted to leave. The youngest of the brothers by a good five years, he’d been closest to Rose, their only sister and Lane’s mom, who’d been killed in a car accident back in April.
“It just means that you…ah, heck, kid, I’m not the right one to ask,” Braden said. Lane shifted on his lap, turning his face up toward him, and for a moment Braden had to wonder about a world that would take the parents from a kid like Lane. He’d never had much Christmas spirit but this year he was finding it even harder not to be super-Grinchy all the time.
“Why not?” Lane asked.
Texas Christmas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera is a 3 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Katherine's Books with Tule:
A Cowboy for Christmas
Copper Mountain Christmas
The Scott Brothers of Montana
The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride
The Scott Brothers of Montana
Her Summer Cowboy
Big Marietta Fair
The Scott Brothers of Montana
No Rest for the Wicked
International Bad Boys
Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside
The Scott Brothers of Montana
Seduce Me Tonight
Stand Alone Titles
The Great Wedding Giveaway
Texas Heirs
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Texas Tycoon
The Brothers of Whiskey River
The Billionaire’s Pleasure
Amalfi Night Billionaires
Texas Lover
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Crushed
Sons of San Clemente
Texas Bachelor
The Brothers of Whiskey River
and more
August 24, 2020
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in the series about the Delaney Brothers of Last Chance Texas. This is a family that was impacted by the accident that occurred earlier in the year where a SUV hit a tour bus and Rose Delaney and TJ Maverick were killed. Rose and TJ left behind a son, Lane that is being raised by the 3 Delaney brothers and TJ’s sister. This book focuses on the youngest brother, Braden. His father was very angry and depressed when his wife died and he made home life unpleasant for the children. Braden was left at home and grew up thinking he was like his dad. His dad had ruined his love for Christmas and this carried over. When Lane was born he tried to be a part of the Christmas celebration. Now that Rose and his mother are gone he is really struggling.
Braden has always had a crush on Rose’s friend Lea and is thinking about trying to start something. He isn’t sure if it will be his usual fling rather than something more. Lea has also had a crush on Braden but didn’t act on it as he was known as a player. She also grew up with a mother who jumped from one man to another, never allowing a permanent relationship to stick. Her parents are divorced and her dad lives in Alaska so she doesn’t see him often. Both Lea and Braden are scared of a relationship and getting hurt. It is so wonderful when they decided to forge ahead and try to have a relationship. They are both so likable and it is wonderful when they step outside their comfort zone.
The book explores Lea and Braden’s relationship as well as with their individual friends and family. It is a terrific read. Very romantic and a HEA.
Braden has always had a crush on Rose’s friend Lea and is thinking about trying to start something. He isn’t sure if it will be his usual fling rather than something more. Lea has also had a crush on Braden but didn’t act on it as he was known as a player. She also grew up with a mother who jumped from one man to another, never allowing a permanent relationship to stick. Her parents are divorced and her dad lives in Alaska so she doesn’t see him often. Both Lea and Braden are scared of a relationship and getting hurt. It is so wonderful when they decided to forge ahead and try to have a relationship. They are both so likable and it is wonderful when they step outside their comfort zone.
The book explores Lea and Braden’s relationship as well as with their individual friends and family. It is a terrific read. Very romantic and a HEA.
November 14, 2019
I received a review copy before release for an honest review.
This book was not my favorite. I hate to say that because I have enjoyed other books by this author and I felt the book was well written. For me the issue in this story was two fold that got in the way of me enjoying it.
The first is there are A LOT of characters and as I had never read this series before all the names and who they were in relation to each other made me very confused at times.
My second issues were the actual two main characters. Lea and Brayden. To me they both had some very big coward moments. They both very much fear love and at times ran away from each other and life because of those fears. I understood it more in Brayden but in Lea I felt she was beyond cowardly.
The story follows Brayden who hates Christmas because his mother died at Christmas. He has two older brother and he was very close to his sister, Rose but she died and he and his brothers are around now to take care of her son, Lane.
Lea was bestfriends with Rose and spends a lot of time with Braydens family and friends as she is pretty much alone in town. Bray and Lea have crushes on each other but he is a playboy of sorts and so she fears that he will hurt her and Bray has always felt devastated by death making him lose the people he loves so he just does one night stands.
However they both love Lane and so the magic of the holiday season and Lane brings them together and they decide to take a gamble on each other.
This book was not my favorite. I hate to say that because I have enjoyed other books by this author and I felt the book was well written. For me the issue in this story was two fold that got in the way of me enjoying it.
The first is there are A LOT of characters and as I had never read this series before all the names and who they were in relation to each other made me very confused at times.
My second issues were the actual two main characters. Lea and Brayden. To me they both had some very big coward moments. They both very much fear love and at times ran away from each other and life because of those fears. I understood it more in Brayden but in Lea I felt she was beyond cowardly.
The story follows Brayden who hates Christmas because his mother died at Christmas. He has two older brother and he was very close to his sister, Rose but she died and he and his brothers are around now to take care of her son, Lane.
Lea was bestfriends with Rose and spends a lot of time with Braydens family and friends as she is pretty much alone in town. Bray and Lea have crushes on each other but he is a playboy of sorts and so she fears that he will hurt her and Bray has always felt devastated by death making him lose the people he loves so he just does one night stands.
However they both love Lane and so the magic of the holiday season and Lane brings them together and they decide to take a gamble on each other.
November 14, 2019
Texas Christmas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera is another visit to my favorite fictional Texas town of Last Stand. The outlaws’ descendants are back for Braden’s story. The accident that happened when the overall series started has affected the Delaney family more than many of the others. A sister is lost and a child is left orphaned so the Christmas season is difficult. While this is a heartwarming story it could be a trigger for anyone who has lost a loved one this past year. The first holiday season is hard.
I remember thinking of a Dolly Parton song about it being a hard candy Christmas. Braden has had more than his share of those. Many are his own doing as he shields himself from a potential loss being too important to him again. Lea Dunwoody has had her own share of losses but I admitted this woman’s grit and resilience in spite of her mother’s mistakes. It takes these too rather a long time of dancing around each other to make a real move. I wanted to push them together but really, I have known people who have done exactly like these two do.
Texas Christmas Tycoon is a wonderful addition to the series with just a hint of The Christmas Carol in it. Thank goodness for one little boy who brought these three grown brothers back home to stay. This is one of my favorite Last Stand Series.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I remember thinking of a Dolly Parton song about it being a hard candy Christmas. Braden has had more than his share of those. Many are his own doing as he shields himself from a potential loss being too important to him again. Lea Dunwoody has had her own share of losses but I admitted this woman’s grit and resilience in spite of her mother’s mistakes. It takes these too rather a long time of dancing around each other to make a real move. I wanted to push them together but really, I have known people who have done exactly like these two do.
Texas Christmas Tycoon is a wonderful addition to the series with just a hint of The Christmas Carol in it. Thank goodness for one little boy who brought these three grown brothers back home to stay. This is one of my favorite Last Stand Series.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews