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Willow Creek #6
A Willow Creek Christmas
Running from a life she no longer wanted...Widowed with two young children, Keri Hilam is desperate to escape her abusive brother in law, going so far as sneaking away in the dead of night in hopes of finding a better life. She never regrets leaving, not even when they find themselves stranded, starving, and alone. Fate brings them to Willow Creek, Montana, where they're rescued by an unlikely hero, an ex-confederate soldier who seems more monster than man.Hiding from a past he can't seem to forget...The war leaves Noah Lloyd scarred and bitter. When the girl he left behind broke his heart, he turned his back on the life he used to know, and sought refuge in a dusty little town that afforded him the solitude he wanted. Finding a woman and her kids hunkered down in an abandoned line shack in the middle of a blizzard is the last thing he needs. They're ragged, half starved and vulnerable, but he's determined to leave the trio in the care of the town marshal.Can a future together erase all the pain...But the innocence of a child at Christmas breaks through Noah's hard exterior and Keri's tender care allows him to see that life may be worth living. All he has to do is let go of his past and let this unlikely family love him.
298 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2013
87 people are currently reading
963 people want to read
About the author
Lily Graison
48 books458 followersLily Graison is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical western romances. She also writes a variety of genres under the name L. R. Grasion. Most all of her stories lean heavily to the spicy side with strong female leads and heroes who tend to always get what they want. On occasion, she can be found penning ‘sweet’ romances with chaste kisses and wholesome values. Ever a romantic, she believes in love at first sight and has a tendency to fall for bad-boy romance heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 28, 2024
Thanks to Lori's enthusiastic review, I found another good book in my Christmas book reading marathon. It wasn't very Christmassy, though, and the Wild West setting is still not my favorite either, probably because the stories are often too violent for my taste.
The latter also applies true of this book. The starting point is dramatic: Widow Keri is on the run from her abusive brother-in-law with her two children, Aaron (10) and Sophie Ann (5). Nearly starved and frozen to death, she’s found by Noah on a bitterly cold winter night. The reclusive and grumpy Civil War veteran reluctantly takes them in, with no ulterior motives, and plans to get rid of them as soon as the weather improves.
Noah swore off love when he came home from the war twelve years ago and his former betrothed rejected him because of his horrible scars. Her disgust damaged his self-worth significantly. To this day, he's ashamed of his scars and hides in his cabin most of the time, still suffering from that ache, thinking he's a monster. The proximity in his small cabin, however, leads to forgotten emotions and desperate longing. Keri's quiet sensitivity, gentleness and understanding make him fall in love with her, and her kid's adoration, their smiles and admiration, is balm for his tortured soul as well. He craves to make them his family, even though it seems unthinkable.
Noah and Keri's love story is very slow burn and beautiful in the first half or two thirds, with a wonderful love scene when Noah finally allows her to see his scars. I got a little tired of the lack of conversation and trust later on, even though they were obviously deeply in love and caring for each other. There were also too many conflicts at the end; especially annoying was the appearance of Keri's 'brother' and Keri's stupid reaction to it.
Overall, it was a nice book about two broken people finding love and family.
3.5
December 26, 2024
3.75 🌟
This book is a bit bitter sweet.
Bitter because if women feel unsafe now in certain circumstances and overall, I can’t imagine how women were able to survive in those times. How vulnerable and dependent they were on men and society.
Not to mention the cruel life the MFC had endured before she met the MMC.
Sweet in how gradually their love and admiration grew for each other. And the beautiful part they all played in each other's life to reach their happily ever after. The role the kids played in this story was so endearing and heartwarming. I cried for their vulnerability and felt elation whenever they laughed or were genuinely happy.
I do believe though that it would have been much easier if the MCs actually communicated with each other more and vocalised their thoughts instead of jumping into assumptions.
And for some reason I got the feeling that if the circumstances were different the MMC wouldn't have given the MFC the time of day. That he only got to fall in love with her because she was available maybe? I dunno 🤷♀️
All in all it's a sweet story with a bit of angst. Never read two MCs that deserve happiness more than these two.
This book is a bit bitter sweet.
Bitter because if women feel unsafe now in certain circumstances and overall, I can’t imagine how women were able to survive in those times. How vulnerable and dependent they were on men and society.
Not to mention the cruel life the MFC had endured before she met the MMC.
Sweet in how gradually their love and admiration grew for each other. And the beautiful part they all played in each other's life to reach their happily ever after. The role the kids played in this story was so endearing and heartwarming. I cried for their vulnerability and felt elation whenever they laughed or were genuinely happy.
I do believe though that it would have been much easier if the MCs actually communicated with each other more and vocalised their thoughts instead of jumping into assumptions.
And for some reason I got the feeling that if the circumstances were different the MMC wouldn't have given the MFC the time of day. That he only got to fall in love with her because she was available maybe? I dunno 🤷♀️
All in all it's a sweet story with a bit of angst. Never read two MCs that deserve happiness more than these two.
January 16, 2016
A Willow Creek Christmas by Lily Graison
Willow Creek Series Book 6
Noah Lloyd is a bit of a recluse. He avoids town as often as possible and the same goes with people. Although those pesky Avery brothers don't know when to leave a man alone, always trying to be friendly. His recluse days end when he finds a mother and two children poaching in an old line shack on his property. Looks like his life will never be the same.
Keri Hilam has hit hard times. Her husband died and when his brother came to help them she thought he was a savior. She was wrong. Taking her children Aaron and Sophie Ann, she escapes. Starving and cold they meet the most surly man ever. Can this bear of a man be a real savior this time?
Once again the reader gets to visit the small Montana Territory town of Willow Creek. If you have read the previous books in this series than you get to visit with old friends once again like the Avery's. And new friends like Noah, a man dragging his past with no hope of a future. Adventure and romance in the Old West along with bad guys and good and always a surprise or two in the mix.
**Sexual situations
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Willow Creek Series Book 6
Noah Lloyd is a bit of a recluse. He avoids town as often as possible and the same goes with people. Although those pesky Avery brothers don't know when to leave a man alone, always trying to be friendly. His recluse days end when he finds a mother and two children poaching in an old line shack on his property. Looks like his life will never be the same.
Keri Hilam has hit hard times. Her husband died and when his brother came to help them she thought he was a savior. She was wrong. Taking her children Aaron and Sophie Ann, she escapes. Starving and cold they meet the most surly man ever. Can this bear of a man be a real savior this time?
Once again the reader gets to visit the small Montana Territory town of Willow Creek. If you have read the previous books in this series than you get to visit with old friends once again like the Avery's. And new friends like Noah, a man dragging his past with no hope of a future. Adventure and romance in the Old West along with bad guys and good and always a surprise or two in the mix.
**Sexual situations
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
December 29, 2023
Wow
This was the first time I have ever read this author and I’ll definitely be reading more as soon as possible. This book was the epitome of a slow burn but man was it ever worth it. Each time I had to stop reading I was thinking about it and wanting to return to the tale of Keri and Noah.
Noah was such a broken and defeated man and Keri carried the world upon her shoulders. Little Aaron and Sophie Ann rounded out the sweet family. I’m a sucker for found family and absolutely love when loves heals. This book captured both those themes so well. I hope this isn’t the last time we see this family in the series of books.
Just such a pure joy to read.
This was the first time I have ever read this author and I’ll definitely be reading more as soon as possible. This book was the epitome of a slow burn but man was it ever worth it. Each time I had to stop reading I was thinking about it and wanting to return to the tale of Keri and Noah.
Noah was such a broken and defeated man and Keri carried the world upon her shoulders. Little Aaron and Sophie Ann rounded out the sweet family. I’m a sucker for found family and absolutely love when loves heals. This book captured both those themes so well. I hope this isn’t the last time we see this family in the series of books.
Just such a pure joy to read.
December 26, 2013
WOW! I loved it . Great one to read for Christmas! I will remember this one for a while . ( Keri turned to look at him and nodded. " I think they`re beautiful." The drawing of her flashed in her mind`s eye. " All of them." His gaze touched every feature of her face, the look in his eyes so warm, it felt like a soft caress. " Not nearly as beautiful as the real thing." Love Noah! Awesome.
July 17, 2016
2.5
This wasn't a bad read but not my normal low angst type. I did like some parts and the kids were cute. The problems were mostly the issues I had with the heroine and the hero. They both had moments I was like ugh but I can say it kept my attention so not bad read but not one I would want to re-read.
This wasn't a bad read but not my normal low angst type. I did like some parts and the kids were cute. The problems were mostly the issues I had with the heroine and the hero. They both had moments I was like ugh but I can say it kept my attention so not bad read but not one I would want to re-read.
January 4, 2016
heart felt lump in your throat kind of read with the perfect mixture of sugar and spice
December 10, 2021
WOW
Wow is all I can say about this book. I just don’t know where to start. So here goes, Lily Graison wrote this book to a high standard. There is a little bit of everything in it. Hate, thrift, love and loss may not be in that order. Keri a widow with two children on the run from her brother in law, she is looking for her brother. They are hungry steeling food to live. They have a run in with Noah who saves them from freezing to death. There is so much more and I would recommend this book to r. Truly enjoyable.
Wow is all I can say about this book. I just don’t know where to start. So here goes, Lily Graison wrote this book to a high standard. There is a little bit of everything in it. Hate, thrift, love and loss may not be in that order. Keri a widow with two children on the run from her brother in law, she is looking for her brother. They are hungry steeling food to live. They have a run in with Noah who saves them from freezing to death. There is so much more and I would recommend this book to r. Truly enjoyable.
October 13, 2020
3.5... rounded up to 4 as it is a Christmas-y novel :)
This was a fast paced, exciting read - with a lot of passion, romance, adventure, and suspense... and yes, Christmas, LOL.
This was a fast paced, exciting read - with a lot of passion, romance, adventure, and suspense... and yes, Christmas, LOL.
December 28, 2023
finding a home in a small Wyoming town
After being injured in the Civil War and being rejected by his fiancé because of his scars Noah leaves home and travels to Wyoming settling outside a small town. He speaks to no one unless necessary and lives a solitary life. Keri leaves in the middle of the night with her children to get away from her abusive brother in law intending to to to California to try to find her brother. They are starving and nearly frozen when Noah reluctantly takes them in.
I don’t read a lot of western stories but this one had me reading long into the night wondering if Keri and her children had finally found a home and Noah would give up his solitary ways. I didn’t expect so much excitement and intrigue.
I have grown to like Willow Creek and think I will look up the first book in the series and start from the beginning. There were more characters with stories to tell. I recommend this as a story that will capture your attention and leave you thinking about these characters long after you have finished.
After being injured in the Civil War and being rejected by his fiancé because of his scars Noah leaves home and travels to Wyoming settling outside a small town. He speaks to no one unless necessary and lives a solitary life. Keri leaves in the middle of the night with her children to get away from her abusive brother in law intending to to to California to try to find her brother. They are starving and nearly frozen when Noah reluctantly takes them in.
I don’t read a lot of western stories but this one had me reading long into the night wondering if Keri and her children had finally found a home and Noah would give up his solitary ways. I didn’t expect so much excitement and intrigue.
I have grown to like Willow Creek and think I will look up the first book in the series and start from the beginning. There were more characters with stories to tell. I recommend this as a story that will capture your attention and leave you thinking about these characters long after you have finished.
December 29, 2023
Absolutely fantastic book! This was my first book by the author and I'm hooked! Scarred/tortured heroes and the women who see past their flaws and straight to their hearts is my forever favorite trope. The writing, the world building, character development were near flawless. The pace the author set in slowly peeling back the layers of both MC's to get to their gooey centers was so rewarding! I felt and understood their hesitation, but when they finally give in it's cause for celebration! I could not put it down! Bravo Ms. Graison! 👏👏👏
December 24, 2023
Heartwarming
2 lost souls find each other
With difficulty and many adjustments
Their lives intertwine
Forming a bond and a true family
Bringing out the best I everyone
HEA
2 lost souls find each other
With difficulty and many adjustments
Their lives intertwine
Forming a bond and a true family
Bringing out the best I everyone
HEA
December 20, 2023
Loved it!
This was such a delightful read! Raw characters, romance, & love conquering all! I highly recommend that you read it!
This was such a delightful read! Raw characters, romance, & love conquering all! I highly recommend that you read it!
November 28, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. I read it in two nights and could NOT put it down. As we can expect from Lily Graison, this book is swoon-worthy. The romance just sweeps over you and takes you away. Noah is a loner and a recluse injured from the war with a house outside of town. In addition, he has a cabin in the woods. To his surprise he finds a woman with two small children in his cabin. Outraged he kicks them out, only to find himself guilt-ridden and bringing them back to his house. I found myself crying and swooning and crying and swooning--over and over again. Having grown up hungry, it brought back all the feelings that come with not having your basic needs met. I too had a mother who did her best to have our desires and stomachs filled and who loved us dearly. We also ended up with a man who loved us, married my mother and took us in when I was 10 years old and the oldest like Aaron. My father, like Noah, was sweet and kind. I found myself relating to this story very much! I loved watching how sweet and genuinely kind Noah was with her and the children--his first gifts to them made me put the book down and cry again. Noah, having been injured in the war, has many scars internally and externally that he has to overcome to love Keri fully. They slowly share their heart breaking stories and hurts and together overcome them to make a beautiful Christmas couple.
The sex scenes were amazing and like the rest of the story, very touching. Both of them are so gentle with each other--two wounded souls trying to overcome their insecurities, failures and fears and yet fulfill the desires of the one they love.
I love romance novels, I love cowboys and I most definitely love Christmas stories. When you put them all together it is splendid. If you are looking for a heartwarming Christmas story that warms your insides, this is the one! Do yourself a favor and sit by the fire, with a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket and enjoy this Christmas cowboy love story!
The sex scenes were amazing and like the rest of the story, very touching. Both of them are so gentle with each other--two wounded souls trying to overcome their insecurities, failures and fears and yet fulfill the desires of the one they love.
I love romance novels, I love cowboys and I most definitely love Christmas stories. When you put them all together it is splendid. If you are looking for a heartwarming Christmas story that warms your insides, this is the one! Do yourself a favor and sit by the fire, with a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket and enjoy this Christmas cowboy love story!
January 4, 2014
I was given this book by the Author Lily Graison for a Honest Review.
It was awesome and I loved it.
A Willow Creek Christmas is a stand alone novel but its also part of a series. So many of the people in this book are from previous books. It's good to hear about them, even if its just a little bit.
Keri Hilam is a widow with two young children (Aaron and Sophie). She is desperate to escape her abusive brother in law and find her brother in California. She leaves her home in the middle of the night, in the hopes to escape to a better life. She gets stranded in Willow Creek with nowhere to stay and nothing to eat. Fate beings Noah Lloyd into her life at the correct time but does he want to help?
Noah Lloyd is an unlikely hero, an ex-confederate soldier who seems more monster than man. The war has left Noah scarred and bitter. He left his family, his friends and his broken heart behind and moved to Willow Creek so he could be alone. Willow Creek is a dusty little town and miles away from his old life. Noah finds Keri, Aaron and Sophie in a shack on his land. They are just trying to stay alive but Noah doesn't want them on his land and he doesn't want them to be his responsible either.
Keri, Aaron and Sophie are ragged, half starve and vulnerable and Noah takes them in until he get them to the local marshal. The innocence of Aaron and Sophie at Christmas and Keri's tender care breaks down Noah's walls and he starts to see the world in a different way.
Can Keri and Noah let their past go or will their past destroy them?
I would recommend this book and the whole Willow Creek Series.
It was awesome and I loved it.
A Willow Creek Christmas is a stand alone novel but its also part of a series. So many of the people in this book are from previous books. It's good to hear about them, even if its just a little bit.
Keri Hilam is a widow with two young children (Aaron and Sophie). She is desperate to escape her abusive brother in law and find her brother in California. She leaves her home in the middle of the night, in the hopes to escape to a better life. She gets stranded in Willow Creek with nowhere to stay and nothing to eat. Fate beings Noah Lloyd into her life at the correct time but does he want to help?
Noah Lloyd is an unlikely hero, an ex-confederate soldier who seems more monster than man. The war has left Noah scarred and bitter. He left his family, his friends and his broken heart behind and moved to Willow Creek so he could be alone. Willow Creek is a dusty little town and miles away from his old life. Noah finds Keri, Aaron and Sophie in a shack on his land. They are just trying to stay alive but Noah doesn't want them on his land and he doesn't want them to be his responsible either.
Keri, Aaron and Sophie are ragged, half starve and vulnerable and Noah takes them in until he get them to the local marshal. The innocence of Aaron and Sophie at Christmas and Keri's tender care breaks down Noah's walls and he starts to see the world in a different way.
Can Keri and Noah let their past go or will their past destroy them?
I would recommend this book and the whole Willow Creek Series.
November 26, 2013
A Willow Creek Christmas by Lily Graison
Willow Creek Series Book 6
Noah Lloyd is a bit of a recluse. He avoids town as often as possible and the same goes with people. Although those pesky Avery brothers don't know when to leave a man alone, always trying to be friendly. His recluse days end when he finds a mother and two children poaching in an old line shack on his property. Looks like his life will never be the same.
Keri Hilam has hit hard times. Her husband died and when his brother came to help them she thought he was a savior. She was wrong. Taking her children Aaron and Sophie Ann, she escapes. Starving and cold they meet the most surly man ever. Can this bear of a man be a real savior this time?
Once again the reader gets to visit the small Montana Territory town of Willow Creek. If you have read the previous books in this series than you get to visit with old friends once again like the Avery's. And new friends like Noah, a man dragging his past with no hope of a future. Adventure and romance in the Old West along with bad guys and good and always a surprise or two in the mix.
**Sexual situations
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Willow Creek Series Book 6
Noah Lloyd is a bit of a recluse. He avoids town as often as possible and the same goes with people. Although those pesky Avery brothers don't know when to leave a man alone, always trying to be friendly. His recluse days end when he finds a mother and two children poaching in an old line shack on his property. Looks like his life will never be the same.
Keri Hilam has hit hard times. Her husband died and when his brother came to help them she thought he was a savior. She was wrong. Taking her children Aaron and Sophie Ann, she escapes. Starving and cold they meet the most surly man ever. Can this bear of a man be a real savior this time?
Once again the reader gets to visit the small Montana Territory town of Willow Creek. If you have read the previous books in this series than you get to visit with old friends once again like the Avery's. And new friends like Noah, a man dragging his past with no hope of a future. Adventure and romance in the Old West along with bad guys and good and always a surprise or two in the mix.
**Sexual situations
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
November 27, 2013
A Willowcreek Christmas.
A Willowcreek series book 6.
Another fantastic read written by a truly amazing author. She has the ability to grab you right from the beginning and keep you turning pages. If there is someone looking for a great series, this one is it! You will not be disappointed.
The story takes place in our favorite little town of Willowcreek. That being said we get to catch up a little bit with some of our favorite characters from previous stories, without it dragging on and moving right along with the new story line. In this book we have my new favorite character Noah. Haunted a bit by his past. And we have Keri and her two children Aaron and Sophie. Keri's husband past away and thought she would be getting help from her brother in-law. This of coarse could not be further from the truth. So she sets out without anything. And has a rather awkward run in with Noah... Yes! Right?? Again.. Great read.
Rebecca -reno
A Willowcreek series book 6.
Another fantastic read written by a truly amazing author. She has the ability to grab you right from the beginning and keep you turning pages. If there is someone looking for a great series, this one is it! You will not be disappointed.
The story takes place in our favorite little town of Willowcreek. That being said we get to catch up a little bit with some of our favorite characters from previous stories, without it dragging on and moving right along with the new story line. In this book we have my new favorite character Noah. Haunted a bit by his past. And we have Keri and her two children Aaron and Sophie. Keri's husband past away and thought she would be getting help from her brother in-law. This of coarse could not be further from the truth. So she sets out without anything. And has a rather awkward run in with Noah... Yes! Right?? Again.. Great read.
Rebecca -reno
December 6, 2013
I just discovered this author and read this book in one sitting. I really enjoyed her writing style and she did a great job of conveying the feeling of what it must have been like to live back then, and the desperation a widowed mother of two young children must have felt. The situation that threw her together with the hero was both heartbreaking and realistic. The reality is that she and her children would not have survived the brutal cold if they hadn't been taken in. The relationship with the reclusive hero progressed well and I was rooting for them the whole way. This is the kind of story that you curl up on the sofa and lose yourself in....and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
February 14, 2014
Oh this one had me on the edge of the couch. Plus I stayed up late into the night to finish it.
This story takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. One that you do not want to get off from.
Keri is running. Noah is hiding. Both were hurt and trying to over come their pasts. He thought he would always want to be alone. That was until she showed up with her little ones. He could not turn his back away. They crawled into a spot into his heart and he could not get them out.
She wanting to feel safe for her children and herself. With him there she felt it. But she was afraid of his true feelings. Did he truly want them there?
I loved this story. I hope Lily Graison writes fast.... I want some more. :-P
This story takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. One that you do not want to get off from.
Keri is running. Noah is hiding. Both were hurt and trying to over come their pasts. He thought he would always want to be alone. That was until she showed up with her little ones. He could not turn his back away. They crawled into a spot into his heart and he could not get them out.
She wanting to feel safe for her children and herself. With him there she felt it. But she was afraid of his true feelings. Did he truly want them there?
I loved this story. I hope Lily Graison writes fast.... I want some more. :-P
June 4, 2017
favorite book of series. wow, this book was great. noah was a tortured man living alone in his small house, drawing his pictures. after being wounded in the war, he left everything and everyone he knew and loved, moved to willow creek to live out his days in solitude.
after her husband died, Keri escaped from a bad situation with her kids and very little else. after months traveling, she is homeless, hungry and desperate. she finds shelter from the snow in a small abandoned shack until noah finds her and the kids and throws them off his property. with an impending blizzard, his conscious gets the best of him and he takes the family in ... just until the snow stops falling (so he tells himself). 1 week turns into more until the thought of them moving on is unthinkable.
after her husband died, Keri escaped from a bad situation with her kids and very little else. after months traveling, she is homeless, hungry and desperate. she finds shelter from the snow in a small abandoned shack until noah finds her and the kids and throws them off his property. with an impending blizzard, his conscious gets the best of him and he takes the family in ... just until the snow stops falling (so he tells himself). 1 week turns into more until the thought of them moving on is unthinkable.
December 2, 2013
Lily Graison nailed it again!!!! A Willow Creek Christmas was absolutely amazing! I could not read it fast enough. You would get to a part in the book where you think you know what is going to happen and then all of a sudden there's a twist. As always, she was very descriptive when telling about the characters so much so that you can visually see the characters and feel what they too are feeling. I have and will always recommend her books to everyone I know that loves to read as much as I do. I am very anxious to read the next book in the series. Thank you again Lily Graison for sharing your amazing talent!!!!
March 17, 2014
“Willow Creek Christmas” is a stand-alone western romance that tugs the heartstrings on every page.
Read full review in the 2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
September 21, 2017
It gets better and better
Omg, Lily warned me to have tissues ready and she wasn't kidding!!! This series just keeps you hooked and I think this one may be the best of the six so far. Absolutely loved it.
Omg, Lily warned me to have tissues ready and she wasn't kidding!!! This series just keeps you hooked and I think this one may be the best of the six so far. Absolutely loved it.
May 10, 2021
Noah and Keri
Noah hates himself and everyone else. He has terrible scars from the war and was treated badly by his fiance. Keri and her children are in a bad situation so Noah takes them in. This little family falls in love with each other. Great story.
Noah hates himself and everyone else. He has terrible scars from the war and was treated badly by his fiance. Keri and her children are in a bad situation so Noah takes them in. This little family falls in love with each other. Great story.
December 11, 2014
This is a 4.5 star book!! This was such an awesome story and plan on reading the rest of this series!!
January 3, 2024
This is my favourite book in the whole series. I love a tortured hero, but add a tortured heroine, her kids and a snow blizzard into the mix and I’m sold.
January 13, 2018
Gem
This book had an unusual but well enjoyed premises. I had a hard time putting the book down and hated for it to end.
This book had an unusual but well enjoyed premises. I had a hard time putting the book down and hated for it to end.
February 21, 2019
A damaged hero rescued a starving family
This is the first book I have read by Lily. I just loved this story and the secondary characters & town. I plan on buying the whole series.
This is the first book I have read by Lily. I just loved this story and the secondary characters & town. I plan on buying the whole series.
March 5, 2021
Excellent book
Probably one of Lily’s best pieces of work. It is an emotional read but very well written. I could not put it down.
Probably one of Lily’s best pieces of work. It is an emotional read but very well written. I could not put it down.
December 24, 2019
I was overdue for a historical western romance. I wasn't really looking for a Christmas theme when I bought this, but the cover (not the one shown) sold me. It's too bad Goodreads isn't up to date with it. It's much improved.
Keri Hilam is a widow with two kids. Her son, Aaron, is ten. Her daughter, Sophie Ann, is five. Keri was on the run from her former brother-in-law, taking off in the middle of the night with her kids. She knew she had to get away from him, but she wasn't counting on running into such hardships, the primary being starvation. She had two kids to take care of and desperate times called for desperate measures.
She finds an old hunting shack with the roof caving in to hole up during a snowstorm in Montana. It isn't much, but it's the best she could do. She and the kids have nothing other than the threadbare clothes on their back and a blanket that's in the same condition. They manage to gather some twigs to start a fire, hoping it'll be enough to keep them from freezing to death.
Noah sees smoke coming from the trees on his land and goes to check it out only to discover that this woman and these two kids are squatting in the building he's never used and it doesn't set well with him. He tells them to leave.
Keri is afraid of the big long haired, thick bearded brute. She doesn't want any trouble and does as he says, not knowing where they're going to ride out this storm. This is a life or death situation with an impending the cold and snow that's already falling.
Noah has a conscience, something he thought he'd left behind after the Civil War, until he thinks of Keri and her children trying to survive this weather when they were all underfed and didn't hve any proper gear. He's been reclusive and not at all sociable for the past twelve years and having the three of them invade his life is not something he wants to deal with. He goes back for them and instead of letting them stay in the old, rundown cabin, he takes them to his own cabin. It started out as "only until the storm is over" and moved to "until you find your brother" who is allegedly in California.
Noah has some baggage that touched my heart. I envisioned him with this grotesque long, thick beard that covered most of the scar on his face and long hair that he hadn't combed in months, possibly years. He's got a powerful voice and speaks with a Southern accent. I think I might've been afraid of him, too. He's an enigma with his person (he wears gloves all the time, even when he's inside) and socially, as well. Most people regard him as a monster.
Keri got to know him and see him for who he was and didn't care at all about the scar on his face. She knew he wasn't a monster. She saw him as kind, caring, and giving. She fell in love with him, but trying to get him to see that he could love and be loved was a different matter. He was private. He hid. I think he was even a little bit shy. I knew there was more to him than met the eye and I knew he was hiding more than just the scar on his face.
Keri had to take the lead. She wasn't all that sure about it when she did it, but she took a chance and it paid off. The tension between her and Noah screamed from the pages and the love scenes were so hot. The two of them worked so well together, it took my breath away a few times.
There's some Old West action, a few antagonists that got what they deserved and added some zip to an otherwise steadily-paced love story, and a great romance with a happy ending.
I would've given this five stars, but there were some awkward sentences and a couple of instances of wrong word usage. It wasn't unbearable and I enjoyed the story very much.
*This is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel
Keri Hilam is a widow with two kids. Her son, Aaron, is ten. Her daughter, Sophie Ann, is five. Keri was on the run from her former brother-in-law, taking off in the middle of the night with her kids. She knew she had to get away from him, but she wasn't counting on running into such hardships, the primary being starvation. She had two kids to take care of and desperate times called for desperate measures.
She finds an old hunting shack with the roof caving in to hole up during a snowstorm in Montana. It isn't much, but it's the best she could do. She and the kids have nothing other than the threadbare clothes on their back and a blanket that's in the same condition. They manage to gather some twigs to start a fire, hoping it'll be enough to keep them from freezing to death.
Noah sees smoke coming from the trees on his land and goes to check it out only to discover that this woman and these two kids are squatting in the building he's never used and it doesn't set well with him. He tells them to leave.
Keri is afraid of the big long haired, thick bearded brute. She doesn't want any trouble and does as he says, not knowing where they're going to ride out this storm. This is a life or death situation with an impending the cold and snow that's already falling.
Noah has a conscience, something he thought he'd left behind after the Civil War, until he thinks of Keri and her children trying to survive this weather when they were all underfed and didn't hve any proper gear. He's been reclusive and not at all sociable for the past twelve years and having the three of them invade his life is not something he wants to deal with. He goes back for them and instead of letting them stay in the old, rundown cabin, he takes them to his own cabin. It started out as "only until the storm is over" and moved to "until you find your brother" who is allegedly in California.
Noah has some baggage that touched my heart. I envisioned him with this grotesque long, thick beard that covered most of the scar on his face and long hair that he hadn't combed in months, possibly years. He's got a powerful voice and speaks with a Southern accent. I think I might've been afraid of him, too. He's an enigma with his person (he wears gloves all the time, even when he's inside) and socially, as well. Most people regard him as a monster.
Keri got to know him and see him for who he was and didn't care at all about the scar on his face. She knew he wasn't a monster. She saw him as kind, caring, and giving. She fell in love with him, but trying to get him to see that he could love and be loved was a different matter. He was private. He hid. I think he was even a little bit shy. I knew there was more to him than met the eye and I knew he was hiding more than just the scar on his face.
Keri had to take the lead. She wasn't all that sure about it when she did it, but she took a chance and it paid off. The tension between her and Noah screamed from the pages and the love scenes were so hot. The two of them worked so well together, it took my breath away a few times.
There's some Old West action, a few antagonists that got what they deserved and added some zip to an otherwise steadily-paced love story, and a great romance with a happy ending.
I would've given this five stars, but there were some awkward sentences and a couple of instances of wrong word usage. It wasn't unbearable and I enjoyed the story very much.
*This is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel
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