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Clear Water, TX #3
A Texas Christmas Wish
Karly Kalakona's new nursing job is the perfect Christmas gift she and her son needed for their future. The single mom just never counted on dealing with not only a stubborn patient, but also with his prodigal son. After years away, pilot Tyler Childress is only a temporary traveler to the Texas ranch he's spent his life escaping. But the chemistry he shares with his father's nurse is undeniable—and has him thinking of sticking around past the holiday season. Can Tyler learn to trust the woman whose caring ways are bringing his father back to life…and who might just be the partner his wandering heart can find a home with?
Unknown Binding
First published September 15, 2015
14 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Jolene Navarro
75 books99 followersLiving in the Texas Hill Country, with her four children, Jolene’s life, much like the stories she writes, is filled with faith, family, football, art, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life's wonderful messiness.
Jolene knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart-breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that long kisses and dancing in the rain never gets old.
Jolene knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart-breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that long kisses and dancing in the rain never gets old.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 7, 2020
I enjoyed this story about a single mother who was given a second chance in her life. The book gradually moved into the holiday season and the story seemed filled with the Christmas Spirit of love and good will to the less fortunate. There's an unpredictable challenge I didn't see coming and it had me on the edge of my seat for a while.
Karly Kalakona is a single mother to adorable five year old Bryce. She is running from someone in her past and mostly lives in her car. Her mother died when she was very young and her step father raised her until she was seventeen. Due to circumstances in her life she dropped out of high school and traveled from town to town. Bryce was born with a disability and Karly did the best she could to raise him with all the love she could give him. Then she got a chance to care for a stroke victim in his home. Could this be the beginning of a new future for her and Bryce?
Tyler Childress came from a loving home until his mother died and then soon after his sister passed away in an accident. This changed his world and he began to have a rocky relationship with his grieving father. He decided that he had to get away from the ranch and Clear Water . He wanted to become a pilot so he pursued that career and rarely came home to the ranch. He had never excepted the deaths of his mother and sister. The mistakes he made while growing up kept Tyler running from his past until his father had a stroke and he was called home to make decisions about the ranch. He wasn't convinced that Karly was the best choice to care for his father but could he ask her and the boy to leave the ranch at Christmas time?
Readers of contemporary romance and Love Inspired books will enjoy this story. I enjoyed it and recommend it for your reading pleasure.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway by the author. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
Karly Kalakona is a single mother to adorable five year old Bryce. She is running from someone in her past and mostly lives in her car. Her mother died when she was very young and her step father raised her until she was seventeen. Due to circumstances in her life she dropped out of high school and traveled from town to town. Bryce was born with a disability and Karly did the best she could to raise him with all the love she could give him. Then she got a chance to care for a stroke victim in his home. Could this be the beginning of a new future for her and Bryce?
Tyler Childress came from a loving home until his mother died and then soon after his sister passed away in an accident. This changed his world and he began to have a rocky relationship with his grieving father. He decided that he had to get away from the ranch and Clear Water . He wanted to become a pilot so he pursued that career and rarely came home to the ranch. He had never excepted the deaths of his mother and sister. The mistakes he made while growing up kept Tyler running from his past until his father had a stroke and he was called home to make decisions about the ranch. He wasn't convinced that Karly was the best choice to care for his father but could he ask her and the boy to leave the ranch at Christmas time?
Readers of contemporary romance and Love Inspired books will enjoy this story. I enjoyed it and recommend it for your reading pleasure.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway by the author. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
April 13, 2016
1st time I read one of these, it was pretty good. Very easy to read, not overly romantic.
October 5, 2015
A Texas Christmas Wish" by Jolene Navarro is a fantastic, uplifting read. Set in the town of Clear Water, Texas, it continues the series that began with "Lone Star Holiday" and "Lone Star Hero." The story begins with down on her luck heroine, Karly Kalakona, and her sweet son, Bryce, heading toward a new life and a wonderful opportunity to be a live-in caretaker for an elderly rancher, Dub Childress. Karly and her son have experienced some extremely difficult times, so the opportunity to live at a ranch is like manna from heaven. Enter Tyler Childress, Dub's son, who meets up with Karly and Bryce in the most unexpected of ways en route to their first night at the ranch. Tyler, who has come back to town to check in on his ailing father, has always been whispered about as the bad boy of Clear Water. While all Karly wants is a roof over her head and to fulfill her nursing duties for Dub, Tyler is suspicious of the single mother's agenda. The theme of grief is entwined throughout the story as Tyler has to confront losses in his past. Although they couldn't be more different from one another, Karly and Tyler find themselves dealing with an undeniable attraction, one that could last well beyond the Christmas holidays. This is a beautiful tale of two hearts that find healing. Highly recommend.
January 7, 2016
I Loved this book. Love Jolene as a writer. It is such a wonderful story of second chances.
Karly who was used and abused during her young life. And Tyler who had everything growing up and still suffered from losing his Mother & Sister.
Shows God's goodness and faithfulness to bring us through every storm and every trial.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone.
Karly who was used and abused during her young life. And Tyler who had everything growing up and still suffered from losing his Mother & Sister.
Shows God's goodness and faithfulness to bring us through every storm and every trial.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone.
October 18, 2015
Fun quick read; would have been better with an epilogue.
December 18, 2024
It wasn’t terrible. The pacing, especially at the end was awful. It was also very repetitive. I could have gone without reading this.
August 30, 2015
A Texas Christmas Wish is by Jolene Navarro. It is a Harlequin Inspirational Romance and as such has no graphic scenes, violence, or language. It is a Christian based novel which relies heavily on Faith. This novel deals with second chances, forgiveness, lies and deception, and a prodigal son.
Karly Kalakona has taken a job to provide assistance to Dub Childress when he returns home from the hospital where he is recovering from a stroke. A high school dropout with no experience in caring for the sick except for caring for her own son, Karly is hoping this job will work out. She is not a good cook and not a nurse; but she can clean and organize and can provide daily care for Dub. She hopes this is enough. Parson John recommended her for this job and she doesn’t want to disappoint him or Dub. She needs this job to give her time to get her GED and set aside some money to provide for her son’s future. Her son, Bryce, was born with no right hand and he just incurred surgery for his foot which should heal without any resulting problem. He is ready to start kindergarten and she hopes he is ready and that the kids will not be too cruel to him. She hopes his sunny disposition and positive attitude will carry him through. She is relying on her Faith, although new to her, can get her through.
Tyler Childress has come home. He has been away for several years flying airplanes. He told his Dad many years ago that he wanted to fly not ranch. He and Dub seem to argue and not get along if they are in the same room for simply minutes. Nothing Tyler can do seems to be right. He left home after he harmed his beloved cutting horse and Dub blamed him for that and believed the rumors going around town about him. Tyler was not home when his mother or his sister died. He was returning home now because his Dad and he needed to talk about possible retirement and maybe selling the ranch. He didn’t intend to come home for good and he didn’t think his Dad could handle things much longer. He wanted to show his Dad that he had grown up and was not a screw-up any longer.
Tyler and Karly met when he buzzed the road in his airplane and had to land in an adjacent farmer’s field, tearing down a portion of the fence and damaging his airplane wing. He caused Karly to drive her car into a muddy ditch; but she, her son, and car were fine once he got her out of the mud. She followed him to the airplane hangar and then took him to the ranch. He had just gotten her into her room (his sister’s which looked as it has when she was 18) and Bryce settled into his old room when Dub and Pastor John arrived home. Dub had signed himself out of the hospital and swore he would walk home if someone didn’t take him. He had already had definite doubts about Karly due to her age; but would give her a chance. He wasn’t sure his Dad would give him much of a chance since he was covered in mud and had tracked mud into the house and damaged his airplane. Not a good start proving he wasn’t a screw-up.
Karly Kalakona has taken a job to provide assistance to Dub Childress when he returns home from the hospital where he is recovering from a stroke. A high school dropout with no experience in caring for the sick except for caring for her own son, Karly is hoping this job will work out. She is not a good cook and not a nurse; but she can clean and organize and can provide daily care for Dub. She hopes this is enough. Parson John recommended her for this job and she doesn’t want to disappoint him or Dub. She needs this job to give her time to get her GED and set aside some money to provide for her son’s future. Her son, Bryce, was born with no right hand and he just incurred surgery for his foot which should heal without any resulting problem. He is ready to start kindergarten and she hopes he is ready and that the kids will not be too cruel to him. She hopes his sunny disposition and positive attitude will carry him through. She is relying on her Faith, although new to her, can get her through.
Tyler Childress has come home. He has been away for several years flying airplanes. He told his Dad many years ago that he wanted to fly not ranch. He and Dub seem to argue and not get along if they are in the same room for simply minutes. Nothing Tyler can do seems to be right. He left home after he harmed his beloved cutting horse and Dub blamed him for that and believed the rumors going around town about him. Tyler was not home when his mother or his sister died. He was returning home now because his Dad and he needed to talk about possible retirement and maybe selling the ranch. He didn’t intend to come home for good and he didn’t think his Dad could handle things much longer. He wanted to show his Dad that he had grown up and was not a screw-up any longer.
Tyler and Karly met when he buzzed the road in his airplane and had to land in an adjacent farmer’s field, tearing down a portion of the fence and damaging his airplane wing. He caused Karly to drive her car into a muddy ditch; but she, her son, and car were fine once he got her out of the mud. She followed him to the airplane hangar and then took him to the ranch. He had just gotten her into her room (his sister’s which looked as it has when she was 18) and Bryce settled into his old room when Dub and Pastor John arrived home. Dub had signed himself out of the hospital and swore he would walk home if someone didn’t take him. He had already had definite doubts about Karly due to her age; but would give her a chance. He wasn’t sure his Dad would give him much of a chance since he was covered in mud and had tracked mud into the house and damaged his airplane. Not a good start proving he wasn’t a screw-up.
August 20, 2015
Looking for a sweet, charming, easy read Christmas story? You will love A Texas Christmas Wish by Jolene Navarro, as much as I did. Still not released yet, I was gifted an early copy for an honest review. Who doesn't love a Christmas romance? I loved everything about this story. I loved how strong and determined the Karly Kalakona was. In her situation, with all she had been through in her life, she could have easily done the 'poor me.' She didn't. She turned to and trusted God, and was determined to make a better life for herself and young special needs son, Bryce. I loved Tyler. The perfect hero for Karly. I absolutely adored him with Bryce. I loved the Childress family. I didn't think I'd like Tyler's father Dub but, he was a doll. I can also imagine what wonderful ladies, his mother and sister were. Just a wonderful Godly family. No wonder Karly wanted Bryce to be a part of that. This was just a wonderful, sweet, feel good, easy read.
June 11, 2022
I loved this book
October 16, 2015
A Texas Christmas wish by Jolene Navarro. Tyler Childress's dad owns a ranch. Tyler left years ago after his mother and then his sister died. His dad is real sick and need a nurse. Karly Kalakona is not a nurse but working toward it on the internet. Tyler doesn't think she is qualified to be his nurse. Tyler's dad, Dub, wants Karly to take care of him. She has a little boy with one short arm. After being around Karly and her son Tyler is rethinking about leaving the ranch. He has become attached to the little boy and the boy thinks the world of Tyler. Plus Tyler and Karly fall in love. A very good read.
January 10, 2016
This is the third book set in this wonderful small Texas town, and they just keep getting better! All the characters from previous books play a role, as well as some new ones. This book deals with some pretty rough issues such as special needs children, forgiveness, redemption, and just a little suspense thrown in. The romance was sweet. Neither really wanted romance, and didn't feel like they deserved the love of a good person. But they found it in each other...
There were several characters that needed this magical Christmas!
There were several characters that needed this magical Christmas!
November 11, 2015
What a heartwarming story of two people coming together and overcoming struggles from their pasts. I always love the small town elements in Ms. Navarro's stories, and Karly and Tyler were such great partners in creating a happy atmosphere for Bryce.
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
November 26, 2015
A sweet story about redemption and overcoming adversity in life.
August 4, 2018
A Texas Christmas Wish by Jolene Navarro
Karly Kalakona's new nursing job is the perfect Christmas gift she and her son needed for their future. The single mom just never counted on dealing with not only a stubborn patient, but also with his prodigal son. After years away, pilot Tyler Childress is only a temporary traveler to the Texas ranch he's spent his life escaping. But the chemistry he shares with his father's nurse is undeniable—and has him thinking of sticking around past the holiday season. Can Tyler learn to trust the woman whose caring ways are bringing his father back to life…and who might just be the partner his wandering heart can find a home with?
This is Tyler Childress and Karly Kalakona's story.
A tap on the window caused her to jump. A drenched man stood outside her car. Rolling the window down, she was hit with rain. She cupped a hand over her face and found Tyler Childress staring at her.
Tyler pulled his leather jacket over his head to block her from the onslaught of rain. Leaning closer to her, he looked into the car. "Is everyone all right? I'm so sorry. Cattle were on the airstrip and I thought I could make it to the field, but the pressure came in low."
"We're fine. A little shaken up, but fine. Tyler Childress, right?"
Karly turned the wipers to the highest setting, but they didn't help much. She knew the ranchers in Clear Water, Texas, were celebrating after the long drought, but she just wanted to get to her new home without drowning.
New home. If everything worked out the way she planned, her young son, Bryce, would be celebrating Christmas in a real home for the first time ever. Last Christmas they had been living in her car. At church, deacon Dub Childress had always made her feel welcome. Now he was recovering from a stroke and broken arm—and it was her turn to help him.
On the huge plus side, if she could pull this off, no shelter or cheap hotel for them this year.
I highly recommend reading.
A Texas Christmas Wish by Jolene Navarro is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Jolene Navarro.
Lone Star Legacy
Lone Star Holiday
Lone Star Hero
Lone Star Bride
Texas Daddy
The Texan's Twins
Lone Star Christmas
Grooms of the Cortez Ranch
1. Forever Christmas Kiss
Karly Kalakona's new nursing job is the perfect Christmas gift she and her son needed for their future. The single mom just never counted on dealing with not only a stubborn patient, but also with his prodigal son. After years away, pilot Tyler Childress is only a temporary traveler to the Texas ranch he's spent his life escaping. But the chemistry he shares with his father's nurse is undeniable—and has him thinking of sticking around past the holiday season. Can Tyler learn to trust the woman whose caring ways are bringing his father back to life…and who might just be the partner his wandering heart can find a home with?
This is Tyler Childress and Karly Kalakona's story.
A tap on the window caused her to jump. A drenched man stood outside her car. Rolling the window down, she was hit with rain. She cupped a hand over her face and found Tyler Childress staring at her.
Tyler pulled his leather jacket over his head to block her from the onslaught of rain. Leaning closer to her, he looked into the car. "Is everyone all right? I'm so sorry. Cattle were on the airstrip and I thought I could make it to the field, but the pressure came in low."
"We're fine. A little shaken up, but fine. Tyler Childress, right?"
Karly turned the wipers to the highest setting, but they didn't help much. She knew the ranchers in Clear Water, Texas, were celebrating after the long drought, but she just wanted to get to her new home without drowning.
New home. If everything worked out the way she planned, her young son, Bryce, would be celebrating Christmas in a real home for the first time ever. Last Christmas they had been living in her car. At church, deacon Dub Childress had always made her feel welcome. Now he was recovering from a stroke and broken arm—and it was her turn to help him.
On the huge plus side, if she could pull this off, no shelter or cheap hotel for them this year.
I highly recommend reading.
A Texas Christmas Wish by Jolene Navarro is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Jolene Navarro.
Lone Star Legacy
Lone Star Holiday
Lone Star Hero
Lone Star Bride
Texas Daddy
The Texan's Twins
Lone Star Christmas
Grooms of the Cortez Ranch
1. Forever Christmas Kiss
October 14, 2023
The sentimentality is laid on thick with this one - we've got family re-unification, a disabled child, and Christmas - but it works for A Christmas Carol, so great if you are in the mood for that. I've read Love Inspired (Christian) romances before, but this one seems more overtly religious. It isn't just lack of lust and references to prayer - the hero and heroine are both struggling with their faith, and overcoming that is a significant part of the plot. Again, nothing wrong with that if that's what you seek.
The romance plot is solid, and I appreciated the structural symmetry of starting and ending with a plane crash. Unfortunately, much is made of the heroine's complete inability to cook or even follow a recipe, and this is at odds with her otherwise impressive survival skills and self-reliance. When she finally makes a good cookie for her man, I sensed overtones of a fallen woman being redeemed.
Although the story makes it clear that she has been victimized, abused, or neglected by several men, so she is blameless, I'm still left wondering how to reconcile the characters' frequent references to accepting God's plans with the decades of abuse she suffered. One bad guy is caught and punished, but I'd like to think that struggling single mothers and disabled children deserve more than accepting God's plan and meeting charitable individuals.
The romance plot is solid, and I appreciated the structural symmetry of starting and ending with a plane crash. Unfortunately, much is made of the heroine's complete inability to cook or even follow a recipe, and this is at odds with her otherwise impressive survival skills and self-reliance. When she finally makes a good cookie for her man, I sensed overtones of a fallen woman being redeemed.
Although the story makes it clear that she has been victimized, abused, or neglected by several men, so she is blameless, I'm still left wondering how to reconcile the characters' frequent references to accepting God's plans with the decades of abuse she suffered. One bad guy is caught and punished, but I'd like to think that struggling single mothers and disabled children deserve more than accepting God's plan and meeting charitable individuals.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2018
A Healing Season Karly Kalakona's new (housekeeping/assisting) job is the perfect Christmas gift she and her son Byron needed for their future. The single mom just never counted on dealing with not only a stubborn patient, but also with his prodigal son. After years away, (pilot) Tyler Childress is only a temporary traveler to the Texas ranch he's spent his life escaping. But the chemistry he shares with his father's helper is undeniable—and has him thinking of sticking around past the holiday season. Can Tyler learn to trust the woman whose caring ways are bringing his father back to life…and who might just be the partner his wandering heart can find a home with?
February 10, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book! I was immediately drawn in by the second page! A Texas ranch in the town of Clear Water is idyllic and peaceful.
The characters are wonderful and easy to like! Karly impressed me right away. She's determined to make a new life for her and her son. She valiantly approaches her new job, even with limited experience. Her natural compassion is noteworthy. Tyler is 😍! He keeps a cool head, most of the time. He's trustworthy and a good listener.
There's a little bit of intrigue with an attempted murder but it all works out!
The characters are wonderful and easy to like! Karly impressed me right away. She's determined to make a new life for her and her son. She valiantly approaches her new job, even with limited experience. Her natural compassion is noteworthy. Tyler is 😍! He keeps a cool head, most of the time. He's trustworthy and a good listener.
There's a little bit of intrigue with an attempted murder but it all works out!
November 29, 2021
I chose this title to be part of my seasonal reading some time ago, just decided to start before December though.
The main thread of the story was ok, just wish the stepfather hadn’t be written in at all.
There were a lot of grammatical errors, proof reading must have been an extra, unaffordable fee?
The main thread of the story was ok, just wish the stepfather hadn’t be written in at all.
There were a lot of grammatical errors, proof reading must have been an extra, unaffordable fee?
February 5, 2018
Chrisian romance. Nice novel about second chances and learning to trust again.
March 21, 2023
I live in the Texas Hill Country and I love the setting for Navarro’s books. It’s accurate and entertaining. I’ve read a few books in this series and they are always enjoyable.
November 8, 2025
a cute holiday romance novel
February 10, 2017
This was a really sweet Christmas romance. I loved how Dub's family embraced Karly and Bryce, even if it took a little time to get Tyler on board. Karly had gone through so much in her past and was struggling to provide for her son Bryce when she arrived in Clear Springs, Texas. I loved it when Pastor John made the suggestion she help Dub with his recovery. It was a neat reminder that God always provides our daily bread, even when we think no one can help, or all hope is lost.
Bryce was an adorable kid, too!
A Texas Christmas Wish is a lovely and inspirational book, just perfect for Christmas. I would've preferred an epilogue as the book ended rather abruptly, but it is still a good read. I just wanted a little more from Tyler and Karly. I'll be looking for more stories from Clear Springs, Texas by Ms. Navarro!
Bryce was an adorable kid, too!
A Texas Christmas Wish is a lovely and inspirational book, just perfect for Christmas. I would've preferred an epilogue as the book ended rather abruptly, but it is still a good read. I just wanted a little more from Tyler and Karly. I'll be looking for more stories from Clear Springs, Texas by Ms. Navarro!
Read
January 12, 2016"Tyler’s journey to return home after pain and grief distanced him from his faith is touching, as is the way the characters rely on that faith. The description of a Texas snowman will bring a smile to readers’ faces. Karly’s determination is encouraging" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
December 19, 2015
Good inspie holiday romance about starting over.
December 15, 2016
hopeful heartwarming very realist
January 1, 2017
Sweet, heart warming story.
December 19, 2015
I thought this bootk was boring! It has a happy ending.I
March 26, 2016
A safe, easy, quick read that provided much needed escape.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews