His Christmas Family

Mountain Rescue Romance #5

by Melissa McClone

Two and a half years after Grace Wilcox’s husband died a war hero, the hole in her heart and life remains. She wants to start over with their young son, but a snowstorm thwarts her plans, stranding them in Hood Hamlet. When Grace knocks on a stranger’s door in search of help, a handsome firefighter comes to the rescue.

Bill Paulson invites the two wayward travelers into his home. A relationship and family aren’t on his radar, but something about the widow and her son touches Bill’s heart. While Grace’s truck is being repaired, she wants to give her son a special Christmas. An overgrown kid who loves the holidays, Bill decides to do the same for Grace.

Attraction soon flares between Grace and Bill, but she won’t gamble her heart on another hero and he doesn’t consider himself husband material. Can a little Christmas magic show them love and a family are worth the risks?

Previously published as A Little Bit of Holiday Magic.

Mountain Rescue Romance series
Book 1: His Christmas Wish
Book 2: Her Christmas Secret
Book 3: Her Christmas Kiss
Book 4: His Second Chance
Book 5: His Christmas Family

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Small Town Romance

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, two daughters, son, dog and too many cats! I write "sweeter" contemporary romance novels for Harlequin and Tule Publishing.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Bit of Holiday Magic by Melissa McClone is a wonderful story of a widow and her son trying to start fresh in a new place and the town player, trying to stay as far away from commitment as possible. Thrown together in the most unexpected of ways, with a little bit of Christmas magic, they all just might get the best Christmas present ever.



Grace Wilcox and her sweet three year old son, Liam, are on their way to Astoria, Oregon. Her truck is making some pretty uncommon noises and she is in the middle of a terrible blizzard. She gets as far as Hood Hamlet when things take a turn for the worst and she spins out on an icy road and ends up in a snow bank. A light up Santa statue in someone’s front yard acts as a beacon of hope for safety for her and her son. But she surely didn’t expect the handsome firefighter that answered the door when she knocked.



Bill Paulson is a firefighter and a member of the Oregon Mountain Search and Rescue. When the beautiful but frozen Grace knocked on his front door with her son wrapped in blankets in her arms, his first thoughts were to check for injuries. He then offered Grace his home until she could figure out what to do about her damaged truck. Bill was the town playboy. He loved his life of freedom skiing and hanging out with his buddies. So why did he feel so compelled to keep Grace and her little boy in Hood Hamlet? And when little Liam accidentally called him Daddy, he didn’t even mind!



Grace had been married to an Army Ranger who was killed in action. So the furthest thing she wanted or needed was to get involved with another hero. But the more time she and Bill spend together, the stronger the attraction becomes. And her son loves him. Will she really be able to walk away from Bill and this beautiful little town he lives in?



This was such a wonderful story. It is truly a tale of Christmas magic at work. A little boy who dreams of a daddy and Grace and Bill, neither looking for love but both finding it when they least expected it. As all of Melissa McClone’s books do, this story warmed my heart.

[romancejunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill and Grace spend the holidays together after her truck spins off the icy road and he rescues her and her son, and find true and lasting love together. Sweet and heartwarming story with a touching HEA.

[Tina J · Rating 5 out of 5]

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 5-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
Cute couple in winter wear. Synopsis sounds adorable.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third person

Grace became a single mom to Liam after her Army Ranger husband was killed during deployment. A few years later, she decided to make a cross-country trek to start life anew. Traveling from Georgia to Oregon with all their worldly possessions fitting in the back of Damon’s old beat up pickup truck, the truck started failing as she approached Hood Hamlet.
Bill was content not dating seriously or settling down. He was happy being a player. But the night a beautiful young woman and her little boy arrive half-frozen on his doorstep, things seemed to change.
What started out as a warm place to stay for the night turned into a longer stay upon assessing the extent of damage to the truck. That, in turn, turned into an invitation to stay through Christmas.
As the three got to know one another, bonds formed and feelings grew stronger.
I adored Bill and how he fought himself as he tried in vain to maintain his playboy ways.
Grace was sweet and strong, vowing to never be less than first in anyone’s life again and not wanting to risk loving another hero.
Liam was so cute and fun.
Secondary cast blended previous couples and a few newer and brand new faces. Dialogue and interactions were perfect. The plot was wonderful and it flowed smoothly.
The conflicts were more self-induced and entertaining than anything but all was resolved nicely with little to no predictability. The conclusion was solid enough and rather satisfying.

I’d recommend reading the entire series to obtain the full enjoyment of all the previous couples before this one but it does stand pretty well on its own. One of my favorites in the series!
.
Rating: [PG] ~ Score: 4.575 ~ Stars: 5
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book with some intense emotions. Grace left Georgia to move to Oregon, looking for a new life for herself and her son. The memories of her husband, killed in the war, were too strong back there. When her truck spins out during a snow storm she ends up on Bill's doorstep. Bill is a ladies' man who doesn't do relationships, especially during Christmas time. Something about Grace and Liam compels him to offer them a place to stay while her truck gets repaired. Spending time with them changes him in ways he never expected.

I really liked Grace. With her husband's frequent deployments she was the one left to do everything at home. She often felt that his job was more important to him than their family. After his death the memories were so painful that she packed up her son to move across country. When she wrecked on the way through Oregon during a snowstorm she only had herself to depend on. Her caution when she ended up at Bill's house was understandable. She was surprised by her son's quick acceptance of Bill which went a long way toward reducing her fears. I loved seeing her start to relax in his company and get to know him. The attraction that she initially felt for him began to change the more time she spent with him. She knew that he wasn't a long term kind of guy, but seeing him with her son made her heart melt even more. Because of his job as a firefighter and in search and rescue she also feared losing her heart to another man with a dangerous job. Her fears made it very hard for her to think of a future with Bill. I loved the way that her fears were relieved - such a cool thing to happen. It reminded me of the end of Miracle on 34th Street!

Bill is a man with a fear of commitment. His father has a job that takes him all over the world and Bill has always felt somewhat resentful of the fact he was never around. This makes him determined that he will not get involved in anything permanent until he's ready to actually settle down. When Grace and Liam show up on his doorstep after their accident, first his rescuer instincts kick in. Once he's sure that they're okay he really starts to notice Grace and her beauty. While it's logical to keep them at his house that night he doesn't understand his compulsion to keep them there as long as he can. I loved seeing him with Grace's son Liam. He has an immediate connection with the little boy and I loved how sweet they were together. His attraction to Grace has him tied up in knots because what he feels for her is different than anything he's felt for another woman. He gets really nervous when he find her creeping into his thoughts at odd times and pictures her as a permanent part of his life. This says it best: "with Grace, he'd found something more, someone who not only understood and accepted him, but also made him want to be a better man." I loved his epiphany on Christmas Day and how he went about making his dream come true.

[Susan Stephens Ballain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful Christmas series! I would read all over again!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed reading Bill and Grace’s story in His Christmas Family, a heartwarming, sweet Christmas romance by Melissa McClone, book five in her Mountain Rescue series. After more than two years of widowhood Grace Wilcox decides to leave Georgia with her young son for a new start in Oregon. After all, he husband, who died a war hero, would not be back. Unfortunately Grace runs into a snowstorm that strands them in Hood Hamlet. Fortunately, the house where Grace goes for help is owned by firefighter Bill Paulson; who invites the two into his home. After witnessing the problems in his parent’s marriage, with his dad always on the road, Bill never expected to get married and have a family. But, there is something special about Grace and her son that touches Bill, in all the right places. While her truck is being repaired and stuck in Hood Hamlet she wants to give her son a special Christmas. As Bill is an overgrown kid who happens to love the holidays, so he decides to also make it special for Grace. As these two spend time together Grace and Bill become attracted to each other as sparks fly and they find a shared chemistry. The Christmas Magic that exists only in Hood Hamlet might just visit and help these two realize they have found their true love, their soul mate, their other half and a ready built family.

Ms. McClone wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story that is not to be missed. This story is filled with fun dialogue, endearing and likeable characters and the magic of love. I highly recommend His Christmas Family to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Podczas szalejącej śnieżnej zamieci wysłużonemu samochodowi terenowemu Grace Wilcox nie udaje się pokonać Mount Hood. Razem z trzyletnim synkiem, Liamem, trafia Grace, i to na dłużej, ponieważ auto nadaje się do kasacji, do domu ratownika i strażaka Billa Poulsona, mieszkańca Hood Hamlet. Dwa i pół roku temu Damon, mąż Grace, zginął w Afganistanie, a Bill jest ostatnim zdeklarowanym kawalerem w gronie swoich przyjaciół, znanych z poprzednich tomów serii.

Oprócz sugestywnego opisu walki Grace ze śnieżną burzą innych wyrazistych wydarzeń, jakie różniłyby się od rozterek miłosnych i świątecznych rytuałów opisywanych w poprzednich tomach serii z Hood Hamlet, jest niewiele. Magia bożonarodzeniowa, sprzyjająca szczęśliwemu zwieńczeniu drogi do romansu Billa i Grace, jest mocno eksponowana, przy niewielkiej za to ponadstandardowej pomocy niezwykle rezolutnego na swój wiek Liama. Natomiast trudno mi się dopatrzeć logiki w decyzji jego mamy o przeprowadzce i zimowej przeprawie przez kontynet z Georgii na północne wybrzeże Pacyfiku w Oregonie, która dała początek całej historii.

W zasadzie najciekawszym motywem przewijającym się w powieści są źródła niepewności zestresowanej wdowy w obliczu nowej sytuacji. Wyszła za Damona, swoją szkolną miłość, w bardzo młodym wieku i nie minął rok, gdy na świat przyszedł Liam. Mąż nigdy nie miał wątpliwości, że jego przeznaczeniem jest kariera wojskowa. Zginął jak bohater, uratowawszy trzech swoich kolegów, podczas kolejnej tury amerykańskiej misji w Afganistanie, na którą zaciągnął się na ochotnika. Grace jest pewna, że ona i synek nie stanowili sensu życia Damona, że hierarchia jego życiowych priorytetów wyglądała następująco: God, Country, Army, Family. Nigdy więcej - przyrzeka sobie młoda wdowa - nie pozwoli zepchnąć siebie i swoje dzieci z pierwszego miejsca w związku z jakimkolwiek kandydatem na następcę Damona w jej źyciu. Tymczasem rodzące się uczucie do Billa grozi powtórką. Zwłaszcza że podczas kolejnej akcji ratującej turystów w górach, ludzie i media nazywają Billa oraz innych wysokogórskich ratowników, bohaterami.

Aby uratować happy end romansu, sięga Melissa McClone po argumenty, które ostatecznie rozwiewają wątpliwości Grace. Jednak dla mnie specjalnie przekonujące nie są, choć zapewne są czytelnicy, którzy je podzielają.

[M Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas magic strikes again

This was the first book l have read by Melissa and l thoroughly enjoyed it as it was an engaging well paced narrative. Grace Wilcox, a war widow, and Liam, her three year old son, are on route to a new start in Astoria on the coast when they have car accident crossing the mountains during a blizzard and end up knocking on Bill Paulson's door in the middle of the night in search of assistance. Bill, a fireman and member of the Oregon Mountain Search and Rescue team, immediately invites them in. Bill, a confirmed bachelor and renowned player in Hood Hamlet, has rules and one of those is not to get involved with women who are married or have children. However, with the lead up to Christmas, Bill enjoys time spent with Grace and her delightful son and wants to give them both a Christmas to remember before they continue their journey once their vehicle problems are resolved. With both Grace and Bill attracted to each other, several issues will need to be resolved for a happy ever after ending. Hood Hamlet, with their Christmas magic, sounds like a delightful place to live. Definitely an uplifting and enjoyable read.

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved reading this book!
It is a engaging story, that steals your
heart from the beginning. It makes for
the perfect Christmas read.
Bill, is a firefighter & on the OMSAR
rescue team, in Hood Hamlet. He is handsome, kind & the town's bachelor playboy. Bill loves his life, just as it is.
That is, till there's a knock on his door,
late one stormy nite. Standing there is
Grace. Soaked all the way through from
the snow. Wrapped up in blankets,
is her 3 year old son, Liam.
Grace's truck is stuck in a snowbank.
Bill offers them a safe place to stay.
What Bill never expected was, for someone like Grace & her son Liam,
to walk into his life, & possibly his heart.
I adored everything about the story!!!

[Eleonora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Che dire, questo Harmony è proprio quello che ci si aspetta da un Harmony.
La storia non è di per sé sgradevole ma secondo me resa in maniera completamente errata. Tutto troppo veloce, sbrigativo e a tratti anche assurdo, essendo che tutto viene svolto nell'arco di meno di due settimane e da due completi sconosciuti. Peccato perché le idee c'erano e si potevano rendere in maniera nettamente migliore se solo ci fosse stato lo spazio per tutto. Non voglio esagerare ma si poteva rendere il tutto anche con il doppio delle pagine e rendere tutto più credibile ed omogeneo. Peccato perché i personaggi e la situazione, sebbene non esattamente originali, avevano del potenziale che però così non è stato espresso.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire Mountain Rescue Romance Series is fabulous. In this last book, we get the story of Bill Paulson and Grace Wilcox with her precious son Liam. I was captivated from the first page. We have seen Bill throughout the series as a player, now he is slowly but surely caught and changed by true love. Issues from his past make him think he does not have the ability to be a family man, but Liam recognizes Bill’s potential as a daddy immediately. While Grace struggles with allowing another hero in her life, she cannot help falling in love with Bill. Christmas magic in Hood Hamlet is alive and well. A truly dreamy, heartwarming and enchanting romance.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the Mountain Rescue Romance books and "His Christmas Family" is another winner in the must-read holiday series with unforgettable characters and a beautiful story that will chase away your winter blues, warm your heart and leave a smile on your face.

I enjoyed the dynamic between firefighter Bill Paulson and young widow Grace Wilcox who becomes stranded in Hood Hamlet just before Christmas with her three-year-old son, Liam, and Bill comes to their rescue.

This can't-put-down book is a perfect read for this time of year. I highly recommend the entire series by talented author Melissa McClone.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Paulson was a player who had no intention of settling down. Grace Wilcox crashed her truck on her way to Astoria and a lit up Santa outside of Bill’s house led the way to shelter for her and her son Liam. Bill just wanted to have fun with her before she left town. He never expected to fall in love with them both. Grace didn’t want to be involved with another hero who would put everyone before her and her son after her husband was killed serving in Afghanistan. Liam was so cute and Bill was great with him. I didn’t like how he was leading Grace on at first, but he came around. Nice holiday story to round out the series with plenty of humor, romance, and some suspense.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood Hamlet's Christmas Magic is still spreading love where you least expect it. Bill, the town playboy is happy with his life the way it is. Until that knock on his door, that late stormy night, he never knew what he was missing. Grace and her son Liam touch his heart in ways he wasn't expecting. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every story in the Mountain Rescue Romance Series. They are the perfect read to get you in the holiday spirit (for that matter I would read them any time of year).

I was provided an ARC to give an honest review.

[Valerie Charron · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a cute story. The plot at the end with little dude Liam & the Christmas magic, I didn’t see that coming. It’s a love story between bill and grace after Grace got stuck in a snowstorm and she find Bill house in the middle of the night because of his Santa Christmas decorations. He’s a playboy and she’s a widow with the cutest little 3 year old boy. I love the book but I'm a little upset that he thinks he's a bachelor who doesn't want to have a family but only one nights and her who thinks she doesn't deserve love after the death of her husband.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two and a half years after the death of her Army Ranger husband, Grace Wilcox decides to start over again by traveling from Georgia to Oregon with her three year old son. A heavy snowstorm and engine trouble strand her in the town of Hood Hamlet. Knocking on the door of the nearest house, she meets firefighter and mountain rescuer, Bill Paulson, who offers refuge for her and Liam. So begins this contemporary Christmas romance in a friendly town that looks forward each year to Christmas magic. Although predictable, this is an enjoyable story with a surprise at the ending.

[Abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's always a gamble to start a series by reading the last book. There were a lot of characters that I had no idea who they were. I wish there was more romance and courtship. The majority of the book was them just thinking to themselves that they couldn't cross the line because he was commitmentphobic and she didn't want a hero. And don't get me started on the ending. Also, I don't like that the parents where just forgiven for their shitty behavior towards Grace and Bill. All because they are his parents and "want the best for him".

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill is a player and anti serious relationship but then he meets Grace and Liam, her son. Loved him with Liam (such an adorable 3 year old). Grace is the opposite of Bill but together they are complete. Christmas Magic is alive and well in Hood Hamlet. Love the women of OMSAR and how they befriend Grace and warn Liam not to hurt her. The author does a great job of making feel like I am there - I actually have to get a blanket because of all of the snow - LOL.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Story!! I really fell in love with Bill, Grace and little Dude! It was great to see Bill, the playboy, be enamoured by a little boy and his Mom! Grace and little Dude really touched my heart. I thought it was funny that Grace could believe in a guardian angel but not Christmas magic and to see Bill try to convince her that Christmas magic exists. This story was sweet, entertaining and romantic with a beautiful HEA. A great ending to such an endearing series.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! There was a recurring theme of Santa talking to the main characters and knowing who they were. Then miraculously wishes and Christmas magic happens. Grace and her son Liam got a happy ending with bachelor Bill. Bill got a family he didn’t know he needed. The Soldier Angel at the end touched my heart to show Grace she was never alone from her first husband Army Ranger Damon. A beautiful story.

[Elton Stilwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending for a sweet romance

I can't believe this was the final book in the Mountain Rescue series. I loved every one of them, but this book spoke directly to me. My lovely wife and I have been together intimately for almost 40 years, but tooK me twelve years and many proposals before she finally said yes to marriage. I am only that there are no more boots in the series.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet book about Grace finding Bill in a snowstorm. Bill offers Grace and her little boy, Liam, a place to stay and helps her get her truck towed. Liam and Bill get along great. Bill shows Grace and Liam how magical Christmas can be in Hood Hamlet. Bill realized what he was missing in his life and Grace realized that her plans can change and finds out things about her deceased husband. A really sweet book!

[Amber :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS...

I really enjoyed reading it and the story line was great. I love the relationship between Bill and Liam but also bill and grace even though they never really got together. Until the very end when they had known each other for 11 DAYS and yet he asked to marry her like WHAT THE HELL. and the angel ghost EVEN WEIRDER. The story line was so normal and kinda dry as it felt like it wasn't going anywhere and then he just goes "I love you, wanna get married?". Like eh?

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in Series!

To me this book is the best in the Mountain Rescue Romance series! There was no character with over the top doubts about their ability to love just straight forward feelings that were easily shared with the others. The realizations both characters came to at the end of the book in relation to their feelings about others was the icing on the cake!

[Ruth Abbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet romance

Such a believable story, characters are well developed and loveable! A beautiful, slow developing love ❤️ that is so nice to read about a sweet loving neighbors and caring people in a community- I think most people would enjoy living in. Liam is the height of enjoyment in this story❤️

[Carol Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill and Grace are the best

How fortunate Grace found Bill’s snowman in a white-out blizzard. How fortunate Bill let himself believe in Christmas magic. Totally an emotionally charged roller coaster, this story does not disappoint. Please, Melissa, write some more from Hood Hamlet.

[Donna Beckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Never Fails

We all need a little Christmas magic in our lives. This book was a amazing I have to say the ending had me wiping tears. This book was very well written. As h book in this series was about love, believing and maybe a little Christmas magic. I highly recommend you reading all these books.

[lora joint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you believe?

This series of Mountain Rescue, was very enjoyable. Loved the way Melissa McClone tied it all together. Very emotional. Laughed out loud. Makes me want to live in that little town.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas story

If you enjoy reading Christmas romance books, then you will enjoy this one. This story includes charming characters, love, loss, adventure, and Christmas magic. It was a nice book to read during the holiday season.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely story, the kind where you hug the book to your heart after it’s done because it was so sweet.

Steam level is kisses and thoughts, no more.