Texas Christmas Magic

The Rossis of Whiskey River #3

by Katherine Garbera

Sometimes a fresh start requires a Christmas miracle…

Angelica Rossi moved to Whiskey River, Texas, for a true second chance. As Christmas approaches, she’s ready to rebuild her reputation and help her community by launching a nonprofit aimed at providing resources to the town’s underserved residents. To pull off this miracle, she’ll need to grab the attention of billionaire Max Parrish who’s offering business grants. How? By crashing his holiday party.

Max Parrish is a successful entrepreneur who prides himself on seeing through people’s characters and ulterior motives. When Angelica approaches him during his business Christmas party, he knows she’s not on his carefully curated guest list. Still, he lets her make her pitch. Her beauty and confidence intrigue him, and her proposal is nearly as tempting as she is. Max knows firsthand how important second chances are, so he agrees to fund Angelica’s grant with strings…him.

Max and Angelica find themselves collaborating over her business plan during the town’s festive holiday traditions. But Max has been fooled before. Will Angelica’s good intentions last beyond the holiday?

Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2022

About the author

Katherine 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.
 

Reviews

[Kathleen]

Angelica Rossi has returned to Whisky River under a bad situation that went viral and she needs a second chance to return her reputation, not only for her but for her business partner who is her cousin. And the way to do that is by reinventing herself by doing good for the side of town called The Barrels that needs a rejuvenation and she wants the help of Max Parrish who is giving money to start programs to help those in need. Will he give her a grant when she crashes his party. She hopes it will be the Christmas miracle she needs in more ways than one.

Max Parrish is a man who knows when someone is not being truthful with him. He can spot a fake after all his successful years as an entrepreneur and business man. When he hears Angelica alluring laughter before he sees her, he knows he has to meet the women behind the laugh. He has never been so drawn to a woman, and when he meets her and knows she was not an invited guest, he still listens to her and wants to help her by listening to her proposal. Max is always willing to give a second chance to those who needs it. What he didn’t know is how much of a second chance he needed to give himself and Angelica and the Christmas season was going to bring the magic back into his life.

I loved this book. It was so filled with Christmas spirit and magic as these two people who were in need of a second chance to find that peace that they needed to fulfil their lives and open their hearts to one another and find that allusive “Happy Ever After”. Katherine Garbera brings together all the Rossi's family, along with extended family and friends to celebrate the holidays in Whiskey River with love and magic. It will fill your heart with the spirit and the magic of the season and you will want to join in all the fun and laughter and fall in love too.

This was a second read for me. It was so good the first time I read it again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue]

I received this arc of Texas Christmas Magic in exchange for my honest review. This is the third book in The Rossis of Whiskey River by Katherine Garbera. Book 3 is the story of Angelica Rossi. We learned that she came to Whiskey River after having problems in her previous city that stemmed from a situation with her former employee that went viral online. It ended up ruining her reputation and her business so she moved to be with her family. Angelica and her cousin have opened up a shop in Whiskey River similar to the one they closed. She has heard about a nonprofit opportunity in the town to help the less fortunate and she decides she wants to be a part of it. Not only will it be a good project but it would help restore her reputation. It is being managed by the billionaire, Max Parrish. She has joined her brothers and parents in relocating to Texas.

Angelica and her cousin devise a plan to get into Max’s corporate Christmas event to plead their case to Max. He realizes right away they aren’t on the elite guest list but is intrigued by Angelica and allows them to stay for the party. He talks to them about their business proposal and they agree to submit it. Max and Angelica are very interested in each other. He and his partner later approve the plan, giving her a second chance and they begin the preliminary work. Angelica includes Max in her family holiday events. His family is dysfunctional and he feels somewhat awkward initially around her large family. He shares with her stories from his past, about his brother and the guilt he carries about his brother’s death as well as about his relationship with his parents. Angelica shares with him all the details of what happened with the former employee, as well as her dreams for her new store, her fears and her big plans for the nonprofit. She realizes that after the holidays he will move on to his next company project and she will remain in Whiskey River. Both are worried about what the future will bring as they have fallen in love.

I loved this book. The series was wonderful. Katherine has added another interesting family to the town of Whiskey River. I find the overlap between Whiskey River and Last Stand to be very entertaining. The Christmas festivities were fun to read about as it puts the reader in the holiday spirit. Max and Angelica are perfect for each other, both having tragic things happen to them in their past and giving them a second chance together. This is a five star read that I highly recommend.

[Eileen]

Texas Christmas Magic by Katherine Gabera, book three in the The Rossis of Whiskey River series, was a wonderful tale about starting over and getting a new start. Angelica Rossi moves to Whiskey River, Texas from New Orleans to be near her family after a video of her goes viral, destroying her business. She and her cousin, Cosima, have opened a wine bar and gift shop but they would like to be involved in the refurbishment of the Barrels area of town by launching a non-profit that will provide training and resources for the underprivileged of the town. Max Parrish uses his philanthropy to help ease his guilt over the loss of his younger brother; a brother who was a drug addict, refusing help. Working with his partners, they decide to put together a community project to help the residents in the Barrels, where one of his partners grew up. To pitch their idea, Max holds an invitation only party to get the word out. Angelica and Cosima need to get their proposal in front of Max Parrish and decide the best way to do this is to crash his party. Max is reluctant to let people get close to him, but hearing Angelica’s laugh at his party intrigues him. He knows she is not on his list of guests but he introduces himself and allows Angelica to make her pitch. Working together, allows them to build on the attraction and chemistry they share, until they no longer want to be apart. Both Angelica and Max grew as throughout the story, recovering from the hurts in their pasts, and the baggage they each brought into the relationship. It was fun watching Max become integrated into the Rossi family and getting to know her brothers, besides Nate, who already was friends with.

Ms. Gabera wrote a wonderful, emotional story that should definitely not be missed. She provided a tale rich with magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, strong, independent characters, the magic of the holidays, and a supportive, loving family giving Angelica and Max a chance at love and a forever together. I highly recommend Texas Christmas Magic to other readers and I hope that Cosima and Max’s business partner. Reg, get their story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Connie]

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is a wonderful book to end the series on. I am depressed as the series has ended. It is almost like moving away from your best friends!

The author did a great job of writing the scenes so that they just flowed. The book is written in a dual POV format. That is a favorite of mine so I can really understand and connect to the characters. That really helped me here with Max Parrish. There were times when I really wanted to slap him upside the head but seeing his thoughts really made the character so much more relatable.

Angelica Rossi moves to Whiskey River, Texas from New Orleans to be near her family after a video of her goes viral. It wasn't a good video. It was doctored but Angelica owned her bad mouthing temper tirade. People hold her accountable for her actions and she just wants to put it aside and move forward. With her cousin, Cosima by her side, they crash Max's party to pitch their idea for a community project to include in his project in the The Barrel (a section of town that needs help.)

Max uses his philanthropy to help ease the loss of his younger brother. A brother that was a drug addict. A brother that would seek Max's help then would turn back to drugs. The last time his brother came to him for help, Max had had enough and turned him away. The next day the brother was dead. Max has closed himself off of most everything in his guilt.

Can these two broken people help each other? Can they find a way to heal? Can love prosper from a casual Christmas fling?

This is a sexy read with really just a couple of small scenes that if you don't care for that, you could skip it and still enjoy the story.

[Fiona Marsden]

We have met Angelica Rossi in previous books. She's the artistic sister who had a conflict with a fellow artist go viral and lost her reputation, her artist community in New Orleans and eventually her business.
When her parents moved to Whiskey River, she decided to follow and try a fresh start in the town with her business partner, Cosima Rossi. So far it hasn't been going so well, as her reputation preceded her.
Her best hope is to join a community project being put together by Max Parrish, a billionaire entrepreneur who specialises in revitalising run down sections of local communities.
When she and Cosima gate crash his party in an attempt to put their project on the front foot, Angelica gets more than she bargained for in Max.
Max has been putting a lot of effort into his revitalisation project as part of his attempt to redeem himself for what he sees as failing his brother, who died of a drug overdose.
Angelica is a distraction he isn't sure he wants, especially as she's dug into the local community with her family and business. He has no intention of settling in the midwest.
But there is an inconvenient attraction.
They know there can only be something temporary. Neither of them is in the headspace for something serious. But there is that inconvenient attraction that isn't going away.
Max is surprised by Angelica's strong family ties. His family is broken and he's not sure if it's fixable since the death of his brother.
Both Angelica and Max have a lot to learn and I enjoyed watching them be better people with the support their relationship is giving them both.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Readsandeats]

I would like to thank Tule Publishing and Katherine Garberra for the E Arc of this book.
This is the 3rd book in the Rossis of Whiskey Creek trilogy and it was a great way to finish the series.
We meet Angelica Rossi, she has come back to Whiskey Creek to start afresh, after a video of her went viral. Herself and her cousin, Cosima, have opened a wine bar and gift shop but they would like to be involved in the refurbishment of the Barrels area of town by launching a non-profit that will provide training and resources for the underprivileged of the town. To do this they need to get their proposal infront of Max Parrish. The way they decide to do this is to crash his party.
Max is reluctant to let people close but when he hears Angelica laugh at his party he is intrigued. He knows she is not on his list of guests but he introduces himself and allows Angelica to make her pitch. As they work together, will the festive season bring them more than they expected?
I liked seeing the growth of Angelica and that of Max. Both had things they had to recover from, and the way they supported each other was really well written. I liked seeing Max become more integrated into the Rossi family – he is friends with Angelica’s brother Nate.
I also liked the side story of Cosima and Max’s business partner Reg, maybe we will get their story next.
I would recommend this book and the others in this series.

[Paula]

Texas Christmas Magic Rossis of Whiskey River 03 by Katherine Garbera is a second chance in the community story as much as it is a second chance in the area of romance. Two gutsy characters that have good intentions with an instant attraction meet, work together on a community project while trying to navigate a new relationship. Angelica Rossi and Max Parrish make a power couple if they can find the love needed to cement their relationship.

This maybe a country story but it has an urban feel that works especially to the characters . Also a more timid character than Angelica would not as been an exciting to face off with Max. These characters made this a story to read for me.

The criticism of Angelica may have been justified but all of us need second chances at one time or another. I like that this story explores that as well as the romance. A Christmas story in Whiskey River makes a very fine read, a very fine read indeed.

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.

[Laura D]

This was a slow build romance that I really enjoyed. Angelica needs to fix her reputation. After a video of her yelling at an employee goes viral she has to move to a new town to start over. She decides the best course of action is to help the community she now lives in. There is a project for the part of town called The Barrels. Max Parrish is the man she needs to present her ideas to, but she needs to do it in person. Once they find out who she is it will be over. When Angelica crashes Max's party he is drawn to her laugh. He does not know who she is but he is drawn to her like he has never been to a woman. He hears her out and decides to give her a second chance of sorts and takes a chance on her and her cousin. Angelica's baggage is in the open, while Max keeps his close to the vest. When they start spending time together and Max finds himself opening up to her he realizes spending time with Angelic is not as causal as he makes it seem. Can he let go of the past and try for a future for the woman who is perfect for him? Good read.

[Julie Barrett]

Texas Christmas Magic by by Katherine Garbera
This story follows Angelica ndd her cousin as they try to ersuade others to open their business in the center in town. There are the surrounding communities that also help out. The females bombard the part at Max Preston's as he's the lead guy they need to talk to. He asks them to submit a proposal and enjoys his time with Angelica.
Love how things fall together, Love hearing of the family special Christmas ornaments during the family get together. I am familiar with the family from book 1 and I don't think others who've not read the series would feel different. Backstories are also included so you are up to date.
Learned a LOT of new phrases and words and so thankful for that! Love all the entertaining and the networking that goes with being popular and being introduced to others who can advance your careers. Can't wait for the next in this series.
Love catching up with the WHOLE family and yes there are a lot of them now.
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

[Sarah]

Its been a minute since I caught up with the Rossi Family and this was a fun read to do that with. With this group it feel like you are catching up with friends you haven't talk to in a while! I really liked Max he had a big heart and felt with a blow that so many families deal with and some done come out of without deep everlasting scars. Yet with Max who took it on the chin and was determined to leave the world a better place. Angelica and Cosima seemed more like sister and had each others back and would take on just about anything even if a little mischief was involved. They were both very determined to do great things even if it meant starting over. They were so fun to read about each had a large personally with a gentle spirit. The only thing is in the end I wanted to read move of Cosima story so I hope this is not the last we read of her. This book does contain sex so it may not be suitable for all readers. Overall it was a fun read and well worth it.

[Janine]

A beautiful Christmas miracle.

When Angelica and her cousin crashed Max Parish’s party, she never expected more than gaining his help backing her charity project in The Barrels, Whiskey River’s low-income area. She never expected to start dating Max; much less, fall in love with him.

Max is a business man. His work was all over the country. He didn’t plan on staying in Texas, but he never met anyone like Angelica. His plan was to set up his next project and then head back to New York after Christmas. But he couldn’t get Angelica out of his mind. Will the magic of the season lead Angelica and Max to their happiness they both deserve?

It was easy to get caught up in this story. I enjoyed seeing how Angelica and Max we’re about to move past their painful pasts and learn to trust each other so they could fall in love.

[Amanda Marlowe]

Angelica has come home to recover and to feel surrounded by her family, she was in a video which went viral, it was edited to appear that she's a bully, she's not. Now she needs to try to get her new business, with her cousin, Cosima, up and running.
They gatecrash a party and she meets Max, they are attracted to each other but whereas she wants a lasting relationship he hasn't had one of those. He's riddled with guilt over his brother's death, he doesn't have a good relationship with his parents and doesn't think he knows how to love. Angelica gets under his skin with her lightness and large family.
Can they work out a compromise? Will Max allow her to teach him how to love?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A great read from Katherine

[Elaine Coghlan]

Texas Christmas Magic ~ The Rossis of Whiskey River #3 by Katherine Garbera.

Publisher Description
Sometimes a fresh start requires a Christmas miracle

This is a wonderful addition to Katherine's brilliant series. The characters worked well together, and Angelina and Max's chemistry was powerful. The storyline had the right amount of interest to pull you into it. It has been written extremely well, and I felt I knew the characters and that I, too, was there, with them on their journey to their HEA..
I highly recommend this book and the other two to all.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Inspirational, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, and Wonderful characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery]

Angelica was blunt and determined on how her business was going to be but she had to be with older protective brothers. A viral video lands in her public relationship trouble and she’s hoping that crashing a holiday party with her cousin can change that. She didn’t expect to fall for Max but he has his own issues to deal with. They started casual but it’s not long before it becomes more if only they don’t hurt each other first. I liked the co op they were working on and wouldn’t mind reading more about the talent they brought in especially the graffiti artist. Angelica and Max’s relationship escalates really quickly for two people who were afraid to commit in this steamy romance.

[Kate]

Angelica meets Max at an exclusive party he gives which she crashes. He still listens to her proposal to help the less fortunate people in town and decides to work with her to make it work. Both characters come to the relationship with baggage that they have to work out as they get to know each other. This book is well written and I couldn't put it down. It was also nice to see other characters from other books in the Rossis of Whiskey River series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennie Fortna]

Texas Christmas Magic is book 3 in the Rossis of Whiskey River by Kathrine Garbera and a great addition to this series. 4.5 stars

Starting over after a video goes viral, Angelica needs helps from Max Parrish who specializes in revitalization of local communities. She wants to get her project noticed so she crashes his holiday party…what happens next is secrets, family dynamics, grief, holiday spirit, opening up his heart and finding a HEA is possible…

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from BookSprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lcr]

Texas Christmas Magic is the third book in the Rossis of Whiskey River series. It is a stand-alone read with a hea.

Angelica has returned to Whiskey River for a second chance after social media blows up her life. Max is rich but has some major baggage too. A festive collaboration could either make or break them. These are two excellent characters with depth and flaws and insecurities. It is a good storyline and this book can be read and enjoyed at anytime of year, not just at Christmas.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[Paula Pugh]

Delectable story of desire and emotions complicating life for a couple at odds with their feelings. Romance was not on the books for neither Angelica nor Max but it got written in anyway. She is trying to rebuild her reputation-her #1 goal. He is not ever falling in love-his life’s aim. Fate does not care at all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sherri Babb]

What a incredible addition to this series. It was a very emotional read mainly because Angelica and Max are both closed off and not really looking at life with hope and they both are definitely not looking for love. Something happens when they meet. That something is what kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. This book will hook you and it honestly will not let you go. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Debbie Caswell]

This is a gorgeous read about starting over Both Angelica Rossi and Max Parrish need a new start She is trying to recover from a viral video that destroyed her business He is struggling to get over the death of his brother She sees her redemption in doing something for the poorer side of town and she needs a grant from Max so she crashes his party to meet him. He is instantly attracted but can they have a future You will have to read to see

[Kamila Mykhailiuk]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t get enough, I loved every second of it. The banter and chemistry between Angelica Rossi and Max Parrish was undeniable and sizzling. They were made for each other.

Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a billionaire, small town, holiday romance then you’re going to love it.

[Barbara]

This romance book will fill you up with the holiday spirit. The cover screams romance and is cozy looking. Once you begin to read this book all you need is a nice quiet spot by the fireplace to enjoy reading this holiday book about Max and Angelica. Even the names of these wonderful characters are special. I recommend this book as well as the first two books in this series. They are all written very very well and you're going to love the storyline starting with page one.

[Barbara Tobey]

An interesting look at the careers and philanthropy of the main characters. Engaging back stories for both of them. As usual, I skipped over the intimate scenes. I have not read the previous ones in this series. Had I done so I might have had a greater knowledge and appreciation for the rest of the Rossis, but it was nice getting to know them in this book. Thanks to Booksprout for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.

[Judy]

Angelica has a lot of Christmas joy even though she's trying to start over. She needs help from Max, a billionaire, who has lost his joy of anything to do with Christmas. Can she help put the magic back and help fix what is keeping him from it. A very wonderful,exciting, magical HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria]

A heartwarming story. It will captivate you from beginning to end as it gives you all the feels. I loved the characters, the connection and the chemistry. I loved their journey as they overcome their struggles. A great story not to be missed.

[Wioletta]

Love this story

[Louise Bird]

Excellent book!

[Christina Montminy]

Definitely loved this book. Once again author Katherine Garbera has brought to life a story of love from the ashes of pain, hurt & fear. As we watch Max continue to struggle with his grief & anger over the death of his brother, he meets Angelica who’s struggling to get past a viral video that has ruined her business & life. The two have a chemistry that is super charged & full of emotions neither knows how to handle. After Angelica & Cosima crash Max’s party they work together on a project & Max learns that Angelica isn’t the villain that the video portrayed & that she’s a strong, passionate woman who’s slowly showing him what love is, whether he can handle it is another question. Soon he finds that his life has changed because of Angelica & Angelica finds that she’s grown more in her heart & soul as well because of Max. We also see a secondary story with Cosima, Angelica’s cousin & business partner & Max’s business partner Reg, that’s got some angst to it as well. I’m hoping they’ll be a story soon. This story grabs your heart right from the beginning & doesn’t let go even at the end because I wanted it to keep going. Definitely recommend. I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.