Off-Duty Saint

Off-Duty Rescue Ranch: Holiday Origins #1

by Zee Irwin

**NEW COVER - BLACK BACKGROUND**
A singer who sold her soul for fame. An ex-military doctor who helps horses and humans heal at his rescue ranch. And a gray horse who plays matchmaker between them.

Nicoletta always had big dreams. Often focused on herself, she didn’t win awards for friendship on her road to success. One accident and one big break later, she landed in front of a music mogul’s son—Chris Magnus, the man with the biggest heart on this side of Nashville. Would she reinvent herself to win him over?

Chris had no intentions of ever marrying. When the past proved love didn't last, he focused instead on doing good in the world through his rescue ranch, using horse therapy to help soldiers heal after military service. When faced with a challenge from his father, he was forced to consider the unthinkable: to marry by a deadline to earn his inheritance. While the money would be welcomed and keep his ranch running, a marriage would not.

Where would he find a woman in his tiny community near his secluded ranch who would be willing to live a lie?

This steamy, small town, military romance will have you swooning for a happy ever after.

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary, Holiday, Holiday Romance, Romance, Novella

108 pages, ebook

Published November 3, 2022

About the author

Zee Irwin is a USA Today Bestselling Author who gets powered up by steamy small town romance. She's a bit of sunshine living countryside in Pennsylvania with her own grumpy alpha guy, two teenagers, and twin kitties. Her favorite character to write is a small town billionaire, especially if he falls first, is former military, and is possessive of the woman he loves.
Visit her at zeeirwinauthor.com to keep up to date on her latest work in progress.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

KU. December Reads. Contemporary Romance. Novella. New Author ✍️ .
MC’s h. Nikki ( Nicolette) country star w/ Hugh Magnus. H Chris Magnus, bastard son of Harry Magnus billionaire music label. Harry died and left a challenge to each of his children. Chris is a doctor in Marion ( small town ) has a horse rescue ranch. His will challenge was to find someone to love in two years and he would receive a billion dollars.

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[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love triangle between a man, a woman and a horse?

Chris is the illegitimate child of Harry Magnus, a very wealthy man. Two years ago at the reading of Harry's will, each of the 7 sons was given an envelope. Each envelope was dated as to when it should be opened. As the eldest son, Chris was to open his letter  immediately. Harry wrote Chris that he didn't want Chris to be like him. He gives Chris 2 years to find the love of his life and marry her. If he does, he will inherit 1 billion dollars.

Now his time is almost up. He has 35 days to find a wife but he's not even dating anyone. He's owner and operator of Off-Duty Rescue Ranch. The ranch is a haven for abused horses and veterans who are having problems readjusting to civilian life. He's also a doctor at a local small town clinic

Nicoletta Stone was introduced in "Single Santa: Welcome to Kissing Springs". She was the country music star who offered Dillion money to enter into a fake engagement and then a break up to try to salvage her plunging popularity. She is not a nice person running roughshod over everyone. She was such an unlikable person that I at first wasn't sure if I wanted to read her story. I'm glad I did.

When leaving Kissing Springs, she decides to visit the cemetery at another near small town to visit her father's grave. She had an accident and somehow managed to drag herself to Chris' barn and collapses in Fifty's stall.

Fifty was abused and still has a healing severe gash on his head. Nikki has a gash oh her forehead. Fifty has been morose and hasn't wanted to be near people but he instantly bonds to her. Fifty almost has an ESP connection with Nikki.

Nikki has amnesia from a bag concussion received in the accident. She has bits and pieces of memories. She's dropped the Nicoletta persona and has reverted back to the Nikki of her childhood.

Chris hates the music industry especially Magnus Music, his family's company. Nikki is under contract to them. When his brother Hugh drags her back to the concert tour, will Chris fight for their love?

Not many love stories have a love triangle with a horse as a participant. The story is a reminder that if you don't like the way your life is going, you're the one to change your path. It may not be a smooth path but change can be done. I also enjoy stories where recurring characters appear, it helps fleshes out the story.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Cams Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every book Zee Irwin has written. Off duty saint as just as good as the rest of them. I love that it is a start of a new series but it also has ties with Kissing Springs, a series that has also recently started. This means a lot of new Zee Irwin books to read.
Nikki/Nicoletta finds her real self once she meets Chris when she stumbles onto his ranch after a car accident. This was a short story dealing with their meeting and ultimately having an HEA. Of course there is also a smidgen of drama thrown in. This was perfect for what it was. An introduction to a new place and new people. Oh, and horses. Fifty was a character I’d gladly get a horsey hug from.

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

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Love finds the way for Chris and Nikki. Nikki wanted to do something for her father's memory, but things happen. A return to her roots for a bit has her meeting Chris and falling in love. However, Hugh comes to drag her back to the music world. I like how Chris and his brothers try to rescue Nikki, but she does it herself. I'm glad they get together and I really like Fifty.

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love a Christmas romance with an Emotional Support Horse?

Seriously, a Christmas romance with a hot doctor, a couple trapped in a snowstorm and an Emotional Support Horse? Why would you even try to resist something that great?

Chris is the physician bastard child of a Music mogul who has sworn to hate everything music related and Nicolletta is struggling country music diva who he just found unconscious and freezing in his horse barn during a snowstorm. And Fifty is the horse in whose stall Nicolletta is found and who quickly becomes the emotional support for the couple. Now you just have to read the book to find all the charming ways these three are brought together.

[Miss E Needham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. She is so good at creating characters and involving you in the story. The romance is threaded well within the main story and it is a believable slow burner. Another great story.

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

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read & I really liked all the tropes. Chris was really sweet but had some old hurts from his father, rightly so. Nikki was trying to sing but wasn’t making it on her own very well so she put trust in someone she shouldn’t have. In the end they reunited after discovering their true selves were better than trying to be other people & working thru their pain.

[Cindi Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Romantic Book

I really enjoyed this first in the series for Holiday Origins by Zee Irwin. The Characters were real down to earth and I enjoyed their love story.

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Off-Duty Saint* is the first book in the *Off-Duty Rescue Ranch: Holiday* series, and it’s such a sweet addition to the *Kissing Springs* series! In this story, we get to follow Chris and Nicoletta as they discover their happily ever after (HEA). At the beginning, both of them are a bit skeptical about love, but everything changes when their paths cross. They each carry secrets that hold them back from being completely honest with one another—after all, they're afraid of what might happen if they open up.

Chris has a tough secret: he needs to get married within two years to inherit his father’s fortune, and that deadline is creeping up fast—just a month away! On the other hand, Nicoletta is starting to remember that she’s actually a country music superstar. She’s nervous about revealing her true identity to Chris, especially since he has some reservations about the music industry.

I genuinely enjoyed this sweet, quick read! The characters are super likable, and their chemistry is off the charts. The pacing made it so easy to get lost in the story, perfect for snuggling up under the covers with a good book before bed. This was our July Book of the Month for Zee’s 2025 challenge. Happy reading until next month’s selection in August!

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series/spin-off.. love Chris... and Nikki ? this is their story... a fast paced rom/com drama... Chris needs money for his ranch... he needs to marry asap and he will get his inheritance... Nikki is a singer... not a nice singer... Chris finds her in his barn freezing.... is she the one ? so good !!!.

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

[Kait · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong, there were parts of this that I thought were super cute. Unfortunately there was a lot I didn't like, their immaturity was a big one.

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris is the secret son of a music business tycoon. He died and now Chris has to marry to inherit the money. Nikki is country music star that kind of lost her way. An accident brings her to Chris and he tends to her. They fall both hard and fast but a common enemy tries to break them apart. Instalove ,sweet, romantic , fun to read, steamy and safe with a beautiful storyline and an awesome HEA 😍😍😍😍😍

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Country music star gets into an accident and is found in a horse stale by a doctor. The doctor has lots of secrets as well as the country music star. The doctor goes to a will reading in a big mansion, he stands there waiting next to the two brothers that he would even consider as his kin to here the reading getting an envelope about his his inheritance it tells him to open it so he does reading it before running off. The brothers follow him to his truck come to find out that he has to get married to get his inheritance. Relaxing on his couch his farmhand is gone for the Thanksgiving holiday. He hears the horses from his monitor that he has hooked up between the barn and the house, he runs out to the barn noticing a woman in a stale with on of the rescue horses that he cares for. He picks her up carrying her to house, she's freezing so he undresses her down to her panties and bra gathering up some warm blankets he also gets undressed down to his boxer he hold her close in bed under the blankets to get her temperature up because it's very cold and snowing outside back when he found her. In the morning she gets up with a splitting headaches, she sees her dad and when she was a little girl, the doctor comes to her checking for any other injuries besides the cuts that her bandaged that morning. When he ask what her name is she gives him her real name, he tall her that she has a concussion and also might have some amnesia. She smells breakfast thinking of her childhood with her dad her head starts to swarm but before she falls to the floor the doctor grabs ahold of her wanting to take take her to the hospital by way of his snowmobile she tells him no that she just needs something for headache, taking her to the bed he gets her something for her headache, taking a bath before she lays down. After a while she starts feeling better she even helping with the horses. They both have feeling for one another but after he told her that he doesn't like the music industry she's scared to tell him more about herself but they can't go any longer, kissing and having sex, confessing that love on another even though they're both keeping secrets. A knock at the door brings an Amish family to them with a woman having problems giving birth, they help the woman give birth and the woman girls her baby the woman's given name, they let the couple rest in the bedroom until they leave. They get another knock and it's his farmhand telling him that he's back and that he will start tending to the horses, when one of the farmhands old military buddies comes the doctor finds out who she is. He takes the farmhands military friend to town because he doesn't like him there since he upset woman, the woman goes outside in the doctors coat going to her favorite horse when she finds a letter in the pocket and starts reading it. Before she can truly comprehend what the letter says a vehicle pulls in and it's the doctor's brother who's the head of her record label, they get into an argument he grabs her telling her that she's going with him at first she refuses but then her tells her that his brother hates people that are in the business and that he's only acting this way with her to get his inheritance so she goes. Before she leaves she goes to the house writing a not to the doctor, when he gets home he has flower, champagne and a ring for her but he finds the note she left for him. Distraught he starts drinking but his two brothers show up telling him about the their brother telling everyone that he took her away from him, telling her about the inheritance, that he can't hate music people to much because the have their own music label and that he's using her the brothers tell him that he needs to go get her if he really loves her. They go to get her but before he can she starts getting sick in the bathroom when a fan offers to help her she takes it, she asks the fan if she will help her get out of there and the fan agrees, the swap clothes and the fan tells her that her boyfriend will pick her up the fan gives her some money before she leaves. The doctor and his two brothers get to her dressing room to find the other brother there waiting for her with some contracts, the other brother says that he has her and she will be signing the contracts but the doctor tells him that he will be leaving her alone. Running out of the dressing room to find her he heads to the stage the two brothers follow when the fans with the singers clothes comes on the stage she tells him that she has a message for him, that he can find her at the mountain, the brothers tell him they will call to have their private plane ready for him to go get her, the goes to the cabin to wait for her. It's Christmas Eve and he's worried something happened to her when he hears voices in the barn and the horses making noise, going out to the barn, he hears the woman's voice going to her he picks her up in his arms, telling each other they love one another he gets on a knee asking her to marry him when she says yes he carries to the house. She also tells him that she's pregnant and that he needs to get his inheritance for the ranch also she doesn't like his brother.
A wonderful storyline that goes great with the rest of the books in this series. Amazing character that's a page turning easy to read. A superbly written heartwarming hometown happily ever after story.

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

[J L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! It was a nice surprise to find it in my Kindle library first thing this morning, since I had pre-ordered.

It is a really sweet romance, with steamy bits as well. I had tears in my eyes at the end!

[Star-Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Off-Duty Ranch Series by Zee Irwin. While all of these marvelous books can be read as a stand-alone, I believe it is better to read this one first. In this book, Christopher “Chris” Magnus is introduced as a son along with six half-brothers of Harry Magnus a wealthy man who has just past away. Everyone is present for the reading of his will, each son is given an envelope with a date corresponding to their birthdays when they are to open the envelope. Chris whose envelope instructs him to open it immediately is ex-military and a small town doctor who owns a non-profit horse rescue ranch. His father never had anything to do with him or his mother after marrying his current wife but in the envelope he left for Chris he instructs him that he has two years to find a wife in order to get an inheritance of a billionaire dollars. The reader is also introduced to Nicolette Stone (real name Nikki Sloan) who is a country music singer from a small town in Virginia. Nikki ends up on Chris’ ranch after a car wreck that leaves her with a concussion passed out in Fifty’s stall. Fifty is a newly acquired rescue horse that immediately takes a liking to Nikki. But will he be the only one to take a liking to Nikki? Will Chris be able to heal her and keep her safe? Will the half-brothers cause problems? The book is well written grammatically with interesting characters with some steamy love scenes and adult-rated words used. Overall it’s a remarkable story about a lonely handsome man and Fifty, a horse seeking human kindness finding an equally lonely beautiful woman and gaining their HEA.
I’m an ARC reviewer: reading for the enjoyment with no monetary compensation and voluntarily reviewing so that others may know what to expect and authors may be helped by critique and encouragement.

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

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime reading from Zee Irwin . Inspiring and never retiring ate this quick read with need. There’s Nicolette a singer who got into trouble and Chris who has a need to find a woman with speed. He’s an ex military doctor with a big heart and knowledge to impart but he’s not about to lose his ranch ,not a chance. Even though his heart in the love a partner sense is not there . He’s vowed off the opposite sex. His past more than avowed to the fact that there’s no such thing as pure love. So he runs his ranch ,cares for others who has needs ,ex military personnel. He provides all kinds of therapy,horses a,the care,of and riding being just one of them. He’s faced with an ultimatum from his father’s will that he was given two years ago. It stipulates him finding a wife or lose his inheritance. Chris Magnus ,is the movie mogul’s eldest illegitimate son. Is this what he aspires to become ,by taking his dad’s heed a billion dollars can buy lots of feed and treat people in need. You see dear old estranged dad Henry Magnus the cad gave him two years to settle down but now he’s got just thirty five days to set his future down and locked in so his inheritance case is not blocked. In steps Nicolette ,the country singer who has gotten out of her depth. But she’s just literally been thrown at Chris Magnus’ feet by one,if his trusty steeds. He hates the music world with a passion but this siren of song has him moving his feet along to a different beat. It’s sweet but oh how it’s steamy and dreamy to boot This hot man ,have you seen the cover ? So cute and HOT a fine channel in his abs he’s got .Zee Irwin , just got to love her ,delivers the heat a real treat ,you know Zee you never do cease to amaze with these uplifting steamy love fest and their sordid love nests with solid backstories you want to get behind .The characters are presented so well you’re endeared to the real quick and that’s ever so slick ,it’s swell!

[Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful Christmas story this is. Not even really a Christmas story but it ends on Christmas Eve in a great romantic loving way!

Nicoletta is a country singer. Singing is her passion, one she shared with her father. She manages to make a career in Nashville, but along the way she lost herself.

Chris is the bastard child of a multibillionaire and when his father dies he receives a letter stating that he will receive a billion dollars if he finds his love for life within 2 years and marries her. Now, 6 weeks before those 2 years are up, he finds a woman in his barn with amnesia during a snow storm.

He prevents her from dying from hypothermia and slowly opens his heart to her. He promised himself not to have anything to do with the music business because his father owns the biggest music label and his mother always came in 3rd place as a mistress after his father's company and his wife.

What does this mean for his love for Nikki, a country star?

An emotional story in which Chris and Nikki find each other until they lose each other. What wins? Fame or love?

Highly recommended!.

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

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki is a country music star, alone and wanting to visit her fathers grave, when she ends up in an accident in a blizzard. Chris is a doctor who runs a rescue horse ranch and he finds her with some head injuries and with one of his skittish horses. During the blizzard, he takes care of her and they grow close, both opening up for the first time in a long time. The characters are well developed, with great backstories and secret common dislikes for certain people. Loved how they bonded, trusted and became whole together until that common secret tried to ruin them. Brothers join forces, an Amish family is helped, and a wonderful horse named Fifty pushes them together more. So many twists, revelations, entertaining situations and great banter. Terrific ending... again with Fifty, just like it all started. Keep the stories coming, please.

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full on Christmas must that's not packed with all things "Christmasy" cheer. Chris is the black sheep son of a music mogul, from before he net his wife. (Talk about sibling tension and rich vs poor!) He also can't stand anything surrounding the topic of music, country in particular. Nikki had left her earlier pain behind and become Nicoletta, a wanna be country music sensation, with a diva complex to match her unclaimed stardom. Chris, however, knows her only as Nikki. Since he found her unconscious in Fifty's stall. That horse is a riot and essentially the couple's self appointed emotional support animal. There are factors at play behind the scenes for both these guys, things they're not saying. So far, the Storm has kept them isolated on the mountain ranch, but what happens when the snow melts?

This is a touching, heartfelt story of self-discovery and aacceptance. Great for the holiday, or any time really.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a holiday romance that has a number of twists that you can't help but love. At the reading of his father's will, Chris learns to get his inheritance he has two years to find love and get married. With a month to go, Chris is more concerned in how he is going to save the ranch.

Nicoletta is a successful country music singer with a bit of drama in her life, Nikki escapes to where she grew up and ends up on Chris's ranch and in his care.

Love this story - Chris and Nikki's connection, Chris's heart of wanting to help other soldiers and that he took Nikki in. Nikki wanting the best for Chris and the ranch, giving up her happiness. The twist at the end finding out what was in Hughs' envelope has the grinch all over it. Amazing story looking forward to the next story.

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

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m swooning!!!

This was such a sweet romance novella. Both Chris and Nikki have rough pasts and are hiding some big secrets from each other, but their love outweighs it all.

Chris’ father was successful in the music industry but horrible at being a dad to Chris. When he passed away Chris was shocked to find out he was put in the will. But there was a catch, he had 2 years to get married to collect his inheritance.

Chris is ex military and now a small town doctor who owns a ranch to rehabilitate horses. Nikki, aka Nicoletta, is a famous country star with a ruined reputation. Somehow Nikki ends up in Chris’ barn after wrecking her car with only one month left before Chris 2 years is up. Coincidence or fate? Such a sweet read!

[Linda Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the story opens, Chris is attending the reading of his father's will. Each of Chris's brothers were given different tasks to complete in order to get their hesitance. Chris did speak to two of his half-brothers who do help him. Chris never really knew his father as his mother was his mistress. In order for Chris to inherit his billionaire dollars he has to marry within two years.Chris became a retired vet who owns a rescue horse ranch. With horses he helps vets who have problems after leaving the service. His financial ways are not good. Nikki is driving and the weather turns into a blizzard. Chris finds her in his barn and takes care of her. At first she has no idea who she is, but her memory does come back. The story is a fast read and is good.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book and characters.
Chris is a half brother to the famously rich Magnus family. Most of them aren’t happy when Chis is named in the will. Magnus has given each adult child instructions on how to “earn” their inheritance. Chris has two years to find “true love“ and get married, if he does, he gets one billion dollars.
Nikki has an accident and then is found in Chris’ barn during a big snow storm. Chris is a doctor and has to keep reminding himself that she is his patient. The attraction between the two is hot!
*Adult situations and language.

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

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast, steamy, holiday read about Dr. Chris, a veteran, who runs a horse rescue on the side. He is the bast**d son of a music mogul and wants nothing to do with that side of the "family", even for a huge inheritance with some huge strings attached. Nikki is a bratty singer with a bad reputation heading home to lick her wounds, when her car crashes and she ends up on Chris's ranch. Instant attraction, sizzle, steam, lies, and drama, solid 4 stars. Available currently on Kindle Unlimited great read for the holidays.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris is the bastard child of a music mogul and wants nothing to do with anyone related to music. On the death of his father his will stated that he would receive a billion dollars if he found and married within two years. During a winter storm he found Nikki in is barn with his horses and it began their journey. She had no idea who he was but thanks to his older half sibling he caused a rift between them. Their love story is touching and had me in their corner to make amends to finding happiness!

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

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was adorable and had a lot of fun tropes in it - wounded girl needing to be taken care of, one bed, snowed in, deadline to marry, wounded past and I'm sure there are others that I'm forgetting. But watching the relationship develop between Nikki and Chris is worthy of a Hallmark movie in the making. I also loved that it brought in characters from her other series and books and that there's a promise of characters from this series being in upcoming books as well.

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

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki and Chris are destined to meet when she leaves Nashville after her singing career takes a dip and her scheme to fake date/marry another singer whose career is on the up swing falls apart. She goes back to her hometown where all her memories were not so good but she loved her father and he loved her. She meets Chris when she wrecks her car and he takes her in where they fall for each other but Chris has a secret that when she finds out may end their relationship.

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

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and this is Nicoletta and Chris’s journey. Chris is an ex-military doctor, who runs a rescue ranch where he uses horse therapy to help heal, while Nikki is a country music singer, and when she travels visit her dad’s grave, she is in an accident, and Chris comes to her aid. This is a beautifully written story which has challenges, drama, emotions, passion, healing, and love, which leads to an entertaining small-town romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel in the new series Off Duty Holiday, this first book is about Chris and Nicolette. Chris and ex military doctor and owner of a mountain rescue ranch for horses and therapy, finds Nicolette unconscious in Fifty's stall. Nikki an aspiring country singer has stumbled into the stall after a car accident.
I enjoyed getting to know these characters and learning how they over come their issues. I loved the therapy horse Fifty. I seriously can't wait to read more of this series.

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

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances at Christmas for Chris and Nikki made for a wonderful feel good story. Although each was different, both Chris and Nikki have some ghosts to overcome through reflection of prior experiences and choosing a path forward for the future. After all, bearing one’s soul while admitting that mistakes were made and help is needed are all difficult things to overcome. Watching all of the pieces of the story fall into place made it that much more satisfying in the end.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.