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After the Storm #6
Jingle Bell Babies
His triplet daughters are what kept rancher Jesse Logan going after his wife's death in the High Plains tornadoes. But three infants are too much work for one man. Nurse Lori Martin loved them from the moment she saw them in the neonatal nursery. So when she hears Jesse's looking for a nanny, she can't help but offer her services. And Lori soon discovers that all she wants for Christmas is a trio of giggling babies--and their handsome father.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
31 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Springer
59 books493 followersKathryn Springer grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child, she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books – which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own.
After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a book. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published.
Fast forward to today and Kathryn has written over thirty novels. She lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the "change" between winter and spring didn't last quite so long!) When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! If you want to know more, follow her blog Table Grace. . .thoughts and musings on living a life with nothing artificial added.
After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a book. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published.
Fast forward to today and Kathryn has written over thirty novels. She lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the "change" between winter and spring didn't last quite so long!) When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! If you want to know more, follow her blog Table Grace. . .thoughts and musings on living a life with nothing artificial added.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 4, 2009
Perfect ending to the series! Sometimes it harder to forgive ourselves and let go of the past. I can totally empathize with having to struggle with forgiving yourself from the past. The story of Jesse and Lori was a great one. Amazing how someone who was never shown love or care from her Father, learned to love and care for others. As bad as Lori's earthly father was at showing affection and care, she was still able to graps the concept that God Cared and loved her. Jesse had to learn things the hard way. You can't compare others and you can't keep thinking the worst in everything. A little hope can go a long way. All that matters is your Faith and trust in God and He will bring about the things that need to happen. Blessings in disguise. Can't wait for the historical series of High Plains to come out!!
November 28, 2010
The 6th and final book in the After the Storm series.
And what a great ending. The last few paragraphs had tears running down my cheeks as much as the character in the book.
The personalities given to the triplets comes out so clearly making them each individuals rather then "triplets".
Great story and some surprises as well.
And what a great ending. The last few paragraphs had tears running down my cheeks as much as the character in the book.
The personalities given to the triplets comes out so clearly making them each individuals rather then "triplets".
Great story and some surprises as well.
December 14, 2015
Wonderful, quick read. A bit more depth than the previous love inspired books I've read.
July 16, 2023
Hate to see this series end as I feel I've made so many friends here! But I truly loved this final book. I have been waiting for Jesse's story and for those sweet babies to get a Momma. I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but I can overlook that for sure! I would love to continue on with this community and watch them grow.. guess I will just have to do that in my own imagination.
June 13, 2018
This is the 1st book I read by Kathryn Springer. I liked the Christian theme in this story. I liked the scenes with Lori & the babies 👶👶👶. I felt this story needed more romance & this storyline was missing something.
November 15, 2012
Needed something mindless to read.
December 20, 2018
A gift from a friend. I had read a couple others in this "After the Storm" series and I looked forward to reading this one during the Christmas season. I thought it was well done. I loved the way that Kathryn Springer wove the Christmas season into the story, and I thought that she did well with Jesse's gruff character. Flannel Man was a cute contrast. At one point, Lori compared her situation to living with the Von Trapps in "The Sound of Music," and I thought that was apt, without the music.
I also loved the way that the verses were woven into the stories as the characters lived them out, particularly the one that Lori shared about why Christmas had become so important to her during her own painful time. I still like the Michael character and his words, too. (He played a role in "Marrying Minister Right" and "A Family for Thanksgiving," also in this series.) I also still liked Clay's character, living into his promises to work through issues rather than run away, and remaining cheerful while he did so.
I liked Lori's patience and teaching patience, even to children who don't yet understand, when taking care of a few children all crying at once. That was something I had to learn, to not feel badly about not taking care of everything at once, but prioritize: physical injuries first, then emotional injuries, and lastly, just hunger, fatigue, or attention-getting. And yes, I would get to it all, just not immediately. But, yes, there's also a need to teach the children patience and set expectations, the way Lori did. Sometimes, when they were older, I would tell the children the priorities and why - I'm taking care of this issue first, and this one second, and yours is third because you came to me last, but I'll get to it. And I would.
I don't think it was realistic for Jesse to have figured out Lori's painful past from those two vague comments, though. That, to me, falls under the romantic-book category of "unrealistic mind-reading."
And speaking of unrealistic, having taken care of multiple children at the same time, I found it unrealistic that these triplets all slept through the night regularly so well. It would be more realistic if one would wake another and they'd have a 2 AM party or a cry-fest. I was going to say that it was also unrealistic that none of them ever got sick, but ... well, that was right on cue.
"... the words they'd exchanged in the barn that night had become embedded in their relationship like a splinter. All these years, it festered below the surface, never quite healing. And Jesse didn't know how to remove it." That's a good description. And, as Jesse learned, removing the splinter requires talking through the issue, apologizing, trying to make things right.
Avery, Avery, Avery. I did NOT see that one coming, but I remembered Avery from "Marrying Minister Right." I did like Jesse's response.
As is often in romance literature, the proposal was premature. Yes, the characters were romantically interested in each other, and yes, they had bonded over caring for the triplets, but they didn't really know how *they* would do as a couple, just the two of them, without babies around. There were conversation-starters, but they didn't really know each other well enough to make such decisions. They needed to get to know one another in that capacity first, for a longer period of time.
There was a comment about not understanding why King Herod asked the wise men about the star and wanting them to report back. The question assumed that he couldn't see the star and asked why he couldn't, which would be an odd scenario. I always thought that he could see the star as well as anybody, that it was vivid, but that King Herod was too busy being kingly, running a kingdom, or whatever. Or perhaps that since the wise men associated the star with meaning and seemed to be the experts on it, he wanted their additional knowledge on the subject. But I never thought it was an internal sort of star that only the spiritually enlightened could see. This book never resolved the issue, just considered it.
A couple other reviewers mentioned the theme of self-forgiveness. Yes, a well-done central theme to the book.
I also loved the way that the verses were woven into the stories as the characters lived them out, particularly the one that Lori shared about why Christmas had become so important to her during her own painful time. I still like the Michael character and his words, too. (He played a role in "Marrying Minister Right" and "A Family for Thanksgiving," also in this series.) I also still liked Clay's character, living into his promises to work through issues rather than run away, and remaining cheerful while he did so.
I liked Lori's patience and teaching patience, even to children who don't yet understand, when taking care of a few children all crying at once. That was something I had to learn, to not feel badly about not taking care of everything at once, but prioritize: physical injuries first, then emotional injuries, and lastly, just hunger, fatigue, or attention-getting. And yes, I would get to it all, just not immediately. But, yes, there's also a need to teach the children patience and set expectations, the way Lori did. Sometimes, when they were older, I would tell the children the priorities and why - I'm taking care of this issue first, and this one second, and yours is third because you came to me last, but I'll get to it. And I would.
I don't think it was realistic for Jesse to have figured out Lori's painful past from those two vague comments, though. That, to me, falls under the romantic-book category of "unrealistic mind-reading."
And speaking of unrealistic, having taken care of multiple children at the same time, I found it unrealistic that these triplets all slept through the night regularly so well. It would be more realistic if one would wake another and they'd have a 2 AM party or a cry-fest. I was going to say that it was also unrealistic that none of them ever got sick, but ... well, that was right on cue.
"... the words they'd exchanged in the barn that night had become embedded in their relationship like a splinter. All these years, it festered below the surface, never quite healing. And Jesse didn't know how to remove it." That's a good description. And, as Jesse learned, removing the splinter requires talking through the issue, apologizing, trying to make things right.
Avery, Avery, Avery. I did NOT see that one coming, but I remembered Avery from "Marrying Minister Right." I did like Jesse's response.
As is often in romance literature, the proposal was premature. Yes, the characters were romantically interested in each other, and yes, they had bonded over caring for the triplets, but they didn't really know how *they* would do as a couple, just the two of them, without babies around. There were conversation-starters, but they didn't really know each other well enough to make such decisions. They needed to get to know one another in that capacity first, for a longer period of time.
There was a comment about not understanding why King Herod asked the wise men about the star and wanting them to report back. The question assumed that he couldn't see the star and asked why he couldn't, which would be an odd scenario. I always thought that he could see the star as well as anybody, that it was vivid, but that King Herod was too busy being kingly, running a kingdom, or whatever. Or perhaps that since the wise men associated the star with meaning and seemed to be the experts on it, he wanted their additional knowledge on the subject. But I never thought it was an internal sort of star that only the spiritually enlightened could see. This book never resolved the issue, just considered it.
A couple other reviewers mentioned the theme of self-forgiveness. Yes, a well-done central theme to the book.
December 29, 2018
This book came to me through two friends, both of whom read it before I did. I've also read a few other books from this series and enjoyed those, so I knew who Jesse Logan was and that his wife had left him before the tornado but died in the tornado, leaving him with the triplets to raise. And the missing ring has featured in other books too. So it was nice to get to know Jesse better.
I'm guessing I missed reading the book where Clay comes back to the ranch since the last I remember he was not in the picture. I was glad to see he stopped running.
I can relate a bit to Jesse, as the oldest, feeling responsible for things that probably weren't his responsibilities as a child: the behavior of his siblings, for example.
Jesse has also lost quite a few people: his parents (who died); his brother, Clay (who left after he and Jesse had words), and his wife (who left him). I also sense that for a time there was an estrangement between Jesse and his sister, Maya--but that had been somewhat healed by the time this series started. Plus preemie triplets, who I would imagine had to have a bit of fight in them to survive in the NICU--It's not a stretch to think he might have fears of others in his life leaving him also. (I'm also struggling with why he and Marie got together in the first place, but . . .)
Lori is struggling with wanting to belong--especially in a family setting. She didn't have the most idyllic childhood family setting and I think she's developed a sort of "fairy tale" idea of how a family would or should be.
I'm not sure if it is her career or her desire for a family that makes her so good with the babies. (On another note, though much is made of Jesse having 5 nannies in 5 months--in at least 2 cases, it sounds like he might have been right to dismiss them. One was making fun of Brooke's demanding cries instead of comforting the baby--and I do have to wonder if she'd do that rather than seeing to their needs, what else she might do--and another was sleeping when she should have been watching the babies (I have no doubt she could have been exhausted because 3 babies at once seems like a tiring task, but . . . I think I might have felt the same as Jesse if I found someone asleep while my 3 babies fussed.) I'm not sure why he didn't share that information with his family at least though.
I agree with another reviewer that, although I got caught up in the fairy tale aspect of the romance, Jesse and Lori really have no idea how they'll be as a couple. They did bond over the girls and have worked together, but there weren't really any dates or any discussions that I'd relate to being a couple until Jesse suddenly realized he loved Lori.
I did guess that the ring would be found, but I didn't guess how it would be found.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this ending to the series.
I'm guessing I missed reading the book where Clay comes back to the ranch since the last I remember he was not in the picture. I was glad to see he stopped running.
I can relate a bit to Jesse, as the oldest, feeling responsible for things that probably weren't his responsibilities as a child: the behavior of his siblings, for example.
Jesse has also lost quite a few people: his parents (who died); his brother, Clay (who left after he and Jesse had words), and his wife (who left him). I also sense that for a time there was an estrangement between Jesse and his sister, Maya--but that had been somewhat healed by the time this series started. Plus preemie triplets, who I would imagine had to have a bit of fight in them to survive in the NICU--It's not a stretch to think he might have fears of others in his life leaving him also. (I'm also struggling with why he and Marie got together in the first place, but . . .)
Lori is struggling with wanting to belong--especially in a family setting. She didn't have the most idyllic childhood family setting and I think she's developed a sort of "fairy tale" idea of how a family would or should be.
I'm not sure if it is her career or her desire for a family that makes her so good with the babies. (On another note, though much is made of Jesse having 5 nannies in 5 months--in at least 2 cases, it sounds like he might have been right to dismiss them. One was making fun of Brooke's demanding cries instead of comforting the baby--and I do have to wonder if she'd do that rather than seeing to their needs, what else she might do--and another was sleeping when she should have been watching the babies (I have no doubt she could have been exhausted because 3 babies at once seems like a tiring task, but . . . I think I might have felt the same as Jesse if I found someone asleep while my 3 babies fussed.) I'm not sure why he didn't share that information with his family at least though.
I agree with another reviewer that, although I got caught up in the fairy tale aspect of the romance, Jesse and Lori really have no idea how they'll be as a couple. They did bond over the girls and have worked together, but there weren't really any dates or any discussions that I'd relate to being a couple until Jesse suddenly realized he loved Lori.
I did guess that the ring would be found, but I didn't guess how it would be found.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this ending to the series.
December 9, 2018
When rancher's Jesse Logan's triplet daughters are born early and his wife is killed in a storm Jesse finds himself at a loss. He hires nannies but can't seem to keep them around until he meets nurse Lori Martin. Lori had fallen in love with the girls when they were in the hospital and when she heard they needed a nanny she applied. Now all she wants for Christmas is the girls and their father.
December 20, 2019
This one gets to you because you think about what the babies and their father had gone through. Add that to getting to know the nurse who wants to help and you just keep reading to find out what's going to happen.
August 25, 2020
This was a mostly sweet story but it took Jessie a long time to stop being a jerk . I understand why he didnt trust women because his disceased wife was awful but it was hard to like him. Lori was a real sweet heart who deserved better. The tripletts were adorable
December 10, 2022
This should b a fantasy. Really-engaged without a real date? Don’t think so. Taking care of triplets and still able to get everything else accomplished without being tired. I had twins and and a young son I know it can’t happen way described in book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2022
A sweet end to the 'After the Storm' series. I liked how Lori was able to help Jesse find healing by reminding him that the story of Christmas is proof that God loves each of us.
The romance aspect did feel a bit too rushed for me, but didn't otherwise hamper my enjoyment of the story.
3.5 stars
The romance aspect did feel a bit too rushed for me, but didn't otherwise hamper my enjoyment of the story.
3.5 stars
November 25, 2025
This book starts up right after Patricia Davids book "A Family for Thanksgiving," so you will want to read that book before this one to know who the characters are and what the issues are that they face. I enjoyed both books. The children are the stars!
November 25, 2025
Jingle bell Babies
This was a good story, it is about triplets being born and the mother being killed in a tornado. How the father, Jesse, had trouble, keeping a nanny for them. Finally, long came Lori,a former nurse, who had much love for the girls.
This was a good story, it is about triplets being born and the mother being killed in a tornado. How the father, Jesse, had trouble, keeping a nanny for them. Finally, long came Lori,a former nurse, who had much love for the girls.
July 30, 2017
I Read this on the kindle
This is book 7 of the series & I believe the last one
Nice story which finishes on Christmas Eve tells of heartbreak & joy
This is book 7 of the series & I believe the last one
Nice story which finishes on Christmas Eve tells of heartbreak & joy
July 1, 2018
A great story that is part of a series called After the Storm. I look forward to reading the entire series.
November 9, 2018
A delightful Christmas story! I found myself so engrossed in Lori's and Jesse's story that I read this book in one sitting. Cute! Entertaining!
December 15, 2018
Love it
Great book wishes there was another behind it to finish up. Enjoyed figuring out each piece. Hopi g for more
Great book wishes there was another behind it to finish up. Enjoyed figuring out each piece. Hopi g for more
January 31, 2019
Jingle bells
This is a great story about life's twists and turns and life's trials. Nice inspirational setting that helps everyone to pull together.
This is a great story about life's twists and turns and life's trials. Nice inspirational setting that helps everyone to pull together.
December 7, 2019
I remember this book being extremely cutesie. If you read it, do it for the antics of the three toddlers. The romance was kinda boring.
December 29, 2020
Great end to the series! Loved it!
December 9, 2021
What a beautiful story of someone being able to accept God's forgiveness and to be able to forgive and
ven love again. Very well done!
ven love again. Very well done!
October 17, 2015
Great story! I loved the character development.
This series of books is written around a tornado that ripped through a small town, and how it affected the various members of the community and how they all pulled together to rebuild their town and their lives.
In this book, Jesse is a single father of premature infant triplet daughters. Jesse feels abandoned. His parents died when he was a young adult, leaving him in charge of a large ranch and two younger siblings. He fought with his youngest brother constantly, until Bo packed his bags and took off, not to be seen or heard from again for seven years. Jesse finally marries, but the day of the tornado she removes her wedding rings and sets them on the kitchen table with a note that she's leaving him.
Jesse is sullen, angry, lashing out at anyone who would comfort him. He doesn't trust his brother when Bo returns. He goes through a series of nannies, who manage the triplets fine, but their father is another issue! Finally, the NICU nurse who had taken care of his daughters when they were born applies for the nanny position, and his life will never be the same.
This series of books is written around a tornado that ripped through a small town, and how it affected the various members of the community and how they all pulled together to rebuild their town and their lives.
In this book, Jesse is a single father of premature infant triplet daughters. Jesse feels abandoned. His parents died when he was a young adult, leaving him in charge of a large ranch and two younger siblings. He fought with his youngest brother constantly, until Bo packed his bags and took off, not to be seen or heard from again for seven years. Jesse finally marries, but the day of the tornado she removes her wedding rings and sets them on the kitchen table with a note that she's leaving him.
Jesse is sullen, angry, lashing out at anyone who would comfort him. He doesn't trust his brother when Bo returns. He goes through a series of nannies, who manage the triplets fine, but their father is another issue! Finally, the NICU nurse who had taken care of his daughters when they were born applies for the nanny position, and his life will never be the same.
December 8, 2015
Jesse Logan has been through 5 nannies for his 7 month old triplets when Lori Martin, neo-natal nurse, quits her job and applies for the position. She fell in love with the babies when they spent their first two months in the preemie unit. Lori fits right in and can't help but think she is doing what she was intended for. Jesse has built walls keeping everyone out after a string of losses over the years. Lori has no family to speak of. These two must work through their problems before they can create a family. Being an inspirational novel God and an amazing number of 'miracles' tie up all the loose ends. Nice Christmas read.
October 25, 2013
This is a great book and a quick, easy read. I adored reading about the triplets, and the characters of Jesse, Clay, and Lori were real people with problems and struggles with their backgrounds and their faith, but who changed and discovered things about themselves during the story. There were a few places where I thought things happened just a little bit quicker than they would have in real life, but that's probably because of the length constraints the author had. I recommend this for those who enjoy clean, Christian romances.
January 31, 2010
Wow, it seems as if all the books I am reading lately apply to my life more so than ever before... The message of forgiving oneself hit me very strongly as that is an issue I have faced more than once in my life! Trust is not an easy thing for me either, and this book really helped me to see things a little clearer. :) God never gives up on us, and each one of us is important to Him.
December 16, 2016
One of six stories about families in Kansas putting their lives back together after a devastating storm. The book works fine as a stand alone. Recommended for readers that enjoy inspirational romance.
September 10, 2010
Last of the After the Storm Series
December 14, 2012
Cute little story...a little cheesy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews