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Montana Creeds #4
A Creed Country Christmas
Celebrate the holidays with the Creed forefathers—Montana men who built the family homestead and established a legacy of love…
In the unforgiving Montana wilderness of 1910, widowed rancher Lincoln Creed is up against more than rustlers, wolves and the coming winter storms. His young daughter has needs beyond the beans and bacon he can barely cook. Lincoln must find little Gracie a governess, a lady who can teach and cook—yet won't set her sights on him.
Disowned for her refusal to marry, twenty-five-year-old Juliana Mitchell shares the love in her heart with her young students at the underfunded Indian school. When she meets Lincoln and Gracie, her response to the handsome rancher makes her realize she's not against marriage after all.
She longs to help, yet the two orphaned brothers in her care need her. But in the season for miracles, Providence just might find a way to bring Juliana, the boys and the Creed family together for Christmas Eve….
In the unforgiving Montana wilderness of 1910, widowed rancher Lincoln Creed is up against more than rustlers, wolves and the coming winter storms. His young daughter has needs beyond the beans and bacon he can barely cook. Lincoln must find little Gracie a governess, a lady who can teach and cook—yet won't set her sights on him.
Disowned for her refusal to marry, twenty-five-year-old Juliana Mitchell shares the love in her heart with her young students at the underfunded Indian school. When she meets Lincoln and Gracie, her response to the handsome rancher makes her realize she's not against marriage after all.
She longs to help, yet the two orphaned brothers in her care need her. But in the season for miracles, Providence just might find a way to bring Juliana, the boys and the Creed family together for Christmas Eve….
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
314 people are currently reading
1221 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,223 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
November 15, 2009
Another enjoyable, easy read from Linda Lael Miller. There's just something about her books that while I may not ABSOLUTELY LOVE them, I enjoy them a lot and zip right through. Miller has a very smooth writing style that makes her stories a pleasure to read.
Series Note:
This book is connected to LLM's Montana Creeds series. The first three books are contemporaries, but this one jumps back in time and tells the story of one of the Creed forefathers. It's not necessary to have read the first three books to read this one, and if you've read the first three, you don't have to read this one (though it was good).
Summary:
Juliana Mitchell is totally out of options. After being virtually disowned by her brother because she wouldn't marry the man he wanted and because she wanted to teach, Juliana takes a job with the Indian school. Then the school is shut down and Juliana is left with 4 charges who have no where else to go. She knows if she turns them back over to the Bureau for Indian affairs, the will just be shipped to another "school"...which is more like an institution in many cases. So she takes the four children and sets out on her own. But her request for funds to her brother is denied and now she and the children have no where left to go.
Until she meets Lincoln Creed and he offers them a place to stay until she figures out what to do. But Lincoln soon realizes that Juliana may just solve a big problem he is having...finding a cook/governess/housekeeper to help him and his young, motherless daughter. There's also the option of marrying her. But both are determined to protect their hearts. Love has a way of prevailing, though, and both have to decide if they want to grab happiness by the horns or let it slip away.
Review:
I can't say there was anything really spectacular about this book. I've read some others of hers that had more zing and drew me in more, but this was still a sweet, romantic read. I liked it a lot.
I liked that the story was set in 1910...often these historical westerns are set in the 1800's, so it was nice to get a little change of pace. I also liked that Miller gave some insight into the plight of Native American children during that period (even if it was only a small look).
I also enjoyed the fact that both the main characters were kind, good-hearted people. Often, one will be jaded, gruff and broody. But both Lincoln and Juliana were upbeat characters who were just a little wary of love. They had a sweet relationship and gave some fluffy bunny feelings when everything worked out.
I suspect this book could have easily been published as a paperback for the Harlequin Historical line, but HQN decided to make a few extra bucks by packaging it nice as a gift-sized hardcover (for the full price of $16.95...which for a 250 page book is a bit too much...so I recommend looking for it somewhere that has book discounts).
Anyway, this was a nice, enjoyable historical western - which is my favorite historical romance genre. For any of you who are LLM fans, I think you'll like this one. It's a pretty typical LLM story.
Series Note:
This book is connected to LLM's Montana Creeds series. The first three books are contemporaries, but this one jumps back in time and tells the story of one of the Creed forefathers. It's not necessary to have read the first three books to read this one, and if you've read the first three, you don't have to read this one (though it was good).
Summary:
Juliana Mitchell is totally out of options. After being virtually disowned by her brother because she wouldn't marry the man he wanted and because she wanted to teach, Juliana takes a job with the Indian school. Then the school is shut down and Juliana is left with 4 charges who have no where else to go. She knows if she turns them back over to the Bureau for Indian affairs, the will just be shipped to another "school"...which is more like an institution in many cases. So she takes the four children and sets out on her own. But her request for funds to her brother is denied and now she and the children have no where left to go.
Until she meets Lincoln Creed and he offers them a place to stay until she figures out what to do. But Lincoln soon realizes that Juliana may just solve a big problem he is having...finding a cook/governess/housekeeper to help him and his young, motherless daughter. There's also the option of marrying her. But both are determined to protect their hearts. Love has a way of prevailing, though, and both have to decide if they want to grab happiness by the horns or let it slip away.
Review:
I can't say there was anything really spectacular about this book. I've read some others of hers that had more zing and drew me in more, but this was still a sweet, romantic read. I liked it a lot.
I liked that the story was set in 1910...often these historical westerns are set in the 1800's, so it was nice to get a little change of pace. I also liked that Miller gave some insight into the plight of Native American children during that period (even if it was only a small look).
I also enjoyed the fact that both the main characters were kind, good-hearted people. Often, one will be jaded, gruff and broody. But both Lincoln and Juliana were upbeat characters who were just a little wary of love. They had a sweet relationship and gave some fluffy bunny feelings when everything worked out.
I suspect this book could have easily been published as a paperback for the Harlequin Historical line, but HQN decided to make a few extra bucks by packaging it nice as a gift-sized hardcover (for the full price of $16.95...which for a 250 page book is a bit too much...so I recommend looking for it somewhere that has book discounts).
Anyway, this was a nice, enjoyable historical western - which is my favorite historical romance genre. For any of you who are LLM fans, I think you'll like this one. It's a pretty typical LLM story.
November 15, 2009
I loved it - this was such a smooth read. I was hooked just after reading two pages. The story takes place in Montana in 1910 a couple of weeks before christmas. A 35 year old widow rancher named Lincoln who lost his wife 2 years prior crosses paths with a young 28 year old teacher (Juliana)of Indian orphans in a store one morning.
Lincoln ends up taking Juliana and her 4 orphans in to his ranch home and the story gets good. All I can say is that I loved it and recommend the book. Evidently this is a series but I haven't read the first three books (Logan, Dylan, Tyler).
Lincoln ends up taking Juliana and her 4 orphans in to his ranch home and the story gets good. All I can say is that I loved it and recommend the book. Evidently this is a series but I haven't read the first three books (Logan, Dylan, Tyler).
December 22, 2011
★★★★✩ I checked this out at the library the other day as I was in the mood for an old fashioned Christmas. As soon as I started reading it I realized I had read it before, so not too many surprises. Not as charming as the first time I read it, but still holds up. And it is a nice, quick read in a busy season.
December 14, 2020
Set in early 1900s, this is the story of a school teacher who is left with four students after her little school is shut down. Lincoln, whose wife has died,leaving him to raise a little girl on his own, takes them in when he finds them at the General Store with no place to go. A perfect book to read during the Christmas season; a romance, a feel good kind of book with many good messages!
January 28, 2022
Romantic & sweet. Easy read.
December 20, 2023
I very much enjoyed this feel-good , quick Christmas book!
November 8, 2025
Great Christmas story to revisit every year. Simple, but sweet. It makes one stop and think about how members of our families effect one another, or how is it that we define family. It also gives one the sense that second chances are possible and can lead to happiness.
The type of story to read on a snowy or rainy afternoon.
The type of story to read on a snowy or rainy afternoon.
January 3, 2015
Delicious! I loved to read more about Juliana and Lincoln and their wonderful family :)
Old western historicals are between my fav, this history is something very different from my idea of history because my coountry never had such a peculiar time! I'm looking between LLM's books searching for other stories like this one!
Old western historicals are between my fav, this history is something very different from my idea of history because my coountry never had such a peculiar time! I'm looking between LLM's books searching for other stories like this one!
January 2, 2011
This was a nice little historical Christmas story. The romance could have been more detailed but it was still a sweet holiday story.
December 15, 2016
3.5 stars
December 4, 2019
It's been a long time since I've read one of Linda Lael Miller's books, and it's clear here why she's had such a long career. This is a sweet historical, set in 1910 though it could as easily be earlier. It reminded me of Christian historical romances, many of which are set in the late 19th century frontier while that setting largely fell out of vogue in mainstream romance back in the late 1990s. Though, of course, this being mainstream, it has no faith content and there are the obligatory explicit love scenes.
I quote enjoyed this for the first few chapters, Miller is a gifted author. But as the story progressed, the short format started to make the plot feel to rushed. We meet our heroine when she's in dire circumstances, having lost her position as teacher when the Indian school shut down, she has just learned her brother won't send her any money. Now she is stranded with nowhere to live, no friends to help her, no money, and four students in her care. As luck would have it, she meets our hero, a hardworking and successful rancher.
I think if the timeline was less compressed, the rest of the plot would have been more believable. But as it is, they marry, have sex, and fall in love in less than a week. (Sorry, is that a spoiler? It is a romance novel.) I think the issue is more that there was enough material here for a full-length book, but I think the publisher, Harlequin, has pretty strict word counts. So the subplots and backstories are never fully fleshed out, and the circumstances that force the heroine to marry quickly feel a bit too contrived, and it's hard to buy into them falling in love as quickly as they do.
Still, it was an enjoyable read. It's part of a series, and I've not read the other book, though I understand this is a prequel (and I suspect Gracie, the hero's young daughter, must be a major character in the other books, as she's one of the strongest characters in this book.) I wonder if some of the references to backstory that I found hard to follow are covered in the other books. But apart from that, this book stood well on it's own.
I quote enjoyed this for the first few chapters, Miller is a gifted author. But as the story progressed, the short format started to make the plot feel to rushed. We meet our heroine when she's in dire circumstances, having lost her position as teacher when the Indian school shut down, she has just learned her brother won't send her any money. Now she is stranded with nowhere to live, no friends to help her, no money, and four students in her care. As luck would have it, she meets our hero, a hardworking and successful rancher.
I think if the timeline was less compressed, the rest of the plot would have been more believable. But as it is, they marry, have sex, and fall in love in less than a week. (Sorry, is that a spoiler? It is a romance novel.) I think the issue is more that there was enough material here for a full-length book, but I think the publisher, Harlequin, has pretty strict word counts. So the subplots and backstories are never fully fleshed out, and the circumstances that force the heroine to marry quickly feel a bit too contrived, and it's hard to buy into them falling in love as quickly as they do.
Still, it was an enjoyable read. It's part of a series, and I've not read the other book, though I understand this is a prequel (and I suspect Gracie, the hero's young daughter, must be a major character in the other books, as she's one of the strongest characters in this book.) I wonder if some of the references to backstory that I found hard to follow are covered in the other books. But apart from that, this book stood well on it's own.
June 26, 2018
Read in the 2-in-one anthology that had this book as it's second offering.
This one follows Lincoln Creed and Juliana Mitchell. Two strangers thrown together by chance whose lives twine together for several reasons not least of which is a strong yearning from both for a warm hearth and a real home. One that is filled with the sound of childish laughter and where love has a chance to flourish as well.
Having his first wife pass away Lincoln has done the best job he can raising his 7-year-old daughter Grace, with help from his Mother Cora and best friend/ranch employee Tom.
The one thing this bereaved widower never planned on was finding another woman who made his heart swell and his body ache.
That is of course until Juliana Mitchell entered the picture. Lincoln had no defense when it came to the lovely redhead, or her Indian charges either.
The now closed Indian school, where Juliana was the sole teacher, left she and 4 of the students bereft of both a place to stay or any kind of income for Juliana to pave their way.
Finding herself at the train station with her purse empty Juliana is forced to rely on Lincoln's kind offer to allow she and the children to stay at his ranch until something could be worked out.
What started out as a chance meeting for these two lonely people soon turns into a Christmas miracle for all concerned.
The tale is engaging and a fine example of the author's works.
This one follows Lincoln Creed and Juliana Mitchell. Two strangers thrown together by chance whose lives twine together for several reasons not least of which is a strong yearning from both for a warm hearth and a real home. One that is filled with the sound of childish laughter and where love has a chance to flourish as well.
Having his first wife pass away Lincoln has done the best job he can raising his 7-year-old daughter Grace, with help from his Mother Cora and best friend/ranch employee Tom.
The one thing this bereaved widower never planned on was finding another woman who made his heart swell and his body ache.
That is of course until Juliana Mitchell entered the picture. Lincoln had no defense when it came to the lovely redhead, or her Indian charges either.
The now closed Indian school, where Juliana was the sole teacher, left she and 4 of the students bereft of both a place to stay or any kind of income for Juliana to pave their way.
Finding herself at the train station with her purse empty Juliana is forced to rely on Lincoln's kind offer to allow she and the children to stay at his ranch until something could be worked out.
What started out as a chance meeting for these two lonely people soon turns into a Christmas miracle for all concerned.
The tale is engaging and a fine example of the author's works.
August 5, 2019
I did enjoy this short book, characters and storylines. I’m glad the hatred at the end with her brother and the ranch hand, Benjamin‘s wife, work out at the end. When I started this book we had one of the most horrible days here in America, the shooting at Walmart in El Paso Texas and then under 14 hours later the shooting in Dayton Ohio, all these following the previous week with the shooting in Gilroy. When he read books like these they remind you how much racism/hatred there has been throughout the building of this country. I never can understand who made one class of citizens feel entitled over others. I pray and hope as we MoveOn we can learn to live better together, that’s what makes America. Again, I did like the characters and the storyline in the book. Of course the author did have to put her mark with the sex scenes. We all now know that all Creep men no the woman’s anatomy better than the woman themselves. It’s nice being back in 1910 the men can let the woman know how it’s going to hurt and possibly feel the first time for the woman. I did miss not having a stray dog in this book. We usually know there’s going to be a stray dog, adoptive or step child, and major sex in this series. As I noted on the previous books for me, they started going in to many different places and dragging on, I feel the length of this book would’ve done this Siri‘s a little more justice.
April 11, 2020
A Creed Country Christmas (Montana Creeds, #4)
by
Linda Lael Miller (
If you are looking for a soft-easy-to-read romantic novel -you have found it! A young teacher has lost her job at an Indian School in the 1800’s in Montana and ended up by weather circumstance at a ranch. The ranch is owned by a recent widower and due to his kindness in taking in the teacher and the four students she also brought with her, it makes for an engaging story.
All is going great and the story flows along but, my hesitation is in the ending scene, which makes this X rated for young readers. I have read several of Miller's previous books and they were never this explicit-she must have a new editor and less discretion.
by
Linda Lael Miller (
If you are looking for a soft-easy-to-read romantic novel -you have found it! A young teacher has lost her job at an Indian School in the 1800’s in Montana and ended up by weather circumstance at a ranch. The ranch is owned by a recent widower and due to his kindness in taking in the teacher and the four students she also brought with her, it makes for an engaging story.
All is going great and the story flows along but, my hesitation is in the ending scene, which makes this X rated for young readers. I have read several of Miller's previous books and they were never this explicit-she must have a new editor and less discretion.
January 23, 2021
I’m in love! First of all what’s not to love about Juliana, her name is beautiful, everything about her is beautiful! She’s an independent woman by all means and always stands up for what she believes in no matter the price. Lincoln Creed, is also beautiful in his own way. He’s endured so much tragedy, he finds it difficult to open his heart again. A Woman just like Juliana is what Lincoln needs to open himself up and be alive again! Their story is truly unique and I can’t get over how beautiful and emotional it was. All I know is things happen for a reason, and in Juliana and Lincoln’s lives they make the most out of the cards they are dealt and cherish every bitter sweet moment!
December 12, 2024
Question: Is it possible to meet someone and fall in love immediately? Perhaps the rules of courtship were different in 1911, or perhaps I’m too cautious and cynical. Either way, the book is enjoyable if you can accept the idea of love at first sight. And it doesn’t hurt if you’re a ravishing redheaded schoolmarm with four students in tow and in need of place to stay.
The story about the children and their plight moved me and made me want to learn more about the Indian schools during that time period.
Although I don’t normally read historical romance novels, I decided to give this one a try since it dealt with Christmas. Happy reading!
The story about the children and their plight moved me and made me want to learn more about the Indian schools during that time period.
Although I don’t normally read historical romance novels, I decided to give this one a try since it dealt with Christmas. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2023
A Creed Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller is book #4 of the Montana Creeds. It is 1910 Christmas time in Montana. Lincoln Creed is a widower with a young daughter looking for a teacher, or a wife but no one answers his ads as he lives so far from everywhere. Juliana Mitchell is a teacher at an now closed Indian school taking care of some orphaned Indian children. Their paths cross when they are in the store and the store keeper wants her gone with those awful Indian children. Lincoln steps in to help.
Heartwarming story of miracles.
Heartwarming story of miracles.
January 1, 2023
While this story was not one I’d usually choose to read, with its very depressing, drama-like feel, it was surprisingly enjoyable and easy to read. Reminded me of a holiday lifetime movie. It has several sweet messages throughout the book and so much is told in so few pages. I really enjoyed the writing, despite the sentences within sentences happening way too often. I’m curious about this author’s other works and might look them up when I return this to the library.
December 6, 2017
If you've read many of this type of book you know exactly what to expect, and this book fulfilled those expectations without any surprises. I think it's strength lay in the heroine's unusual situation - she's the former teacher of a recently closed government school for Indian children and has four of the children still in her care. The rest of the book was just OK. 2.5 stars
January 13, 2018
This was one of a stack of books my mom gave me to read. It was a good novel to read in between longer, more complex books but I have no interest in pursuing more in the series. I liked the "historical" part but not particularly the "romance" part.
May 28, 2018
Lincoln is a widower who takes in Juliana and her charges when they are stranded with no place to go. Lincoln had been looking for a housekeeper or governess or last resort a wife. Jjuliana is perfect for him and his daughter. Simple, sweet love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2019
A little history
This story gave an interesting perspective into the Creed history and a time when things were simpler and still tough. I wonder how Gracie, Billy, Daisy, and Micheal ended up in the lives that are now the newest generation of Creeds.
This story gave an interesting perspective into the Creed history and a time when things were simpler and still tough. I wonder how Gracie, Billy, Daisy, and Micheal ended up in the lives that are now the newest generation of Creeds.
December 12, 2021
A Creed Country Christmas (The Montana Creeds Book 4)
Wonderful story. I enjoyed the way you included, not only the story of Juliana plight, but the children's plight also. Lincoln was a wonderful person. His needs were great, but finding love was remarkable.
Wonderful story. I enjoyed the way you included, not only the story of Juliana plight, but the children's plight also. Lincoln was a wonderful person. His needs were great, but finding love was remarkable.
November 16, 2024
School closed-4 Indian orphans-no money-what to do?
What a story! From two very stubborn and prideful people to a happy and loving family. Living in 1911 Montana was not easy. But electricity was coming soon.
What a story! From two very stubborn and prideful people to a happy and loving family. Living in 1911 Montana was not easy. But electricity was coming soon.
Read
December 27, 2025A little too explicit, Juliana and Lincoln fall in love in 3 days and get married. Backstory of the Creed's isn't needed, but a lot is retold. The Indian school atrocities are touched on. They live happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2017
wow I haven't read a novel from another time era and I gotta say it was a little weird. it was a cute story, but no my kind of story
December 27, 2017
I grabbed this book from a Christmas display at the library without knowing it was part of a series. It was like a Lifetime movie, but the acting bug was better. Not sure I’ll look for any others.
October 22, 2018
Very good story
November 7, 2018
Loved Lincoln and Juliana's story! Puts the meaning in Christmas!
December 14, 2018
This was a quick read with lots of humorous situations in it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews