From the Back Cover:The sudden death of the town marshal leaves Blue River, Texas, without a lawman…and twenty-five-year-old Dara Rose Nolan without a husband. As winter approaches and her meager seamstress income dwindles, she has three options. Yet she won't give up her two young daughters, refuses to join the fallen women of the Bitter Gulch Saloon and can't fathom condemning herself to another loveless marriage. Unfortunately she must decide—soon—because there's a new marshal in town, and she's living under his roof.
With the heart of a cowboy, Clay McKettrick plans to start a ranch and finally settle down. He isn't interested in uprooting Dara Rose and her children, but he is interested in giving her protection, friendship—and passion. And when they say "I do" to a marriage of convenience, the temporary lawman's Christmas wish is to make Dara Rose his permanent wife…
My Thoughts:
I confess that I have had a hard time getting into Miller's works in the past, but I am glad I gave her another shot with A Lawman's Christmas, because I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a sweet and heartwarming historical romance, and it's a gorgeous little hardcover holiday keepsake.
December, 1914. When Clay McKettrick steps off the train in Blue Ridge, Texas, and finds a sparky little girl commandeering his horse, he never imagined she'd lead him to his future wife. He took on the marshal's job for the room and board while he builds a home on his new ranch outside of town, and while he knew he'd need a wife at some point, he didn't expect her to be the first woman he laid eyes on in town, nor for her to be a standoffish widow with two young children. Smitten with Dara Rose Nolan and her sweet and sassy daughters, Clay has to figure out how to break through Dara Rose's walls of wariness and distrust.
He's got his job cut out for him, because Dara Rose has learned the hard way that the only person she can depend on is herself. The country's on the brink of war and hard times have fallen on Blue Ridge. It's all she can do to put food on the table and try to figure out how to give her girls a Christmas. She can't allow herself the luxury of dwelling on Clay McKettrick's pretty blue eyes or the promises behind them. Or how they would look at her if he knew the secrets she kept hidden. But when circumstances conspire to put Dara Rose at her lowest point, Clay seems like the answer to her prayers. Can she trust him with her children and her future, and her heart?
I've not read many holiday romances, but of the few I have read, this is the best. It really hit the spot. It's touching and satisfying, perfectly blending humor and hardship with romance and the Christmas spirit. The writing is flawless, the characterization is rich, and the historical detail is excellent. Miller really brings the little town of Blue Ridge to life effortlessly and memorably. I thought it was great and I'm recommending A Lawman's Christmas to all historical romance lovers this holiday season!
My Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
Tune in tomorrow for
A Lawman's Teaser Tuesday and a Cookie Contest!
I really like Linda Lael Miller! My mother does, too. I don't normally read Christmas-themed books, but my mom would probably like this one.
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