Carol Finch

I'm having the worst luck with books this week. 3 in a row I didn't enjoy.

First, this cover is adorable, but...

Major glaring issue is painfully incorrect shifting of point of view. Within the same paragraph, the same page, without warning, without pause, we keep hopping into either Amanda or Luke's head. It's jarring, annoying, and makes the writing detach from the story. Second, the first quarter is back and forth banter and romance is a little rushed and overshadows the story, which is show more quite frankly slightly boring. For a cozy the storyline isn't too bad and some of the town is amusing, but the writing and it mainly being a love interest head-hopping between two characters squashes it and makes it feel more like a chore than anything else. show less

Annoying book. Too bad I have two more in this series, which I will probably ditch without reading them. The storyline was totally unbelievable--seriously, a citizen snooping around in someone's house? The police allow this? Too many improbable happenings and coincidences in this tangled plot. I got sick of Amanda "lumbering" or "lurching" around in here advanced state of pregnancy. Really? A woman this pregnant going off to chase criminals? And to let the hairdresser mess up her hair yet show more again, since this is not apparently the first time she got her hair dyed some goofy color. I also got sick and tired of the profanity. Some quirky, fun characters, but not enough for any redeeming qualities in this book. I ended up skimming it just to get done. show less

"Snowflakes and Stetsons" is a perfect example of why I have come to really enjoy anthologies: A trio of terrific tales written by three talented authors of the historical western romance genre. Each story is quite different, yet each tale offers poignant romance, and touch of humor, and a satisfying serving of seasonal spirit. I read this book all in one sitting--it was very enjoyable and made me smile while it put me in a much-needed happy holiday mood. The characters are well-defined and show more the story lines are involving and atmospheric. Hunky western heroes and lovely and spirited heroines offer the perfect romantic pairings, and adorable children and Christmas magic add the extra special touches that romance readers adore!

In "The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle", by Jillian Hart, Caleb McGraw finds freedom from a wrongful imprisonment and then discovers that he had fathered a son by his sweetheart. When the boy's mother died shortly before Caleb was released from prison, she gave the care of her son to her best friend. Determined to see his son just once, Caleb finds himself attracted to the boy's caregiver, the lovely Caroline Dreyer. A young widow grieving the loss of her husband and young son, Caroline is trying her best to make a new life for herself and the young boy, Thomas. Will the three of them find healing and a true Christmas miracle?

"Christmas at Cahill Crossing", by Carol Finch, is a passionate tale of two independent souls, each lonely in their own way, who are brought together by a fateful snow storm. Former Texas Ranger Lucas Burnett is a tough as they come, living a solitary life with only his wolf dog for companionship. When he rescues the beautiful and beguiling Rosalie Greer from snow-bound buggy wreck, his life is forever changed. Rosalie, an Eastern-born daughter of society, had fled to the West to escape troubling family circumstances. While keeping her many suitors at a distance, she runs a successful boutique and also does charity work as the town's "Secret Santa". Will Rosa and Lucas find the gift of true love beneath their Christmas tree?

Cheryl St.John's "A Magical Gift at Christmas" is not just a lovely and touching romance, it is also a rousing Western adventure! US Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh expects trouble when he is guarding a train carrying a payroll load of gold. He is not prepared to meet a beautiful and courageous heiress and two orphaned children who will steal his heart. Meredith Abbott is the privileged daughter of a railroad tycoon, traveling in her father's luxurious custom-built rail car on her way to a society ball and a possible marriage proposal from a suitable gentleman. She never dreams that she will spend Christmas trapped with a handsome lawman and two appealing children, all of them in danger from advancing train robbers. Jonah is impressed with Meredith's calm and fortitude, and also her shooting skill! Meredith is equally smitten with Jonah's underlying sensitivity and true respectfulness. Can four holiday hearts in need of some seasonal magic come together and form a loving family? Be sure to visit Cheryl St.John's blog spot to view her Annual Great Christmas Tree Tour! show less

Three Holiday stories set around the turn of the 20th century in WY, OK, & OR. Stormwalker's Woman brings together a half-breed horse trainer and a scarred widow over the care of an abandoned broods of puppies; Home for Christmas has a matchmaking father send his neighbor to bring home his estranged daughter by claiming he is dying; and Hark the Harried Angels has 3 French sisters bring together a homesick Russian emigre boarding house owner and her exonerated convict neighbor who is having show more trouble adjusting to non-prison life. The first 2 were pretty standard romance stories but the last was very different and more intriguing. show less