A Daughter for Christmas

DALEY, MARGARET
A DAUGHTER FOR CHRISTMAS

Dr. Max Connors had no idea he'd fathered a child thirteen years ago. Or that his baby girl had been given up for adoption. He locates his daughter in a small Oklahoma town and moves there, hoping to become a part of her life. But when he meets her widowed mother, Max is unsure how to reveal his identity. As he helps Rachel Howard with her plans to homeschool the girl, he's welcomed into the family. But with the holidays approaching, Max must tell Rachel who he really is. Can he make his dreams of family come true by Christmas?

MARGARET DALEY HAS DONE IT AGAIN -- PICKED THE MOST EMOTIONALLY COMPLICATED SITUATION SHE COULD THINK OF AND THEN PLUNKED HER CHARACTERS INTO THE MIDDLE OF IT! EMOTIONS RIDE HIGH WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK BUT DALEY DOES A GREAT JOB OF BALANCING THE ANGST WITH HEARTWARMING MOMENTS. I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED MAX BEING INITIATED INTO THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS BY RACHEL AND HER LITTLE FAMILY.THIS IS A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY READ.

The Unfinished Gift

WALSH, DAN

THE UNFINISHED GIFT

Set at Christmastime in 1943, The Unfinished Gifts in the engaging story of a family in need of forgiveness. With simple grace, it reminds us of the small things that affect powerful change in our hearts -- a young boy's prayers, a shoe box of love letters, and even a half-carved solider, long forgotten. This nostalgic story of reconciliation will touch your heart.

A DEFINITE KLEENEX ALERT NEEDED BEFORE YOU OPEN THIS BOOK AND DELVE INTO AN EMOTIONAL READ THAT EMBRACES THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS. WALSH TELLS HIS STORY FROM MULTIPLE POINTS OF VIEW BUT THE CONTINUITY IS INCREDIBLE. AND HE'S A MASTER AT CREATING AUTHENTIC VOICES WHETHER THEY BE A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY, A DOUR GRANDFATHER, AN ELDERLY ITALIAN NEIGHBOUR, A FIGHTER PILOT, AN EMOTIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER OR EVEN A DOWN AND OUT AFRICAN AMERICAN. WALSH CAPTURES THEM ALL TO PERFECTION AND THE UNFINISHED GIFT IS DESTINED TO BE A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ANY TIME OF THE YEAR!

Rocky Mountain Hero

X

HARDERS, AUDRA

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HERO

With a broken-down truck, miles to go and little money, single mother Melanie Hunter needs help. It comes in the handsome form of rancher Gabe Davidson. He'll pay for the three-week repair job and provide lodging for her and her boy -- if she'll take coordinating the town barbecue off his busy hands. Melanie accepts, figuring she'll soon be on her way to her new life. But as she gets to know the kinds townspeople -- and the hardworking cowboy her son adores -- she realizes she's found her home. Now if only her Rocky Mountain hero will ask her to stay.

THIS AMAZING DEBUT NOVEL IS PACKED WITH SIZZLING ROMANCE! IT'S IN THE GESTURES, THE COVERT LOOKS, THE FLASHES OF INSIGHT, THE GROWING AWARENESS....SIGH...AND THE ALPHA-MALE HERO DOESN'T HURT EITHER! LOL.

LOVED THE FLOW OF THE STORY. HARDERS PACKED A LOT INTO THE PLOT BUT I DIDN'T FEEL HURRIED. HER PACING IS DEAD ON AND SHE TAKES THE TIME TO DEVELOP HER CHARACTERS -- INCLUDING SECONDARY ONES -- SO THAT THEY ARE MEMORABLE. IN FACT, I THINK SHE HAS SET US UP FOR THE SEQUEL...AT LEAST I HOPE SO.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK:

LOVED THE CIRCLE D RANCH: HARDERS HAS A MAGIC WAY WITH DESCRIPTION. IT DOESN'T BURDEN THE STORY, BUT RATHER ENHANCES IT. I'VE NEVER BEEN WEST OF TORONTO BUT I'D SWEAR I'VE WALKED THE ENTIRE ACREAGE OF THE CIRCLE D.

LOVED THE TOWN COMMUNITY HARDERS CREATED. WE'RE ACTUALLY INTRODUCED TO A NUMBER OF TOWNSFOLK AND YET IT DIDN'T FEEL CONFUSING OR TAKE AWAY FROM THE MAIN CHARACTERS STORIES AT ALL. I GUESS THE KEY IS THAT THESE SECONDARY CHARACTERS WERE IN PLACE TO HELP DEFINE THE HERO AND HEROINE.

LOVED GABE'S GENTLEMANLY MANNERS. SIGH. IT'S A DYING ART THAT REALLY SHOULD BE RESURRECTED. HERE'S A GLIMPSE FROM PAGE 39:

GABE PULLED INTO A SPACE DOWN A SIDE ROAD. HE SLIPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK, CIRCLED AROUND TO HER SIDE AND OPENED THE DOOR BEFORE SHE HAD HER SEATBELT OFF. UNACCUSTOMED TO THE COURTESY, MELANIE STARED AT HIM.

"WHY'D YOU OPEN THE DOOR?" JASON PUSHED AGAINST THE BACK DOOR AND HOPPED OUT. "WAS THE LOCK STUCK?"

GABE HELD THE DOOR. "A LADY NEVER OPENS HER OWN DOOR."

"MOM ALWAYS OPENS HER OWN DOOR. EVEN WHEN SHE'S SICK."

UNCOMFORTABLE BEING THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION. MELANIE GRABBED HER PURSE AND ANGLED OUT OF THE CAB. "I'M MADE OF STURDY STUFF."

GABE CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HER AND INDICATED THE SIDEWALK. "BUD, A MAN'S GOT CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS, AND SHOWING RESPECT TO A LADY IS THE BIGGEST ONE."

LOVED HOW FIERCELY PROTECTIVE MELANIE IS OF HER SON, JASON, AND HOW VULNERABLE THAT MAKES HER.

LOVED WATCHING THE GENTLE FAITH-THREAD GROW STRONGER THROUGHOUT THE STORY. ADORED GABE AS A SPIRITUAL LEADER.

LOVED THE FACT THAT I COULD SEE EVERYTHING SO CLEARLY. IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A MOVIE. I COULD FEEL THE SULTRY HEAT OF SUMMER, SMELL THE BARBECUE COOKING, HEAR THE RANCH SOUNDS, SMELL THE BARN...DEFINITELY A MULTI-SENSORY READ.

AS YOU CAN SEE THERE'S LOTS TO LOVE ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN HERO. IT'S A DEFINITE MUST READ.

The Rancher's Reunion

RADCLIFFE, TINA

THE RANCHER'S REUNION

Will Sullivan's reason for refusing marriage is his biggest secret. To Will, it's part of his legacy, like the family's ranch. But then the woman he has secretly loved since childhood returns home after two years. Abandoned as a child the way he was, Annie Harris understands him. But she doesn't know the real reason keeping him a bachelor. A missionary nurse, Annie is planning to leave soon. Especially when a senseless scandal involving her threatens the ranch—and Will's future. But can he trust in rekindled love to see that Annie just might be his future?

THIS STUNNING DEBUT NOVEL HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A BEST SELLER -- ROMANCE, CONFLICT, HUMOUR AND A PLOT THAT KEEPS A READER ON HER TOES. RADCLIFFE'S DISTINCTIVE VOICE IS LACED WITH HUMOUR WHICH MAKES READING A PLEASURE. IN PARTICULAR, I LOVED THE SNAPPY DIALOGUE BETWEEN WILL AND ANNIE RIGHT FROM WILL'S INSPIRING WORDS IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE BOOK. "YOU LOOK AWFUL."

I AM AMAZED AT THE EMOTIONAL DEPTH , THE ISSUES DEALT WITH AND THE IMMENSE FEELING OF SATISFACTION I GOT AT THE CONCLUSION. THE WRITING WAS TIGHT BUT VIVID ENOUGH TO TRANSPORT ME INTO ANNIE AND WILL'S WORLD AND ONCE I WAS THERE, I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE. RADCLIFFE HANDLED THEIR INDIVIDUAL ANGST WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING AND THE GOSPEL MESSAGE REALLY SPOKE (NOT PREACHED) TO ME.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK:

LOVED TO HATE MARGARET

LOVED THE INTIMATE CONNECTIONS RADCLIFFE BUILT BETWEEN WILL AND ANNIE -- LIKE THIS ONE:

"ANNIE?"

WHEN SHE TURNED HER HEAD THEIR EYES MET IN THE MOONLIT TRUCK.

"I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M PROUD OF YOU."

SHE BOWED HER HEAD, LOCKING THE WORDS AWAY TO BE SAVORED LATER.

(P.14)

LOVED THE YEARNING - ACHINGLY EVIDENT IN BOTH OF THEM AND YET DETERMINEDLY PUSHED ASIDE THROUGH MOST OF THE BOOK.

LOVED ROSE!!!!!! A PERFECT SECONDARY CHARACTER WHO KNOWS ALL AND IMPATIENTLY BIDES HER TIME AS SHE WATCHES WILL AND ANNIE DANCE AROUND ONE ANOTHER.

LOVED THAT WILL AND ANNIE WERE CONNECTED FROM THEIR PAST. GROWING UP TOGETHER PROVIDED A CLOSENESS THAT HELPED PROPEL THE ROMANCE REALISTICALLY

LOVED WHAT I THINK IS A HINT ABOUT THE NEXT IN THE SERIES WHICH WILL BE OUT LATE 2011.

Yuletide Cowboy

CLOPTON, DEBRA

YULETIDE COWBOY

After three years in Mule Hollow's women's shelter, single mother Lynn Perry is finally spending the holidays in her own house. And then the town's matchmakers send over a hunky cowboy to hang Christmas lights…Lynn hopes there's no mistletoe around. With her painful past, how can she trust another man? Especially former bull rider and current pastor Chance Turner, who isn't planning on sticking around—or ever preaching again. Unless Lynn, twin boys and the matchmakers help her yuletide cowboy see he's the answer to a family's—and a town's—Christmas prayers.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CLOPTON'S 'VOICE'. HER DESCRIPTIONS AND DIALOGUE ARE RICH WITH LOCAL DIALECT AND TRANSPORTED ME INTO THE STATE OF TEXAS -- AND COWBOY COUNTRY. AND SHE INTRODUCED ME TO THE WONDERS OF SMALL TOWN LIVING AND THE CRAZY MIX OF MULE HOLLOW RESIDENTS. ALL OF THIS ADDED DIMENSION TO THE STORY AND ENHANCED THE ROMANCE.

CHANCE TURNER IS A HERO DESTINED TO SEND SHIVERS UP YOUR SPINE. HIS EASY GOING DRAWL, THE WAY HE CARES ABOUT PEOPLE -- LYNN AND HER TWINS ESPECIALLY -- THE OLD-WORLD CHARM THAT IS FAST FADING IN TODAY'S MODERN SOCIETY -- HIS DELIBERATE DETERMINATION TO WIN LYNN'S TRUST -- ALL CONTRIBUTE TO SUPER HERO STATUS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

LYNN'S SITUATION AND SUBSEQUENT STRUGGLES ARE REALISTICALLY AND COMPASSIONATELY PORTRAYED. HER STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION COMBINED WITH HER STUBBORNNESS MAKE HER EASY TO CARE ABOUT -- BOTH FOR THE READER AND CHANCE!

THIS IS THE THIRD IN THE MEN OF MULE HOLLOW TRILOGY. I HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST TWO, BUT WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN MARCH WHEN HARLEQUIN RELEASES TWO BOOKS IN ONE. I'LL DEFINITELY BE ORDERING THAT CLASSIC!

Hidden in the Shadows

WHITE, HOPE

HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS

An intruder in her house? But why? Tea shop owner Krista Yates has nothing worth stealing, and Wentworth, Michigan, is hardly a danger zone…or is it? DEA agent Luke McIntyre warns Krista that the prowler has some dangerous connections, and that she needs around-the-clock protection. Luke's presence in her life is a bit too easy to get used to—and his growing presence in her heart makes her dread saying goodbye. But her nonstop defender can't hide Krista away forever. And there's more than her safety—or her love—at risk when the threat steps out of the shadows again.

WHAT A GREAT FRESH SPIN ON A BOOK IN THE LOVE INSPIRED SUSPENSE LINE! IT HAS A TWISTY MYSTERY THAT NEARLY SPINS OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL ALL THE PIECES ARE PUT TOGETHER -- AND THIS READER FIGURED IT OUT JUST BEFORE THE HERO. TALK ABOUT ANGST!

KRISTA AND LUKE ARE SUCH POLAR OPPOSITES THAT IT MAKES THE ROMANCE REALLY INTERESTING. BUT THEY ALSO EACH HAVE CHARACTERISTICS THAT THE OTHER NEEDS IN ORDER TO BE COMPLETE. WATCHING THEM DANCE AROUND THEIR ATTRACTION AND EVENTUALLY SUCCUMB TO IT MADE FOR VERY SATISFYING READ.

Christmas Bodyguard

DALEY, MARGARET

CHRISTMAS BODYGUARD

Someone's after wealthy Texan Slade Caulder's daughter. Desperate to keep her safe while he determines the motive, the widowed father hires a bodyguard for Abbey. A female bodyguard, with the training to protect the girl—and an understanding of a willful teenager who keeps trying to outsmart her. Elizabeth Walker is the perfect combination of caring and toughness for her job. But as the holidays approach, the stalker's threats escalate. And Slade finds himself willing to risk everything to keep his Christmas bodyguard by his side…forever.

THIS IS A PERFECT BLEND OF SUSPENSE AND ROMANCE -- AND THAT'S A HARD BALANCE TO ACHIEVE IN A SHORT NOVEL. DALEY MADE EVERY WORD COUNT AND EXPERTLY FED SUBTLE CLUES AND MULTIPLE RED HERRINGS THAT KEPT ME GUESSING RIGHT TO THE VERY END. I LOVE HOW SHE WOVE THE ROMANCE INTO EVERY SCENE, SLOWLY BUILDING THE ATTRACTION WHILE REVEALING PIECES OF BOTH THE HERO AND HEROINE'S PAST. OF COURSE THAT PAST LEADS TO OBSTACLES BUT THEY ARE REALISTICALLY DEALT WITH BY THE END OF THE BOOK. I ALSO LOVE DALEY'S WRITING STYLE -- SHE MEASURES HER WORDS AND EVERY ONE OF THEM COUNTS IN A SHORT BOOK LIKE THIS BUT I NEVER FELT RUSHED OR THAT ANYTHING IN THE PLOT WAS LACKING. THIS IS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS READ.