A Texas Christmas with Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace
Historical Western Romance
October 1, 2011

Reviewed by May

It is December 1887 in the Texas Panhandle, and love seems to be in the air around the town of Kasota Springs. Four stories about four different couples finding a chance at love during a Christmas where the snow storm hitting the town is just getting started. While the book jacket promises hot cowboy lovin’ and a steamy holiday, that’s not at all what you’re going to find inside. Definitely no open denim shirts or black leather vests either – it is much to cold for that, and our heroes are much too busy helping the ladies survive the holidays – quite literally in some cases!

One Wish: A Christmas Story by Jodi Thomas

They were each other’s only friends at age six – now nearly 20 years later Sam and Maggie meet again when he steps in and saves her life. The outlaw trying to rob, rape, and kill her escaped however, and now she must go hide out at his hidden home in the nearby canyon. Maggie inherited the mercantile from her parents, while Sam raises livestock and is both reclusive and self-sufficient. He has secrets, and he doesn’t let people in. Not that they want to know him – the town folk keep their distance. While she is in the middle of town, Maggie a very educated woman also is very much alone. In fact, despite the scare of the attempted robbery she’s grateful to spend Christmas with anyone but just alone…

This story had some descent suspense, and I could believe the couple was meant to be, but I found the game that these two decide to play of “let’s pretend we’re married” was both weird and didn’t add to the tale. They decide to act like they’re married while she lives with him. They go so far as to have his young son call her mama, and if this was indeed supposed to be temporary wouldn’t that upset the boy? Why would they do that to a child who never knew his mother?

Other than the fact that this took place over Christmas and into January therefore it was cold and snowy outside, there was no sense of season or holiday spirit. In fact the actual holidays were spent apart thanks to the villain.

Grade: C+

Naughty or Nice by DeWanna Pace

Anna uncovers a man and his horse laying in a snow drift as she tries to beat a horrible winter storm back to her home town and  they make it to the home of one of her friends outside of town. There is a party happening – and the approximately 40 guests end up getting stuck for days. The man she rescued, James is from back east and is looking around for some rare plant. The tender-foot geek quickly works his way into the bar owner’s heart.

Despite the house party setting, I felt that this story had no Christmas spirit. While I liked the reversal of roles with the much more aggressive and forward heroine to the shy, glasses wearing hero the story was disappointing. I didn’t feel like there was any reason for these two characters to be so suddenly in love, and the twist with Anna and her reputation had me questioning why she was so boldly propositioning the man in the beginning. I also didn’t understand why people would have traveled to a holiday party outside town with a huge storm coming.

Grade: C

The Christmas Bell Linda Broday

Tess is a banker’s daughter, but her wealth isn’t what defines her. She works hard, and is currently on a mission to bring the Christmas Bell from Boston back to Kasota Springs. Unfortunately the train she is on has been stranded just a few miles outside town due to the awful storm. Luckily it was stranded near Sloan’s ranch and he happens to see it. He brings a sleigh full of supplies and firewood to the train, and winds up not just helping the lovely Tess, but seeing her for who she truly is and not just the spoiled rich girl he’s been telling himself she is.

Stranded on the train, Tess and Sloan have their hands full with a woman near delivering her baby, four orphans, strange men who wonder onto the train, an older man with Scarlet Fever, and more. I liked how they worked together and got to know one another over the course of a few days. The story moved right along and it felt sprinkled with enough Christmas cheer to be both realistic but also fitting for the title of this book. While the end is a bit over the top with holiday cheesiness, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.

Grade: B+

Away in the Manger  Phyliss Miranda

At 35, Rand hasn’t had it easy, and no longer expects much from life. He is the town blacksmith where despite his reclusive nature he can’t help but help out and make a difference when needed- though he does so with a scowl. A few days before Christmas he promises to deliver a woman’s niece and her children to her home when they come into town for the holidays. When the beautiful woman and her chilled young twins turn up on his doorstep instead he finds himself taking care of them, and wishing they’d never leave.

This story takes place over the few days before Christmas, and I really enjoyed spending time in Rand’s home/blacksmith shop. I loved that while he has lost at love before, he fully acknowledges that his heart is full of love to give – if only there was someone there to receive it. He is a big ‘ol beastly bear… of the cuddle variety.

There are a number of issues I could pick at with this story. But for what it is – a super sweet, warm and fuzzy, finding a second chance at love and family right before Christmas rated PG story tale – it was lovely. This author has an amazing voice and my biggest complaint was that her story ended. I continue to wish that she will branch out into full length novels in future.

Grade: B+

These stories are rated PG – you’ll get some kissing and some lusty thoughts from some of the men but no relationships are consummated nor virgin ladies ruined this Christmas. Some of the characters appear briefly in more than one story, but they aren’t tied together much beyond happening in the same place – I wish that they had in fact tied together more I think it could have added a nice sense of development to the overall reading experience. I also wish there had been some more Christmas (hello, that is the title!) festivities and detail given to some of these stories.

If you’re looking for a set of sweet winter stories set in 1887 Texas, this is the book for you.

Overall book grade: B

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