Well, after that rather dramatic magical book (The Magician of Hoad) it is time to return to a different sort of magic – the magic of love and faith. All wrapped up with a Christmas bow. The Cowboy’s Christmas Courtship by Brenda Minton (6th book in the Cooper Creek series) is a wonderful tale of redemption and release. The knowledge of when to let someone in and when to stand strong and independent is also examined.

Faith is a strong theme in this story. The faith of a woman tested time and time again with the death of her parents leaving her to raise her younger brother. The lost faith of a bull riding cowboy, sent home after a bad injury who has yet to forgive himself for past actions and accept that he can be more than his past. 

Layla Silver has been standing along for a long time. With time running out on bills and her brother what is she to do when ex flame, ex friend Gage returns post bull riding injury? I love that while their past was not pleasant the book really begins with Gage attempting to make reparations for using Layla to get to her best friend (in high school no less) that is not really where it ends. There is so much more going on. 

Again this is a book where faith in God is at the very core of it all. There are some discussions about abuse in the past and a teenager out of control, but in Christmas there are miracles. If you just have faith and are open to change and love. All in all a great seasonal read. 

Ok so this is a little out of my norm. The Artful Dodger by Nageeba Davis is a much more… real… and gritty murder mystery. I do have to warn you right now that there is a description of physical abuse that is current in the story and much more in detail recount of SEXUAL abuse of a minor in a character’s past. If these are triggers or turn offs for you please be aware of this content. 

The main character is an artist who specializes in sculpting – clay and bronze. She also is the unlucky recipient of a dead body in her septic tank. Enter detective yummy… Villari. An Italian who is as handsome as he is frustrated with the emotional and prickly Maggie Kean.

I love the series title – A Maggie Kean Misadventure. She really is amazing at not only setting the detective on edge but putting herself in potentially dangerous situations.

There is a solid romance in this story though they do not get far into it in this book. The friends and family that pop up of these two AND the deceased are entertaining and varied and the mystery itself unexpectedly difficult to jump to a solution. I do have to admit, the teaching occupation the main character holds DID feel like a bit of an afterthought and was something I pretty much forgot about for most of the story. 

I really enjoyed this story. Though more gritty than I am used to, I was not turned off by the abuse situations but interested in seeing how they played into the story and the mystery itself. Definitely a series I want to revisit later.

I tend to stay away from strongly Christian romances but for some reason at the library this one jumped off the shelf at me. I am so glad it is. Though I did not realize until I finished it that it was the SECOND one in a series (the first being Her Valentine Hero in the Sisters Series). This series is written by Gail Gaymer Martin. And if you are looking for a heartwarming light romance with lots of heart and faith The Firefighter’s New Family is it for you!

This second chance in love is a slow burn sort of romance where you are privy to the inner thoughts and lives of a widow (husband lost to war) and a divorcee (a firefighter). This story also deals with mental health and touches on abuse. Don’t be too concerned though, the abuse is a generation removed and historical and the mental health is dealt with with a lot of compassion. I just felt I should warn the reader that these topics ARE included.

The heart must heal before it loves again and we are there to see Ashley come back from not only an injury in a storm (which initiated the meeting) but from the loss of her husband who never had the chance to meet their young son Joey. On the other side of the romance we meet Devon, a single father with visitation rights to his young daughter Kaylee. It takes thought, conversation and prayer to bring these two amazing Christians together.

I really enjoyed the speed of this romantic contemporary Christian novel. A second chance at love with adorable kids to add into the mix. The Firefighter’s New Family is a great sunny afternoon read.