Well, time to lighten things up with a seasonal offering… the WRONG season… but holiday fare all the same. The Doctor’s Christmas Wish… well it happens at… Christmas… this is part of the Village Green series by Renee Ryan. It is a Love Inspired book, so definitely faith based.

This contemporary Christian romance has a bit of an unusual premise. Keely O’Toole (who is a mix of Irish and Italian) has returned home (to Village Green) to take up the position of mother to her cousin’s six year old daughter Felicity (or Flicka). Her cousin has been imprisoned after embezzling funds for 12 years. Father is out of the picture.

Keely is running a restaurant, raising a child who is hurting and planning the Christmas parade. Here enters her neighbour, Dr. Ethan Scott. High school nemesis (in her eyes), ex army doctor who now runs a private practice with a childhood friend (who is also the husband of his sister, Keely’s best friend).

There are widowers and orphans a plenty in this Christmas tale. Though the orphaning happened post childhood. Two engagements ended abruptly, one in an accident resulting in death and the other with a heart who has not yet let go of the past. This book really does focus on the idea of releasing a lost love but not forgetting that love… when is it time to risk your heart again? Can you really say good bye? What happens to the love for the first person? 

This book is definitely a journey of faith and healing. A lovely afternoon read on a rainy day, I think. Well worth the time, this story is full of holiday romance and healing with a strong and lovely message.

We are currently in the middle of a rather massive reorganization but that hasn’t stopped me from my random library reading. This week among the boxes and chaos I grabbed enough time to read The Lawman’s Honor by Linda Goodnight (I admit it, 50% back of the book, 50% her awesome last name). This is apparently part of a series – Whisper Falls, the place the book is also based in. 

Of course we have our lawman – Heath Monroe, a Fed who is now taking an easier post at a police station in small town Whisper Falls. In honour of his father’s legacy (an amazing police officer who died in the line of duty), he has tied his entire being into upholding the law.

The love interest… small town beautician and widow Cassie Blackwell who literally saves his life when on the way to Whisper Falls the weather and a sharp curve send him hurtling off the road. 

This is all complicated by the unearthing of a link to drugs and Cassie’s deceased husband. Heath is determined not only to solve the case but to determine if Cassie was involved. Neither are simple and the relationship between the two becomes muddied and complex.

What I enjoyed about this book is that neither person needs a boost or support in faith. Their belief systems are strong, it is their relationship skills that require help. This book has a definite mystery, a strong romantic element and even a baby in the mix (neither of theirs, Cassie’s brother and sister in law). 

The Lawman’s Honor is a lovely read, definitely in a slightly different direction than other Love Inspired books, but faith is still there as is truth, justice and love. So check it out! 

Another library gem… And seasonal to boot… just once again the wrong season. (I will admit I looked no luck on the Halloween Love Inspired books) The Holiday Nanny by Lois Richer is a fun seasonal contemporary romance set (of course) during Christmas. Some of the same elements as previous reviews are there… a child (this time the widow’s daughter), the single woman problems of her own (Connie Ladden on the search for her father who left her to live in a loving foster home suddenly). Don’t forget a grieving step mother (our hero Wes’ step mother) in the mix.

I have a few major loves on this one – the step mother is neither evil nor cruel, she is wounded like the others in this story which is something the writer actually recognizes and incorporates into the story. There are multiple issues in this story to deal with… faith, fear of love, parenting, there is so much to be examined and worked through. So much introspection and a few true mysteries to solve.

I am a huge fan of Christmas romances. And this one did not disappoint. There is a history for each of the characters to explore, love to be recognized and fears to be faced. I will warn you a few more volatile topics are discussed… infidelity, potential of a child being the product of that… abandonment and long term illness as well as multiple accidents.

A bit of a slow burn on this one… but a wonderful romance with a nice healthy dash of faith. Check it out (literally at the library).