From a fantastic young adult novel to a light Christian based romance. Her Holiday Family by Ruth Logan Herne is a story to enjoy on a quiet afternoon. Dealing with family rifts is never simple, especially when it comes out of nowhere and blinds you. When forgiveness is slow to come and life an uphill battle love is rarely at the front of one’s mind. Neither is reconnecting with someone tied to a difficult time long past.

There are many elements in this story… a broken family, sudden death, arson, foster children and adoption, cancer… Both of the main characters are coming from a place of pain and heart ache. One has lost both her parents and her hard earned business, the other faces losing his father and the reality of his culpability (or lack there was) to an incident that has haunted him since his youth.

There is a definite mystery, a strong romantic element and, of course, a lovely dose of Christmas spirit. Based in Kirkwood Lake (and fifth in the Kirkland Lake series), Tina Martinelli and Max Campbell have a history unresolved and a future unplanned. Tina is in Kirkwood Lake only as long as it takes for her to sort out her burnt out cafe and help out the Campbell family while the patriarch deals with a severe return of his cancer. Max is back from his time in the army to do the same. The big question is who will stay and will they find peace, faith and love?

I really enjoyed this novel. Though I found some of the emotional strife a little bit self imposed on the characters (as indeed it turns out some of it is!). A nice seasonal read if you are looking for some Christmas cheer!

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! 

Well with Christmas under out belts there is time for the review of one more seasonal themed book. Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky was a great book for a taste of Christmas. A single mom returns to Fairhaven, Washington just in time to help where she is greatly needed in the home of a past friend (Alex Jameson, who she had a secret love for) and his suddenly ill grandmother (Irene, owner of Jameson’s Bakery). With daughter Emma (age 5) in tow, Annie Romano has her own skeletons in the closet to deal with as she helps Alex return to his faith and Irene embrace the healthier lifestyle her heart attack has necessitated.

So with romance and healing hearts there is a bakery to save, friendships to grown and pasts to reconcile with. My only dispute with this book is Annie’s views on believing in fantasy. I understand that Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy are all a financial burden but her needs to say truth is an absolute must with raising children and that to let them have that fantasy was to lie to them was a bit extreme to me.

Otherwise, I found this to be a lovely emotional journey of two people who need to learn to let go of the past and grasp the future with both hands, uncertainty and all. I do so enjoy a romantic Christmas story.