What in the world is up with my random picks? Cowboy after cowboy, though Phoebe’s Groom was more small town over cowboy (even though the cover of that one said A Cowboy for Every Mood). Well, Jillian Hart did another wonderful job with Montana Cowboy. In fact, my favourite aspect of this story was the idea of the right person at  the wrong time. And how what seems to be the wrong time can BECOME the right one…

Again we are back with the internet as a facilitator for love. This time through a chat group that is a book club called Good Reads. Honor is a teacher without a long term job and a self proclaimed California girl. She has travelled to Montana to get away from a bad break up and a family who simply does not understand her long term life goals or deep faith. This move has her temporarily only 2 hours away from a good friend on Good Reads, also single and very Christian Luke McKaslin from the McKaslin clan (a family author Jillian Hart returns to from time to time). Her timing is perfect to drive the two hours and make it in time for a McKaslin wedding and the beginnings of an even deeper friendship with Luke and his extended family. 

There is lots of travelling with these two, and lots of deep introspection as to where they want to be in their love life and literal physical location. I really enjoyed the careful consideration these two took as they transformed their friendship into something more AS WELL AS the fact that they actually knew each other on some level before they met in person and this romance began. A back story that was not a second chance relationship… love it!

Book covers really are a double edged sword. I honestly look for books that have everyone well clothed (personal preference) and try not to let it colour my views too much. But let’s be honest, we all look! Jingle Bell Bride by Jillian Hart had a a bit of a contradictory draw to me. I love the pretty Christmas scene and am a sucker for a pretty white dress. BUT I was a little concerned by the fact that the author’s name was THREE times the size of the title. In fact, I honestly read the book as Jillian Hart first when I was just skimming books at the library.

Thankfully my concerns were unnecessary. I really rather enjoyed this adorable contemporary Christmas romance. Perfect for a bit of seasonal reading and an escape from a world that seems a little too full of hate and anger. Escapism reading at its finest.

Set in snowy Wyoming in a town named Summer of all things, Chelsea McKaslin is back home after completing her studies to become a pediatrician. Still mourning from the loss of her mother the year before, she, her sisters and father are all simply trying to embrace a holiday that meant so much to the woman they love and lost. Stung by a failed love and committed to her plans and lists Chelsea is not ready for widowed father Dr. Michael Kramer and his adorable daughter Macie. But then again, neither is he.

With snowstorms, and memories and two grown adults dead set against love, this story is all sorts of sweetness, faith and love. There are children battling terminal or potentially terminal illness but there is light there too. OH and sleigh rides, Christmas lights and presents! All in all a lovely read in a series about the extended McKaslin family!

Whenever I seem to grab a book on a whim lately I always seem to grab one MID series. A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart is no exception. From the series The McKlaslin Clan this Love Inspired romance is definitely not the first in the series, but I managed. With a Christian message it is definitely faith based. 

Based in Montana, this is a book about returning to your roots and resolving old hurts and conflict. The main character – Lauren is returning home after being removed from her family by her mother at a very young age. She has decided to get to know the family she was removed from starting with her grandmother. Included in this is  her blood siblings, new half siblings, father and step mother, as well as a neighbour – Caleb Stone. 

There are long buried hurt feelings to contend with and a gentle romance to experience. The characters are interesting and have a nice degree of depth. I did find the pace nice, and the religious over tones not too cloying. I love that this series of books (the Love inspired) have questions for discussion at the back. Like a guide to applying the book to yourself and suggesting further thought into the issues and experiences covered in the story. So if you do read this book be sure to continue past the end of the story! 

A wonderful quiet afternoon with a cup of tea read!