"A Western Christmas" by Renee Ryan and Louise M. Gouge

About The Book

A New Family Makes the Perfect Christmas Gift  

Yuletide Lawman by Renee Ryan

A Christmas to remember—that's what Ellie Wainwright wants to provide for Sheriff Caleb Voss's little girls. But she can't agree to a marriage of convenience. Ellie wants nothing less than real love. Caleb long ago gave up on love, yet sweet Ellie's kindness to his children could make a believer of him again.

Yuletide Reunion by Louise M. Gouge

Emma Sharp's family needs to rebuild their barn before Christmas. All help is welcome—even if it comes from the handsome neighboring rancher who jilted her two years ago. Can Jared Mattson prove that he wants to build not just a barn with Emma—but a bright future together?

Please visit Renee Ryan's website

Please visit Louise M. Gouge's website

Buy "A Western Christmas" from Amazon

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Read more reviews on Goodreads here

This book was released in October 2015

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review

 

 

My Review

 

“A Western Christmas” is a book that has two novella's written by Renee Ryan and Louise M. Gouge. I received this book from Ms. Ryan in exchange for an honest review, so honesty it is going to be just like every other review.

Here are two novellas that take place in Wyoming and New Mexico in the month of December with the same theme it seems in both of them. The theme is grace, forgiveness and understanding. Though the characters are four very different characters, they are very similar at the same time. Some are stubborn to the point to where they might just cut off their noses in spite of their face, others daydream a bit more freely, and all of them have suffered some kind of heartache. As I said they are similar yet there are plenty of differences to make each story unique and special to read.

I would try to tell a little about each story but honestly the little blurbs on the back of the book (can be found above) covers all the important aspects of the story so I wont bother trying to tell more about them, for if I do then I run the risk of spoiling the stories for other readers, and I hate when I learn too much about a book I am thinking of getting because somebody basically told the story in their review. So since I hate that I won't do that to anyone else.

These two novellas are heartwarming and tender Christmas stories that really highlight the Christmas message of love, forgiveness and so much more. Christmas is a very important in each of the stories with each having a different focus it seems but both on the message in one way or another, on love. Love for each other and how love is.

I honestly enjoyed this book and it really put me in the Christmas feeling with the messages that they each portrayed. The message of hope and forgiveness, joy and grace just seemed to shout Christmas. So grab a warm blanket, cup of your favorite hot drink and enjoy this book.

"Cowboy Seeks a Bride" by Louise M. Gouge

About the Book 

Courted by a Cowboy 

Marybeth O'Malley is everything rancher Randall Northam seeks in a wife…if she'd only say "I do." Although his family paid for her train ticket West with the understanding the two would marry, Rand won't pressure her to set a date. Especially since he suspects she's learned about his reckless past. Who would want to marry an untamed cowboy like him?

Marybeth won't marry until she locates her long-lost brother. And when Rand agrees to help her with her search, she can't deny her surprisingly warm feelings toward her prospective groom. Could this honorable cowboy show her he's the husband she never knew she wanted?

Please visit Louis M. Gouge's website

Buy "Cowboy Seeks a Bride" from Amazon

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This book was released in January 2015

This is a well loved library book that was used for the review

My Review

“Cowboy Seeks a Bride” by Louise M. Gouge is the second book in her 'Four Stones Ranch' but can stand alone just fine. This story is about the second oldest Northam children and we learn so much more about him. Sure there is an event from “Cowboy to the Rescue” that plays a large part in this book as well but really we learn everything we need to know we learn in greater detail with this book, so no harm done.

This was an enjoyable story that really had me interested from the get go, but sadly there was a character in the story that I just didn't see the purpose of being there like this character was. I could see how maybe this character was useful but I think only a scene or two would have done just as much if not more for the story but maybe I missed something that Ms. Gouge was trying to show with this character. I am not one above admitting that I missed something important, or who knows maybe there is a message there that is just not meant for me at this time so I couldn't see. Everything else about the story though was enjoyable to where I just had to finish reading the story to find out what happens.

Here is Marybeth, a woman who is on a mission, and mission that frankly seems to be more important that anything else around. Regardless of her flaws, and she has one that really bothers me big time, she has heart that is large for she is willing to unselfishly help those who need it regardless the cost herself. She is determined to be independent though she does have her reasons for that. I suppose there are reasons for all she does but I didn't like how she went about things, yet I did like Marybeth anyhow.

Rand is a man who is dealing with the past, and is dealing with it in a remarkable way. This is not the same man who was in “Cowboy to the Rescue” and I really liked learning this man's story, and had hoped that his story would be the second book. Here is a man who is overcoming his past and proving himself. He is not just using his words to prove himself but his actions are speaking louder than words. His past is haunting him and though it maybe never stop haunting him he has learned over the course of the book how to handle it even better. Rand is an honorable man who sticks to his words and knows when to quit.

As I said above there is a character I didn't understand the purpose of being part of the story as they were but none the less this story was a wonderful story of overcoming the past. Both Marybeth and Rand have things in their past that are upsetting and bothersome but it seems the focus is the overcoming those things. Marybeth and Rand are at different points in that journey and it is interesting to watch how they get from where they are at the beginning of the book to the end of the book. I would have to say that this book is well rounded for there are the funny parts, the annoying parts and everything in between.

I hope all who read this book enjoys it as I did.

Other "Four Stones Ranch" Books

 Cowboy to the Rescue

 

"Cowboy to the Rescue" by Louise M. Gouge

About the Book

Captivated by the cowboy 

Though Georgia belle Susanna Anders agrees to accompany her father on a silver prospecting trip to Colorado, her heart belongs to the South. Then charming cowboy Nate Northam saves her father's life and gives them shelter at his ranch. Feeling gratitude is only natural, but falling for a Yankee? Both of their families would be outraged.

While Susanna's father recovers at the Northams' home, Nate can't help being drawn to the sweet Southern beauty…and wishing he were free to think of courtship. That is until shocking revelations compel both Nate and Susanna to choose where their loyalties lie—fettered to the past or to the promise of a bold new love….

Four Stones Ranch: Love finds a home out West

Please visit Louis M. Gouge's website

Buy "Cowboy to the Rescue" from Amazon

Buy "Cowboy to the Rescue" from Barnes&Noble

Buy "Cowboy to the Rescue" from Harlequin

This book was released in September 2014

This was a well loved library book that was reviewed

My Review

“Cowboy to the Rescue” by Louise M. Gouge is the first book in the series 'Four Stones Ranch' and what a great start to the series. I have to be honest I normally just put my name down on the waiting list for each new Love Inspired book at my local library, without reading what they are about until I get them in my hand. Well when I read the back of the book, it didn't sound that interesting so I waited until I had to return the book to read it. Oh boy what a fool I was for I waited for almost three weeks to read this fantastic book.

The back of the book may hint at the conflict of the story but man if anything it is only a hint for when the conflict was fully known it sure took me back for it was one very clever twist to the story. Within the synopsis on the back one might be able to tell that there is still those prejudices in regards to Southerners and Northerners, which are bold in this book, and watching the overcoming of those prejudices, guilt and other feelings associated with the war was something special that is for sure. This story didn't just brush over some of the horrors of that war, but told one story (true or not I am sure it could have happened somewhere along the line of the war) that had some of the horrors to it. War is never pleasant or easy and I was glad to see that it was not just brushed over either, though really the story is not that graphic or horrific to where I found myself uncomfortable.

Southern belle Susanna is a young woman who is determined to fulfill her promise which means she goes where she really doesn't want to go, with plans to return home at some point in time. She is not afraid of hard work in the slightest, and when taken by surprise by things, she learns to roll with the flow and give back when it is appropriate. There are things that she learns through the story but she is also a woman who is not about to spout off everything she is thinking, but will speak her mind when it is needed.

Northerner Nate is a man who is Godly and so thoughtful of others. Here is a man when he came upon Susanna and her father, he was thoughtful enough to think about where the best place was for him to recover and where they would be the most comfortable. Nate is also a man who knows what some of his flaws are and that he needs to work on them. Throughout the story Nate seems to walking this very fine line between several people, one that has some interesting twists and turns. Nate is not afraid of doing what must be done even if that means going up against someone who means the world to him.

This story is a great start to the rest of the series for personally I loved seeing Rand, Rosamond and Tolley for we get a good glimpse into who they are and a bit of their personalities. I am assuming that since the series is 'Four Stones Ranch' that the future books are going to be around the rest of the siblings, which means we will be able to watch the younger siblings grow and mature.

As I said earlier there are numerous prejudices in regards to the North and the South that are dealt with, but also there are a few others that come up at least that society has at the time. I loved how love overcame so many hurdles for so many, how when the truth is revealed there is healing for so many and friendship, not mention love, was completely blind at times. Forgiveness and healing is a big part of the story as well and it is one of those sweet moments when a choice needs to be made and there is no clear end result from the story point of view at the moment until it is made. I have to say that is what made this book so wonderful for though things should be clear cut nothing really is. There are numerous twists and turns in the book that made me regret having to put it down so I can get some sleep, then first thing I picked up the book needing to finish it.

I really hope all who read this book enjoys it as much as I did and don't allow the back make anyone think it is not worth reading for it really is.