A Lawman’s Christmas by Linda Lael Miller
Series: McKettricks #14
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Date Read: November 12, 2018
Length: 256 pages
Source: Purchased
★★★★☆
The sudden death of the town marshal leaves Blue River, Texas, without a lawman…and twenty-five-year-old Dara Rose Nolan without a husband. As winter approaches and her meager seamstress income dwindles, she has three options. Yet she won’t give up her two young daughters, refuses to join the fallen women of the Bitter Gulch Saloon and can’t fathom condemning herself to another loveless marriage. Unfortunately she must decide—soon—because there’s a new marshal in town, and she’s living under his roof.
With the heart of a cowboy, Clay McKettrick plans to start a ranch and finally settle down. He isn’t interested in uprooting Dara Rose and her children, but he is interested in giving her protection, friendship—and passion. And when they say “I do” to a marriage of convenience, the temporary lawman’s Christmas wish is to make Dara Rose his permanent wife….
I had a good time with this book. I have been a fan of Linda Lael Miller’s writing for a very long time. I don’t think that I have picked any of her books up in years though and I am pretty sure that I have never actually reviewed any of her work. I have enjoyed quite a few books from the McKettrick series so I was excited to pick this one up during a recent readathon. It ended up being a really enjoyable read for me.
Clay McKettrick moves to a small Texas town to take on the role of marshal. He is immediately welcomed by the town but one little girl ends up making a really big impression on him. He quickly learns that the little girl is the daughter of Dara Rose. Dara Rose was married to the former marshal and has found herself widowed with two little girls to support and almost no money to do so. Now that there is a new lawman in town, she knows that she will have to give up her home so that he can have the house.
Clay and Dara Rose were both great characters. Clay really is a good guy that just wants to do a good job. Dara Rose has been through a whole lot and has proven that she is tough and resourceful. Dara Rose always puts her children first and refuses to take the easy way out. I thought that these two were great together and I loved how great Clay was with the girls. I thought that their relationship progressed at a really nice pace and I was really happy with how everything turned out.
I would recommend this book to fans of western historical romances. This book was filled with wonderful characters, a touch of humor, some Christmas charm, and some heartwarming moments. I really liked the fact that Linda Lael Miller worked some of less than pleasant issues from this time into the story including the plight of women and children without a male in the house and the impact of poverty. I definitely plan to read more from this wonderful author soon!
About the AuthorThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is the author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels. Now living in Spokane, Washington, the “First Lady of the West” hit a career high when all three of her 2011 Creed Cowboy books debuted at #1 on the New York Times list. In 2007, the Romance Writers of America presented her their Lifetime Achievement Award. She personally funds her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women.
i guess friends with benefits didn't come into popularity in the wild west?
Maybe not…
Good one Ailyn. lol
sherry @ fundinmental
🙂
I have never read this author, but I did go to the online library last night and take out a ton of Harlequin Christmas romances to read. LOL This one sounds so good, and very indicative of the time period. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great review.
I thought that it was really well done, Angie!
Say cowboy and I am game
Cowboys can be a whole lot of fun!
Her books are on the list for someday. This set up sounds just the thing for a Christmas read.
I think you would enjoy this one, Sophia Rose!
Do you know I used to devour series after series by Miller. I really should pick her back up. This sounds perfect for the season.
I used to read tons of her books too!
It's been forever since I've read one of her books.
I had a good time with this one, Mary!
I like the idea that there's more depth to this than just the romance and the author pulls in historical hardships to her story. I can't imagine being as strong as those women needed to be!
It would have been so hard!
I don't think I've ever read a book like that
It was a really great read.
This does sound enjoyable. I like Westerns even tho most are historical. I found out my daughter is reading all my cowboy / Western books in my Kindle library. lol I don't think I have any except freebies. Thanks for the nice review. Anne – Books of My Heart
Westerns can be a lot of fun!
This sounds like such an enjoyable read!
It really was!
Oh I did the one right after this a couple years back. The Outlaw's Christmas. And really enjoyed it, too, but never got back to these. I'll have to hunt this one down 🙂
These books are a lot of fun!
It's always nice to return to a favourite author and fall back in love with their books again 🙂 And I am glad you liked it! I love this knd of setting for books and I don't read enough of them. Thanks for the reminder 😉
It was really nice to go back and read an author that I haven't picked up in a while.