Book Review Mail Order Holiday Brides by Jillian Hart and Janet Tronstad

The Best Gifts Are Always Unexpected  Home for Christmas by Jillian Hart  

Christina Eberlee is desperate for the safe haven promised to her by the Montana man whose bridal ad she answered. Yet she can't forget the handsome marshal who helps her on the journey. Maybe venturing from her planned path could lead Christina to the home she was truly meant to find. 

Snowflakes for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad 

"Maybe you could marry her." Gabe Stone's niece and nephew long for a mother just like the mail-order bride Gabe's brother sent for and then abandoned. Yet in making the children's Christmas dreams come true, Gabe and Annabelle may discover the most precious gift of the holidays is love.

My Review.

This is a good Novella with both stories being good. In the first book by Jillian Hart we see Christina who has answered an add to marry a farmer in Montana. On the way she encounters a Marshall and wonders about her choice but having promised to marry the farmer she feels she has to go through with this. We see a few other obstacles on the way. A good story.
In Janet Tronstad's we see Annabelle arrive to marry one Stone brother only to find him missing. The children want a mother and think their uncle could marry her. Its an interesting story also and a good read.

Book Review Countdown to First Night by Jillian Hart, Margaret Daley and Brenda Minton

Book Descriptions

Everyone is looking forward to the spectacular New Year's Eve festivities in Snow Falls, Colorado-on First Night, anything seems possible! 

Winter's Heart by Jillian Hart 

Shelby Craig comes to Snow Falls for a First Night job, but secretly hopes it will be a respite from her grief and a haven for her two young kids. A sympathetic cop becomes the determined widow's staunchest ally-though helping her may break his heart. 

Six, five, four... 

Snowbound at New Year by Margaret Daley 

This was supposed to be a done deal! Children's book author Ellie Summers came to the festival to meet her new illustrator. She didn't expect him to turn down her proposal. And then to find the obstinate man so charming... Is it wrong to hope his matchmaking twin daughters succeed? 

Three, two, one... 

A Kiss at Midnight by Brenda Minton 

Pride is a hard thing to swallow, but Jolie Godwin does her best to ignore her grievances with Jake Wild this one time. The man is graciously letting her exhibit her artwork in his luxury resort for First Night. He seems like a good person and a devoted uncle. If only he'd always been so perfect. Because his kiss is something she can't forget.... 

Cue the fireworks! 

My Review:

Thanks to netgalley for my review copy.

I found this to be an interesting book as it focus's on New Years Eve. Each story is set in Snowfalls Colorado and the focus is the towns celebrations. The novellas are sweet and they move fairly fast due to the size but still are a good read. Each story has its own issues and its interesting to see how the characters deal with the different issues. The first books we see the hero and heroine meet when the heroine comes back to the town she spent summers as a girl and had a crush on the neighbour. We see what happens many years later. The second book deals with an author and and Illustrator and the differences they have to get the book right. The last one we have Hero and heroine from different walks of life and wondering if they can be compatible. 

This is a good read.

Book Review Montana Dreams by Jillian Hart

Book Description: 

Bumping into her ex-fiancé shatters Millie Wilson all over again. Now that she's back in Montana to care for her dying father, her real burden is the secret she's never divulged to Hunter McKaslin.
Millie can't blame Hunter for his anger upon learning he's a father. He's never gotten over opening his heart, only to have it broken. Yet Millie senses a new goodness in Hunter. Finding their lost dreams now seems possible—if forgiveness and trust can find a place in this fresh start.

My Review:

Thanks to Netgalley for my review book.

This book continues the McKaslin series this time Hunter is featured. Hunter has vowed he would never marry and Millie left because of this reason. She didn't tell him she was pregnant as he made it clear he never wanted to be a father. Millie finds she is back home because of her dying father and runs into Hunter. Her son steals some of the scenes and the bond between him and Hunter is interesting even before Hunter knows he's his son. We see in this book how a fathers actions towards a child can last well into adulthood and can cause issues. I enjoyed the story and how it played out. There wasn't a simple fix but instead we saw the heartache and soul searching that happened. 
Good read.

3 Book reviews of Jillian Hart books

Book Description:

While summering in Wild Horse, Wyoming, Dr. Adam Stone's young daughters gain an immediate hold on veterinarian Cheyenne Granger's heart. And the tall, handsome newcomer brings with him quiet whispers of fairy-tale endings. But Cheyenne had given up hope of a blissfully-ever-after when her boyfriend walked out on her. And Adam is busy nursing his own broken heart. Yet the girls are determined to draw the two together. Is it possible there's a happy ending--involving a family of four--in their future after all?

My Review:

Firstly thanks to Jillian for my copy of this book.

This is the latest installment in the Granger Family Ranch series. This story features the second Daughter Cheyenne who is back in Wild Horse after finishing her vet studies. Adam Stone is spending the summer with his girls to help them heal from his wife walking out on them. One of Adams girls has a real heart for injured animals and brings them to Cheyenne to help. This leads to interaction with Adam. Neither want a relationship but they seem to be pulled together. A side story is we see Cady and Frank again and there fledging romance, I really love there this side story and seeing an older couple find romance. This was another good book and I cant wait to read more books in this series.

Book Description:

Getting stood up on a blind date was the best thing that could happen to police officer Max Decker. No small talk. No personal questions. No lies. And no pretending he's ready to give his heart to anyone. Anyone like vulnerable Brianna McKaslin—who was stood up in the same restaurant! The lovely, kind, Christian woman is everything the embittered cop used to dream about in a bride. And Max can't be the one who lets her get away.

My Review:

I found this book at Koorong when I was there at Christmas time and had to buy it. This is the first in a new series of the McKaslin Clan. We see Brianna on a blind date which she has been stood up for when in comes Max who is also on a blind date and his date also stands him up. Neither want to go on these dates but there family and friends tend to wear them down so they give in. Brianna is recovering from a trauma that left her fighting for her life and Max is a police officer who has closed himself of from romance. They seem to run into each other and strike up a friendship. When they do try to go on a date what happens is so funny, I have been told the author has used some of her own experiences in these scenes. I felt for Brianna with what she went through and can understand her panic attacks but admire her for pushing through to not let what happened stop her. Good read.

Book Description:

"A place to heal"That's all Brooke McKaslin yearns for.She's returned to Montana on family business, hoping to leave her past behind. And to shield the secret she carries. She's not planning on staying long--until she begins working for reporter Liam Knightly. Liam is handsome, good-hearted--and as leery of relationships as Brooke is. Even as they realize how much they have in common, Brooke fears a threat to their growing love. Will her secret stand in the way of their happiness?

My Review:

Thanks Jillian for my review copy.

This is the second book in the latest McKaslin series. Brooke is back from her sister Brianna's trial and is there to support her. She has been working in Washington state and is now without a job and back home for now. She is struggling with bad memories. Liam comes onto the scene with an adopted dog Oscar who has a some interesting traits. There is a major issue Liam is a reporter and she thinks he is using her to get a story. Also Liam is recovering from an nasty relationship so is not in the hunt for a girlfriend. This is an interesting story and Oscar really steals the show on more than one occasion. Good read.

Book review: Snowflake Bride by Jillian Hart

Book Description:
Grateful when she's hired as the Davises' maid, Ruby Ballard vows to help save her family's farm. There's just one problem: the boss's handsome son, Lorenzo. He makes her forget family duty, forget her lowly place, even forget her friends who are in love with him! But his love is a gift that could never be hers—not even for Christmas. 

Lorenzo knows Ruby is the only woman he could marry. Yet the quiet beauty refuses his courtship. As the holidays approach, he will make both their wishes come true, when he claims her at last as his snowflake bride.

My Review:
I loved this story. Ruby is a strong girl trying to help her family who have fallen on hard times and are struggling to hold on to the farm. Lorenzo is the son of a wealthy farmer who is sweet on Ruby. I love Rubys spirit and the way gets a job with Lorenzos family and works as hard as she can. She may not have much but she does the best she can. I love how she cares for her friends and puts them first over her own feelings. There is a rich girl in the book who has been in the others as well who is nasty. There were times I wanted to hit her cos of her cruel taunts. I hope she will have a change of heart by the end of this series. The story deals with hope, love and family loyalty as well as acceptance. This is one of my top ten reads for the year.

Book Review Mail order Christmas Brides by Jillian Hart and Janet Tronstand

Her Christmas Family by Jillian Hart

"Please be my ma for Christmas." Felicity Sawyer can't resist little Gertie's heartfelt letter. Tate Winters seeks a bride for Gertie's sake, not his own. But as his reserve thaws before Felicity's sunny optimism, this new family learns that togetherness is the best way to celebrate the season.

Christmas Stars for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad

Eleanor McBride's outgrown her dreams of romance—but not her wishes for motherhood. Wedding Sergeant Adam Martin will give her a daughter to cherish. Yet it's not just shy, sweet Hannah who's captured her affections. And Eleanor's arrival in Dry Creek could be the start of a journey to true love.…

My Review:

Thanks to Jillian for my copy of this book I won it from the Love Inspired Harvest Festival. This is a great read. I had read a couple of books that didn't grab me and I felt I was waiting for something to happen and the book felt slow but this book was not like that. Right from the first page I was hooked. 

Her Christmas Family has Felicity coming on train to be Gertie's mother. Tate needs a mother for Gertie so is willing to marry Felicity but wonders why someone so pretty could want to be a mail order Bride. The book deals with misconception when Tate assumes Felicity is from a well to do family and couldn't possibly want to marry him. Gertie falls for Felicity and they bond straight away. I loved the story and the characters. Jillian delivers another good read.

Christmas Stars was another great book by Janet. Again I was drawn into the story from page one I felt for Eleanor but she handles herself well. Again we have a your daughter to cherish. This time Hannah is recovering from an accident and need extra love. She is adorable as well. Adam loves his daughter and will do anything for her. Add a grandmother who knows best and you have some interesting drama. I loved this story as well . A wonderful Christmas book.

Book review Wyoming Sweethearts and Calico Bride by Jillian Hart

Product Description:
The chance to rescue abandoned horses has given Eloise Tipple the fresh start she needs. After losing her skating career and fiancé, she returns home to Wild Horse, Wyoming, to work at a beautiful inn and man the stables. Sean Granger has also come home to nurse some emotional wounds and would like nothing more than to pursue life as a lone wolf. Both say they want nothing more than friendship. But while saving homeless horses, can Sean and Eloise save each other and heal their wounds?


My Review:
Jillian takes us back to Wild Horse, Wyoming where we catch up with Eloise Tipple and Sean Granger a nephew of Frank. Sean has come to work on the ranch and Eloise is now working at Cady Winslows Inn. While at the Inn part of Eloise's jobs it to find horses for the ranch to use and some of the horse they find are rescue horses. This is where Sean comes in as he has a horse trailer. Both Eloise and Sean have emotional issues to work through and its interesting seeing how they tick. On the side we see the growing relationship with Cady and Frank which is so refreshing to see. I love the fact Cady is an older single woman never married and finding love for the first time. I loved the story and cant wait for more in the series.

Product Description:
Safe, predictable Angel Falls, Montana, is Lila Lawson's home-but she secretly wishes it had adventures like the novels she loves to read. Then the new deputy stumbles into her father's mercantile, gravely injured, and Lila gets more excitement than she can handle!
A harsh childhood left Burke Hannigan with two options- get tough or give in. Lila's compassion and tender care make him yearn for more. But how can he ask her to forgive his outlaw past when he can't forgive himself? Unless love and faith can transform him into a hero worthy of this calico bride.


My Review:
Loved this book too. I didn't want to put it down. We are back in Angel Falls, Montana and this time Lila Lawson is featured. Lila is working in her fathers store and had to contend with her step mother who tends to be more worried about appearances and reputation rather than caring for people such as Lila and her little sister. Burke stumbles into the mercantile after being shot. He is a deputy sheriff and its interesting seeing the interaction between Lila and Burke. Burke has a past which haunts him and he is trying to pay for. We learn more about him as the story goes on. Lila also has her issues with her step mother and wanting some independence. We also see the friends and what they are up to and we see Earlee again who we found out was writing to a prisoner last book. We see more on the story this book which was nice. I cant wait for her story. This is a good story and add the drama of a bank robbery, outlaws and danger and it becomes a great historical drama. I am looking forward to the next book.

Book Review His Country Girl by Jillian Hart

Back of the Book

To fulfill a sick boy's wish, rodeo star Tucker Granger surprises little Owen in the hospital. But no one is more surprised than single mother Sierra Baker. She figures the carefree champion for a different kind of man. One who doesn't spend hours talking "cowboy code" with a hospital-bound child. One who can't have her dreaming of a second chance at love. Somehow, Tucker ropes her heart and fills it with hope. Hope that this country girl and her son can lasso the roaming bronc rider into their family forever.


My Review:


First thanks to Jillian for my copy of this book. Another great read, I have loved all in the series and this was no different. I fell in love with Owen but I don't think that is hard to do he's an adorable little boy. I love how he and Tucker and Owen bonded in the book. I love how Jillian weaves the story and how we see what both are thinking. I also have to say I love the background stories in this series. If you have read the previous two books you will know what I am referring to if not I will leave it for you to discover. What I also love about this book and the whole series is the country feel. The book is set in a small rural community and on the ranch and we see what life on the land is like. Also we see the effects of the current economical climate on the town also which is happening not just in America but across the world to small rural towns.
Great book.

Christmas Focus with Jillian Hart

Please help me welcome back Jillian Hart to talk about Christmas. Its been really good getting to know Jillian this year and if you like Love Inspired Historicals come to http://www.goodreads.com and join the LIH group and join in the fun we have there.

Would love here in the comments what your favourite Christmas movies are or if you have seen any good ones this year so you can share the titles with us.

1. Firstly thanks for coming back to my blog as we are focus on christmas.
What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?
 
Thanks so much for having me back, Jenny. : ) I grew up in western Washington state about an hour east of Seattle, where it is green all the time and where rich evergreen trees line the Cascade Mountain range and the foothills. It can snow, but I only remember a few white Christmases. To quote a local favorite song, “Christmas in the northwest is a gift God wrapped in green.” Maybe that is why I love Christmas trees so much. One of my very favorite parts of celebrating Christmas is putting up and decorating the tree. All those soft lights and ornaments and lovely evergreen boughs.  The smell of pine. 

2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
 
My birthday is in December, so when I was young my family always put up the tree on my birthday. I still do.  It is a lovely way to celebrate and kick-start the season. My mother would make Christmas cookies and I would help her decorate them. The house would be bustling with secrets until Christmas Eve when we could each open just one present, and my brother and I took a lot of time deciding which one it would be. In the morning Santa brought more festively wrapped gifts and we would have a family gathering full of merriment, great food and lots of carols--both my mom and I play piano so the day was full of music and singing.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why? 
 
It’s a tie between "O Holy Night" and Amy Grant’s "Grown-Up Christmas List." Both songs say exactly how I feel about Christmas.
(Jenny here I love O Holy Night its such a special song)
4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?
 
Spending it in Maui sounds nice . (sounds good to me too)

5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?
 
One of my favourite memories is sitting at the piano singing Christmas carols and hymns with my family circled around. We would do that for hours and hours on Christmas day.

6. What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.
 
Christmas Eve is usually a lasagna dinner (my mom has a great recipe that has become tradition). Lots of fun making it, everyone in the kitchen, Christmas music blaring and of course, singing along (I’m usually off-key). It’s A Wonderful Life is the movie of choice that night and then off to the candlelight service. Christmas is relaxed, fun, full of good things to eat--Christmas cookies, pie, a ham dinner midday, presents to open, Christmas music and more holiday movies.  (sounds good this year I am going to be watching quite a few Christmas movies.)

7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?
 
I am a confessed Christmas movie junky. Right now Hallmark’s Meet the Santas and ABC Family’s Snowglobe are my favourites. It’s a Wonderful Life is a yearly must see. Every year I record every Christmas movie I can find on tv and then watch them one after another every weekend in December, knitting away on my couch. I have the tree lights on to make it extra festive. Other favourites: Bill Murray’s Scrooged, The Christmas Visitor, The Christmas Box, The Christmas Shoes, The Christmas Wish and the Hallmark Channel’s The Ultimate Gift
(Oh I saw Meet the Santas last week nice movie. haven't seen ABC Family's Snowglobe but now I want to.)
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers? 
 
It’s a busy and hectic time of year, but there is so much beauty in the Christmas season. I hope you can take a moment and let that beauty touch you deep, heart and soul.
 
Thank you so much, Jenny. It is an honour to be on your blog, my friend.
(Thanks you Jillian I have loved getting to know you and read your books)


Jillian can be found at http://www.jillianhart.net 
Below are two of Jillian's books the second is the January release.





His Holiday Bride
Book #3
Autumn's story
October 2010Bity-city sheriffs don't belong in tiny Wild Horse, Wyoming. At least that's what rancher Autumn Granger thinks when handsome Ford Sherman sweeps into town and sets his sights on her. A country cowgirl, she can't possibly be his match. Like most newcomers, he'll eventually get restless with small-town life and leave it--and her--behind. But when rustlers attack her family's ranch, Ford helps her protect Granger territory. She finds herself hoping that he really is in Wild Horse to stay. Could her holiday wish of a happily ever after with this handsome lawman come true? 

His Country Girl
January 2011
Love Inspired
Book #4 in the Granger Family Ranch Series
Tucker's story
A Child's Wish
To fulfill a sick boy's wish, rodeo star Tucker Granger surprises little Owen in the hospital. But no one is more surprised than single mother Sierra Baker. She figures the carefree champion for a different kind of man. One whodoesn't spend hours talking "cowboy code" with a hospital-bound child. One who can't have her dreaming of a second chance at love. Somehow, Tucker ropes her heart and fills it with hope. Hope that this country girl and her son can lasso the roaming bronc rider into their family forever.

Review of A Soldiers Holiday Vow by Jillian Hart

Book description:

Trapped in a mine shaft with a little girl, September Stevens prays for someone to save them. When help arrives in the form of army ranger Mark Hawkins, the best friend of her late fiancé, they both feel God's hand at work. Together they help each other rebuild their lives. As they let the spirit of the holidays into their hearts, feelings of new love start to take hold. But September is afraid to risk her heart on another soldier. Until Mark offers a Christmas vow, one that could last a lifetime.



My Review:
I loved this book. I enjoy the Love inspired books and this is another good read. What is it about men working in rescue! The hero is an army ranger who helps in rescues and the heroine was engaged to an army ranger who was killed in the line of duty. This book starts out with September trapped and praying for help and who should come to help but her late Fiancé's best friend. This is the start of an interesting story. I was interested to see how the story would unfurl as both are still hurting from the pain of their loss. This is the first story by Jillian I have read but it won't be the last.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Getting to know you Thursdays with Jillian Hart.

Please join me in welcoming Jillian Hart to my blog today. I have enjoyed getting to know Jill on the Love Inspired Histroical group at goodreads. We have had fun on the group.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in rural Washington State in beautiful country in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. I think that’s where my imagination really developed. Our house was surrounded by forests where I played—I could be a princess in her kingdom, a scout charting new territory, a pioneer, a soldier or an outlaw, when my brother played along. I learned to do all sorts of things—riverboat, fish, swim, ride horses, herd cattle, handle a gun, hike, camp, ride dirt bikes, build a fire with a stick and how to track animals. It was the perfect background for an author, as it turns out. I grew up, went to college, moved to Seattle, worked in travel and then advertising before I sold my first book. Although I now live in a suburb, the early days of my life are the ones I draw on the most when I’m writing.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

So many books! My very favourites were the Little House series and Anne of Green Gables. I also adored the Hardy Boys.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

Romance, hands down. I love everything about it, especially since I think there’s nothing more important than love.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Yes—Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her books have a sense of right and wrong, of morals and the importance of being a disciplined and a good-hearted person that always impressed me, even as a child, and helped shape the person I am today.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

When I was old enough to understand that books were written by people. . I was very young. LOL.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

After I decided to try writing with the goal of publication, I did three things: I increased my daily reading time, I wrote every day and I didn’t give up. It took me six long years of submitting and being rejected. I had to figure out where my voice and stories naturally fit and once I did, I sold soon after. My first manuscript was accepted by Harlequin Historicals and published in 1998.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

A pianist.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

I love watching movies, knitting, going for walks and having good long talks with my friends.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I would like to visit Hawaii. Every time I’ve planned a trip, something has happened to intervene. I’m determined to put my feet on a Maui beach—one day! : ) (Jenny here I would love to be with you when you get to Maui thats one of my goals too. I loved Hawaii the whole 3 days I was there and vowed to return.)

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Nora Roberts, because I would love to talk writing with her.
J.J. Abrams because I loved his Star Trek movie—and maybe he’d give me dish on the next one.
Rachael Ray, because I love her cooking shows and she looks like she would be fun to meet.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

I have a few books coming out this summer.

In May, I have a novella in the Harlequin Historical anthology Mail-Order Brides. It’s the final Brooks brothers story—older brother Gabe is about to be conveniently married.

In June, I have a new release in my Granger Family Ranch series, The Rancher’s Promise. I love this reunion story between a rancher and his small-town girl. The ties that bind the Granger family are ones I hope readers will be touched by, too. 

In July, Klondike Hero is the first book in Love Inspired’s multi-author continuity set in Alaska. It was a wonderful place to write about, and I hope readers fall in love with the series. 






 


In August, I have a historical coming out from Love Inspired, the second in my Buttons & Bobbins series, Patchwork Bride. Meredith Worthington has her sight set on becoming a schoolteacher until true love rides into her life in the form of dashing horse trainer, Shane Connelly. I hope readers come to love this coming of age romance as much as I did writing it.

My website is www.jillianhart.net/