promise of second chances. In Palmer’s
awkward Colorado story, cattleman Dal
Blake has been fighting his attraction to
his neighbor’s daughter, Meadow, since
she was a teen girl, hiding it behind insults
that lead to enmity between them. Eight
years later, Meadow and Dal forge a truce
as they bond over their mutual love of
animals. The uneven pacing and stilted
interactions between the cardboard characters doom this tepid romance. In contrast,
McKenna’s Wyoming romance is both
tender and sweet. Former Marine Travis
Grant is struggling to adjust to civilian
life, but begins to hope that a happy future
with high school sweetheart Kassie Murphy
is possible, as compassionate Kassie knows
how to accommodate military veterans
who have post-traumatic stress disorder.
Way goes Down Under for her cowboy:
Darcey MacArthur returns to the Australian
Outback to spend Christmas with her
former mother-in-law. Darcey is still
reeling from her ex-husband’s betrayal,
which led to their acrimonious divorce
two years ago, but with maturity, she sees
her own mistakes. Darcey’s emotions are
raw and heartfelt as she and her ex work
past the bitterness to reach forgiveness,
making a satisfying conclusion to this
anthology. For Meadow, Kassie, and
Darcey, grief over losing their mothers has
shaped how they view love and how they
find the strength to try again. (Oct.)
Christmas at Two Love Lane
Kieran Kramer. St. Martin’s, $7.99 mass
market (352p) ISBN 978-1-250-11104-3
Kramer’s first Two Love Lane novel
introduces a successful matchmaking
agency in Charleston, S.C., as a founding
partner meets a match of her own. Macy
Frost enjoys her work at Two Love Lane,
where she is a professional matchmaker.
When New Yorker Deacon Banks walks
through her door and asks to be set up
with a series of dates during the month he
is spending in Charleston, Macy initially
declines his offer, since Deacon doesn’t
seem to be interested in finding love. But
Deacon can’t help being charmed by the
beautiful and effervescent Macy as he
explains that he’s requesting the dates as
his Christmas gift to his Aunt Fran, a retired
talk show host who would like to see him
settle down. Deacon’s intense appeal is not
lost on Macy, who agrees to set him up on
some dates as long as the women know
that it is just for fun. The enchantment of
Charleston shines throughout as Macy does
her best to partner Deacon with woman
she believes are perfect for him. Little does
she know that these women have conspired
with Deacon to match him up with Macy,
the one he adores. Sizzling love scenes and
stolen kisses add allure to this novel made
complete by its engaging cast of charac-
ters. Agent: Annelise Robey, Jane Rotrosen
Agency. (Oct.)
A Very Cowboy Christmas:
Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year, Y’All
Kim Redford. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99
trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-4926-2153-9
The third in Redford’s Smokin’ Hot
Cowboy contemporary series featuring the
volunteer firefighters of Wildcat Bluff,
Tex. (after Blazing Hot Cowboy), delivers
fiery passion with a country-western kick.
Widowed cowgirl Sydney Steele has a lot
on her plate: she works on her family’s
ranch; takes care of her daughter, Storm,
who wants to follow in her footsteps; and
volunteers as a firefighter. Now she’s in
charge of creating a calendar to raise money
for Wildcat Bluff’s fire-rescue organization
and making sure that Christmas at the
Sure-Shot Drive In—the first community
event since its renovation—is a rousing
success. Unfortunately, her cantankerous
1959 pink Cadillac convertible, Celeste,
doesn’t just attract attention: she falters at
the most inopportune times. Dune Barrett,
a newcomer in town, rides to Sydney’s
rescue. He’s able to wrangle both the car
and his photo-shy fellow firefighters. The
attraction between Dune and Sydney is
put on hold when Wildcat Bluff becomes
the target of an arsonist, and further falters
when both are reminded of deceased past
loves. This heartwarming tale perfectly
balances sweet and sensual with just a hint
of retro chic. Agent: Elaine English, Elaine
P. English Literary. (Oct.)
A Season of You:
A Cloud Bay Christmas Novel
Emma Douglas. St. Martin’s, $7.99 mass
market (304p) ISBN 978-1-250-11100-5
Douglas (Need You Now) sets this
Christmas story on a small island off the
coast of California. Although there is no
snow, there’s holiday spirit aplenty, as
the town’s mayor gets set to go overboard
★ Becoming Bella
Sarah Hegger. Zebra, $7.99 mass market (360p) ISBN 978-1-4201-4245-7
Christmas cheer abounds in Hegger’s fantastic second Ghost Falls contemporary (after Positively Pippa). Sugary sweetness, not sassiness, has long defined goody-two-shoes Bella Erickson. She’s
been the perfect daughter, granddaughter, and business
owner. This Christmas season, however, she’s over it all.
Her life is in a rut, she’s 34, and, with the help of some
self-improvement tapes, she aims to break free and truly
live. Enter Sheriff Nate Evans, the self-defined black
sheep of the Evans family. Like everyone else in their
little town of Ghost Falls, Utah, he knows that Bella’s
been in love with him since they were in the first grade.
But he’s kept his distance—until now. The good girl captures the bad boy’s
attention with her new, slightly naughty ways. When a stalker threatens Bella,
Nate steps up to protect her. The plot draws readers in with style and substance,
then keeps the pages flipping until the very end with delicious sensuality and
intertwining story lines. Hegger excels at depicting familial relationships and
friendships of all kinds, including purely platonic friendships between women
and men. Tears, laughter, and a dollop of suspense make a memorable story that
readers will want to revisit time and again. Agent: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill
Associates. (Oct.)
