Book Review-The Christmas Brides

The Christmas Brides
Montana Creeds (4) McKettrick (10)
Linda Lael Miller
Harlequin
377 Pages
Published October 2010
Western Romance/Holiday
ISBN: 978-0-373-77502-6

Synopsis
Celebrate the holidays with these heartwarming family classics in one keepsake collection from New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael MillerA McKettrick Christmas
Lizzie McKettrick is on a homebound train with a Christmas Eve surprise for her family—a special young man, Whitley Carson. He might seem a little too interested in the McKettrick money, but Lizzie’s certain Whitley cares for her deep down. But fate has a surprise for Lizzie—Dr. Morgan Shane. When their train is stranded by a massive avalanche on Christmas Eve the handsome doctor takes charge—with Lizzie by his side. Time’s running out for the passengers. But with faith, hard work and some unexpected help, it just might be a joyous McKettrick family Christmas after all….
A Creed Country Christmas
In the Montana wilderness of 1910, Lincoln Creed is up against more than rustlers, wolves and winter storms. His young daughter, Gracie, has needs beyond the beans and bacon he can barely cook. The widowed rancher must find Gracie a suitable governess who won’t set her sights on him. Disowned for her refusal to marry, the young schoolteacher Juliana Mitchell seems like a perfect fit in the Creed home. As she gets to know Lincoln and Gracie, Juliana suddenly doesn’t feel so strongly against marriage after all. In the season of miracles, Providence just might find a way to bring these souls together in a wonderful Christmas blessing.

MY REVIEW 
 
A MCKETTRICK CHRISTMAS 

Summary:
Lizzie McKettrick, is traveling home from San Francisco with a prospective future fiancee, and planning on surprising her family with Whitley Carson. But then a avalanche strikes the train they are traveling on and they are stranded witha blizzard outside and not much hope of surviving with a likely chance of them on the edge (which could tip their car over), and another avalanche that could down upon them at any time. Dr Morgan Shane takes charge and Lizzie is drawn to him in a way that she has never been drawn to a man before. Despite their current dangerous circumstances surrounding them, their is a spark that flares between the two, and Lizzie knows in her heart he is the man she would want to spend her life with if they manage to survive.

My Thoughts 
I have read most of the McKettrick series, and was delighted to read Lizzie’s Story. The four previous books involving her father and her three uncles, are treats to read, as was A McKettrick Christmas. From the first sentecne I know I would enjoy reading, its definitely a heartwarmer for the Holidays. The characters were touching, and although a bit shorter than I would have liked when it comes to a McKettrick book (or any of Linda Lael Millers books) it was still a Christmas delight that will warm your heart.

My Favorite Quote 
Around and around they went, the doctor and the schoolmarm, waltzing to the beat of each other’s hearts.

A CREED COUNTRY CHRISTMAS 

Summary:
Juliana Mitchell, a schoolteacher of an Indian school, and loves each of the children that she teaches. However because of her brother refusing to give her inheritance, she is unable to send some of the children, (which she could lose her job if she doesn’t get them off) to their next destination. Then she meets Lincoln Creed who offers to take them in. Lincoln widowed and father to Gracie, who is in needs of a governess and more importantly a mother. So when Lincoln proposes to Juliana, she agrees when she starts to realize how much she is beginning to care for this rancher who is in need of love, and who also aches for him in her life.

My Thoughts 
I have now read all books from the Creed series, but I just love each and every one of the Creeds so far, and Lincoln Creed is no different. Lincoln loved his previous wife deeply and suffers from the loss. But when he meets Juliana he is charmed, as is his daughter. Gracie is in need of a mother figure and that nurting he feels he could never provide for her. Lincoln also has been lonely for far too long and yearns for someone to come home to. A Creed Country Christmas is a classic holiday story, where there are two people more in needs of love and the healing Christmas season, than they truly realize. A tender Christmas story, one I will never forget.

My Favorite Quote 
She slipped her arms around his neck and rose onto her tiptoes, caught up in her response like a leaf swept up into a whirlwind.

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 

Mckettricks 

High Country Bride

Shotgun Bride

Secondhand Bride

McKettricks Choice

Sierra Homecoming

McKettricks Luck

McKettricks Pride

 McKettricks Heart

McKettricks Way

A McKettrick Christmas

Tate

Garrett

Austin

Creeds 

Logan

Dylan

Tyler

A Creed Country Christmas

 

Book Review- Montana Creeds: Tyler

Montana Creeds: Tyler
Montana Creeds
Linda Lael Miller
Harlequin Books,
372 Pages,
Published April 2009
Western Contemporary

Synopsis:
Descendants of the legendary McKettrick family, the Creeds are renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana — for raising hell…
Whether winning championship belt buckles or dealing with Hollywood types for endorsement deals, former rodeo star Tyler Creed can handle anything. Except standing on the same patch of land as his estranged brothers. Yet here they are in Stillwater Springs, barely talking but trying to restore the old Creed ranch–and family.
Lily Kenyon knows all about family estrangements and secrets. The single mom has come home to set things right, to put down roots for her daughter. What she doesn’t expect is Tyler Creed, whom she’s loved since childhood. Now the handsome, stubborn cowboy who left home to seek his fortune just might find it was always under the Montana sky….

My Review:
This is the third and last in the Montana Creeds Series. and probably my least favorite, but still a enjoyable read. Tyler is the youngest of the three brothers, and the most wild as well. The story starts out with Tyler trading his Cadillac for a truck; with a older couple. The man that owns that truck is baffled, but accepts the trade; who wouldn’t?. Tyler is driving down the road heading back to Stillwater Springs and his pickup breaks down. He decides to call and find a tow truck, if he can.
Lily Kenyon comes home from Chicago to take care of her father after he has a heart attack. Lily is a widow, with a young daughter Tess. As they are driving home from the hospital, they see a young man on the road, Tyler Creed. Lily has always been in love with Tyler, but when they were younger he had a affair with a much older woman, a waitress. Tyler broke Lily’s heart, and at the sight of seeing him again, she has to wonder if he will break it again. As their feelings develop, and their relationship grow, and unseeing danger will sneak up upon them.

I enjoyed this book, although it is my least favorite of the series. I felt that the relationship between Lily and Tyler wasn’t as connected as I thought it should be. It also seemed to me that Lily just seemed to forget the past whenever she was anywhere near Tyler. I find that hard to believe, from how much he hurt her. This book just didn’t seem to cover their past issues which are a very vital part of their relationship. Pretty much they just have a lot of steaming wild passionate sex (although I have to say some of my favorite scenes) and then they decide to get married. I thought it seemed a little too rushed for me. More so that the other books in the series. It did have some great mysterious intrigue, that fascinates and makes the reader want to hold their breath on what is going to happen next. So for the most part I enjoyed reading this one, although there were some flaws that really affected my opinion of the book.

My Grade For This Book:
4 Blossoms

Bo

Book Review- Montanta Creeds: Dylan

Montana Creeds: Dylan
(Montana Creeds Series)
Linda Lael Miller
Harlequin Books,
372 Pages,
Published: March 2009
Western Contemporary

Synopsis:
Descendants of the legendary McKettrick family, the Creeds are renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana–for raising hell…

Hailed as “rodeo’s bad boy” for his talent at taming bulls and women, Dylan Creed likes life in the fast lane. But when the daughter he rarely sees is abandoned by her mother, Dylan heads home to Stillwater Springs ranch. Somehow the champion bull rider has to turn into a champion father–and fast.

Town librarian Kristy Madison is uncharacteristically speechless when Dylan Creed turns up for story time with a toddler in tow. The man who’d left a trail of broken hearts–including her own–is back…and this time Kristy’s determined to tame his wild ways once and for all.

My Review
This is the second in the creed men trilogy, and I truly loved Dylan about as much as I loved Logan. It start out in Las Vegas, Nevada. Where Dylan comes out to his truck, and finds his two year old daughter “Bonnie”, furious that she was left alone; he then finds a note from Sharlene saying that she can’t keep Bonnie anymore and that she is heading out with her current boyfriend. He decides that he is going to learn to take good care of his daughter (since Sharlene hardly let him see “Bonnie” so he really has no idea what he is doing) and heads to Stillwater Springs Ranch.
Kristy Madison is the town librarian, feeling all alone in the world with her parents having been dead for some time, and the only man she has ever truly loved broke her heart when she was younger. She sometimes feels like she is going to be a spinster; but has a good life for herself. Then one day Dylan Creed strolls into her library for story time with a toddler in his arms. Kristy is utterly speechless. Its been years since she has seen Dylan Creed, and never thought that she would see him anytime soon.
Dylan with his responsiblities to his daughter, is yet still drawn to the beautiful, sexy, librarian. Kristy, knows she needs more than what she currently has. She yearns for love and a home and children of her own. “Bonnie totally captivates Kristy’ attention, and soon Kristy’s is enchanted by her acceptance and innocence that a young child possess. There is also strange mysterious things happening around Stillwater Springs, a mystery that both Kristy and Dylan are willing to solve. With questions being aroused about Kristy and Dylan’s father, feelings begin to develop again between Kristy and Dylan.

I was totally enthralled by this particular story of Millers. Ever since I have read Logan’s story, I have looked forward to reading Dylan’s, and it didn’t disappoint. Of course whenever I read one of Linda Lael’s Millers books; I rarely get disappointed. Dylan’s Story is loaded with intrigue, passionate embraces, and a tender strengthening love that develops between Dylan and Kristy. I could barely put it down, and endearingly fell in love with the story. There were only a few things that I didn’t feel worked right within the story line, but other than a few minor details, it was a very exciting and enjoyable read.

My Grade For This Book:
4 Blossoms