Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
110th out of 234 books
—
397 voters
A Lawman's Christmas (McKettricks #15)
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 an...more
Hardcover, 249 pages
Published
September 27th 2011
by HQN Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,332)
A sweet old fashioned romance set in rural Texas of 1914. Clay McKettrick has left his family ranch in Arizona to be the temporary Marshall in the depressed little town of Blue River until he gets his cattle ranch up and running. Dara Rose is the previous marshall's widow and mother of two daughters, ages 5 and 6. She is virtually destitute and living in the house/shack that is meant for Clay to live in. Luckily for her, Clay is immediately taken with her and soon offers her a marriage of conven...more
Received for Book Tour
Overall Rating 3.50
Story Rating 3.25
Character Rating 3.75
Note: I haven't read any of Linda Lael Miller's McKettricks of Texas series but I feel like this one stands on its own.
What I Loved: I really adore almost all the characters Linda Lael Miller writes! She has a way of making you care about each and every one of them and A Lawman's Christmas is no different. I immediately fell in love with Edrina and Harriet, the two small children of the story. They were spunky, fun, a...more
Overall Rating 3.50
Story Rating 3.25
Character Rating 3.75
Note: I haven't read any of Linda Lael Miller's McKettricks of Texas series but I feel like this one stands on its own.
What I Loved: I really adore almost all the characters Linda Lael Miller writes! She has a way of making you care about each and every one of them and A Lawman's Christmas is no different. I immediately fell in love with Edrina and Harriet, the two small children of the story. They were spunky, fun, a...more
Leave it to a McKettrick to ride into town, and in a few days win everyone over. That’s a perfect situation for a quiet man who wanted his own place in life, away from the family homestead in the Arizona Territory. And, it’s perfect for Linda Lael Miller’s A Lawman’s Christmas.
When Clay McKettrick arrived in Blue River, Texas in 1914, he knew he was taking over the job of marshal following the unexpected death of the previous marshal. But, he had no idea he’d also take over Parnell Nolan’s wife...more
When Clay McKettrick arrived in Blue River, Texas in 1914, he knew he was taking over the job of marshal following the unexpected death of the previous marshal. But, he had no idea he’d also take over Parnell Nolan’s wife...more
I really enjoyed the story in this book. I have enjoyed many books by this author and knew I would like this one as well. The story in this book is one of those feel good, happily ever after stories that are perfect for a holiday themed book. I absolutely loved Edrina. At 6 years old she is wise beyond her years as is her 5 year old sister. Edrina had a way of exasperating her mother while speaking the truth and getting answers to questions no one wanted to answer.
Clay McKettrick came to the tow...more
Clay McKettrick came to the tow...more
About:
It's December 1914 and Clay McKettrick arrives in Blue River, Texas via a long train ride to become the towns new Marshal.
Dara Rose Nolan's husband, who was the previous Marshal, passed away, a bit scandalously I might add. Dara Rose is now a widow with two young daughters and is left wondering what her fate will be. She is struggling with finances and refuses to sell her body or marry a local older man who wants to use her as his maid and put her children in an orphanage.
Dara is living in...more
It's December 1914 and Clay McKettrick arrives in Blue River, Texas via a long train ride to become the towns new Marshal.
Dara Rose Nolan's husband, who was the previous Marshal, passed away, a bit scandalously I might add. Dara Rose is now a widow with two young daughters and is left wondering what her fate will be. She is struggling with finances and refuses to sell her body or marry a local older man who wants to use her as his maid and put her children in an orphanage.
Dara is living in...more
Clay McKettrick son of Chloe and Jeb, grandson of Angus has left the homestead in the Arizona Territory to set out to make his own mark in Texas. He takes a temporary position as Marshall of Blue River while buying a large parcel of land and ordering a house out of the Sears and Roebuck catalogue. It might be 1912, but he’s still not sure he’ll install electricity. He wants it all, a home and a family and as soon as he’s settled he’ll start looking around for a suitable wife.
Dora Rose Nolan has...more
Dora Rose Nolan has...more
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
When Clay McKettrick accepts a job as the marshal of the small town Blue River, Texas, it’s not his only plan, but a means to achieve what he really wants: a wife, children, and a ranch.
The time is 1914. Hostilities in Europe are heating up; it’s only a matter of time until buyers will be looking for cattle to feed the armies. Clay plans to be ready. What he doesn’t plan on is falling for his predecessor’s widow.
Dara Rose Nolan is oc...more
When Clay McKettrick accepts a job as the marshal of the small town Blue River, Texas, it’s not his only plan, but a means to achieve what he really wants: a wife, children, and a ranch.
The time is 1914. Hostilities in Europe are heating up; it’s only a matter of time until buyers will be looking for cattle to feed the armies. Clay plans to be ready. What he doesn’t plan on is falling for his predecessor’s widow.
Dara Rose Nolan is oc...more
It's been awhile since I have read a book by Linda Lael Miller, makes me want to dig out my other books by her and reread them. Definately read more books of hers.
Clay McKettricks want to start his own ranch so he moved away from his family to texas. Clay plans to mark time over winter as a new sherriff in town. Thier is a small house that comes with the sherriff job, but the last sherriff widow and two daughters still live thier. Soon as Clay gets his horse of the train Edrina comes up to hold...more
Clay McKettricks want to start his own ranch so he moved away from his family to texas. Clay plans to mark time over winter as a new sherriff in town. Thier is a small house that comes with the sherriff job, but the last sherriff widow and two daughters still live thier. Soon as Clay gets his horse of the train Edrina comes up to hold...more
A warm oldfashioned Christmas romance. Ms. Miller can churn out these westerns a mile a minute, yet they never get stale!
Fortune has not been kind to Dara Rose, a newly widowed mother with two young children. With her husband, the town marshall killed, she faces eviction & destitution. With options (and money) running out, she worries if she will be able to keep her children safe with her. Moved by her plight, Clay McKettrick steps in, and offers marriage.
I love the slow pace of the 'homest...more
Fortune has not been kind to Dara Rose, a newly widowed mother with two young children. With her husband, the town marshall killed, she faces eviction & destitution. With options (and money) running out, she worries if she will be able to keep her children safe with her. Moved by her plight, Clay McKettrick steps in, and offers marriage.
I love the slow pace of the 'homest...more
1 like · like · see review
I really enjoyed this book. It's a great story about loss and pain, starting over, and discovering love. With Christmas right around the corner, it's also a great Christmas present. The story moves at a good pace and the characters will warm your heart. Clay was such a kind and loving person, it wasn't hard at all to fall in love with him right along with Dara Rose.
Dara Rose has been through a lot. She lost her husband, who was the marshal before Clay, and because of his death she is about to l...more
Dara Rose has been through a lot. She lost her husband, who was the marshal before Clay, and because of his death she is about to l...more
This was a very nice historical romance. Clay McKettrick comes to Blue River, Texas to mend a broken heart and start a life that isn't always being measured against his grandfather and uncles. He wants to make his own success. He also wants to start a family though love isn't really on his mind. He plans to build his own successful dynasty.
The first person Clay meets is 6-year-old Edrina Nolan. Her father was the former sheriff who recently died. When Clay returns her to her home he meets Dara R...more
The first person Clay meets is 6-year-old Edrina Nolan. Her father was the former sheriff who recently died. When Clay returns her to her home he meets Dara R...more
Such a sweet story.
This book is part of the McKettrick series and features Clay McKettrick, the son of Jeb and Chloe McKettrick (Secondhand Bride). He moves from the family ranch in Arizona to the Town of Blue River, Texas, where he has taken the job as the local Marshall. He meets the rather poor local townfolk, including the widow and children of the prior Marshall. Part of his compensation for the job as Marshall, was the Marshall’s house, but he finds he cannot evict the lovely Dara Rose No...more
This book is part of the McKettrick series and features Clay McKettrick, the son of Jeb and Chloe McKettrick (Secondhand Bride). He moves from the family ranch in Arizona to the Town of Blue River, Texas, where he has taken the job as the local Marshall. He meets the rather poor local townfolk, including the widow and children of the prior Marshall. Part of his compensation for the job as Marshall, was the Marshall’s house, but he finds he cannot evict the lovely Dara Rose No...more
At First Sight: Clay McKettrick has left the comfort of his family's ranch behind to start his own ranch in Blue River, Texas. To keep himself busy until spring (when he can start building), Clay accepts the job as Town Marshal.The job comes with a house, which is currently being occupied by the former's Marshal's wife and children.
Upon meeting the eldest child, Edrina Nolan -an adorable girl, only six years old who charms him with her outspokenness and smarts - and learning of the hard times t...more
Upon meeting the eldest child, Edrina Nolan -an adorable girl, only six years old who charms him with her outspokenness and smarts - and learning of the hard times t...more
Clay McKettrick is the new marshal of Blue River, Texas. Temporarily. He's bought a cattle ranch of his own outside Blue River, but decided to fill the vacancy as the town's law until the Spring. Dara Rose Nolan's late husband was the former marshal but met with an unfortunate and untimely death, as Edrina, Dara Rose's six year-old daughter explains to Clay upon his arrival in town -
"'My papa was the marshal a while back,' she informed Clay matter-of-factly, 'but then he died in the arms of a mi...more
"'My papa was the marshal a while back,' she informed Clay matter-of-factly, 'but then he died in the arms of a mi...more
4 likes · like · see review
I received a ebook copy of this book through netgalley for my honest opinion and review.
If you are a fan of the McKettrick series by Linda Lael Miller you are in luck! This is a new book that goes with the series and features Clay McKettrick. Clay is the son of Jeb and Chloe McKettrick from Second Hand Bride.
A Lawman's Christmas
Linda Lael Miller
9/27/2011
amazon.com
barnesandnoble.com
indiebound.org
booksamillion.com
Love comes home for the holidays in a brand-new McKettrick tale from New York Tim...more
If you are a fan of the McKettrick series by Linda Lael Miller you are in luck! This is a new book that goes with the series and features Clay McKettrick. Clay is the son of Jeb and Chloe McKettrick from Second Hand Bride.
A Lawman's Christmas
Linda Lael Miller
9/27/2011
amazon.com
barnesandnoble.com
indiebound.org
booksamillion.com
Love comes home for the holidays in a brand-new McKettrick tale from New York Tim...more
I should know better by now not to buy novella's no matter how much I love that particular author's books. They always feel rushed and I never come away satisfied. Same way with this one. I've read and loved all the Mckettrick books and I enjoyed getting a peak into the life of a child from one of the original McKettricks, but I still have the complaints mentioned previously. It felt rushed and the love-at-first-sight a little unbelievable. If the couple had met previously and then had time apar...more
4.5 Stars
What an old-fashioned, feel-good Christmas story! I loved it! The story, and romance were slow and satisfying, with a great cast of characters.
I loved both Dara Rose's and Clay's relationship with her two little girls. The girls had real personalities, they weren't just props or seen as something for the main characters to 'take care of'. Clay's sweet side really came out where the girls were concerned. The family aspect of the tale was one of my favorite things about this book.
Clay was...more
What an old-fashioned, feel-good Christmas story! I loved it! The story, and romance were slow and satisfying, with a great cast of characters.
I loved both Dara Rose's and Clay's relationship with her two little girls. The girls had real personalities, they weren't just props or seen as something for the main characters to 'take care of'. Clay's sweet side really came out where the girls were concerned. The family aspect of the tale was one of my favorite things about this book.
Clay was...more
Jul 24, 2011
Jae
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
arc,
5-star,
favorites,
handcuff-me-hot-cop,
historical,
hot-shagging-action,
lovvit,
2011,
ride-a-hot-cowboy
Thunderation and spit! (gotta love the kid's cussing) I had a wonderful time starting and finishing this book. I've never read any LLM book let alone any earlier ones in the McKettrick series. So I was bracing myself for some sort of elaborate and intricate saga from the previous books.
But surprisingly this book really was just a homely, sweet and mellow story about Dara Rose Nolan and her two young daughters. She was the widow of the town Marshal supporting her children alone and on the brink...more
But surprisingly this book really was just a homely, sweet and mellow story about Dara Rose Nolan and her two young daughters. She was the widow of the town Marshal supporting her children alone and on the brink...more
5 likes · like · see review
I only just discovered Linda Lael Miller about 4 months ago, but I have to say, she's definitely crafted a winning formula for creating the most desirable cowboys, and Clay McKettrick is no exception.
The winter of 1914 finds Clay, the new marshal of Blue River, TEXAS, just settling into his role as lawman when Dara Rose, a young widow with two children and no where to go, arrests his heart. One way or another, Clay plans on making Dara his, and he's gonna have fun doing it, even if his amusement...more
The winter of 1914 finds Clay, the new marshal of Blue River, TEXAS, just settling into his role as lawman when Dara Rose, a young widow with two children and no where to go, arrests his heart. One way or another, Clay plans on making Dara his, and he's gonna have fun doing it, even if his amusement...more
Described as a Western, a historical romance AND, perhaps most accurately, as a 'ROMCOW' (a romantic cowboy) this is the first time I've ever read anything of this kind.
An albeit largely unbelievable read, this is nevertheless a nice enough cosy and charming story with lots of snow scenes. In many ways the perfect seasonal read, its just that apart from the humour and matter-of-fact ways of one character (Edrina) and that this is Christmas without all of the commercialism there was nothing about...more
An albeit largely unbelievable read, this is nevertheless a nice enough cosy and charming story with lots of snow scenes. In many ways the perfect seasonal read, its just that apart from the humour and matter-of-fact ways of one character (Edrina) and that this is Christmas without all of the commercialism there was nothing about...more
A Lawmans Christmas (McKettrick Book 14)– Linda Lael Miller (Sept 27th)
When the town Marshall ups and leaves Blue River, Mrs. Nolan is left without a husband, her two daughters are left without a father and the town is left without a Marshall. Now the town fathers tell Dara Rose she and her daughters must leave their shack of a home and right before Christmas too!
Luckily for the town (and Mrs. Nolan) Clay McKettrick is coming to start a new ranch and to take up the slack of the missing Marshall....more
When the town Marshall ups and leaves Blue River, Mrs. Nolan is left without a husband, her two daughters are left without a father and the town is left without a Marshall. Now the town fathers tell Dara Rose she and her daughters must leave their shack of a home and right before Christmas too!
Luckily for the town (and Mrs. Nolan) Clay McKettrick is coming to start a new ranch and to take up the slack of the missing Marshall....more
Clay McKettrick takes a job as the new of Blue River, Texas, a town fallen on hard times. He meets the deceased Marshall's wife, Dara Rose (love that name!) and her two young daughters. Dara is trying to decide how she can survive and not give up her daughters. The story takes place in the early 1910's, so given the date, what happens next is extremely feasible. She marries the new Marshall out of convenience which is actually to both their advantage since Clay needs someone to keep his home. It...more
If you are familiar with the McKettrick series and enjoy holiday novellas, find a copy of A Lawman's Christmas. Clay McKettrick is out on his own to carve a place for himself. Upon entering his new position as Blue River's sheriff, Clay meets widow Dara Rose Nolan and her daughters. She is currently living in the sheriff's house, but he's not interested in uprooting her, just helping her.
The joy and giving of Christmas comes before the holiday and follows through this special time of year. Mill...more
The joy and giving of Christmas comes before the holiday and follows through this special time of year. Mill...more
I think you either like Linda Lael Miller's books, or you don't. They are all pretty much alike--a rugged, handsome and sensitive Western man (generally a rancher) meets a pretty woman. Not very deep, no socially relevant subplots, just happily ever after with a little steam thrown in. In this case, all the steam is in the last chapter, so if you are looking for a clean Christmas romance, just skip that chapter. This is shorter than most of her books by about 150 pages, so keep that in mind if o...more
I don't often read Linda Lael Miller, but this little Christmas novel was a light, sweet romance set in Texas. Dara Rose is a widow with two small, precocious children. Her husband, the former lawman in town, died a rather embarrassing death and she is soon to be removed from the small home that they lived in. When the new marshall arrives, Dara is relieved that he has decided to room in the jail with his new found friend, an old mangy dog. Over the course of the book, the marshall, Clay McKettr...more
Every once in a while I have a hankering for a cowboy, and since my husband refuses to don a cowboy hat and boots, I turn to Linda Lael Miller. One of my favorite series by her is the McKettrick’s series and boy howdy! Set in 1914 in Texas, A Lawman’s Christmas is the perfect short novel for a cold winter eve. This tale is all about Clay McKettrick the son of Chloe and Jeb. I consumed this in a single afternoon and it certainly got me in the holiday spirit.
Clay McKettrick accepts the job of Mars...more
Clay McKettrick accepts the job of Mars...more
Clay McKettrick arrives in Blue River ready to start stand on his own and get from under his family's shadow. Fresh off of heartbreak, he takes a temporary job as Blue River's sheriff. His primary goal is to build his own ranch, start a family, and strike out on his own. However, when he arrives to Blue River he realizes that the cabin promised to him is occupied by the widow of the previous sheriff. Clay can't help connecting with the adorable struggling family.
I completely heart this sweet Chr...more
I completely heart this sweet Chr...more
You know when you find an author that you really like, and you decide you want to try and read everything they've written? Yeah, that's why I read this book. Linda's writing is different than some of the other "cowboy" authors I've read. But it's still captivating and keeps me turning the pages. Normally I'm not a fan of historical. However, this one didn't bother me much. The struggles I have with historical tend to be the pace and language. I want to read it quick and enjoy the ride. In A Lawm...more
I confess that I have had a hard time getting into Miller's works in the past, but I am glad I gave her another shot with A Lawman's Christmas, because I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a sweet and heartwarming historical romance, and it's a gorgeous little hardcover holiday keepsake.
December, 1914. When Clay McKettrick steps off the train in Blue Ridge, Texas, and finds a sparky little girl commandeering his horse, he never imagined she'd lead him to his future wife. He took on the marshal's job fo...more
December, 1914. When Clay McKettrick steps off the train in Blue Ridge, Texas, and finds a sparky little girl commandeering his horse, he never imagined she'd lead him to his future wife. He took on the marshal's job fo...more
A Lawman's Christmas by Linda Lael Miller is one of her McKettricks of Texas books.
Clay McKettrick wants to make his own path in life, away from his large family, so he heads to Blue River, Texas, and takes a job as the new marshal until spring, when he can start work on his new ranch. But Clay's arrival worries Dara Nolan, the widow of the old marshal, since Dara and her two girls are supposed to move out of the house that is reserved for the marshal's use when Clay comes to town. But Clay can...more
Clay McKettrick wants to make his own path in life, away from his large family, so he heads to Blue River, Texas, and takes a job as the new marshal until spring, when he can start work on his new ranch. But Clay's arrival worries Dara Nolan, the widow of the old marshal, since Dara and her two girls are supposed to move out of the house that is reserved for the marshal's use when Clay comes to town. But Clay can...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Twenty-four years after she sold her first novel, Linda Lael Miller is having what anyone would call a stellar year.
The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and...more
More about Linda Lael Miller...
The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Nov 27, 2011 06:40am
Nov 27, 2011 07:10am