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Kirkwood Lake #3
The Lawman's Holiday Wish
Second-Chance Christmas
No one in Kirkwood Lake seems willing to forget, or forgive, Rainey McKinney's troubled past. But Rainey can't afford to let that bother her. Her top priority is rebuilding her life and being a good mom to her twin daughters. Even handsome deputy sheriff Luke Campbell can't distract her, tempting as he is. She's determined to keep her distance, but as his son and her girls form a special bond, Rainey and Luke can't help but do the same. Can Rainey put her past behind her once and for all and embrace a future full of hope—and love?
Kirkwood Lake: A town full of heart and hope.
No one in Kirkwood Lake seems willing to forget, or forgive, Rainey McKinney's troubled past. But Rainey can't afford to let that bother her. Her top priority is rebuilding her life and being a good mom to her twin daughters. Even handsome deputy sheriff Luke Campbell can't distract her, tempting as he is. She's determined to keep her distance, but as his son and her girls form a special bond, Rainey and Luke can't help but do the same. Can Rainey put her past behind her once and for all and embrace a future full of hope—and love?
Kirkwood Lake: A town full of heart and hope.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Logan Herne
132 books507 followersMulti-published, award-winning, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream of being a published author and having the time of her life doing it. Born to a poor family in Rochester, NY, Ruthy draws on her early years and her many years of dealing with today's young families and businesses to create beautiful, heartfelt small-town stories of faith, hope and love... while adopting her favorite non-Scripture quotes "Plenty of time for rest in the grave" (Ben Franklin) and "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." (Eleanor Roosevelt) and one can always depend on Yoda "There is no try. There is do or do not." Succinct... and true. :) She loves chatting with readers on facebook at Ruth Logan Herne or follow Ruthy on Twitter, visit her website or stop by Seekerville (www.seekerville.blogspot.com) or pop by the Yankee Belle Cafe where Ruthy and several lovely authors share recipes, facts, photos and just plain old life! (www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 22, 2020
This was cute, though clichéd. I loved the romance and the holiday cheer, beginning before Thanksgiving and ending at Christmas.
However, I must admit that I'm getting tired of the trope of one of the couple – usually the guy – being an unbelieving cynic. Not all Christian books need a salvation story.
The climax wasn't what the conflict with the townspeople had been building up to, either. But it was very emotional, with all the feels.
I noticed a few typos. The one thing that had me confused the entire book was the supporting character Marly/Marty. Sometimes it was spelled one way, sometimes another. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be the same character or if they were two separate characters.
(I received a copy as a giveaway. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own, as was the decision to write this review.)
However, I must admit that I'm getting tired of the trope of one of the couple – usually the guy – being an unbelieving cynic. Not all Christian books need a salvation story.
The climax wasn't what the conflict with the townspeople had been building up to, either. But it was very emotional, with all the feels.
I noticed a few typos. The one thing that had me confused the entire book was the supporting character Marly/Marty. Sometimes it was spelled one way, sometimes another. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be the same character or if they were two separate characters.
(I received a copy as a giveaway. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own, as was the decision to write this review.)
September 9, 2017
The title mislead me to think it was a Christmas story, which I desperately needed to get my mind off from the craziness of this week, but it wasn't. Not having read any of the other books in the series, I made my own background stories on the characters so I could get through it. Could that have been the main reason why I didn't enjoy it as much? Perhaps. Oh, well! Next!
May 30, 2017
I liked Rainey and Luke and their children but there was a lot going on in this book. Rainey's past was never completely explained and was kind of confusing. I also didn't care for the cliche story filler of .
November 25, 2018
Following on from Piper n Zach's story this one is Piper's sister Rainy and Luke's story. Both parents and their children going to kindy. How to get their kids to play and learn with others? That comes up all the time in school settings and all age groups. reputations in a community can be kind or harsh and hard to shake off over time. The label sticks. Christmas time 2018 is soon to be on us.
December 16, 2021
Another good book by Ruth Logan Herne. I really enjoyed this book. I think you will too. I love to start reading holiday novels from Thanksgiving to Christmas and this one should be on your list
February 7, 2025
A great book. My first time reading this author's work. One thing I enjoy is that she gives perspectives from more than one character. That helps the reader understand their experiences and their motivations. The characters' relationship to God is something I always enjoy in Christian novels. Sometimes, the only way to tell it is a Christian novel is that the content is clean and the characters go to church or pray sometimes. This is not one of those novels.
November 18, 2015
After getting to know Rainey in the last book, was was happy to see her get her own book! Rainy has had a rough go of it. She spent time in jail for a crime she didn't commit because she was protecting a friend who was pregnant. Then she breaks parole. When a dirty cop threatens her, she has to leave her twin daughters with her mother and sister and go away.
Now she's back.
Some are happy.
Some are not.
Then there's Luke Campbell. We also met him in the previous book. Luke is widowed and raising his son. It's rough.
When the two are called in to the school to address problems they are having with the children, the parents come up with a plan: let the kids spend time together and see if it helps them. They soon have to make a set of rules to keep things strictly about the kids - only the rules don't work out so well.
The author did a great job putting this story together. Luke and Rainey seemed to fit so well together. There was some drama which involved some of the less favorable people of the town, but it was still good. People kept calling Rainy an ex-convict and I kept wishing someone would shout "She was found innocent!" I'm not sure why it never happened...
But the author handled the whole situation well. I was very pleased. The romance was very sweet to.
Now she's back.
Some are happy.
Some are not.
Then there's Luke Campbell. We also met him in the previous book. Luke is widowed and raising his son. It's rough.
When the two are called in to the school to address problems they are having with the children, the parents come up with a plan: let the kids spend time together and see if it helps them. They soon have to make a set of rules to keep things strictly about the kids - only the rules don't work out so well.
The author did a great job putting this story together. Luke and Rainey seemed to fit so well together. There was some drama which involved some of the less favorable people of the town, but it was still good. People kept calling Rainy an ex-convict and I kept wishing someone would shout "She was found innocent!" I'm not sure why it never happened...
But the author handled the whole situation well. I was very pleased. The romance was very sweet to.
December 11, 2015
Rainy McKinney has had more than her share of trouble . . .
Even though she was exonerated of a crime — and her criminal record was expunged — certain people in the town refuse to forget her past . . . or let her forget it.
When Luke Campbell approaches Rainy with a request to join forces in dealing with problems concerning their children, she willingly complies. But Luke has problems of his own. Will he end up pushing her away because of his past?
I can’t recommend this story enough! It’s amazing!
If you enjoy reading books by Ruth Logan Herne, or if you’re reading the Kirkwood Lake series, be sure to get this one – it’s the best one so far (I think… I love them all, so it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite).
Don’t miss this exciting series, found in the wonderful (fictional) place of Kirkwood Lake.
Happy Reading!!!
November 26, 2013
What a wonderful story. Getting to know Rainey and Luke and the town of Kirkwood Lake. You can see how sometimes we judge others based on past, with out showing God's love and forgiveness. We also can see how we blame ourself for things that are completely out of our control instead of just trusting God to do what we know is best for us, even if we can't see it now.
I enjoyed the personalities of both Luke, Rainey and their families. You just feel like you became a part of the whole story. This story grabs you from the beginning and just keeps you interested throughout the whole book. I always love a good, clean, christian romance with something else to learn along the way.
I enjoyed the personalities of both Luke, Rainey and their families. You just feel like you became a part of the whole story. This story grabs you from the beginning and just keeps you interested throughout the whole book. I always love a good, clean, christian romance with something else to learn along the way.
December 6, 2013
The Lawman's Holiday Wish by Ruth Herne deserves a 10, not just a 5....this book is beyond AWESOME...I was like Luke after a divorce when our son was only 6 mos. old, so I understood him all the way! Wish I would have had a friend like he did! If you have not read this book, then you must put it on your to read list! You will NOT be sorry!! My emotions were crying, praying, thinking, rejoicing, laughing, and many others while reading it! THANK you, Ruth Logan Herne, for sharing your God given talent with us. I pray that God continues His blessings on your writings, but I believe this is your best one yet!!! I love it and do plan to re-read it!! God bless you!!
December 25, 2013
This took me forever to finish, because I read two chapters and then got busy getting ready for Christmas, and only got to pick it up again weeks later. I thought I'd have to start over, but as soon as I'd read a page I remembered everything about the characters and their problems, which speaks to how vividly written they were.
This was another Harlequin Love Inspired, so it featured a brand of "let's talk about our faith a lot" Christianity that isn't quite...me. But it was believable for the characters, so it worked for me even if it wasn't quite intended for me.
Possibly a keeper, and certainly a "must track down more by this author!"
This was another Harlequin Love Inspired, so it featured a brand of "let's talk about our faith a lot" Christianity that isn't quite...me. But it was believable for the characters, so it worked for me even if it wasn't quite intended for me.
Possibly a keeper, and certainly a "must track down more by this author!"
December 27, 2013
I always enjoy reading Love Inspired books. They have a message. The Lawman's Holiday Wish was a very good book. Rainey had rough teenage years. She went to jail for something she didn't do, so the real person would have her baby not in jail. Rainy has twin five year old girls. She leaves them for three years. Not wanting the people who hated her to harm her girls. She eventually moves back to Kirkwood Lake. Some people are against her for what she did. With Gods help things change for her. She ends up with a happy life with a Deputy and his five year old son. A good read with a good message
Read
December 29, 2014Received 4 stars at RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Kirkwood Lake
Harlequin Reader Reviews
"Another winning Christmas story from a much-loved author. Herne knows how to pack an emotional punch and this one left me reeling, in fact, she made me cry. :-( But I forgive her because this book is pure Christmas magic." to read more, go HERE>
Miniseries: Kirkwood Lake
Harlequin Reader Reviews
"Another winning Christmas story from a much-loved author. Herne knows how to pack an emotional punch and this one left me reeling, in fact, she made me cry. :-( But I forgive her because this book is pure Christmas magic." to read more, go HERE>
Read
December 29, 2014Received 4 stars at RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Kirkwood Lake
Miniseries: Kirkwood Lake
February 19, 2014
Another great story in this series.
January 12, 2016
Another great book by Ruth Logan Herne! I didn't want to stop reading till I read the last word.
December 25, 2025
Another fantastic story full of heart and emotion from Ruth. Her stories never miss!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews