Operation: Married by Christmas

Mule Hollow #6

by Debra Clopton

Unmarried Men Of Mule Hollow: Run For Your Lives!

When Haley Bell Thornton arrived back in Mule Hollow wearing a wedding gown, no one bothered to ask where the groom was. Especially not Will Sutton, the first of her ditched fiances. The runaway bride had done it again! And now the woman he loved and lost ten years ago was tottering around the dusty ranch town in her high heels and fancy honeymoon clothes. Will vowed not to look. Definitely a problem, since Haley's granddad--and the matchmaking ladies--had a secret holiday plan to make decade-old wedding bells chime by Christmas!

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

International Bestselling Author and Kindle All Star who has sold over 3 million books worldwide and been translated into 3 languages.
Debra Clopton writes wholesome contemporary women's fiction, romance, and contemporary western romances set in Texas and on the beaches of Florida. Her awards include: The Book Sellers Best, Romantic Times Magazine's Book of the Year the Readers Choice Award, and many more. She's also a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Finalist, and a triple finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award.

A sixth generation Texan, Debra lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband Chuck. She loves to travel and spend time with her family. She has written for Harlequin and Harper Collins Christian and now with DCP Publishing. She is thrilled to write for DCP Publishing and see her books being sold worldwide. On any day she usually has books on the Top 100 list and ranks on 80 to a 100 retailer Bestseller list in the USA and around the world.
She loves helping people smile with her fun, fast paced stories.

Visit Debra's website at http://www.debraclopton.com
Check out her Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/debra.clopton.5
Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/debraclopton
Contact her at Debraclopton@yamil.com
Sign up for Debra's newsletter and contests at http://debraclopton.com/contest

COMING AUG 27 AND winter 2020 heartwarming women's fiction

1 WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
2 WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
3 WHAT HOPES ARE MADE OF


SUNSET BAY ROMANCE 2019
1 LONGING FOR FOREVER
2 LONGING FOR A HERO
3 LONGING FOR LOVE
4 LONGING FOR EVER AFTER
5 LONGING FOR YOU
6 LONGING FOR US

Ransom Creek 2018
1 HER COWBOY HERO
2 THE COWBOY'S BRIDE FOR HIRE
3 Cooper: CHARMED BY THE COWBOY
4 Shane: THE COWBOY'S JUNK-STORE PRINCES
5 Vance: HER SECOND CHANCE COWBOY
6 Drake: THE COWBOY AND MAISY LOVE
7 Brice: NOT QUITE LOOKING FOR A FAMILY

WINDSWEPT BAY SERIES 2017 & 2018
1 FROM THIS MOMENT ON (FREE)
2 SOMEWHERE WITH YOU
3 WITH THIS KISS short story
4 FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS
5 HOLDING OUT FOR LOVE
6 WITH THIS RING (FREE)
7 WITH THIS PROMISE
8 WITH THIS PLEDGE
9 WITH THIS WISH
10 WITH THIS FOREVER
11 WITH THIS VOW

2017
She has released 13 books in Enhanced Editions with extra audio clips and photos inside of her Texas Matchmakers series set in her world of Mule Hollow. These Christian Romances will soothe your heart and tickle your soul.
(Previous titles listed)
1 Dream With Me Cowboy (The Trouble with Lacy Brown)
2 Be My Love Cowboy (And Baby Makes Five)
3 This Hearts Yours Cowboy (No Place Like Home)
4 Hold Me Cowboy (Dream a Little Dream)
5 Be Mine Cowboy (Meeting Her Match)
6 Marry Me Cowboy (Operation: Married by Christmas)
7 Cherish Me Cowboy (Next Door Daddy)
8 Surprise Me Cowboy (Her Baby Dreams)
9 Serenade Me Cowboy (The Cowboy Takes a Bride)
10 Return To Me Cowboy (Texas Ranger Dad)
11 Love Me Cowboy (A Mule Hollow Match)
12 Ride With Me Cowboy (His Cowgirl Bride)
13 Dance With Me Cowboy (A Mother for Mule Hollow)
The Turner Creek Ranch (Men of Mule Hollow) 1 1 TREASURE ME COWBOY (Lone Star Cinderella)
2 RESCUE ME COWBOY (Her Forever Cowboy)
3 COMPLETE ME COWBOY (Cowboy For Keeps)
4 SWEET TALK ME (Yultide Cowboy)

What readers are saying:
Debra always delivers...
Couldn't put it down!
Debra gives readers what they want.
I've read every book Debra Clopton has written and as usual I couldn't put this one down!


Follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/#!/debraclopton

Reviews

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out really good, Haley is a runaway bride. For the third time she’s left a man at the alter and this time heads to her hometown, a place she left her first fiancé ten years before. Spark definitely fly when Haley is reunited with Will. Lots of chemistry and unresolved issues. About halfway through, I lost steam and got a little bored. I enjoyed the characters, setting and overall plot, but thought there was a little too much inner-thought and reminiscing. I would have liked more scenes with Will and Haley. Really see them fall in love with each other all over again.

I originally chose this one because it seemed like it’d be a Christmas story and would be perfect for our Christmas Swoon Fest. While it does take place during the holidays (mostly Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas), and they’re working on a Christmas pageant, I just didn’t get the Christmas feel.

Content:
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: None
Religious: Mild-Moderate
Series: Mule Hollow, stood well on its own

Source: Kindle

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still Happy reading this series. Its clean,no swearing,no sex scenes in details. A community that cares for each other.
In book 6 Haley has run from her wedding in CA back home to Mule Hollow, Texas still in her wedding dress. Haley is almost to her grandparents house when the road is blocked by cattle trailer and a cowboy walks up to her car to explain when Haley realizes its Will the first fiance that she left at the alter years ago.
Will can't believe its Haley and in a wedding dress this is the third time she left a fiance at alter.
Will had just moved back home to help his hometown grow. He has never married. Still angry that Haley walked out on him.
Haley can't believe the first person she sees in her home town is Will. Haley has some anger at Will treatment those years ago.
Haley grandfather has told her he has health problems and his friends try and throw Haley & Will together often.

[Mo · Rating 1 out of 5]

No…no…no… NO… NO… NO… NOOOOO! What in the world was I thinking when I selected this book?

It is a Christian romance between a cowboy and a really annoying power chick. Pretty much everything I loathe. UGH!

[Peggy Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so thrilled when I read Debras books as they are a clean romance. This one was so good and so engaging that I can' t wait to read another. Debra hit the ball out of the park!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read again today, this one doesn't hold up as well as the other, but Mule Hollow is a fascinating place. Haley Bell and Will meet again after ten years and her running out on their wedding. Will her grandfather and his cronies get them back together?

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all but one of the previous books in this series , and I have loved them all. That said, this one is my absolute favorite.
Ms Clopton takes us back to the town of Mule Hollow, where a group of very sweet ladies are responsible for “the cowboy’s looking for wives” campaign.
This story is a little different. The matchmaking is still alive and well, but the main characters Haley and Will are both natives of the town who days before Christmas, 10 years ago, were set to marry . At the last minute , Haley not only leaves Will at the altar , but she also leaves town.
Fast forward , ten years. Haley, now a successful Hollywood realtor, drives back home after leaving a groom at the alter for the third time.
Yes , it’s a story about these two individuals, but the author goes deeper than that. It’s a story about how sometimes people that love us remember our mistakes or mishaps, and though they don’t mean any harm, it does affect the individual when they are constantly reminded of their faults and clumsiness. It’s a story about assumptions made by those that love us, and decisions made for us without us having any input.
Also a story about how someone 18 years old , has not had a chance to spread their wings. And yes, it’s about regrets, hurts, and insecurities. But it’s also a story about hope, faith, family, redemption and love.
So , don’t hesitate to get the book. You will fall in love with the story, the town and all it’s inhabitants.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley Bell Thornton is back home in Mule Hollow - at least for a few days. She's just left another man at the altar and she is worried about her grandfather, Applegate. She left Mule Hollow 10 years ago when she left Will Sutton at the altar. The man she hasn't been able to get over. The man who broke her heart. The man who suddenly shows up at her window when she stops because there's a trailer blocking the road. Can she explain to Will why she left? Can she get answers from him?

Will Sutton is shocked to see Haley Bell after so much time. He's still confused as to why she left him. But, as the town matchmakers keep throwing them together, can the two of them reach an understanding?

What follows is both sweet and thought provoking second chance romance. Now that each of them are more mature and have experienced life apart, they realize that there's still an attraction that is covered over by pain and hurting emotions. I appreciated how they tried to talk it out, even if it did take multiple efforts. And, I especially appreciated how they finally allowed God to break through the barriers and allow healing to happen.

Themes covered - the power of words, forgiveness, and a love that is not selfish.
Romance - PG - Kisses only
Language - clean
My rating - 5 stars.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marry Me, Cowboy by Debra Clopton
Texas Matchmakers Series Book Six
Haley Bell Thornton was a runaway bride. Three times now. She'd run away from Mule Hollow, Texas as well as from that first wedding. She'd achieved her goal of being one of the best real estate agents in Hollywood. She had all that glitters...but not happiness. And she found herself driving her BMW back to Mule Hollow after leaving what would've been her wedding.

Will Sutton returned to Mule Hollow three months ago and was happy with his choice. When he heard about the women trying to keep the town alive by bringing in brides for the cowboys...he wanted to be a part of the restoration. Not by being one of the cowboys...no, he'd learned his lesson in love the hard way. But he could live here and be a part of the community.

Wonderful, sweet series. A Matchmaking Posse, cranky men playing checkers, and plenty of cowboys bring these stories to life. Wonderful characters, many of which revisit each story to do their part in helping Mule Hollow come to life...
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[Meredith Lahmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally like Debra Clopton for a nice escapist read. After all, romances are generally predictable, feel good reads. What makes them appealing is generally the characters. In this, the protagonist is an unappealing, materialistic, egotist who is unable to accept that the mess of her life is her own doing. Instead, in a feminist snowflake meltdown, she blames everything on the man she humiliated and rejected in the worst possible way. It is bad enough that she lives as the center of her own self obsessed universe, but the author justifies this. The male, a kind, sensitive, hard working man is not sensitive enough! He actually had the nerve to expect that if the bride was going to change her mind, she'd talk about it before she literally left him at the altar in front of his family, friends and community. Validating the kind of female behavior one sees in this novel makes one ashamed to be a woman.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Texas Matchmakers series and a delightful, fun read. Haley Bell Thornton grew up in Mule Hollow, Texas and was supposed to marry her hometown sweetheart, Will Sutton, ten years ago. However, she ran away and left him at the altar. She became a successful real estate agent in West Hollywood, California and never looked back. Now, Haley has become a runaway bride for the third time and decided to go back home to her grandpa, Applegate Thornton, in Mule Hollow. She never expects to run into her one and only true love, Will, but that is exactly what happens on her first day back in Mule Hollow.

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Texas Matchmakers series. "Old-time" App Thornton joins in the matchmaking fun in this book. Of course, he has a vested interest since one of the people in their sights is App's granddaughter Haley Bell. The other is the cowboy she left at the altar 10 years ago, Will Sutton. Can the two of them get past the reasons why she left town a decade ago? Will they be able to fight the attraction that is still there and that keeps drawing them to each other? This is my honest review in exchange for a copy of the book.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, well-written contemporary romance. Runaway bride Haley Bell Thornton left cowboy Will Sutton standing alone at the altar years before, but now she is back, running away from another groom. Will promises himself he won't let her hurt him again, but everyone in town seems intent on getting them back together. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is book 6 of the Texas Matchmakers series. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the rest of this series as well as other books by this author.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Clopton does it again.

I keep thinking I'll get tired of reading Debra Clopton's romantic stories but she really has snagged me again with this book. While it's not my favorite of her works, the characters are interesting and the plot line worked well for me to stay invested in the tale. In this book, the secondary characters really added an extra power punch with their quirks. And the bits of southern-style humor she writes into her stories had me truly laughing. If you love clean romance with a bit of humor thrown in, definitely give this book a try.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Another Chance To Renew Real Love"

In this heartwarming story, Haley Bell has run out on her third planned wedding. She returns home to her grandpa's home in Mule Hollow, leaving behind her real estate job in Hollywood. She didn't expect to find her first fiance had returned to the small town also. This time, she may not run away from a marriage ceremony. Great story with lots of doubts of both characters, but they eventually will have to shed the doubts. Lovely story I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Brianne Sturgis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to retire books and it’s very rare that I do but this one is going in the give away pile. The only reason I read it was it was on my shelf and I don’t read the back covers. First religious inspiration is never my thing. I couldn’t wait to be done with this book. Second this book was way too clean cut for my liking. Could be a cute story without the religiousness and a little smut for those of us who favor that kind of thing. What was described as a loving little town seemed like nosy interfering older people. Was not amused and will not get the feeling one day to re read this

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Love Inspired Romance. I received this book for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given this a 4.5* rating. This clean romance sure stirred up a lot of emotions. The heroine and the hero have a lot of baggage they have been carrying around for 10 years and it took time for their talks got around to the heart of the matter. Found myself getting a little teary eyed a few times.

[Evangeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway and was asked to give a review after reading it. It was a sweet, clean romance, and I enjoyed reading it. Because of misunderstandings, Haley and Will have a lot of baggage to get rid of and both of them had to learn to forgive in order to restore their relationship and experience the love and joy God had in store for them. A return to God’s Word and communion with Him brought the healing and guidance needed.

[Sandra Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances

Running from the alter three times might be better than divorced three times. The commitments are hard to make. There are some young bride that discover they were more in love with the wedding than the marriage. I enjoy small town books. I grew up never n a small town and I love me the way people care and help each other in small towns. This is a fun story about second chances and looking at childhood hurts with grown up eyes.

[Aminata Coote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second-chance romance

Haley and Will were in love. But as Will stood waiting at the altar, Haley did a runaway bride. Two more failed attempts later, Haley was back in town and so was Will.

The story reminded me of the Runaway Bride so much that it was hard to separate the two in my mind.

I also found it difficult to get into Haley's character or the romance between her and Will.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Operation Married by Christmas

I usually love all of Debra Clinton's books, yet there were so many repetitive paragraphs about not trusting and who's fault it was between Will and Haley the first time I got bored.
It usually takes me two days with working to read a book. I finally gave up a week later at 71% when Will kissed Haley and she was ready to run again because of it. I decided to skip to the epilogue so I could start another book.

[Debra Torgerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice romantic clean read.

If you liked the Movie Runaway Bride you will most likelybenjoy this book. The runaway returns to the scene of her crime after her Grandad is able to get her to visit. Finds she loves being back home and other things in this small town in Texas. I did tire of reading about all the emotions every time Haley and Will saw each other and thought about each other, I felt that drug on for to long . I did enjoy the clean read for Christmas.

[Catherine Geist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Christmas story

This was a great Christmas story & well written.The characters kept your interest as you never knew what they were going to do next.Coming back to town after 10 years made for a lot of emotions trying to be decent to each other.Nice christian Christmas story.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story and I enjoy second chance romances. I didn't love it though. Maybe I'm not the target demographic, since the importance of prayer came up multiple times and I'm not religious. I also struggled with their happily ever after, since it felt like they didn't really resolve their issues.

[Jane Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and couldn’t put it down!

Another awesome book by Debra! Always colorful characters with stories that leave you wanting more and I can read them again and again. Will and Haley’s story is very entertaining and makes you feel like you have a front row seat watching things happen!

[Jan Niblock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing how often we misinterpret things by only looking at it through our own eyes. Haley and Will are both very guilty of just that. Interesting what can happen when you are forced to face your past and comes to terms with it. I loved how the Match matchers of Mule Hollow work their magic. You will be surprised by who thought of the name for this operation.

[Jacqueline · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like it, I really did. But I HATED the match making, meddling, "but it's for your own good" town folk. Really, get over yourselves and let people live!

And with 9 pages left, she forgives him??? That's it, suddenly her anger is a "sill grudge"? UGH!!! The worst


Ok, soap box rant over.

[Deb Shank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good read. Clean reading. Thought I read all this series, guess not. Enjoyable characters. The love and caring for each other. Would be great to have a place, like that to settle in.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation: Married by Christmas

Wonderful story about second chances. Sometimes looking inside yourself helps you see the true picture. In this case Hailey and Will both needed to step back and find the truth.

[Dewey Carroll Brackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

This was a good clean romance, but I actually got bored. Bailey's character kept going over the same stuff again and again. It angered me that she was so childish and kept holding on to the same grudge. It finally had a good ending.

[Pat Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good clean romance!

I liked the characters as they were developed! The plot kept me guessing as to whether Haley was finally going to make up her mind & marry Will who was her childhood love who she left at the altar10 years ago!