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Kirkwood Lake #5
Her Holiday Family
Home for the Holidays
When her café goes up in smoke, Tina Martinelli decides to make a big change. She plans to leave Kirkwood Lake and start over -- somewhere without the haunting memories of family and failure. But just as she's plotting her new life, her girlhood crush Max Campbell returns to town…and suddenly takes notice of Tina all grown up. Having retired from his military career, Max's ready to start over, too. He's given his heart to her. Now, if only Max can convince Tina to stick around this Christmas -- and forever after.
When her café goes up in smoke, Tina Martinelli decides to make a big change. She plans to leave Kirkwood Lake and start over -- somewhere without the haunting memories of family and failure. But just as she's plotting her new life, her girlhood crush Max Campbell returns to town…and suddenly takes notice of Tina all grown up. Having retired from his military career, Max's ready to start over, too. He's given his heart to her. Now, if only Max can convince Tina to stick around this Christmas -- and forever after.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 18, 2014
25 people are currently reading
134 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 13, 2022
This is a Romance with a little suspense mixed into it, and this is the 5th book in the Kirkwood Lake series. The characters in this book were great, and I loved the two main characters so much. The suspense was just in the background, and I guess who was causing the issues way before it was revealed. I really loved the storyline in this book.
November 11, 2014
Another timeless Christmas story from this talented author. She captures the excitement and anticipation of the season but it's not sugar-coated. Herne adds a liberal dose of reality accompanied by grace and hope. The perfect combination for a story that will wrap itself around your heart.
This author's genius is in her characterization. Even the secondary characters come alive to carry the story forward...and to help reveal the essence of both the hero and heroine. Tina is a fireball of hurt. She decides that leaving town will also mean leaving that hurt behind. But then Max arrives and gives her a reason to stay. Talk about complicated. Easy going Max is impossible to ignore. He's gallant and kind and calls a spade a spade when necessary. I was openly swooning long before Tina was! Admittedly, she has a lot on her plate as she struggles to find her footing in the aftermath of tragedy. I cheered myself hoarse when she finally came to a pivotal decision. The result is a heartwarming, toe-curling conclusion worthy of a classic Christmas tale.
This author's genius is in her characterization. Even the secondary characters come alive to carry the story forward...and to help reveal the essence of both the hero and heroine. Tina is a fireball of hurt. She decides that leaving town will also mean leaving that hurt behind. But then Max arrives and gives her a reason to stay. Talk about complicated. Easy going Max is impossible to ignore. He's gallant and kind and calls a spade a spade when necessary. I was openly swooning long before Tina was! Admittedly, she has a lot on her plate as she struggles to find her footing in the aftermath of tragedy. I cheered myself hoarse when she finally came to a pivotal decision. The result is a heartwarming, toe-curling conclusion worthy of a classic Christmas tale.
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January 12, 2016"Herne’s characters are endearing and remind the reader of the irony in believing that our plans are better than God’s, as His timing is perfect. New beginnings and moving forward are fundamental" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: Texas Grooms
Miniseries: Texas Grooms
November 12, 2022
Tina and Max are great characters.
September 13, 2018
I love this author. She writes beautiful inspiring romance. Really highly recommended
March 7, 2025
A classic Ruth Logan Herne story. Heartwarming plot with likable characters and a bit of a mystery. Loved!
November 29, 2025
Great Story
In “Her Holiday Family”, by Ruth Logan Herne, Max and Tina’s story will catch you from the very 1st line. Both have gone through hard times with family and friends and have a lot to learn about letting go of control and looking to God to work things out in His timing and for their good.
In “Her Holiday Family”, by Ruth Logan Herne, Max and Tina’s story will catch you from the very 1st line. Both have gone through hard times with family and friends and have a lot to learn about letting go of control and looking to God to work things out in His timing and for their good.
December 18, 2024
It's not a book advent calendar if I don't accidentally read at least one Christian book. They're never bad, just not my taste. This one was pretty bland, but sweet at times. Very Hallmark. Nothing felt remotely plausible but it was a solid, if forgettable, holiday read.
December 8, 2017
Cute Christian romance. It made me cry in a few spots. Fun to read.
February 20, 2025
I enjoyed this book. Great characters, good plot, Christmas!, and good resolution. I've enjoyed everything I've read so far by this author.
April 14, 2025
Wonderful novel!
Ruth Logan Herne did a beautiful job in this book. Tina Martinneli met Max Campbell. What a great story of love, hope, and family. Jeanette Stracner
Ruth Logan Herne did a beautiful job in this book. Tina Martinneli met Max Campbell. What a great story of love, hope, and family. Jeanette Stracner
November 28, 2015
This may be my favorite Kirkwood Lake book yet!
Let me start off by saying if your just looking for a sweet, magical Christmas story, this is not for you. This was heart-wrenching at times. There was a point in this book when a two word declaration just sent me to tears! There is a wonderful sub-plot - sad, but reality of life - that I cannot even discuss because I just don't want to give anything dramatic away. It's a total surprise, especially if you've been reading these in order. I guarantee it's a kleenex book!
In this story, we get to meet another Campbell - Max. He's one of seven children, and he ran away from Kirkwood after a terrible tragedy - feeling that he's guilty for not preventing the deaths from happening. But Tina loved him, and her heart was broken when he left. Max is back ready to take on his role in the hardware store.
For the first forty percent of this book, I wasn't too interested in it and actually walked away from the book. But things really got good - really fast and I just wanted to read it in one sitting - and did!
ABSOLUTELY LOVING this series!
Let me start off by saying if your just looking for a sweet, magical Christmas story, this is not for you. This was heart-wrenching at times. There was a point in this book when a two word declaration just sent me to tears! There is a wonderful sub-plot - sad, but reality of life - that I cannot even discuss because I just don't want to give anything dramatic away. It's a total surprise, especially if you've been reading these in order. I guarantee it's a kleenex book!
In this story, we get to meet another Campbell - Max. He's one of seven children, and he ran away from Kirkwood after a terrible tragedy - feeling that he's guilty for not preventing the deaths from happening. But Tina loved him, and her heart was broken when he left. Max is back ready to take on his role in the hardware store.
For the first forty percent of this book, I wasn't too interested in it and actually walked away from the book. But things really got good - really fast and I just wanted to read it in one sitting - and did!
ABSOLUTELY LOVING this series!
December 16, 2015
This story is about Tina and Max...
Many of us identify with Tina. Everything seems to be working out in her life, then she loses her job and has to start over. After working hard to make her dreams come true, tragedy strikes again -- and she back at square one -- again.
I've been back to square one too many times in my life . . . some of the time it was my own fault, for making bad decisions. We've all been there, I suppose.
What else can we do but try again?
Ruth Logan Herne does an amazing job showing how things can go from good to bad. Then she shows how wonderful life can be -- once we put our trust in GOD -- and we begin to trust ourselves again.
DO NOT miss this story. It's such an inspiring message . . . and one that we all need at times.
If you don't have this series, be sure to put it on your Christmas list. Tell your family -- and friends -- which books you'd like for Christmas. Maybe -- just maybe -- the faith, love and hope in these books will lift you up, when you need it most.
Don’t miss this exciting series, found in the wonderful (fictional) place of Kirkwood Lake.
Happy Reading!!!
March 17, 2015
I absolutely LOVED this story! True to what I have come to expect and love from Ruth Logan Herne, Her Holiday Family entwines sweet romance in with real-life problems including guilt, grudges and loneliness. Despite her belief that she can trust her heart to no one, Tina learns that God can always be trusted and opens her heart to love. Max has carried a burden of guilt for years that has kept him away from his family and friends for far too long. Taking the steps to release that guilt to a loving God and accept full redemption puts his feet on the path to a lifetime of experiencing the freedom to love and be loved. Grab this book and be transported to the romance of Kirkwood Lake, Christmastime and the God-given blessing of love. One of my favorite Ruthy books to date!
December 3, 2014
Her Holiday Family by Ruth Logan Herne is one of the books in the Kirkwood Lake series. Tina Martinellis cafe burns down. Until police find out what caused it, Tina works at the hardware store helping out while the owner is out with cancer. Max is the owners son. He retired from the military and back home to help his parents run the hardware store. Tina and Max click. Tina ends up working for her aunt who owns Tina's parents ex-restaurant. There were some hard feelings there. A very good story line. A good book.
December 17, 2015
A very good book about Christmas happenings. This author uses a lot of words to covey her thoughts and many characters - this is a GOOD thing. I loved to think this was a “Who done it” book. I did not figure it out until later in the book. It was well written romance between Max (he is a military man and that is great) and Tina.
There was a quote on page 141 between the cook and Tina – “Is very good, no?”. “Is very good, yes!” says Tina. That sums up this Wonderful Book!
THIS IS A 5 STAR!!!!!
There was a quote on page 141 between the cook and Tina – “Is very good, no?”. “Is very good, yes!” says Tina. That sums up this Wonderful Book!
THIS IS A 5 STAR!!!!!
July 17, 2015
I finished a great story in the Kirkwood Lake series. It's the fifth and the best! Tina Martinelli just suffered a devastating loss of her precious cafe business and has to work at the local hardware store. Here she is reintroduced to Max Campbell the son of Charlie the owner of the hardware store. Tina can't believe that after ten years Max has come home and to supposedly to stay! Will Max and Tina find love and forgiveness?
December 24, 2015
This is the first book that I have read from Ruth Logan Herne and I will be reading more. A wonderful Christmas love story about Max and Tina.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2017
If you're looking for a great read this holiday season, you may want to check out "Her Holiday Family." Here's the link to my review:
http://lmckeeediting.blogspot.com/
http://lmckeeediting.blogspot.com/
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January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Kirkwood Lake
Miniseries: Kirkwood Lake
March 8, 2015
A Wonderful Christmas love story. A story of love, forgiveness, and family. In addition to a very well written book, I loved the Inspirational thread running through the book.
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July 30, 2016Very predictable but a fun read to try to get me back into reading
December 18, 2016
Heartwarming Christmas romance.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews