What do you think?
Rate this book
Always on Christmas
Emma Sanchez prides herself on raising her seven-year-old daughter without a man. She has a cabin to live in, a car to drive, and a minimum wage job that provides enough money for their basic needs, but with Christmas just around the corner, Emma can’t afford a Christmas tree, let alone a gift from Santa. She knows there are agencies that provide assistance, but pride stands in her way.
Cattle rancher, Hank Amaral, isn’t looking for a woman, but when he meets Emma and Ally, he considers the possibilities. He enjoys spending time with them right up until Emma accuses him of expecting kisses in exchange for a few favors and a Christmas tree.
When disaster strikes the island, Emma and Hank must sweep pride aside and focus on safety.
In the aftermath, will Hank and Emma be able to give Ally what she really wants for Christmas?
Cattle rancher, Hank Amaral, isn’t looking for a woman, but when he meets Emma and Ally, he considers the possibilities. He enjoys spending time with them right up until Emma accuses him of expecting kisses in exchange for a few favors and a Christmas tree.
When disaster strikes the island, Emma and Hank must sweep pride aside and focus on safety.
In the aftermath, will Hank and Emma be able to give Ally what she really wants for Christmas?
- GenresContemporary
43 pages, ebook
Published November 8, 2017
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Jacquolyn McMurray
9 books15 followersJacquolyn McMurray writes both contemporary romance and historical fiction, teaches on-line writing classes, and provides editing services for fiction authors. She lives with her husband on a macadamia nut farm on Hawaiʻi Island where they coexist with a clowder of cats and a flock of hodgepodge chickens.
Jacquolyn is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Emerald City Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Sisters in Crime - Houston. When she's not writing, she enjoys time with her family and friends, reading, sewing, and solving crossword puzzles. In her past life, she was an elementary school teacher.
Jacquolyn is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Emerald City Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Sisters in Crime - Houston. When she's not writing, she enjoys time with her family and friends, reading, sewing, and solving crossword puzzles. In her past life, she was an elementary school teacher.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 15, 2017
THE FAITH OF A CHILD
I enjoyed this sweet, clean, contemporary Christmas story. There is something special about Christmas and especially seen through the trusting eyes and heart of a child.
After the death of Emma Sanchez’s mother, she inherited a place in Hawaii, and she will move from Iowa with her daughter, Ally, to the little cabin on the island. Being a single mother with no support has its hardships, but even more, so when the holiday season is upon them, and money is tight. Emma is a proud woman who is determined to be independent.
A neighboring rancher, Hank Amaral, will meet Emma and Ally when they help rescue a trapped calf. He and the Sanchez ladies become friends and try to make things better for them. He is quite taken with the honesty of Ally and also her Mom, Emma.
The plot will have Emma struggling to make ends meet, with her limited hours of work because of being a single mother; she must be home with Ally gets home from school. How can she help a seven-year-old understand that not all wishes will come true is heartbreaking? With the help of their neighbor, Hank, he will give them some hope and Christmas cheer. But what will happen with Ally’s request from Santa? Maybe Christmas miracles are in the works for several people.
This is a novella that packs so much into the pages. From despair to hope, from heartache to new beginnings, and best of all, not one but three individuals will find their happily ever after ending.
I enjoyed this sweet, clean, contemporary Christmas story. There is something special about Christmas and especially seen through the trusting eyes and heart of a child.
After the death of Emma Sanchez’s mother, she inherited a place in Hawaii, and she will move from Iowa with her daughter, Ally, to the little cabin on the island. Being a single mother with no support has its hardships, but even more, so when the holiday season is upon them, and money is tight. Emma is a proud woman who is determined to be independent.
A neighboring rancher, Hank Amaral, will meet Emma and Ally when they help rescue a trapped calf. He and the Sanchez ladies become friends and try to make things better for them. He is quite taken with the honesty of Ally and also her Mom, Emma.
The plot will have Emma struggling to make ends meet, with her limited hours of work because of being a single mother; she must be home with Ally gets home from school. How can she help a seven-year-old understand that not all wishes will come true is heartbreaking? With the help of their neighbor, Hank, he will give them some hope and Christmas cheer. But what will happen with Ally’s request from Santa? Maybe Christmas miracles are in the works for several people.
This is a novella that packs so much into the pages. From despair to hope, from heartache to new beginnings, and best of all, not one but three individuals will find their happily ever after ending.
December 13, 2019
I loved this sweet, child centered book. Drama, love, trust, adventure, and community coalesce in this Christmas story based on life on the Big Island of Hawaii. The author creates a realistic and easy read about a little girl and her mother and their desires in a world of scarcity and riches.
November 4, 2022
Wonderful Christmas Read
Single Mom Emma leaves The Mainland with her daughter Aly for the Big Island. Life in her great grandmothers cabin is not easy. Emma works at the local supermarket financially trying to get ends to wave at each other. Then fate steps in and drops her single neighbor at her door. I won't tell you the rest I don't want to spoil the ending. Highly recommend this book.
Single Mom Emma leaves The Mainland with her daughter Aly for the Big Island. Life in her great grandmothers cabin is not easy. Emma works at the local supermarket financially trying to get ends to wave at each other. Then fate steps in and drops her single neighbor at her door. I won't tell you the rest I don't want to spoil the ending. Highly recommend this book.
January 22, 2023
I've read many Christmas books that included snow, ice skating, sleigh rides, and all things that go with frigid temperatures. This story was a breath of fresh air. Set in Hawaii it had all the Christmas traditions like Christmas trees, decorations, and a special Nativity scene. The wholesome romance between Emma and Hank was heartwarming and believable. And Ally is a delightful child. I can hardly wait to read the other Christmas stories in this series.
November 1, 2022
A lovely, short, holiday romance. I enjoyed the animal and the little girl and the family dynamics. It was a fun, quick, lovely read.
November 16, 2018
Single-parent Emma Sanchez and her seven-year-old daughter, Ally, moved from Iowa to Hawaii when Emma's mom passed away and left her the run-down cabin that belonged to her grandmother. It's nearly Thanksgiving and Emma feels overwhelmed, trying to eke out a living and pay the bills. Soon it will be Christmas and she doesn't know if she will have enough money to buy Ally a present.
When Emma and Ally save a calf belonging to the neighboring rancher, Hank Amaral, he graciously offers his help if they ever need anything, never expecting the little girl's reply: "I need a daddy." Instead, Hank helps out around the cabin. While grateful, independent Emma keeps track of every favor and makes sure to reciprocate. Raised by a single mom herself, Emma finds it difficult to accept help from anyone.
But when a hurricane threatens their home, and she turns down a safe place to stay, Emma has to wonder if she's carried her independence too far?
This is a well-written that kept me wanting to read on. I would read more of Jacquolyn McMurray's stories.
When Emma and Ally save a calf belonging to the neighboring rancher, Hank Amaral, he graciously offers his help if they ever need anything, never expecting the little girl's reply: "I need a daddy." Instead, Hank helps out around the cabin. While grateful, independent Emma keeps track of every favor and makes sure to reciprocate. Raised by a single mom herself, Emma finds it difficult to accept help from anyone.
But when a hurricane threatens their home, and she turns down a safe place to stay, Emma has to wonder if she's carried her independence too far?
This is a well-written that kept me wanting to read on. I would read more of Jacquolyn McMurray's stories.
September 29, 2019
Delightful short read about 2 people (Emma and Hank) who have decided they don’t need anyone else. But what happens when life brings them together? Can they set aside their pride and realize they need each other? On top of that Emma’s daughter has a special wish for Christmas that Emma is not sure she will be able to deliver on.
September 24, 2019
What a sweet heartwarming Christmas story! Come meet little Ally and find the faith of a child at Christmas. This is a short book, but it is so well written that you don't feel like anything is missing in the story. This book was a joy to read.
July 4, 2021
Hurricane Blessings
What do you do when you move to Hawaii and a hurricane destroys your home? Fall in love with your neighbor and his extended family. Jacquolyn McMurray’s is rich with authentic details of aloha and ohana.
What do you do when you move to Hawaii and a hurricane destroys your home? Fall in love with your neighbor and his extended family. Jacquolyn McMurray’s is rich with authentic details of aloha and ohana.
December 4, 2021
A family Christmas story
A fast paced Christmas story. Would like a little more story development. But if you are a fan of Christmas and a nice romance, this is a good book. A fast read! Enjoyable.
A fast paced Christmas story. Would like a little more story development. But if you are a fan of Christmas and a nice romance, this is a good book. A fast read! Enjoyable.
November 21, 2020
How catastrophes bring people together can be heartwarming. An adorable little girl to fall head over heels for as well. Read during the Corona Virus Pandemic of 2020.
November 14, 2021
A fun, quick read! Sweet romance. I enjoyed the main characters and learning about Hawaiian ranchers. Not something I'd ever really thought about before!
April 22, 2023
Such a sweet story
This is a sweet, cozy romance about a woman who closed her mind to the idea of love. Luckily her daughter had an open mind and manifested just what the family needed. The characters are well written, and this was a page turner I recommend to anyone who has lost hope.
This is a sweet, cozy romance about a woman who closed her mind to the idea of love. Luckily her daughter had an open mind and manifested just what the family needed. The characters are well written, and this was a page turner I recommend to anyone who has lost hope.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews