Christmas in Whispering Pines

The Langtry Sisters #3

by Scarlett Dunn

It's the most wonderful time of the year in Whispering Pines, Colorado, in Scarlett Dunn's inspirational series about three sisters whose faith helps them find love . . .

On the heels of her blowout European tour, opera star Emma Langtry has returned home to Whispering Pines to spend time with her family. But she isn't alone: a smitten French prince has followed her, determined to win her love. While Emma enjoys his company, marriage isn't on her agenda. Then she meets the mysterious Clay Hunt . . .

Clay is the new pastor in Whispering Pines. Years ago, after a shattering loss, he left everything behind--including his faith--to seek revenge. Tormented by his actions, he's now resolved to earn redemption, and has devoted himself to his parishioners. He believes he has nothing to give any woman, not even one as enticing and headstrong as Emma Langtry.

But when the Langtry sisters' outlaw brother turns up, bringing danger in his wake, fate will bring Emma and Clay together--and once that happens, nothing will be able to tear them apart . . .

Praise for Christmas at Dove Creek

"This uplifting novel will keep readers warm all winter."
--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[Jenny Falcone · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third installment of the Whispering Pines series, we meet Emma, a nationally known singer, who is ridiculed for singing in some not so reputable places. She has also sang for kings and queens. When she returns home, she is reunited with her sisters, who she hasnt seen in a number of years, and is introduced to the towns new pastor, who she buys heads with at every turn. Everything is nicely tied up in this last book, and it can be read as a stand alone, however, it is highly advisable that you read the books as a series, as you get a better picture of the secondary characters when read as a whole. Moderately paced but will keep you guessing every step of the way. You will not want to miss this historical fiction romance book, where love triumphs all in the end.

[Evalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not privileged to read the previous books in this series. From the prologue, I found myself engaged and in tears. Yet as the story began, I felt the need to know more about the rest of the characters. So, while the author does a good job of providing some of the backstories of the various characters, the story is so engaging that I found myself wanting to read the previous books. Suffice it to say that this story is so well done that the author has acquired a new fan.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley. However, the thoughts expressed are my own

[Susan Schild · Rating 5 out of 5]

With richly drawn characters, a compelling plot and a message about the importance of faith, this lovely Christmas read is what I've come to expect from author, Scarlett Dunn. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to others.

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas in Whispering Pines, a full length novel at 352 pages, features a gorgeous wintry cover invitation to enjoy the final story of the Langtry Sisters.

Emma has just returned to spend time with family at home following her triumphant overseas opera tour. Changes abound. New pastor in town causing her inner turmoil and the return of her outlaw brother bringing trouble with him.

A Christmas in Colorado, this Langtry Sisters story provides readers and fans with western mystery, murder, marriage and mayhem in the 1800s. EnJoy ! It is sure to keep you entertained .

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this a 4.5 stars.
I bought this book about a year ago and I never really knew what it was about. I just thought the cover was cute and it was cheap and I knew it was some sort of romance. I was looking on my bookshelf for a book to read and I remembered I had this book. I read the description and I was in awe. I had no idea it was a Christian-based book and if I would have read this book a few months sooner, I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much. It came at the perfect time.

Enough about my background story, let’s talk about the book itself.

There is a bit of talk about the Bible and God so if you aren’t into that or if that bothers you, maybe you shouldn’t pick it up. I really loved Clay and his values and I loved seeing his character grow and develop from the beginning to the end. I loved seeing Clay and Emma warm up to each other. This is also a sort of love at first sight romance novel. This book also has some action involved dealing with the Langtry’s dangerous family member, Frank. The Langtry family is also very close and I love that about this book.

I hadn’t read any of the books before this but I was able to catch up pretty quickly and I came to know all the characters. It may feel overwhelming with all the characters at first if you haven’t read the previous books but you come to know them all.

I also have never read a book like this one before, so it was actually really refreshing to read something new with a time period I have never really read before.

This is a great book for the holiday season. The atmosphere is beautiful and I just wish I could be in Whispering Pines. The ending is so wholesome and heartwarming and just wraps the entire story up. Overall, it was pretty good, loveddd the Christian references and the entire story was like sitting by a fire while the snow falls.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

The three books in this series were such compelling reading that I finished all three in less than a week. These three stories (see below) should be read in order; they are connected in very important ways. This story is a continuation of the Langtry sisters' lives. Essentially, this is one long saga broken into three parts. The three girls left five years ago and have individually returned to Whispering Pines and their grandmother.

This story is about Emma, the eldest Langtry daughter. She is an opera star and has traversed the world, giving performances. She is giving a concert in Denver and then taking a month off to vacation with her siblings and grandmother.  Granny has already decided that Clay Hunt, the handsome preacher of Whispering Pines, is meant for Emma.  This young woman is self-assured and intimidated by few. However, a French prince comes to America hoping to convince Emma to marry him.

The beauty of this last story is that all the characters from the previous books are again here. In this story, their brother, Frank Langtry, an outlaw and ne'er-do-well, meets his fate. I don't want to ruin the surprise for readers and so I won't add any more info about him.

I thought some things were too much (Emma being an opera star and having a prince chase her to America) and Clay Hunt getting his prized possession back seemed impossible. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed all three books. Since I've finished all of Scarlett Dunn's historical novels, I plan to try her two contemporary mysteries.  I wish she could write faster.

Langtry Sisters Seeries  
1. Whispering Pines (2017) 
2. Return to Whispering Pines (2018) 
** 3. Christmas in Whispering Pines (2018)

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Scarlett Dunn's Christmas in Whispering Pines, the third installment in the Christmas/historical romance series, this magical novel would warm your hearts and get you ready for the holiday season. Clay Hunt had been a happily married rancher in Kansas until tragedy struck: his wife and son were killed, his beloved horse went missing. Four years later, Clay arrives in Whispering Pines, Colorado, and is a preacher of the local church. Though he had given up the search for the cold-blooded murderers who killed his family, he made piece with it and moved on. And that's when he met Emma Langtry, a successful opera singer who toured across the country and visited her family. When he first met her and heard her enchanting voice, he had been smitten with her. As for Emma, she loved Granny and her sisters and brothers-in-law. She wasn't ready to settle down and start a family. But things had changed when she met Clay as they had gotten off in the wrong foot. Along the way, trouble's on the horizon when Emma's brother Frank comes to town and stirs up trouble with his girlfriend Leigh King. Everyone's not pleased to see him, since he had killed his own brother earlier on. During a snowstorm, things heat up for Emma and Clay, when a French prince wants Emma as his own, and a blast from Clay's past resurfaces. In the end, they surrendered their feeling and had a happy ending around Christmas to count their blessings and their own lucky stars.

[Susan Haught · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Scarlett Dunn book and I found it to be filled with twists and turns, a list of memorable characters, nice aspects of the 1800's era, and some quirky, fun secondary characters--what's not to love about a big brute of a rescue dog named Sweetie? The story set at Christmas added a note of special interest.

I loved Clay's character, the way Ms. Dunn created a broken, hurting man and his journey to redemption and a new way of life. Emma's fun side kept me smiling, but I think Granny is my favorite--the outspoken, quirky woman who keeps them on their toes. Family bonds are well-drawn, even when some tough love is involved when one of their own who isn't what he seems.

I enjoyed the romance between Clay and Emma, and the angst concerning the Prince (no spoilers here) but it was the mystery of the Ace of Spades with the bullet hole, and the secondary plot of the typical western bad guys that held my interest. LOVED the playing card worked into the plot. Nicely done.

I received a complimentary copy of the paperback and my review is strictly voluntary.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay is trying to rebuild his life after losing his wife and son to ruthless killers. He leaves to go seek out the men who destroyed is life. During this time he finds a calling to be a minister in a small town. Emma has been touring the world sharing her talent for singing. She has finally to her home town to perform and possibly build her life back at home. Her brother is a loose cannon who has no regard for anyone. He is running from crimes he has committed and taking down anyone with him. This book kept me guessing what was going to happen next. I normally don't read western type books. But being a series and this the 3rd I will go back read the first 2. I received this book as a ARC from netgalley for my honest review

[Shelleen Toland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts out with Clay's wife and son being murdered. Then years later he is in another town as the preacher. He has always wanted to know who killed his family and wants justice. We also Meet Emma who is a singer and on stage. Emma and Clay meet and sparks fly. I had to laugh at some of their antics, well mostly hers. Emma has a dog who never leaves her side but the dog, Sweetie is quite fond of Clay and Emm calls Sweetie a traitor. While all this is is going on we have bank robbers and murderers running a round. This is set in the 1800s and is also a western. I thoroughly enjoyed Clay, Emma, Granny and the whole gang and how they stick together even to bring down one of their own.
I received this from NetGalley for review.

[Tina Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would ever think a small town girl turned music star would consider becoming a ranch owner. Emma is being pursued by a French prince that she seems to have no romantic interest in and a rebel turned preacher who lost his first family in a tragedy years ago. Mix in crooks robbing banks and snowstorms and mayhem and murder, what happens to the musical star in the end? Who wins the love of Emma, or does anyone? It's a close call, but this strong woman has a mind of her own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and love the surprising ending. I love this series based on this small town of Whispering Pines and the sisters of the Langtry family, and Grandma.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would make an excellent Western movie and a Hallmark mixed it was so good!!
I have never read anything by this author but I'm am now hooked!
Scarlett Dunn really knows her stuff I will say this. She is very talented and can make her characters feelings come through the book quite well. They're even easy to make friend with!
The cover of the book is gorgeous!! It said "come and see what's inside and so I did." I wasn't disappointed. I generally am not when it comes to books!
I recommend this book! My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seem to be off to a poor start as far as finding Christmas reading this year. First, I left a book I was halfway through in someone else's car, and then, now, this one. This one was so close to a DNF for me (did not finish) that I marked it as such (1 star). In the end, I just skimmed through the rest of the book looking for the name of a particular character and only reading those parts out of curiosity.

The back of the book made it sound like it had more depth than it did. Clay somehow got through the grief of his wife & son's murder to a place of such faith that he became a pastor. That sounded like a faith-journey worth reading, and I have known people of faith who have lost loved ones.

But the opening chapters of the book were pretty much everything I didn't like in a romance. The men were eying each other to see who was strongest and could take care of a woman. The women were eyeing the men and giggling. The men were ogling the women and saying it was alright "as long as they didn't do anything." The older Granny was a matchmaker.

I guess the reason I found this as annoying is because I think the point of all this was to show how valuable or desirable the people would be as a spouse in the eyes of the community, but it was only based on skin-deep observations. Plus, I'd rather my fictional couples fell in love with each other, not with how other people viewed them. There is a caveat there - sometimes other people can spot a red flag or some issue worth considering. So others' opinions can be worth weighing, but as far as the attraction or emotional connection goes, that shouldn't be based on how desirable others think the person is.

It was painful to read, and I kept wondering when the plot would move on. When my teen asked about the book and I described it, she said that sounded "pretty much like middle school." Which is also awkward.

It also sounded like this may be part of a series, with pre-existing characters I didn't know.

From there, at least two different people misread other people, which resulted in vast misunderstandings instead of simple conversations. That's another romance plot devise I am not fond of. I am not convinced that, should they marry, they have learned the conversational skills necessary to maintain a relationship... yet. I suppose that could happen along the way.

The Clay character might have said or thought meaningful things along the way. I'm sure that he did. And he was also a man of character. But he went off the rails a little, at least from the back of the book, saying that he was "trying to earn redemption" by preaching. I hoped that somewhere along the way he would discover that redemption is God's free gift to us through Jesus - that he didn't have to pastor to "earn" it - although, of course, actually following Him might cost us everything.

[Patti Whitson Stephenson She Lives to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I haven’t read the other books in this series, I enjoyed the storyline of this book. It took me a couple of chapters to get everyone in their proper place, but that did not hinder my interest in the story. I’ll go back and read the other books in this series. After I’ve read them, I may come back and update this review. I can understand why readers have loved this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Romantic Intentions Quarterly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: An American opera singer returns after a triumphant European tour to find an actual prince has followed her home, determined to win her hand. But she is far more interested in arguing with the town’s new pastor…

Holiday Cheer: Medium-to-High.

Verdict: I’ll be home for Christmas.

3 1/2 stars.

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018

[Janis Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuing story of the Langtry sisters and life in Whispering Pines. Once again, the book is very well written and an interesting tale of the times. Lots of clean romance and twists. A quick good read.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

What can I say? If you want to read a Christmas book with good characters and a warm atmosphere, this is not it. The characters are poorly developed and the main character, a pastor, persists in believing that pretty women can not be guilty.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas in Whispering Pines was a good read. I am giving it three and a half stars. Definitely worth a read.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We should always believe in miracles. How else will we recognize one if we don't believe?"

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet Christmas story and love story set out West in the late 1800’s.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my least favorite of the 3 books, however... I could relate to Emma better than the other two sisters.

[Alecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved meeting each Langtry sister and watching them fall in love or try to deny liking the guys Granny thought were perfect for them. great story wish theyre were more
i got this book from netgalley for my honest review

[Breanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

was ok

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was young, my mother taught at a small school, the high school had maybe a total of thirty students for grades 9-12. Every year, the junior and senior classes would each put on a play: a melodrama to be exact. Melodramas consist of a good guy, a bad guy, a girl who is the prize in the competition between the good guy and the bad guy.

When I started reading Christmas in Whispering Pines, it reminded quite a bit of those melodramas of my childhood. The good guy is Clay Hunt, now the pastor of the local church in Whispering Pines. One of the bad guys is the Langtry sisters' brother, Frank. The girl caught in the middle is Emma Langtry.

Clay's former wife and son were shot and killed by a different gang of bad guys. Emma is an opera singer trying to bring music to the masses and has been on a grand tour of Europe singing. These events make it a book of finding faith, of right conquering wrong, and love conquering all.

Scarlett Dunn has done an adequate job in writing this book. It just read too much like others I've read before. Three Stars

My thanks to Kensington/Zebra Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Alissa Wied · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas in Whispering Pines was just ok for me. I think it definitely would've helped had I read any of the previous books. There were just too many background characters and half-references to bad blood between different characters that it just couldn't hold my interest. It also felt a little slow to me and didn't focus enough on the main story/character development. If you've read the others and enjoyed them, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one as well!