Includes three historical fiction short stories to delight and entertain this holiday season.
CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN In search of family she barely knows and adventure she's always wanted, Katherine Donahue is saved from freezing on a winter night in the mountains of Montana by August Hollister. Neither of them expected that what one woman had in mind was a new beginning for them both.
TETON CHRISTMAS Heartache and a thirst for adventure lead McKensie Stewart and her sister to Wyoming after the death of their parents. With the help of a widowed aunt and a charming horse breeder, McKensie discovers that hope is a cherished promise, and there is no greater gift than love.
LILY'S CHRISTMAS WISH Lily Malone has never had a real family or a real Christmas. This holiday season, she might get both. From an orphanage in New York City to the rugged mountains of Colorado, Lily sends out only one wish. But when the time comes, can she give it up so someone else's wish can come true?
Settings: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado Christmas Short Stories
Award-winning author MK McClintock writes historical romantic fiction about courageous and honorable men and strong women who appreciate chivalry, like those in her Montana Gallagher, British Agent, and Crooked Creek series. Her stories of adventure, romance, and mystery sweep across the American West to the Victorian British Isles, with places and times between and beyond. With her heart deeply rooted in the past, she enjoys a quiet life in the northern Rocky Mountains.
Visit www.mkmcclintock.com, where you can learn more about MK's books, explore reader extras, subscribe to receive the latest news, and browse the blog.
I grabbed this as a Hoopla bonus borrow and I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this Christmas novella collection. The three clean historical stories were sweet and entertaining. My favorite of the collection was the last story but all were very good.
This short story collection by MK McClintock is about the sweetest thing ever. Three novellas, each with an early western setting, and characters that will warm your heart.
These books were so gentle. Heartwarming. Charming. Soft. I can think of many adjectives along these lines to describe this collection. If you are looking for a cozy winter book to snuggle up with- try this one. It's perfect for the Christmas season that is right upon us.
Content: Clean on the romance side. Nary even a kiss to be found. A few instances of mild swearing.
This is a collection of three shorter stories, all taking place in the 1800's in the Western US. There is a lot of snow, holiday food, and Christmas trees. They're all delightful, kind of like short, western-set Hallmark movies. One story features a father and daughter who have lost their wife/mother and are having a hard Christmas without her; one story features two sisters that move from the East Coast to the West to start a new life after losing their parents in a tragic accident; one story features an orphan and her caretaker coming out west on an orphan train. All of the stories have really wonderful endings. The stories were perfect choices for me to read in the morning with my coffee and I think I want to seek out more work by this author.
Oh, and sidenote: there is a coffee cake recipe at the end that sounds delicious!!
I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
All three Christmas stories in this historical short story collection are set in the final three decades of the 19th century. Reading this book reminded me of why I love the historical fiction genre! The author has filled each story with warmth and charm amid the tragedies and grief the characters have experienced in the past and the challenges they are experiencing in their lives during the story.
MK McClintock does an excellent job of painting a picture of frontier life and developing the characters in few words. The descriptions of the snowstorms and blizzards in the stories made me feel cold, damp, and even set my teeth on edge. I was touched by the depth of the emotions displayed by the women, and especially the men, in the stories.
The references to the way in which Christmas was celebrated in this time period made me long for a time when the simpler way of decorating, baking, and gift-giving was the tradition. No glitter, no glitz--just natural decor, heartfelt displays of affection, and a holiday celebrated sweetly with loved ones.
My favorite story was the first in the collection, 'Christmas Mountain'. The element which appealed to me most in this story were the handmade dolls and angels the little girl's deceased mother made for the family tree each year. I love anything handmade, and to find this tradition in a story was a treasure to me.
The stories would be meaningful read-alouds for children ages eight on up. The quaint descriptions of life on the frontier would be interesting and exciting to children and would prompt many questions and perhaps even spark an appreciation of history in a young person's mind. This is the kind of story collection that could be and should be read again each holiday season and enjoyed with each rereading.
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
One theme shined through with this lovely short story collection...new beginnings. If it's one thing that we all start thinking about as the holidays and the end of a year approaches, it's new beginnings. And, for me, new beginnings mean hope which is another message that is very important at Christmas time.
In Christmas Mountain, Katherine finally comes to her sister's home out west, only after her sister has died. But she finally gets to meet her sister's family and it turns out to be a new beginning for her.
In Teton Christmas, two sisters move to Wyoming after their parents die. It's a different world for them, but they soon learn how magical a new life can be. There is a wonderful coffee cake recipe from this story at the end of the book, The Wycliffe Hotel's Famous Coffee Cake.
In Lily's Christmas Wish, orphans from New York are taken out west to Colorado to be placed with families. Lily is rescued from a potential hard fate and her and her teacher, Charlotte, learn what new beginnings really are.
The author has truly captured the world out west in the 19th century and mixed it with some festive Christmas stories from the era. This book of short stories is a perfect read for the holiday season.
This book put me in the Christmas mood and made me feel warm and content.
Christmas Mountain – A heartwarming tale about mourning the loss of a loved one and building hope. Sarah was just adorable, and Katherine brought a feeling of mystery into the storyline. I also loved this tale because the author did not unnecessarily form a romantic bond between August and Katherine. Honestly, the story just had an adorable, feel-good vibe to it. Also, I enjoyed the storyline with Teddy and Ollie. This story was my favorite in the collection.
Teton Christmas – Another lovely story. McKensie captured my heart as soon as the tale started. I could feel for her loss as she tried to spread the first Christmas without her loved ones. She has lovely chemistry with Brandon, and I liked the scenes where they go Tree Hunting. Aunt Caitlyn and Madison also added nicely to the plot.
Lily’s Christmas Wish – Another sweet and rather unorthodox tale as a teacher and an orphan finds solace when they live with a stranger. This one sparked my interest because it was a unique storyline. Moreover, it had a Dickensian feel to it because of its theme. I loved Lily in the story and thought she was cute. Liam’s intentions are also fair, and I liked how he helped Lily and Rebecca.
All three historical, western, short stories made me feel like I was watching a Christmas special of “Little House on the Prairie,” and I loved it! The author also adds a few delicious Christmas recipes in the end. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful collection of Christmas stories to get you in the holiday spirit!
A Home for Christmas by MK McClintock includes three historical-western fiction short stories. I enjoyed the character development in each story. A delightful holiday read for historical fiction fans.
My Take: 5 Stars! All three of these books take place during the 19th century, and the author gives us an Author's Note in the beginning showing her excitement for Christmas during this time period. She said, "it not only delighted and entertained, but also gave me pause." What a statement, huh! Each story really focuses on the people, and they make you truly feel the love and warmth everyone truly has for each other. Back then there was not television, the internet, or cell phones like we have today, and people focused much more on 'people' and their relationships to one another than what I feel we do today. With that being said, this is why these stories do really 'need' to be read. They truly warm our hearts in ways some books today cannot. From the book, it states: This is a collection of 3 different historical western short stories to inspire love and warm the heart. 1. Christmas Mountain 2. Teton Christmas 3. Lily's Christmas Wish There is a recipe at the end call The Wycliffe Hotel's Famous Coffee Cake Recipe - which sounds SO yummy! I enjoyed ALL 3 stories very much. They really did make your heart feel warmth for the characters, and you really felt as if you were in the 19th century! I LOVED that part of the stories! If I had to choose which story was my favorite, I would say Lily's Christmas Wish. That one touched my heart the most! It's about a little girl named Lily who has lived in an orphanage, and all she wants is to find a loving family to live with. She was on a train, an Orphan Train, where they try to adopt children out anywhere orphanages can. When they got to their location, up went a poster that said, 'WANTED: HOMES FOR CHILDREN". SO sad!!! You really felt for Lily! As I said she wanted a loving family so badly, that is all she wanted as she worried no one would want her because she was older and not a little kid that so many people preferred. I don't know if you ever saw a specific movie where they adopt children out, but it is SO sad as to how they do it! The kids stand in a line while people look at them and pretty much inspected them. It was horrible! Well, I'm not going to tell you anymore about that short story so I don't ruin it for you! I loved the other two stories JUST as MUCH! ALL of these short stories are the perfect read for the holiday season and will uplift your spirits!! This author, MK McClintock, knows just how to write a story that pull at your heart strings! You end up wanting more and more from her! She really knows how to make characters and make them come alive! I want to read MORE from this author! Next time I would love to read a full length novel of hers, that is how excellent this what I call a 'sampling' of her writing did for me! They really much these 3 stories affected my heart! Grab your copy for this season and take some time to read these Christmas stories! I dare you not to fall in love with these stories, and you'll be so glad you read them! I promise! I received a copy of this ebook from the author for free, but only for review purposes.
There are three stories that make up the A Home For Christmas short story collection. I love sweet holiday stories. They are like a good bottle of wine. They make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. These three stories are about love, family and the holiday. None are really romances, but love is definitely one the way for some of these people.
Christmas Mountain is the first of the three and I adored this one. It is a story of finding family. August and Sarah were precious and so was Katherine. For a short story, you really connected to these three characters. I loved that there wasn't really a love blooming, so much as a friendship, though there is a hint of one.
I only wished we would have learned more about Clara, who was passed away several years before and was August's wife and Katherine's sister. It is through her that Katherine finds herself on the mountain.
This was a beautiful and touching story.
Teton Christmas is the story of the Stewart sister who travel west after the deaths of their parents. There's something very bittersweet about this story. McKensie has a lot to work through in her life. She was in a boating accident that resulted in her parents death. Now she is looking for a bit of adventure. Brandon is all that is good. Another perfect holiday read.
Lily's Christmas Wish is another beautiful story. Here we see Lily, an orphan, Rebecca, her teacher and Liam. Liam rescues both of them and they become a family for Christmas. I how kind Liam was, not only with Lily and Rebecca, but with Billy. This was my favorite of the three stories, but I loved all of them.
Christmas Mountain - Katherines heart was aching as she started the cold journey up the mountain. Would August and his daughter welcome her or would she just bring painful memories? Only time, the healer of all wounds, would tell.
Teton Christmas - McKensie tried to be optimistic, but the sadness of loosing her parents was a cot to carry. Her and sister Madison had come to live with their aunt out west, a lifestyle neither had ever experienced before. With Christmas just days away past memories linger and the coldness of winter presents unexpected challenges.
Lilly's Christmas Wish - Being an orphan is never easy but being sent west to a new family can be tramatic. Lilly is lucky to have Miss Abbott to help, but will she loose her to?
If you like the 1800's, like I do, you will love these stories!
A Home for Christmas by MK McClintock is a delightful collection of three short historical holiday stories. I thoroughly enjoyed each story in this set. The stories are heart-warming and a lovely look into historical Christmas celebrations in the 19th Century. I quickly fell in love with the characters in each story and really felt invested in them. This was the perfect collection of sweet, historical holiday romance that I could read in one sitting.
I received a complimentary ebook for review purposes, but this did not influence my opinion.
The first Historical Western I ever read was by MK McClintock. I fell in love with her characters and her ability to pull me into the story. Now, I eagerly await each new book.
In A Home for Christmas, the author has gifted the reader with a truly delightful collection of short stories designed to entertain. Each story is well crafted and provides a glimpse of the old west. MK’s ability to bring the story to life keeps me coming back for more.
If you enjoy the warmth of Christmas themed short stories, you won’t be disappointed with this book. A Home for Christmas has a place on my keeper shelf and will be re-read many times.
M.K. McClintock's A Home for Christmas is three, beautifully-written short Christmas stories sure to warm your heart during the holiday season, or anytime of year. Each is filled with the true spirit of Christmas; giving without expecting something in return. This is the first work I have read by Ms. McClintock and it won't be my last. She has a unique way of bringing characters to life and instilling their sorrows and joys into the reader's hearts. Ms. McClintock is one author you'll want to add to your list of favorites!
My ideal of good reading isn't short stories but when it comes to NO McClintock books, well I will take what I can get. Although I was disappointed with the lack of recipes that was promised after each story.
Gross....he wants to kiss his dead wife's sister....ewwwww....that is not love. Some weird substitution thing in a small town. I couldn't listen after the first story. Not endearing. At. All.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I listened to these short stories while I put up Christmas lights outside. They were lovely little stories. Bittersweet and touching. Hoopla Instant Borrow.
A Home for Christmas consists of three short, sweet and simple Christmas tales of the American West in the 1800s. Each reflects the theme that families can be chosen and made, and that Christmas is a good time to look beyond old patterns and be open to new connections. Sentimental? You bet! Just like all of the best Christmas stories.
The best part of the book IMHO is the feeling of stark magnificence with which author McClintock portrays the untamed West. That feeling of openness and expansion that abounds even today in Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming permeates the stories. I get a sense of place in which I can breathe deeper, and even the air around me seems fresher.
The stories invite us to slow down and imagine simpler and at the same time more challenging times. To a pre-electric, pre-Gortex, pre-social media era when communications were direct and transportation slow and deliberate. When people had direct contact with the environment on a daily basis. When challenges were more tangible and no one had the luxury of being a drama queen/king outside of the theater.
Great Christmas book for readers from alternative-type families, fans of Wild West holiday stories, and those who enjoy uncluttered stories with happy endings. The digital audiobook is especially charming.
This collection of 3 short stories was alright. I don't love westerns because I find the portrayal of women tedious and the strong protective hero man trope is often overplayed. It wasn't too bad in these stories. They're fun little Christmas shorts about family, extended family, grief, and different types of love. I found it boring but that's not a surprise. Yet another title I read because it was a Hoopla Bonus Borrow.
This was my first Christmas historical fiction read and it was such a wonderful experience that I can’t wait to dig into some more Christmas novellas and short stories (of which I have been collecting many recently).
Each of the stories in this collection had a sweet story to tell – full of hope when none seemed to be available. All three stories brought the prospect of family at the time when it was needed most – whether through blood relation or by construction. Although these stories were short on pages they were big on heart – a lot of story can be told in a short amount of time! I have read a few westerns before, but never one set in the winter – and quite frankly, I had never thought about winter in the new west or how one might experience Christmas differently out west than in the “civilized” east.
I fell in love with all of the characters. Despite the short time on the page, I felt that I had a solid understanding of who they were, their motivations, and how they ended up in the position they were in. They were people that I would love to read more about in full length stories – just enough here to whet your appetite for more. Each of the stories had an element of at least one of the characters coming out west for the first time – it was interesting to see the varied reactions to the sparse nature.
While I enjoyed all three stories, I think my favorite was Teton Christmas. I enjoyed the sweet little love story that was just blossoming and I found the Stewart sisters enchanting.
This review was previously posted at The Maiden's Court blog.
Each of these three delightful, heart-warming stories about Christmas on the Western Frontier will grab and touch the reader with their warmth and beauty.
These short stories are perfect for dr. Appointments -.long enough to keep you interested but not too long to not finish. Stories make you feel good. Loved the recipe at the end.
Lovely Short Stories taking place at Christmastime
Each story is well written. The author has brought the characters and locations to life. The conversation is realist. There was sincerity and humor throughout each story. I really enjoyed this compilation!