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Canadian Mounties #6
A Season Of The Heart: Rocky Mountain Christmas / The Christmas Gifts / The Christmas Charm
THREE RUGGED WESTERN MEN
THREE COURAGEOUS LADIES
THREE FESTIVE TALES TO WARM THE HEART THIS CHRISTMAS!
Rocky Mountain Christmas - by Jillian Hart
Summoned on a dangerous snowy night to deal with two stowaways, Sheriff Mac McKaslin discovers they are non other than a homeless young widow - Carrie Montgomery - and her baby. But will the sheriff send them out into the cold...or find a warm place for them in his heart?
The Christmas Gifts - by Kate Bridges
When Sergeant James Fielder arrives with a baby on his sled, he turns to Maggie Greerson for help. This special interlude allows Maggie to fulfill her secret dream of having a child - and explore the attraction that has always drawn her to James....
The Christmas Charm - by Mary Burton
Determined to prevent her younger sister from marrying the wrong man, Widow Colleen Garland enlists the help of her onetime love, Keith Garrett. Will their rescue mission finally lead them on the road to true love?
THREE COURAGEOUS LADIES
THREE FESTIVE TALES TO WARM THE HEART THIS CHRISTMAS!
Rocky Mountain Christmas - by Jillian Hart
Summoned on a dangerous snowy night to deal with two stowaways, Sheriff Mac McKaslin discovers they are non other than a homeless young widow - Carrie Montgomery - and her baby. But will the sheriff send them out into the cold...or find a warm place for them in his heart?
The Christmas Gifts - by Kate Bridges
When Sergeant James Fielder arrives with a baby on his sled, he turns to Maggie Greerson for help. This special interlude allows Maggie to fulfill her secret dream of having a child - and explore the attraction that has always drawn her to James....
The Christmas Charm - by Mary Burton
Determined to prevent her younger sister from marrying the wrong man, Widow Colleen Garland enlists the help of her onetime love, Keith Garrett. Will their rescue mission finally lead them on the road to true love?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
8 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
193 books602 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 15, 2024
Meh.
The Hart story is pure Rescue Fantasy and there's just not much to it. The Bridges' story was the best of the bunch for me, memorable for a killer argument scene where the couple spars over money. I loathed the "hero" of the Burton story with every fiber of my being - a guy who had his fee-fees hurt because the heroine decided surviving was preferable to 1) starving to death or 2) taking up prostitution to keep a roof over her and her younger sister's heads. Seriously, I hated that guy.
The Hart story is pure Rescue Fantasy and there's just not much to it. The Bridges' story was the best of the bunch for me, memorable for a killer argument scene where the couple spars over money. I loathed the "hero" of the Burton story with every fiber of my being - a guy who had his fee-fees hurt because the heroine decided surviving was preferable to 1) starving to death or 2) taking up prostitution to keep a roof over her and her younger sister's heads. Seriously, I hated that guy.
December 12, 2016
This set of 3 historical Christmas romance novellas started out good and went downhill from there.
The first, Rocky Mountain Christmas by Jillian Hart, was an enjoyable read. Sheriff Mac McKaslin is called when two stowaways are found in a box car. Turns out is it is a bedraggled young woman and her small child. The railroad insists she be thrown in jail for trespass, but Mac can't do that at Christmas time. So instead takes her home to his parents. As he and his parents learn Carrie and Ebea's story, they all fall in love with them. This novella had good character development and an interesting story line that I liked from start to finish.
Book 2, The Christmas Gifts, began as another enjoyable read. The characters were not developed as fully and didn't grow like I would have liked, but still the storyline was interesting. Then the author ruined it in the last couple of chapters. Although the hero and heroine married, the intimacy that followed was described in detail and I quit reading.
Book 3, The Christmas Charm, I quit at about Chapter 4 when once again shortly after re-meeting, the hero and heroine are in bed with detailed descriptions.
I would not recommend this book. The only reason I gave it a 2 was because of Jillian Hart's very good novella. If I was just judging hers, I would have given it a 4. Don't spend your money on this book as 2/3 of it are not clean reads."
FAVORITE QUOTES (from Jillian Hart's Rocky Mountain Christmas)
"Take care with this day give to you. They are number for each of us, and should not be wasted."
"...no one is immune to adversity and tragedy. Life treated everyone the same, it was imply a mater of what and when. But like cream rising to the top, the quality of a person did, too, regardless of the hardship."
The first, Rocky Mountain Christmas by Jillian Hart, was an enjoyable read. Sheriff Mac McKaslin is called when two stowaways are found in a box car. Turns out is it is a bedraggled young woman and her small child. The railroad insists she be thrown in jail for trespass, but Mac can't do that at Christmas time. So instead takes her home to his parents. As he and his parents learn Carrie and Ebea's story, they all fall in love with them. This novella had good character development and an interesting story line that I liked from start to finish.
Book 2, The Christmas Gifts, began as another enjoyable read. The characters were not developed as fully and didn't grow like I would have liked, but still the storyline was interesting. Then the author ruined it in the last couple of chapters. Although the hero and heroine married, the intimacy that followed was described in detail and I quit reading.
Book 3, The Christmas Charm, I quit at about Chapter 4 when once again shortly after re-meeting, the hero and heroine are in bed with detailed descriptions.
I would not recommend this book. The only reason I gave it a 2 was because of Jillian Hart's very good novella. If I was just judging hers, I would have given it a 4. Don't spend your money on this book as 2/3 of it are not clean reads."
FAVORITE QUOTES (from Jillian Hart's Rocky Mountain Christmas)
"Take care with this day give to you. They are number for each of us, and should not be wasted."
"...no one is immune to adversity and tragedy. Life treated everyone the same, it was imply a mater of what and when. But like cream rising to the top, the quality of a person did, too, regardless of the hardship."
January 12, 2014
This is a holiday romance 3-fer from Harliequin. just pass it by.
Three stories set in the 'old west'. The first story, was by far the worst, nut at least each subsequent novelette got slightly better. My biggest complaint was the anachronisms in each story. They essentially plopped 21st century women into the 1860's. All three women, by coincidence were single (of course) shopkeepers (well, in the first story she works for in a shop). But the second woman ran a spice shop in a small town in Canada. In those days a small town would have one store, a general store, and it might have a specialty store if the town was lucky. Story 1 had a specialty bakery, story 2 had a spice shop (spices only), and story 3 had a general store. This was just one of many glaring out-of-time-period, issues, that annoyed me while I read. Aside from that, they were your basic slightly steamy holiday romances.
As I said, nothing special here, and enough historical inaccuracies to annoy a true fan of westerns.
Three stories set in the 'old west'. The first story, was by far the worst, nut at least each subsequent novelette got slightly better. My biggest complaint was the anachronisms in each story. They essentially plopped 21st century women into the 1860's. All three women, by coincidence were single (of course) shopkeepers (well, in the first story she works for in a shop). But the second woman ran a spice shop in a small town in Canada. In those days a small town would have one store, a general store, and it might have a specialty store if the town was lucky. Story 1 had a specialty bakery, story 2 had a spice shop (spices only), and story 3 had a general store. This was just one of many glaring out-of-time-period, issues, that annoyed me while I read. Aside from that, they were your basic slightly steamy holiday romances.
As I said, nothing special here, and enough historical inaccuracies to annoy a true fan of westerns.
December 2, 2021
Quick easy reads. Need something short for Christmas, read it.
February 11, 2019
The book was mediocre, at it's best... or worst :P
Honestly, how often do hero / heroines bed and wed (or wed and then bed) in two to three days? Forget speed dating, geeezz!
Honestly, how often do hero / heroines bed and wed (or wed and then bed) in two to three days? Forget speed dating, geeezz!
October 23, 2020
Having read something by each of these authors, I expected this to be a great book. Of course, this is a compilation of Christmas stories.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS (Jillian Hart)
Sheriff Mac Mc Kaslin is living with a six-year-old tragedy of not being able to save his wife and unborn child; so Christmas is hard for him. On a snowy night near Christmas, the railroad engineer is upset to find two stowaways (Carrie Montgomery and her young daughter) on the train and insists the sheriff put them in jail. Instead, Mac takes the freezing pair to his parents' house to sleep. Thus begins a really pleasant Christmas treat.
THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS (Kate Bridges)
It is Christmastime and Sgt. James Fielder (a Canadian Mountie) arrives at Maggie Greerson's spice shop for help. He found a baby in a fire and hopes she can help the child. Maggie is a widow without children, but with a warm and compassionate heart. James was in love with Maggie before she married a man who died two years later. With the doctor away with a terminal patient, Maggie wants to keep the baby until her relatives can be found.
This is another gentle Christmas story with lots of heart. It is more believable than the last story because James and Maggie have known each other for years.
THE CHRISTMAS CHARM (Mary Burton)
Colleen Garland has always taken care of her younger sister, Deidre. Colleen married a man she 'was fond of' because she didn't see any other choice; her father had died and lost the farm and the girls were left to starve. Colleen was in love with Keith Garrett, but he refused to marry her before he went to the Civil War. Colleen took care of her husband after he suffered a stroke for several years before he died.
When Keith returned to town, he found out that Colleen had married another. Now it is eight years later and Diedre has run away to marry. Colleen is horrified and goes to Keith for help (Josh, the prospective groom works for Keith). This is a great story.
All three stories are well-written and interesting. Overall score = 4.5 stars
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS (Jillian Hart)
Sheriff Mac Mc Kaslin is living with a six-year-old tragedy of not being able to save his wife and unborn child; so Christmas is hard for him. On a snowy night near Christmas, the railroad engineer is upset to find two stowaways (Carrie Montgomery and her young daughter) on the train and insists the sheriff put them in jail. Instead, Mac takes the freezing pair to his parents' house to sleep. Thus begins a really pleasant Christmas treat.
THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS (Kate Bridges)
It is Christmastime and Sgt. James Fielder (a Canadian Mountie) arrives at Maggie Greerson's spice shop for help. He found a baby in a fire and hopes she can help the child. Maggie is a widow without children, but with a warm and compassionate heart. James was in love with Maggie before she married a man who died two years later. With the doctor away with a terminal patient, Maggie wants to keep the baby until her relatives can be found.
This is another gentle Christmas story with lots of heart. It is more believable than the last story because James and Maggie have known each other for years.
THE CHRISTMAS CHARM (Mary Burton)
Colleen Garland has always taken care of her younger sister, Deidre. Colleen married a man she 'was fond of' because she didn't see any other choice; her father had died and lost the farm and the girls were left to starve. Colleen was in love with Keith Garrett, but he refused to marry her before he went to the Civil War. Colleen took care of her husband after he suffered a stroke for several years before he died.
When Keith returned to town, he found out that Colleen had married another. Now it is eight years later and Diedre has run away to marry. Colleen is horrified and goes to Keith for help (Josh, the prospective groom works for Keith). This is a great story.
All three stories are well-written and interesting. Overall score = 4.5 stars
January 11, 2021
They were alright. Not my fav, but not awful.
March 14, 2024
Three bombs. Dreary, dull, depressing.
April 20, 2014
Rocky Mountain Christmas by Jillian Hart
Not only is this a sweet love story but it goes out of its way to affirm that there is a basic goodness in mankind - an idea that often gets lost in the modern day move towards darker fiction. Mac and Carrie are both haunted by their pasts so it takes them longer to realise what the reader already knows (ain’t that always the way?). Hart balances the story well enough that the reader doesn’t get frustrated while waiting for the characters to smarten up. The story takes place in a relatively short amount of time, which I have had issues with in the past, but the detail and interior monologue of Mac and Carrie make it feel longer and more established. Their thought patterns help the reader to understand the characters motivations which makes it feel less like a headlong rush to get married.
I was pleasantly surprised by the first story in this set and it set the tone of expectation for the rest of the book.
The Christmas Gifts by Kate Bridges
I really liked this story. I always appreciate stories that establish a past relationship between the characters. Novellas are so short that creating a past for the couple makes it feel more stable and gives it a bit more depth. It helps to balance the short time frame that these stories often take place in.
Maggie and James are both likable but stubborn characters. Its a combination that can result in needless drama and reader frustration. However, James’s straightforward nature cuts down on storyline BS because it heads off a lot of the potential drama.
Like the previous story this centered on the inherent goodness of people and community. It went the extra step and made the point of saying that people can suffer and survive bad situations while still retaining their optimism. I liked that Bridges took that extra step because I think its something that authors overlook.
Both main characters have had a bad start/rough time and even some of the side ones (her niece)did too. It had the potential to turn into a very sad story but Bridges keeps the tone fairly upbeat. In the end it all ties together and works out nicely.
The Christmas Charm by Mary Burton
I also very much enjoyed this story though it had more of the silly drama that I didn’t like – letting a small thing almost ruin it all in the end. Colleen and Keith, the protagonists, could have gotten together fine without that since the past problems had already been resolved, but drama makes the world goes round.
Again the characters already had an established history and a good one. Their back story, while not overly original, had just the right amount of bittersweetness. I actually think I would have enjoyed reading that tale as well (as long as Burton gave it this ending).The bulk of this story takes place in one day spanning 10am till about 5pm (ish) when the characters end up together Having the strong backstory is crucial to making this novella work.
The reveal of the backstory is also very well done, it becomes part of the plot itself and lets the reader and the characters discover their present through their past.
A side observation of this story was that it had strong family relationships. Its always nice to see characters in a romance novel interact/have meaningful relationships outside of the primary romance. It gives them more depth and rounds them out a but more.
I really liked this set of stories. If my Christmas book pile ever gets overwhelming and I, God forbid, need to start cutting books out - this one will be a keeper.
Not only is this a sweet love story but it goes out of its way to affirm that there is a basic goodness in mankind - an idea that often gets lost in the modern day move towards darker fiction. Mac and Carrie are both haunted by their pasts so it takes them longer to realise what the reader already knows (ain’t that always the way?). Hart balances the story well enough that the reader doesn’t get frustrated while waiting for the characters to smarten up. The story takes place in a relatively short amount of time, which I have had issues with in the past, but the detail and interior monologue of Mac and Carrie make it feel longer and more established. Their thought patterns help the reader to understand the characters motivations which makes it feel less like a headlong rush to get married.
I was pleasantly surprised by the first story in this set and it set the tone of expectation for the rest of the book.
The Christmas Gifts by Kate Bridges
I really liked this story. I always appreciate stories that establish a past relationship between the characters. Novellas are so short that creating a past for the couple makes it feel more stable and gives it a bit more depth. It helps to balance the short time frame that these stories often take place in.
Maggie and James are both likable but stubborn characters. Its a combination that can result in needless drama and reader frustration. However, James’s straightforward nature cuts down on storyline BS because it heads off a lot of the potential drama.
Like the previous story this centered on the inherent goodness of people and community. It went the extra step and made the point of saying that people can suffer and survive bad situations while still retaining their optimism. I liked that Bridges took that extra step because I think its something that authors overlook.
Both main characters have had a bad start/rough time and even some of the side ones (her niece)did too. It had the potential to turn into a very sad story but Bridges keeps the tone fairly upbeat. In the end it all ties together and works out nicely.
The Christmas Charm by Mary Burton
I also very much enjoyed this story though it had more of the silly drama that I didn’t like – letting a small thing almost ruin it all in the end. Colleen and Keith, the protagonists, could have gotten together fine without that since the past problems had already been resolved, but drama makes the world goes round.
Again the characters already had an established history and a good one. Their back story, while not overly original, had just the right amount of bittersweetness. I actually think I would have enjoyed reading that tale as well (as long as Burton gave it this ending).The bulk of this story takes place in one day spanning 10am till about 5pm (ish) when the characters end up together Having the strong backstory is crucial to making this novella work.
The reveal of the backstory is also very well done, it becomes part of the plot itself and lets the reader and the characters discover their present through their past.
A side observation of this story was that it had strong family relationships. Its always nice to see characters in a romance novel interact/have meaningful relationships outside of the primary romance. It gives them more depth and rounds them out a but more.
I really liked this set of stories. If my Christmas book pile ever gets overwhelming and I, God forbid, need to start cutting books out - this one will be a keeper.
August 27, 2011
Rocky Mountain Christmas by Jillian Hart (2nd read 8/27/2011)
Mac McKaslin lives in Moose, Montana Territory. His folks run McKaslin Bakery that has been in the family before them. Mac is the sheriff and this cold stormy night he is awaken from the nightmare of losing his wife. The gunshots of the dream turn into someone knocking on his door.
He has to go and handle more stowaways on the train. It saddens him to see these older men with no hope. Only this time it is a young woman and her child. He can't put her in jail even though the man working for the railroad, Bose, is demanding justice.
Mac brings the woman, Carrie Montgomery, to his parents home. Carrie believes he is leaving her daughter there while he puts her in jail so she is relieved to find she can stay there as well, for tonight anyways.
Carrie is not put in jail. She ends up helping at the bakery later that day and all the town people and his parents assume Mac is courting her.
Mac cannot handle the memories assailing him when he is around Carrie so he decides to buy her train ticket. As soon as the snow if off the tracks she will be out of his life and he can go back to not feeling anything.
I cried both times I read this. It is such a touching story.
There is a subtle sexual situation.
Mac McKaslin lives in Moose, Montana Territory. His folks run McKaslin Bakery that has been in the family before them. Mac is the sheriff and this cold stormy night he is awaken from the nightmare of losing his wife. The gunshots of the dream turn into someone knocking on his door.
He has to go and handle more stowaways on the train. It saddens him to see these older men with no hope. Only this time it is a young woman and her child. He can't put her in jail even though the man working for the railroad, Bose, is demanding justice.
Mac brings the woman, Carrie Montgomery, to his parents home. Carrie believes he is leaving her daughter there while he puts her in jail so she is relieved to find she can stay there as well, for tonight anyways.
Carrie is not put in jail. She ends up helping at the bakery later that day and all the town people and his parents assume Mac is courting her.
Mac cannot handle the memories assailing him when he is around Carrie so he decides to buy her train ticket. As soon as the snow if off the tracks she will be out of his life and he can go back to not feeling anything.
I cried both times I read this. It is such a touching story.
There is a subtle sexual situation.
October 7, 2012
THREE RUGGED WESTERN MEN
THREE COURAGEOUS LADIES
THREE FESTIVE TALES TO WARM THE HEART THIS CHRISTMAS!
Rocky Mountain Christmas by Jillian Hart
Summoned on a dangerously snowy night to deal with two stowaways, Sheriff Mac McKaslin discovers they are none other than a homeless young widow—Carrie Montgomery—and her baby. But will the sheriff send them out into the cold…or find a warm place for them in his heart?
The Christmas Gifts by Kate Bridges
When Sergeant James Fielder arrives with a baby on his sled, he turns to Maggie Greerson for help. This special interlude allows Maggie to fulfill her secret dream of having a child—and explore the attraction that has always drawn her to James….
The Christmas Charm by Mary Burton
Determined to prevent her younger sister from marrying the wrong man, widow Colleen Garland enlists the help of her onetime love, Keith Garrett. Will their rescue mission finally lead them on the road to true love?
The cover would not make me pick up this book if I hadn't found it on a used book store shelf, but that is a different issue. I enjoyed the stories by Hart and Bridges immensely. Ms. Burton's story was "okay," but not memorable.
THREE COURAGEOUS LADIES
THREE FESTIVE TALES TO WARM THE HEART THIS CHRISTMAS!
Rocky Mountain Christmas by Jillian Hart
Summoned on a dangerously snowy night to deal with two stowaways, Sheriff Mac McKaslin discovers they are none other than a homeless young widow—Carrie Montgomery—and her baby. But will the sheriff send them out into the cold…or find a warm place for them in his heart?
The Christmas Gifts by Kate Bridges
When Sergeant James Fielder arrives with a baby on his sled, he turns to Maggie Greerson for help. This special interlude allows Maggie to fulfill her secret dream of having a child—and explore the attraction that has always drawn her to James….
The Christmas Charm by Mary Burton
Determined to prevent her younger sister from marrying the wrong man, widow Colleen Garland enlists the help of her onetime love, Keith Garrett. Will their rescue mission finally lead them on the road to true love?
The cover would not make me pick up this book if I hadn't found it on a used book store shelf, but that is a different issue. I enjoyed the stories by Hart and Bridges immensely. Ms. Burton's story was "okay," but not memorable.
December 10, 2015
These three stories were sweet and heartwarming Christmas love stories. The second one I think was my favorite. Maggie and James' devotion to the abandoned baby they found was very sweet and I liked they're love story. The other two stories seemed a little unnecessarily angsty to me and were at times eye rollingly cheesy. Especially the first one. Each one of these stories had their flaws and in all three of them the love stories moves a little too quickly to be realistic but I still found myself really enjoying them and even cried a couple times.
November 8, 2009
Jillian Hart and Kate Bridges in one book? Be still my heart! I liked Jillian's best, but Kate was as enjoyable as always. I couldn't get into the dialogue of the third story, though, and skipped it.
December 30, 2008
I tried to read this the other day and remembered I had read it. It was a good collection, despite the fact that I forgot I read it.
December 20, 2015
3.5 stars!!!
February 4, 2016
3 Christmas romances in 1 book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews