The Debutante's Santa

Debutantes of Durango #8

by Sylvia McDaniel

Searching for a Santa

Christmas is coming, and Carrie Madison needs a Santa for the celebration at the orphanage. Only problem is, she has yet to find a man who knows the meaning of Christmas and how to be a good Santa. When she arrives home after the ball, a burglar tells her he just needs a place to hide, and then he’ll be gone. Fearing for her life if she says no, what choice does she have?

Pinkerton agent Roscoe Dalton chased outlaws all the way to Durango, where they met up with the gang and are now pursing him. Roscoe knows he’s risking Carrie’s life staying at her home, but he has no options. Only issue is, the woman is a spitfire determined to bring holiday joy to the orphanage. An orphan himself, the lure of her sweetness overpowers his will to remain unattached, putting them both in danger.

Will Christmas be ruined by the outlaws, or will Santa deliver in more ways than one?

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2021

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Sylvia McDaniel has published more than forty western historical romance, contemporary romance and even a few sci-fi novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides a historical western series, The Cuvier Widows, a Louisiana historical series, Lipstick and Lead, a western historical series and several short contemporary romances.

Former President of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, and she was a Golden Network Finalist.

Married for over twenty years to her best friend, they have two spoilt dachshunds that reign supreme over the house. She loves gardening, hiking, shopping, knitting and football (Cowboys and Bronco’s fan), but not necessarily in that order.

Sign up for Sylvia’s newsletter
Visit Sylvia at www.SylviaMcDaniel.com
Follow Sylvia on twitter
Join Sylvia on Facebook
Goodreads

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie is desperate to find a Santa for the orphanage who knows the true meaning of Christmas but she has not been able to find the right man. When she returns home Roscoe is in her home claiming to only need a place to stay for the night (he is a Pinkerton agent). Roscoe wants to help the sweet Carrie because he has lived in an orphanage as a child. This is a sweet holiday romance with two loving people who are meant to be together.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read you won’t be able to put down and perfect to relax and enjoy with all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays. Carrie and Roscoe’s story is unorthodox and has all the twists and turns to keep you turning the pages till the very end.

[Xantippi Leska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie's story just grabs you and keeps you wondering what is happening and why, this romantic suspense keeps you wanting to read more to find out what is going to happen.
Received an advance copy from the author.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in the Debutantes of Durango series and it was a quick, enjoyable Christmas read. Carrie Madison is considered an old maid in Durango. Her parents are dead and she lives alone. She'd like nothing more than to find a prospective husband at the Debutante Ball, but she also needs to find a kind man to play Santa for the orphanage Christmas party. Not having any luck on either count, she goes home to find a strange man with a gunshot wound in her home.

Roscoe Dalton is a Pinkerton agent pursuing some outlaws that have turned the tables on him and now they are chasing him and wanting to kill him. He feels awful breaking into Carrie's home, but he had no other alternative. Carrie treats his gunshot wound and hides him from the outlaws that are terrorizing the town. She also realizes that he would be the perfect Santa for the orphan's Christmas party.

This was a delightful story, but it could have been better edited. There were a few instances where the wrong word was used. For example, the word "politic" was used when it should have been "polite".

Thank you to Goodreads and Sylvia McDaniel for the gift of this book that I received in a giveaway. I look forward to reading some more of the books in the Debutantes of Durango series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romantic suspenseful story. Roscoe was hunting a gang, but they turned the tables on him and he became the hunted. Injured and fading fast, he finds himself in an empty house. On her way home from the orphanage, Carrie comes across several suspicious men, she quickly goes into her house, and a hand covers her mouth. She needs to figure out if Roscoe is a good guy, or a bad guy. Roscoe is chivalrous, sweet and determined. Carrie is caring, stubborn and brave. I enjoyed reading their story and watching them fall in love. And the twists.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Sylvia McDaniel]

This heroine was not one of my regular sisters in this series and frankly, I didn't know what I was going to write for her. But once the plot started to come together, she quickly became my favorite. I loved the hero and her together and out of this series, this is my favorite book. Hope you enjoy.

[Debs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to relax and enjoy the holidays with "The Debutante's Santa". Carrie and Roscoe's story is romantic and outright fun reading. With Carrie's love for the kids at the orphanage and needing a Santa Claus, what better way for Roscoe to hide in plain sight than to play Santa at Carrie's request. A sweet sexy western romance with all the feels one expects from Sylvia McDaniel, I was gifted "The Debutante's Santa" leaving my review based on my reading. 5 Stars!

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roscoe and Carrie

This is a sweet exciting love story between Gravely wounded Pinkerton man and Durango’s old maid. Roscoe was shot by one of the Evans game and Carrie finding him needing help and removed the bullet, cleaned and bandaged the wound. The gang over takes the Durango to find and kill the agent. You will enjoy discovering how they find their happily ever after.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Christmas story, the storyline is entertaining and the interaction and chemistry between the characters is great. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book 📚, as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Denise Levendoski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sylvia McDaniel and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.

What a great fast fun story ! Likable characters, great story and it was just a fun read!

[Susan Baez Randleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I enjoyed Carrie’s story. Well written and grabs your attention from the start. Get your copy of this wonderful romance action story!

[Vickie Raynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and full of action. It left me continuously wondering how Carrie and Roscoe would escape danger. This was a gloriously enchanting romance. Book gifted to me.

[Jennifer Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! There was so much happening I couldn’t put it down!!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story

I liked this story.
Lots of action, interesting unfolding of romance . She saves him in the end. Nicely written

[Pat Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Series.

Roscoe and Carrie met at her house, he got shot by bad guys, She doctored him back to health. And they fell in Love and saved the town. Thank you Sylvia McDaniel.