For Christmas, Forever

by Ruth Wind

THE SEXY STRANGER UNDER HER TREE

Just days before Christmas, a mysterious stranger arrived at Claire Franklin's bed-and-breakfast--and awakened her every desire. So the pretty innkeeper decided it was high time to bring a little holiday cheer to her cozy home--complete with mistletoe. Then, one starry night, bullets started flying--and Claire wondered if more than her heart was at risk....

Secret agent Zane Hunter vowed to protect Claire from the killer who wanted him--and anyone he'd ever cared about--dead. Because somehow, over the holiday, Zane had come to care way too much for the achingly vulnerable beauty. And now he longed to hold her close--not just for Christmas, but forever....

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, Contemporary, Holiday

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Pseudonym of Barbara Samuel and Barbara O'Neal.

Reviews

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Christmas, Forever is a sweet on the run book. Claire runs an inn, she has built a safe and stable life for herself after the uncertainty and drama of her childhood. She came from poverty and her mother was constantly obsessed with men, Claire has worked hard all her life and doesn't want to be like her.

Zane is an operative of sorts after a mysterious assassin who tried to kill him. He comes to Claire's inn to build his strength but brings danger to her door-step and they run for their lives.

Claire is pretty strong, she is angry instead of hysterical for the situation she has been put in. There is a strong attraction between them but they don't give in that easily. Zane brings Christmas to Claire and even takes her to church for the first time, while Claire makes Zane realise that he has his whole life left in front of him and that he can make a change.

Pretty good book.

[Faith Freewoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action, adventure and Christmas coziness. Who could ask for more?

I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas story, not least because it features two of my favorite romance elements: a loyal, courageous and affectionate dog, and a handsome, wounded (physically and emotionally) spy hero. There's danger, and suspense, and a pretty scary bad guy, and our hero & heroine (who owns a cozy B&B on one of the San Juan Islands) must depend on each other for survival. And of course they both are forced far outside their comfort zones as they escape bullets, a flash flood, and more. Oh, and it takes place in the Puget Sound area of Washington state, with its unique island and oceanside communities. It's from one of my favorite periods of Barbara Samuels' writing (probably originally published under her pseudonym Ruth Wind), and has all the elements of a "classic" romance. Sometimes snuggling down with a beautifully written classic is the very nicest way to spend a cozy evening.

Oh, and Barbara? When will we get to read Max's story? Thanks!

[Bona Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una novelita genérica ambientada en época navideña. Claire Franklin tiene su coqueta posada en un ambiente marinero, un entorno precioso, húmedo y destemplado, de esos que a mi me encantan. Llega un misterioso huésped: Zane Hunter, asesino profesional para los «buenos». Se gustan, se sienten atraídos el uno por el otro. Cuando empiezan a volar las balas, tienen que emprender la huida, con Zane en plan protector. Se la lleva consigo para poner tierra de por medio entre ellos y el misterioso asesino llamado Ghost («Fantasma»). Cada vez me gusta más Ruth Wind, por la calidad de sus harlequines: sabe crear personajes reales con problemas auténticos y usa un lenguaje efectivo y práctico, nada cursi, lo que no quita que a veces pueda tener momentos poéticos. Tiene ese punto de realismo en los personajes, que te imaginas como gente normal y corriente a la que a veces le pasan cosas extraordinarias.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book with a great romance and a little bit of espionage thrown in. If you are reading this mainly for the secret spies, you may be a bit disappointed. Sure, Zane is a good guy working for 'The Company',but he is recuperating from a failed hit on him, and chooses Claire's bed and breakfast. Claire is thrown into the spy business because Zane has been found. The 2 of them, along with her dog, have to flee and they travel from place to place, one step ahead of the assassin. And fall in love along the way. And wow, this author is great with the touching romance and tasteful sex scenes.Now, since this is mainly a love story, you probably figure they will get their HEA, but it's the getting there that makes the book well worth reading!

[Mariarti Sugiarto · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Jan Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to read a Barbara Samuel's book. For Christmas Forever is such a beautiful surprise that I find myself at a loss of words to describe it. This stunning book has all the elements of emotion that we have come to love in Ms. Samuel's writing ~ humor and sweet innocence coupled with fierce passion is a heady combination. A quote from a passage in this latest story, "Lord have mercy."

Claire Franklin has not had an easy life, putting it mildly, yet she created a world of tranquility in her Bed and Breakfast, in Washington State, to fulfill her yearnings for family. Her optimism and inner strength moves her forward each day where she thrives on taking care of her guests, in the most luxurious surroundings. With a growing reputation for providing delicious meals in a landscaped setting filled with flowers, Claire is at peace. The only fly in the ointment is her distaste for Christmas, taking her back to her childhood where memories are too harsh to bear.

When Zane Hunter arrives hours before his reservation ETA indicated, Claire feels bewildered by her instantaneous feelings toward him. He is, without a doubt, the most stunning man she has ever encountered! Of Native American descent, he is like a warrior, striking in his size, but beyond that, with long black hair and green eyes, the look he gives Claire is enough to set her on fire. With a dangerous air about him, he exudes a kindness too.

Zane has travelled 5,000 miles from Paris after barely escaping the sniper who killed his lover and partner. Working undercover for an organization designed to deal with acts of terror, he needs a place to hide and recover his strength. After years of hunting the “Ghost” sniper, Zane wants it to end now, in revenge, at any cost.

The only thing he couldn't imagine is involving an innocent woman. What transpires from this point on, is as exciting a ride as you could find, on the most spine tingling roller coasters. Ms. Samuel's genius is her ability to graphically keep us on the edge while we're swooning with love at the same time.

I can't help it, but I have to SHOUT that I love Zane and Claire and will be reading this book again and again! Bravo!

[Kandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those don't judge by the cover situations. The cover art would lead the read to believe this is a sweet hallmark type of story - and it's not. Minor quibble over cover art not matching the tone of the book, but one that tends to make me grumpy all the same.

My preferred read is generally light, happy, fluffy romance. This one is not quite that. Much more spy on the run type of story - dodging bullets and getting thrown into life-threatening situations. I would tend to categorize this author's work as more women's fiction, but this felt more romance than the author tends to write, making it more up my alley.

I liked the characters being real with each other and the situation they found themselves in. The female MC was strong and vulnerable - but entirely believable. The male MC struggling to see the humanity in himself after what seems like a lifetime of spy type work. I found myself very engaged and enjoying the story. I would definitely recommend.

*ARC provided by author's Inner Circle of Awesomeness reader group

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Claire and Zane. Claire is a woman who wants to create the home she never really had and share it with others as her bed-and-breakfast. Claire has her own issues with Christmas as she attempts to make the house festive for Zane. Zane is a hunky Native American who is injured inside and out. He is looking for a peaceful place to hide out and recover. He thinks he's found it at the quaint bed-and-breakfast. Then a phone call that Claire receives from a French woman shatters the peace and sends them both running for safety. Can the attraction they feel for each other bloom through all the chaos? Will it and will they even survive past Christmas?
This isn't your average Christmas romance story. It does have some romance in it, but it has a hefty dose of suspense, guns and people on the run. It was, however much to my surprise, still a very enjoyable, worthwhile read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.

[Carol Stalnaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tense story of a secret agent running from an assassin was thrilling and suspenseful.  Zane Hunter arrives at Claire Franklin's bed-and-breakfast at Christmas time but is trailed there by the assassin he had been trying to apprehend before he was injured in a bombing in Paris.  Still not recovered from his injuries, he, Claire and her dog flee from the inn and try to lose the assassin.  Claire is surprisingly resourceful and calm in the face of danger. 

This author has written another exciting story with depth and extreme characterization of the hero and heroine.  This couple has a beautiful attraction to each other and the danger they find themselves in makes them quickly appreciate and care for each other.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Melanie Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really well developed and complex and the premise was unusual. It was suspenseful and humorous and sad. It ran the emotional gamut. Claire hasn’t had much Christmas cheer in her life and when the tall, dark and mysterious Zane Hunter arrives earlier than expected at her bed and breakfast she decides it might be time to start celebrating the holiday. Barbara Samuel’s writes such wonderful characters and these are certainly no exception. Definitely worth reading.

I was provided a free advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, well-written book. Claire owns a bed and breakfast and is enjoying celebrating the season by adding some holiday decorations. Zane is a secret agent who has booked a room for a few nights while he recuperates from a recent injury. However, he discovers he is being pursued by a killer, which puts Claire in danger. Zane vows to keep her safe. The interactions between Claire and Hunter seemed very natural and it was fun to read about them getting to know each other. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zane Hunter goes to Claire Franklin’s bed and breakfast on an island in the Puget Sound to recover from an accident and plot revenge on the person who caused it. Unfortunately, he brought danger with him when he arrived. As they run for their lives, they open up and get to know each other as no one else has. The intrigue and suspense will keep you guessing until Zane and Claire get their happily ever after! I loved it.

[Jenny T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire Franklin finds her orderly life in her Bed & Breakfast upended by her Christmas guest Zane Hunter. Much of the book is spent traveling through parts of Washington State evading the assassin, "The Ghost." Of course, there's also the inevitable chemistry between the 2 main characters. Here's a Christmas read that will get your heart pumping in more ways than one.
Thanks to the Inner Circle for the copy of this book.

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas is usually a slow time for the Bed and Breakfast so Claire is glad to get a paying quest. Zane needs a place to recuperate and figures no one can find him here. But he's wrong and when Claire is put in danger, he has to get her to safety. If he leaves her, she will be killed by the assassin and he cannot drive so he has to take her with him. It may be that she's not safe with him either.

[Judy Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Christmas Forever!

Love the storyline, the romance and the suspense! Well written and along with the characters you can't help but come to love, I am very happy I chose this book. It has gotten me out of a reading slump! Sexual content. JudyE

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was better at the end. The story began really well, the introduction of Zane was intriguing and the chase scene was thrilling, but it lack one element, the dog food. Every time some one bought food I kept waiting for the dog food, but otherwise I like the story very much.

[Lisa Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★½☆

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. A heart-tugging story of suspense, love, and Christmas with characters readers will root for until the very last page.