Christmas in Painted Pony Creek

Painted Pony Creek #4

by Linda Lael Miller

Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story! 

Can a Christmas miracle mend her broken heart?

Tessa Stafford will do anything for her daughter, Isabel…even stay on the run to protect Isabel from her narcissistic grandmother. But when her car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Tessa gets caught up in the warm embrace of the town and feels safe enough to build a home—and a life—for them both. Love is the last thing on her mind until rugged cowboy and lawyer Jesse McKettrick’s sexy smile and easy way tempt her into imagining more. But can she trust this handsome stranger with her heart?

When Tessa and her adorable daughter blow into town, Jesse McKettrick is smitten—by both the little girl and her beautiful mother. He’s always wanted a family of his own. Maybe this Christmas, his wish will finally come true. But the walls around Tessa are impenetrable, and when Tessa’s past threatens their newfound future—and the family he’s come to love—Jesse won’t let them go without a fight.

Painted Pony Creek

Book 1: Country Strong
Book 2: Country Proud
Book 3: Country Born
Book 4: Christmas in Painted Pony Creek

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Westerns, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Holiday

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman and her little girl on the run break down in Painted Pony Creek for the holidays and find wonder and magic and love. But, a self-centered, determined woman won’t leave them be and running has been their only option until now.

Christmas in Painted Pony Creek was my intro to the widely acclaimed Linda Lael Miller’s writing. Boy howdy, I can see why now. I’m no stranger to the snug and comfy small town holiday romance where a wanderer finds home, but instead of it feeling stale and same-ol’, I settled in from the start and regretted closing the book on the last page. While I could see this was part of an ongoing series and met characters who starred in previous books, I had no trouble reading this out of order as a standalone. The tone was gentle and sweet, but it read swiftly for me. I have future dates with the rest of the Painted Pony Creek series so I can meet all these kind folk who felt like family from the beginning.

As I mentioned, Tessa and her little girl arrive by way of their car giving out and discover a town of people ready to embrace them and their needs. They meet Jesse at the diner. He’s taking a sabbatical from his legal work to work construction and needs to figure out what he wants to do. Their mutual attraction was a lovely layer in the story rather than the only focus and I’m a total sucker for a cowboy and little girl connecting on their own so Jesse fell for both ladies. The western movie references were a fun running joke through the book. I enjoyed meeting all the small town characters and seeing them generously step in to help Tessa and Isabella and wish Jesse well while going about their lovely holiday traditions.

Isabella’s step-grandmother was over the top the way she kept coming after them to get Isabella. Her relentless pursuit gave a pinch of suspenseful spice to an otherwise sweet story full of holiday cheer and magic.

A small town western charmer of a holiday romance hit the spot and left me smiling and satisfied. Drop this bit of holiday cheer into your stocking for a feel-good from Painted Pony Creek.

I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.


My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy Dec 12th.

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and cozy!! It went by fast but I didn’t mind the pacing! I’m glad that this felt like a standalone despite being part of a series! I wanted some holiday coziness and I got it!

[WycEd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out our full post for CHRISTMAS IN PAINTED PONY CREEK on Wicked Reads.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series, and I have to admit my first – but I have every intention of going back and reading earlier installments, as I loved the people of Painted Pony Creek. Their support of Tessa and Isabel is unrivalled, and whilst Tessa feels she may still need to leave, she certainly doesn't want to – and Jesse may be part of the reason!

I really liked that we learn early on about Tessa's past and her unwavering love and commitment to her daughter's well-being. She had no childhood to speak of, so her devotion to working hard to support and protect her daughter is clearly her priority – and she finds the care with which the rest of the town embrace them both wonderful, even if their desire to match her with Jesse is enticing, but not possible.

I really enjoyed the tension due to the attraction between the two of them, how it played out, and how it got me into the right mood for Christmas!

Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

[Toni Laliberte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Even though I haven't read any of the other books in the Painted Pony Creek series, this one read like a standalone, and I was able to fall right into the story. Tessa and her daughter Isabel are on the run, and eventually, their car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Montana. After getting help from the chief of police, Tessa and her daughter are embraced by the town and its friendly and kind inhabitants. Tessa secures a job, a place to live, and enrolls Isabel in school. After a few months, she still can't let her guard down, even though she wants to, because there is trouble lurking in the shadows. During the time in the Creek, she meets and falls for a handsome and kind man named Jesse, and he, in turn, falls in love with her. When Tessa has to finally confront her problem from her past, Jesse and the whole town help her and stand up for her and Isabel. Finally, she is safe and able to put down roots, and her and Jesse get married. Jesse adopts Isabel, and they build a beautiful house in Painted Pony Creek for them and their future children.

[Lauren | TransportedLFL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for this book. These opinions are my own.

I enjoyed seeing a whole town come together to support single mom, Tessa, in this lovely Christmas story. It was a short book with deep emotions and a lovely conclusion.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, cozy Christmas romance. Loved this. I'll read more in the series(that are not seasonal).

[Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about a single mom on the run from her daughter’s grandmother. Tessa winds up in Painted Pony Creek and falls in love with everyone there. She has a new love interest who happens to be a lawyer, so everything works out for her and her adorable little girl.

[Madoka Kamimura Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Lael Miller brings us the story of Tessa and her daughter Isabel when their car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek. Immediately, the community comes to their aid by giving them shelter, food, and even a job so they can stay. With the kindness of strangers, this place starts to become a home for these two who have been on the road stopping in towns along the way until it is time to move again. When they first arrive, Jesse is struck by them and starts hoping for that future. When the past threatens to disrupt and halt their lives and what could be, will Tessa feel the need to run once more? Will what she built in Painted Pony Creek with the people and with Jesse be enough for her to stay and fight, or will her fears get the best of her?

Linda Lael Miller brings us the story of finding a community that feels like family. She brings us into the lives of those who live in this community and how they look out for each other. You want to keep turning the page to see what happens with Tessa and Jesse and if there is a future for them after all. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press for this privilege.

[Danielle]

I want to preface this review by saying that this book should have been promoted as a Thanksgiving novella rather than a Christmas one. Most of the story is leading up to Thanksgiving, with only the Epilogue actually taking place at Christmas time. That being said ...

Tessa Stafford has had a difficult life of foster homes, financial struggles, and then a pregnancy that was completely unwanted by the rich boyfriend who treated her like a dirty little secret and immediately signed off on any rights to the child. Unfortunately, his stepmother didn't feel the same. She wanted an heir and was determined to prove Tessa unfit or steal the little girl, if need be. All of this meant Tessa was constantly on the move.

Her running came to a screeching halt when her car breathed its last in a small town in Montana. She and her daughter, Isabel, were immediately welcomed, given a place to stay and a job for Tessa. She could easily see herself settling in such a wonderful place full of supportive people. That delicious Jesse McKettrick, building a western tourist town for his brother, was an added bonus.

With the threat of losing her daughter always looming, how can Tessa possibly stay in one place too long?

Christmas in Painted Pony Creek is a pleasant enough read. As a novella, it's also a very quick one, and it reads beautifully as a standalone despite being fourth in a series. There were a few things, however, that leveled it at three stars for me.

Personally, I don't like the trope of two people practically wanting to eat each other at first sight. That's not romantic, and I don't like it in what could otherwise be a sweet holiday romance. Also, I had a couple of moments where I questioned Tessa's mothering skills myself. Staying with Jesse as protection was one thing, but sleeping in his room with your young daughter right there is another altogether. I wouldn't normally pick at this one too much, but it went against all of the side comments showing steps Tessa made to be a good mom. Worse was walking into a place knowing she's about to have a heated altercation with the evil stepmother and hauling her daughter in with her? Uhm...no. Someone takes her into another room, so she isn't traumatized by it. Lastly, while it's quite common for the main characters to have tragic pasts in these books, it seemed like everyone did here right down to one of the villains whose tale was tossed in so randomly it felt like even the character found it awkward.

Christmas (Thanksgiving) in Painted Pony Creek by Linda Lael Miller is a nice, average read. I did enjoy it, but I won't be seeking out the other books in the series.

I was provided with an egalley of this book and have chosen to leave this objective review.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the fourth book in the series - and I have to admit my first - but I have every intention of going back and reading earlier installments, as I loved the people of Painted Pony Creek. Their support of Tessa and Isabel is unrivalled, and whilst Tessa feels she may still need to leave, she certainly doesn't want to - and Jesse may be part of the reason!

I really liked that we learn early on about Tessa's past and her unwavering love and commitment to her daughter's well being. She had no childhood to speak of, so her devotion to working hard to support and protect her daughter is clesrly her priority - and she finds the care with which the rest of the town embrace them both wonderful, even if their desire to match her with Jesse is enticing, but not possible.

I really enjoyed the tension due to the attraction between the two of them, how it played out and how it got me into right mood for Christmas !

[Ann C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was so so. As someone mentioned, it was a lot like a Hallmark movie. I quit watching the movies a couple of years ago as they are all the same. They have a few plots that are reused over and over, just change the local and the characters.

I have read this plot many times in the past. The car of a down on your luck mother breaks down and she and her young child are stranded on the side of the road. They are rescued by a friendly cop (usually the love interest, but not this time). They are taken into town where most of their problems are solved almost over night. They are on the run from someone in their past. This time it is a wealthy grandmother. There isn't much originality with the plot.

There was supposed to be some suspense with the bad grandmother. But that basically fizzled out with a confrontation. It was just drama. There was nothing to it. It would have been better if there had been more to it, such as a kidnapping.

I have been reading Linda Lael Miller for years and enjoyed her books. For some reason I had missed this book. What gives with the inflated prices. The eBook was $13 and was not worth the cost. The next book in the series is $15. I will have to see if the library has it.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Painted Pony Creek by Linda Lael Miller is one of those reads that tugs at your heartstrings. It sure tugged on mine. A single mother raising her young daughter alone. The step-mom of the father of the child is crazy with wanting the child. She even attempted to kidnap the little girl! Therefore, the single mom escapes with her child far away with the evil step-grandma chasing them around all the time. The car breaks down in a cozy little town, and it is there that both the mom and child find security, peace, and new beginnings! The hero is irresistible and charming. I love the Western movie references and how the child and real cowboy handle the references in the scenes. I could not stop laughing and falling for these charming characters! Linda Lael Miller has once again proven she's the queen of Western contemporary romances. I highly recommend this read to fans of cowboys, Christmas, and sweet romances.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Jennifer Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from NetGalley. I have read books by Linda Lael Miller, but this one pulls the heart strings. Tessa is a single mom who goes on the run to protect her daughter from her ex's evil stepmom. She is constantly uprooting her daughter, Isabel. Tessa's car breaks down in a Painted Pony Creek and the local police come to her rescue. The officer immediately knows that something has Tessa on the run and takes her to the local diner. The owner talks to Tessa and offers her a job and a place to stay. The town pulls together to protect this mother and daughter. Jesse is in town is helping his brother with his land and is also a lawyer. He soon becomes smitten with Tessa and Isabel. Tessa opens up to Jesse and the local police because she is tired of running. The town comes to their aid when the grandmother shows up and is trying to cause a scene and take Isabel. I couldn't put this book down and now I am going to go back and read the others in the series. We will be getting this book at my library.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a random library loan because I liked the cover—I felt like it was putting off holiday / small town / maybe mountain town & cowboys vibes. Apparently I came in on the 4th book in the series, but I never felt lost, so I’m not sure the reading order is important.

With a female lead on the lam and a villainous ex-mother-in-law, what’s not to like here?


Woman on the run, seemingly traumatized.
Cheating.
Unplanned pregnancy.
Found family.
Single mom.


Overall:
It was rather generic and ended abruptly—however, it was a quick read with danger and legal drama and a bit of stalking, so I did have fun. I will read at least one more from this author before deciding whether or not I’m a fan. This read, overall, was okay.

3.5 stars.

🎧 Audio:
Awful. Truly awful. I was shocked to see a person credited with the narration, as it sounded like AI-narration. I’ve actually heard some AI-narrated books that sounded less robotic than this man. 0 stars for the narrator.
Overall sound quality was okay, not perfectly smooth but, mostly clear.

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday romance. It is relatable and homey and full of love, laughter, challenges, and self-acceptance. This is a love story between mom and daughter, mom and new love, mom and community, mom and friends, and mom and self. It takes a while for the heroine to embrace all of these different love stories, and we are invited to experience this journey with her. I also love stories that are written for everyone. Not using qualifiers that describe characters as "she was a black woman" or "an african-american man" but just simply giving us the vision of a person based on a simple description is so appreciated. Whenever I read, "the baker, a tall black woman blah blah blah..." I instantly think, "Okay. This author is not writing for me because the main characters aren't giving this type of qualifier." It is so refreshing to see an author who writes in such a way that doesn't alienate the diverse world of book lovers.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a young lady and her child running from a grandma that wants to kidnap her. She has tried once and is now trying to prove the mother unfit so she can get her hands on the child. Tessa is out of gas and stuck in the ran outside a small town when a officer comes to her rescue. She takes Tessa and Isabel into the town of Pony Creek and sends Jesse out to get her car from the side of the road. The people of the town welcome her into their fold. They give her a place to live and a job. Isabel starts school and all is well. Unfortunately grandma comes back to town. That's where the story gets interesting. You will have to read the book to discover what happens next. It is a wonderful Christmas love story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Stafford and her daughter Isabel are stranded in Painted Pony Creek when their car breaks down but they couldn't have asked for a nicer town. Everyone is friendly and helpful to the young woman including Jesse McKettrick. He is building an old time Wild West town for his brother Liam who will lease it out for entertainment. Jesse knows Tessa is running from something or someone and she finally tells him about her ex's stepmother who keeps trying to get Isabel. Jesse is also an attorney an files a restraining order against Marjory Laughlin.

Jesse has fallen in love with Tessa and Isabel and intends to keep both safe. He had planned to return to his condo in California but now changes his mind to stay in Montana with the woman he loves and plans to marry.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Tessa Stafford will do anything for her daughter, Isabel…even stay on the run to protect Isabel from her narcissistic grandmother. But when her car breaks down in Painted Pony Creek, Tessa gets caught up in the warm embrace of the town and feels safe enough to build a home—and a life—for them both. Love is the last thing on her mind until rugged cowboy and lawyer Jesse McKettrick’s sexy smile and easy way tempt her into imagining more. But can she trust this handsome stranger with her heart? When Tessa and her adorable daughter blow into town, Jesse McKettrick is smitten—by both the little girl and her beautiful mother.

Really cute story with the expected result. Grandma is NOT a good person, but love prevails - predictably. Token sex, but not awful.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa Stafford is on the run again - that is until her car breaks down just outside the small town of Painted Pony Creek, Montana. She has been doing everything necessary to keep her five-year-old daughter Isabel safe from the mentally unstable woman who wants to take Isabel and raise her. Tessa finds sanctuary, a job and friends in this welcoming community. Isabel attends kindergarten and goes to daycare. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could finally settle down? Jesse McKettrick is attracted to Tessa from the moment they meet. She has had a bad experience with men and isn't interested in any relationships. Will Jesse be able to convince Tessa that he loves her and that she can stop living life on the run?

[PATRICIA KUNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

New book by Linda Lael MIiller.

Tess and her daughter Isabel's car broke down near Painted Pony Creek.
She gets help from the local sheriff and townsfolk.
She is on the run from her boyfriend's mother and wants Isbel. Shm e will not give up.
She meets Jesse McKenderick.

As time goes on Tess has a small house she is renting a job.
Isabel is going to kindergarten and has friends.

Tess decides to stay and fight. She is going to run again.

Jess and Tess grow closer as sparks begin to fly.

After the final confrontation, Tess, Jesse, and Isabel become a family.

They marry and find the love that is meant for them.

Good and quick read.



She meets Jesse McKenderick.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tessa Stanford and her young daughter Isobel have been on the run for ages, desperate to get away from the stepmother of Isobel’s wealthy father Brent who had tried to sue and kidnap the child from her only rightful parent. When Tessa’s car broke down in Painted Pony Creek the town stepped up to take them in and make them feel safe and cared for. With a steady job and Isobel thrilled to be in kindergarten and day care, Tessa can breathe a little more freely. However she gets rather breathless around Jesse McKettrick, lawyer turned carpenter/ building superviser.
This was a fast and easy holiday read.

[Kate Vale]

Another in the Painted Pony Creek series, in which Tessa Stafford thinks she's finally found a place where she can raise her 5-year-old daughter safely, away from the grasping attempts of the baby daddy's stepmother. But staying there could be difficult, even though the chief of police assures her she's safe there and helps her find a waitress job and place to stay.

Jesse McKettrick also insists he'll keep her safe, even as he admits why he, a lawyer and rancher, really prefers to build things. But will he stay in Painted Pony Creek after his work for his brother is completed? Will Tessa's presence there change his mind about moving on?

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A uplifting, quick read that takes place in a jewel of a town, painted Pony Creek, where the townspeople are folks I’d want as neighbors. A single mother, struggling to get by, finds herself and her young daughter stranded in an unexpected town, and quickly learns of their kindness as life finally starts to look up.

Apparently this book is part of a series. I read it as a standalone without feeling I missed anything.

I enjoyed the pacing and goodheartedness of the characters. I was looking for a Christmas read. Although There is not much Christmas involved and some aspects of the story were a bit of a stretch, it was a nice, easy read all the same.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight Christmas story. Tessa Stafford and her five year old daughter, Isabel, land in Painted Pony Creek, with a dead car, and little money. But she finds the folks in town different than where they stayed before. These people help each other, and before she knows it, Tessa has a job, a rental cottage, a preschool for Isabel, and friends. And Jesse McKettrick, lawyer and construction worker, has his eye on her. And she's looking right back. But a crazy woman is after Tessa to get custody of Isabel, and she'll stop at nothing, despite losing several attempts in court.

[Bookdragon_Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

#51.

Tessa Stafford and her daughter are left stranded in a small country town called Painted Pony Creek. Tessa's car had left them sit along the road. Tessa and her daughter, Isabel, are quickly welcomed into the town. It's not long before Tessa finds herself falling for Jesse. After a few months, Tessa receives a threatening letter regarding custody of her daughter. Things quickly escalate from there. This was a great "Hallmark-ish" story. It was pretty predictable, but still a good cozy read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jacquie Stricklind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nice Christmas book. Tessa and her daughter are on the run from a crazy step mother in-law who wants to take her daughter, Isabel away from her. Tessa's car breaks down near Painted Pony Creek where she meets some nice people. She gets a job and a place to live, and meets Jesse McKettrick. What will happen between these two and will Tessa and Isabel be able to stop running. Read the book to find out. Enjoy!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy, slow, sweet romance. Tessa is a single mom on the run with her daughter from a nightmare gorgon.
She lands in the perfect place in Montana and things come together.
My interest was focused in Jesse immediately and his back story.
It’s a nice holiday story full of caring people and small town charm. It also has hunky Montana men!
I was eager to read the preview for Liam’s story because he deserves happiness as well.
Thanks to HTP and NetGalley for the digital early copy.

[Donna Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story until the last chapter where the author jumped a whole year, jumping over the period after Marjory invaded the town to try to meet up with Isabel and ignored the connections that Tessa and Jesse still needed to make. I really dislike when authors tell the reader what happened instead of showing the relationship develop. Tessa still had a great deal of trauma to overcome, and Jesse had decisions to make with what he was going to do with his life.

[Gay Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cowboy Christmas love story brings a single monther and her 4 year old daughter on road fleeing the pursuit of a step-grandmohter trying to kidnap her grandaugther. Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and no gas, the police take them to a diner and send for a tow. The good citizens of Painted Pony Creek lend a hand to these wanders and take them in "as family." A feel good read for the holidays.