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A Cowboy for Christmas
When her estranged brother passes, Missy is suddenly an unwanted co-owner to Ocean View Stables by Florence, Oregon. Missy wants to start over somewhere new after her old boss burned her. She's jobless and has a wrongly ruined reputation, so this works out perfectly . . . until she meets the cowboy running the place. Brent built his dream with determination and his two hands; he's responsible for everything that happens there. Secretly, he feels responsible that his former partner died. He also doesn't hide his belief that Missy won't stick around. Women tend to take off on him so why would she be any different? They both have a past that can ruin their future. Can he trust her to stay? Can she trust him with her heart?From Coffee Time Romance and "A Great Romance for the Holidays and Anytime You Like!Due to the death of a brother she barely knew, Missy has just become co-owner of a horse ranch in Oregon. This is great timing for her as her old boss and job are now dust. However, things may just be a bit more than she bargained for.Brent is put off by Missy being there. He does not want anyone coming in and taking his dreams away. Dreams he has worked hard on and wants to keep on enjoying. He truly believes that Missy will not stick around for very long.Missy is thrown into a situation she is very unsure of, has many trust issues behind her, and did not know her now dead brother very well. She is unsure what to do, but with the help of one handsome cowboy showing her the ropes, she just might be able to make a life here.A Cowboy for Christmas is a great romance for the holidays or anytime you like. Real flaws are found in Brent and Missy which result in the great journey this couple takes on. Humor and strength are also found in the pages of this book. A bit fun and flirty read that will not disappoint."MatildaReviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2009
90 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Kristen James
88 books161 followersThe Billionaire That Bought Me is out on all the retailers! The second book will release later this year, as well as Sarah's Song.
Kristen James lives in the Pacific Northwest (USA) and enjoys many outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, berry picking and canoeing. Her writing features the mountains and coastline in her home state of Oregon, along with lots of conflict and emotion! She loves creating unique story lines and strong, complicated characters that stay with readers. Kristen is the author of over twenty books, and her work has ranked in the top 100 Kindle books in the US, UK, and Canada.
Kristen James lives in the Pacific Northwest (USA) and enjoys many outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, berry picking and canoeing. Her writing features the mountains and coastline in her home state of Oregon, along with lots of conflict and emotion! She loves creating unique story lines and strong, complicated characters that stay with readers. Kristen is the author of over twenty books, and her work has ranked in the top 100 Kindle books in the US, UK, and Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 26, 2016
This is the type of story that I typically like, but for several reasons, it never really engaged me. Some of the problems I had with it are:
- Notwithstanding the fact that both main characters were struggling with past events that impacted on their ability to trust others, I found their personalities lacked complexity. References were made to various skills and talents they possessed but the overall impression was of two gorgeous but unidimensional characters who were hot for each other. I did find myself having a little bit of empathy for Brent but found it difficult to ever really warm to Missy - even after she revealed her secret.
- Their attraction to each other became tiresome to read. How many times does the reader need to be reminded that Missy found Brent's denim clad legs and broad chest very attractive and Brent found Missy's long hair and pouty lips very sexy. I get it! I don't need to read this each time they see each other.
- I think my emotions were never really engaged because the style of writing was more 'telling' rather than 'showing' the relationship as it evolved between the two main characters. As a result, I found myself annoyed with the number of times Missy pushed Brent away and, when they finally got together, I didn't have any real feeling of satisfaction.
The synopsis of the story caught my interest, but the story as written was disappointing. Because of this and the above issues, I rated this story 2 stars.
- Notwithstanding the fact that both main characters were struggling with past events that impacted on their ability to trust others, I found their personalities lacked complexity. References were made to various skills and talents they possessed but the overall impression was of two gorgeous but unidimensional characters who were hot for each other. I did find myself having a little bit of empathy for Brent but found it difficult to ever really warm to Missy - even after she revealed her secret.
- Their attraction to each other became tiresome to read. How many times does the reader need to be reminded that Missy found Brent's denim clad legs and broad chest very attractive and Brent found Missy's long hair and pouty lips very sexy. I get it! I don't need to read this each time they see each other.
- I think my emotions were never really engaged because the style of writing was more 'telling' rather than 'showing' the relationship as it evolved between the two main characters. As a result, I found myself annoyed with the number of times Missy pushed Brent away and, when they finally got together, I didn't have any real feeling of satisfaction.
The synopsis of the story caught my interest, but the story as written was disappointing. Because of this and the above issues, I rated this story 2 stars.
November 16, 2015
REVIEW: First, this was basically not a Christmas story. Second, the entire focus from the beginning was on "intimacy" rather than relationship although that did begin to develop later in the first half. Finally, the characters did not really seem to have much depth. I quit about halfway through.
December 11, 2011
One thing that really annoys me, is author's making their book sound like a Christmas book when it's not. This was the third book I have read this month thinking it was going to be a Christmas book and it wasn't at all. I kept waiting for Christmas to appear in this book and it didn't until the last chapter. I really did not like this book. Missy, the lead character drove me nuts with her bi-polar personality. The cowboy, Brent made me mad because he went from this stoic cowboy to a pathetic pansy taking anything the woman would give him. The whole thing really annoyed me.
January 15, 2012
Thank Goodness this book was free. Ive had this on my wishlist for MONTHS but after reading it Im so glad I waited and got it when it was free. This heroine was very unlikeable to me.. Im not a fan of the pining Hero and this one was that pretty much from page one and she was so clueless. Im definitely not a fan of the heroine.. HEs been telling her he loves her for awhile at the end and she says she isnt going to stay if he doesnt love her.. Hello!
November 11, 2012
In some places it is good and in others not. The concept is good but the story just doesn't deliver what it should. I was going to stop reading several times and move on to something else but kept going hoping it would improve. The story jumped around too much and didn't flow like it should have. The author could have delivered so much more with this subject.
If you just want a quick romance for a rainy day then you might like it.
I have been generous and given it 3 stars because I didn't hate it but it is really a 2.5
If you just want a quick romance for a rainy day then you might like it.
I have been generous and given it 3 stars because I didn't hate it but it is really a 2.5
April 11, 2012
To quote another reviewer: "Glad this was a freebie."
May 5, 2017
A nice easy read. Not very long, read it in a few sittings over the course of a day.
It was fairly obvious that Brent and Missy would end up together but it was fun watching them get there.
Liked the writing style, it was easy with good descriptions. I also liked the sample of another book at the end.
It was fairly obvious that Brent and Missy would end up together but it was fun watching them get there.
Liked the writing style, it was easy with good descriptions. I also liked the sample of another book at the end.
December 18, 2024
Stay or Leave
Story started with intriguing with me happily turning to see what next. Between chapters 10 and 13 all the fizzle was gone. Happy it brought the ending answering questions that had been a concern from earlier chapters. The meet-cute was great.
Story started with intriguing with me happily turning to see what next. Between chapters 10 and 13 all the fizzle was gone. Happy it brought the ending answering questions that had been a concern from earlier chapters. The meet-cute was great.
December 25, 2018
Cute Christmas story!
Want to read
April 26, 2020In boxed set - "License to Love: Holiday Box Set"
November 20, 2012
As the holiday season has arrived, I've gathered together several books to put me in the mood so to speak. In this instance, I was excited because it was a holiday book, a story set on a horse ranch and the hero is a cowboy.
The story's focus isn't really the holidays or a really warm cozy romance per se because the characters are hurting, but lonely people who aren't in the mood to appreciate the holidays until they can get things sorted.
The book opens with a down-trodden and desperate Missy come to her recently deceased brother's horse ranch in Oregon hoping to get some money out of it since she has recently lost her job with no prospects forthcoming.
When she arrives, she discovers a morose part-owner in Brent who sees her as a threat to all he has painstakingly built there on the ranch. She is informed that the ranch is new and not doing much better than breaking even at this point. Seeing no other alternative, Missy commits to sticking with the ranch as Brent's partner even though she knows next to nothing about what it will be like to work a horse ranch.
Seeing no other alternative, Brent tries to work with the closed off woman who is the sister of his late friend. She holds him at arms length, but she does fulfill her promise of working hard and learning quickly. After a time, they both start to act on the attraction that has been simmering on the surface. They form a friendship, but after a time Brent wants more. The trouble is Missy feels the pull of liking and trusting Brent while dealing with the shadows of her past that are pulling in the opposite direction telling her not to trust. Brent is more open with his feelings, but he too feels guilt about something in his past plus he has already had one woman love him and leave him.
The blurb of this one had some promise and I love the idea of a Western-style backdrop with a cowboy hero. The problem is that I got so frustrated with the tug o' war Missy was pulling on the relationship with Brent. I do get it that she might feel the need to exercise caution in her dealings with men after getting burned once- yes that's right once, but she gets to know Brent and still watches him like he's some grenade with the pin already pulled out. And when he finally tells her after so many times of her pulling away or getting angry and cold with him for nothing he has done wrong, that he can't keep chasing her, she gets hurt and annoyed that he just wants to protect his heart from anymore bruising.
The very end of the story did provide that nice holiday moment when the tall handsome cowboy does something to make her swoon a bit. There are a few good scenes by the tree actually. So in the end, I got a little of my romantic holiday mood read after all.
The story's focus isn't really the holidays or a really warm cozy romance per se because the characters are hurting, but lonely people who aren't in the mood to appreciate the holidays until they can get things sorted.
The book opens with a down-trodden and desperate Missy come to her recently deceased brother's horse ranch in Oregon hoping to get some money out of it since she has recently lost her job with no prospects forthcoming.
When she arrives, she discovers a morose part-owner in Brent who sees her as a threat to all he has painstakingly built there on the ranch. She is informed that the ranch is new and not doing much better than breaking even at this point. Seeing no other alternative, Missy commits to sticking with the ranch as Brent's partner even though she knows next to nothing about what it will be like to work a horse ranch.
Seeing no other alternative, Brent tries to work with the closed off woman who is the sister of his late friend. She holds him at arms length, but she does fulfill her promise of working hard and learning quickly. After a time, they both start to act on the attraction that has been simmering on the surface. They form a friendship, but after a time Brent wants more. The trouble is Missy feels the pull of liking and trusting Brent while dealing with the shadows of her past that are pulling in the opposite direction telling her not to trust. Brent is more open with his feelings, but he too feels guilt about something in his past plus he has already had one woman love him and leave him.
The blurb of this one had some promise and I love the idea of a Western-style backdrop with a cowboy hero. The problem is that I got so frustrated with the tug o' war Missy was pulling on the relationship with Brent. I do get it that she might feel the need to exercise caution in her dealings with men after getting burned once- yes that's right once, but she gets to know Brent and still watches him like he's some grenade with the pin already pulled out. And when he finally tells her after so many times of her pulling away or getting angry and cold with him for nothing he has done wrong, that he can't keep chasing her, she gets hurt and annoyed that he just wants to protect his heart from anymore bruising.
The very end of the story did provide that nice holiday moment when the tall handsome cowboy does something to make her swoon a bit. There are a few good scenes by the tree actually. So in the end, I got a little of my romantic holiday mood read after all.
November 18, 2011
Kristen James has done it again with another romance novel to warm your heart. She has created truly down to earth and like-able characters with Missy and Brent. The story is perfect for the holidays! Not too long, not too short, I finished the book in about a day. Like her other book, More Than Memories, you become immersed in the story, the plot and the descriptive scenery. Here's an excerpt to give you an idea:
The picture seemed off...she leaned against the corral rail, but the ground wasn't dusty and the sun didn't beat down on her.
Instead, tall cedars surrounded them, with graceful limbs bowing as they leaned out.
Wispy clouds lay up in the sky like streaks of whipped cream while the sun warmed
her skin. She smelled salt in the air, mixed with forest scents. The oddity was completed
by the seagulls that called out to each other. She looked down from the birds just as
Brent led Jeffrey out of the stable entrance.
Missy arrives at the Oregon ranch after her estranged brother suddenly passes away. Not sure what she's up against, she definitely doesn't expect Brent. A long, cold drink on a hot day is this cowboy! Most people don't expect cowboys at a seaside ranch, but that's what she finds. She also finds a man who appears to hate her on sight, thinking she's going to take away his ranch. Little does he know that she has no job, no home and no money. After a bad situation forces her out of a job in Las Vegas the ranch and possibility of a roof over her head seem like something heaven sent. Missy plans on working hard to prove her worth, meanwhile avoiding the sexy stare of the gorgeous cowboy she now lives with and hiding her secrets.
Brent has secrets of his own, but that doesn't keep him from being attracted to the city slicker he's afraid will take his ranch, and possibly his heart. After Brent receives a swift kick to the ribs from a horse, Missy feels responsible for Brent and visits daily to take care of him. It's then she decides to avoid him at any cost and he decides to seduce her.
Will their secrets tear apart the tentative relationship they build? Will the past rear it's ugly head and cause more problems for the people recovering from situations beyond their control? Can Santa deliver the gift of true love this Christmas? I guess you'll have to pick up the book to find out! A good read that will have you cheering for Missy to move on from her past and loving Brent for the way he obviously cares, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you for reading! Have a truly amazing day. Take the time to read a book and expand your imagination.
A room without books is like a body without a soul. -Cicero
The picture seemed off...she leaned against the corral rail, but the ground wasn't dusty and the sun didn't beat down on her.
Instead, tall cedars surrounded them, with graceful limbs bowing as they leaned out.
Wispy clouds lay up in the sky like streaks of whipped cream while the sun warmed
her skin. She smelled salt in the air, mixed with forest scents. The oddity was completed
by the seagulls that called out to each other. She looked down from the birds just as
Brent led Jeffrey out of the stable entrance.
Missy arrives at the Oregon ranch after her estranged brother suddenly passes away. Not sure what she's up against, she definitely doesn't expect Brent. A long, cold drink on a hot day is this cowboy! Most people don't expect cowboys at a seaside ranch, but that's what she finds. She also finds a man who appears to hate her on sight, thinking she's going to take away his ranch. Little does he know that she has no job, no home and no money. After a bad situation forces her out of a job in Las Vegas the ranch and possibility of a roof over her head seem like something heaven sent. Missy plans on working hard to prove her worth, meanwhile avoiding the sexy stare of the gorgeous cowboy she now lives with and hiding her secrets.
Brent has secrets of his own, but that doesn't keep him from being attracted to the city slicker he's afraid will take his ranch, and possibly his heart. After Brent receives a swift kick to the ribs from a horse, Missy feels responsible for Brent and visits daily to take care of him. It's then she decides to avoid him at any cost and he decides to seduce her.
Will their secrets tear apart the tentative relationship they build? Will the past rear it's ugly head and cause more problems for the people recovering from situations beyond their control? Can Santa deliver the gift of true love this Christmas? I guess you'll have to pick up the book to find out! A good read that will have you cheering for Missy to move on from her past and loving Brent for the way he obviously cares, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you for reading! Have a truly amazing day. Take the time to read a book and expand your imagination.
A room without books is like a body without a soul. -Cicero
December 5, 2012
Missy suddenly finds herself an unwanted co-owner of Ocean View Stables near Florence, Oregon after the death of her estranged brother. Brent built his dream with determination and feels responsible for the death of his former partner. Not wanting to lose control of his business, he puts up a cold front to this city slicker who could ruin it all. Missy is just looking for a way to start over and rebuild her life. They both have a past that can ruin their future. Can he trust her to stay? Can she trust him with her heart?
This story is a sweet romance that takes place along the Pacific Northwest coastline; the author did a wonderful job describing the backdrop for this story. It was beautiful and I would love to visit the area. The character development was slow, but well done, neither character wanted to share their pain. I loved the witty dialogue between the two main characters; the sparks flew between them from the very beginning. I would have loved a little more backstory on why Missy and her brother were estranged though.
I found the flow of the story a little stilted. I was never sure how much time had passed between some of the scenes. It could have been a day or even a week later - it was never clear. I was able to get past that though and just enjoy the story. There didn’t seem to be much of a Christmas-y feel to the story except that the season was winter when business was slow and a few scenes reminded us it was that time of year. This allowed us to get to know the characters without the rush of dealing with customers coming and going for trail rides. It also allowed Missy time to learn the ropes of the ranch.
This would be a light, enjoyable read any time of the year.
There were a small number of spelling errors, mainly missing letters or an extra letter included in a word that changed its meaning. Examples of this are: after soothing her hair away from her face, instead of smoothing her hair. Thanksgiving dinner was referred to as a fest not a feast. And she grabbed ‘unto that; instead of ‘onto that’. At one point Brent ‘land leaned’ instead of ‘and leaned’. I think a few beta readers or an additional proofing would have helped with these errors. I didn't notice any formatting errors.
NOTE: I received a note from the author that stated this book has been revised since it was submitted to Books and Pals last year. The story has been developed just a little more and she hired additional proof readers. It has also been translated into Spanish under the title Un Vaquero Para Navidad.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Rating: *** Three stars
This story is a sweet romance that takes place along the Pacific Northwest coastline; the author did a wonderful job describing the backdrop for this story. It was beautiful and I would love to visit the area. The character development was slow, but well done, neither character wanted to share their pain. I loved the witty dialogue between the two main characters; the sparks flew between them from the very beginning. I would have loved a little more backstory on why Missy and her brother were estranged though.
I found the flow of the story a little stilted. I was never sure how much time had passed between some of the scenes. It could have been a day or even a week later - it was never clear. I was able to get past that though and just enjoy the story. There didn’t seem to be much of a Christmas-y feel to the story except that the season was winter when business was slow and a few scenes reminded us it was that time of year. This allowed us to get to know the characters without the rush of dealing with customers coming and going for trail rides. It also allowed Missy time to learn the ropes of the ranch.
This would be a light, enjoyable read any time of the year.
There were a small number of spelling errors, mainly missing letters or an extra letter included in a word that changed its meaning. Examples of this are: after soothing her hair away from her face, instead of smoothing her hair. Thanksgiving dinner was referred to as a fest not a feast. And she grabbed ‘unto that; instead of ‘onto that’. At one point Brent ‘land leaned’ instead of ‘and leaned’. I think a few beta readers or an additional proofing would have helped with these errors. I didn't notice any formatting errors.
NOTE: I received a note from the author that stated this book has been revised since it was submitted to Books and Pals last year. The story has been developed just a little more and she hired additional proof readers. It has also been translated into Spanish under the title Un Vaquero Para Navidad.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Rating: *** Three stars
December 19, 2011
Mix a city girl ... a cowboy ... horses and a ranch together.... and you will have combustible sparks of romance all over the place!
Missy Nelson had worked in advertising in Las Vegas until an unfortunate scene with her boss left her jobless and with a damaged reputation. When a call from her estranged late brother Ben's attorney summoned her to Oregon, she knew this was going to be her chance for a new start. Unfortunately, sexy cowboy rancher and Ben's business partner, Brent Williams thought otherwise. Each had their secrets and mistrust for each other when they first met, but there was undeniable attraction and sexual tension in the air. Determined to learn the ropes and be an equal partner in the ranch with Brent, Missy wants to prove that she belongs at Ocean View Stables. Brent thinks the city girl won't be able to keep up with the ranch lifestyle, other women hightailed it out of there, so what would make her any different? Step inside Ocean View Stables and see if Missy can leave the city behind, and if she can tame her wild cowboy in A Cowboy For Christmas.
A Cowboy For Christmas was a fun, easy book to read leading into the holiday season. The storyline was well written, and the characters were so much fun to follow. I found myself unable to put the book down, I just had to find out if Missy and Brent could let go of their pasts, and trust each other with their deep held secrets, and learn to just let go and love each other. The sparks that flew between them was very entertaining, I loved how the storyline developed, it had a nice mix of romance and cowboy / ranch lifestyle ... it let my imagination run wild. I wouldn't mind if Santa put a sexy cowboy under my Christmas tree! This is definitely a book that fans of contemporary romance and cowboy romance will surely enjoy!
Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle edition of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Missy Nelson had worked in advertising in Las Vegas until an unfortunate scene with her boss left her jobless and with a damaged reputation. When a call from her estranged late brother Ben's attorney summoned her to Oregon, she knew this was going to be her chance for a new start. Unfortunately, sexy cowboy rancher and Ben's business partner, Brent Williams thought otherwise. Each had their secrets and mistrust for each other when they first met, but there was undeniable attraction and sexual tension in the air. Determined to learn the ropes and be an equal partner in the ranch with Brent, Missy wants to prove that she belongs at Ocean View Stables. Brent thinks the city girl won't be able to keep up with the ranch lifestyle, other women hightailed it out of there, so what would make her any different? Step inside Ocean View Stables and see if Missy can leave the city behind, and if she can tame her wild cowboy in A Cowboy For Christmas.
A Cowboy For Christmas was a fun, easy book to read leading into the holiday season. The storyline was well written, and the characters were so much fun to follow. I found myself unable to put the book down, I just had to find out if Missy and Brent could let go of their pasts, and trust each other with their deep held secrets, and learn to just let go and love each other. The sparks that flew between them was very entertaining, I loved how the storyline developed, it had a nice mix of romance and cowboy / ranch lifestyle ... it let my imagination run wild. I wouldn't mind if Santa put a sexy cowboy under my Christmas tree! This is definitely a book that fans of contemporary romance and cowboy romance will surely enjoy!
Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle edition of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
November 3, 2011
Wanting a lovely nice Christmas read ? Something with romance, cowboys and horses ? Every now and again we read a novel that we already have it figured out what way it's going to head. In a Cowboy for Christmas, this was a lovely formula fiction like romance novel that in parts felt like I was reading a Pink Mills and Boons. In a Cowboy for Christmas we are confronted with two main characters Melissa aka Missy Nelson and Brent . Melissa's half-brother Ben has passed away in a tragic accident and as she was his only remaining family, she has inherited his property. However, what she didn't bargain for was that Ben only owned half of the property , when all Melissa wanted was a nice smooth transaction , however the only option for this to work would be for Brent to buy Melissa out but the ranch is too new and the costs aren't there. With only one option left , Melissa must stay to live on the ranch and help out Brent . This a humourous part in the novel as we get the flash fiction side of City Girl in the Country . Can Melissa prove to Brent that she belongs and as the novel continues , we see sparks "of course" fly between Brent and Melissa , can they put their past between them and find out what Melissa will get for Christmas - something I wouldn't mind :p in A Cowboy for Christmas by Kristen James.
September 17, 2012
I really enjoyed this book and I’m not a big romance fan, but I do enjoy a nice yummy read every now and then. This did it for me. I really liked how it took place on a horse ranch, with tasks and the scenery described so realistically, you almost want to work alongside the main characters. That being said, Missy, who just arrived at this horse ranch she inherited from a dead brother she never got to know, finds herself jobless and with no greater need to sell the ranch and be on her way to repair her broken life. What she finds is Brent, the hot cowboy co-owner of the ranch who sees her as a threat at first, then as a love interest he can’t keep off his mind but who just won’t see his heart.
What a conflict, both of them have secrets. Both have scars that run deep with love and self-preservation. The back and forth between these two was frustrating and the main focus of the story. I felt for Brent, who realizes his desires first but waits patiently as Missy ‘finds herself’ so to say. I almost thought we were headed for a star crossed lovers theme but it wrapped up with a satisfying end. The love scenes were hot and fast, but pretty sweet.
If you enjoy romance, the countryside and amazing scenery, this book is for you. It doesn’t have a lot of Christmas in it, but it had enough sizzle to keep you glued to the pages.
What a conflict, both of them have secrets. Both have scars that run deep with love and self-preservation. The back and forth between these two was frustrating and the main focus of the story. I felt for Brent, who realizes his desires first but waits patiently as Missy ‘finds herself’ so to say. I almost thought we were headed for a star crossed lovers theme but it wrapped up with a satisfying end. The love scenes were hot and fast, but pretty sweet.
If you enjoy romance, the countryside and amazing scenery, this book is for you. It doesn’t have a lot of Christmas in it, but it had enough sizzle to keep you glued to the pages.
August 6, 2011
Missy and Brent (main characters) were two highly secretive people and that’s just part of the magic that’s within the pages of A Cowboy For Christmas.
The story is sweet and heartwarming and draws you in like a moth to a flame. I sat down a couple nights ago to read after a long day of working out in the sun. I told myself I would just read one chapter and finish the book the next day. Wrong. I couldn’t put the book down.
It was a great romance that I could easily see made into a holiday movie.
Kristen, the author, has a way with words that makes you feel what the characters feel and it was like watching a movie as I read the story. I easily could see the image of Brent and Missy as well as the stables. Kristen describes things in a way that feels natural and doesn’t disrupt the flow of fast-paced plot in A Cowboy For Christmas.
My all time favorite thing about this book other than the fact it has cowboys and is about Christmas is…Not being able to guess the secrets Missy and Brent had which is a good thing. If I can guess how it’s going to end or who did what from the very beginning then I loose interest.
I give this book 5 out of 5 red crows. (blog rating system)
The story is sweet and heartwarming and draws you in like a moth to a flame. I sat down a couple nights ago to read after a long day of working out in the sun. I told myself I would just read one chapter and finish the book the next day. Wrong. I couldn’t put the book down.
It was a great romance that I could easily see made into a holiday movie.
Kristen, the author, has a way with words that makes you feel what the characters feel and it was like watching a movie as I read the story. I easily could see the image of Brent and Missy as well as the stables. Kristen describes things in a way that feels natural and doesn’t disrupt the flow of fast-paced plot in A Cowboy For Christmas.
My all time favorite thing about this book other than the fact it has cowboys and is about Christmas is…Not being able to guess the secrets Missy and Brent had which is a good thing. If I can guess how it’s going to end or who did what from the very beginning then I loose interest.
I give this book 5 out of 5 red crows. (blog rating system)
August 29, 2012
After Missy’s brother dies suddenly she finds herself inheriting his half of the ranch he’d shared with his business partner, Brent. Missy is hoping that Brent will buy her out so she can start a new life somewhere else, unfortunately she soon realises that isn’t going to happen. With nothing left to keep her in the city she makes the decision to move into her brothers home and take over his duties, even with Brent’s scepticism of her ability to do so. It doesn’t take long for the chemistry to begin to flow between the pair, but while both have secrets they want to keep from the other could a relationship really be on the cards?
A cowboy for Christmas is your typical romance novel. The plot was a little unrealistic in parts as was the romance but as the reader of ‘too many to count’ romance novels I would place this in the average pile as far as the story is concerned. Nothing about it blew me away but it was an ‘okay’ read that filled a couple of evenings entertainment.
I found the narrative on the whole to be comfortable although some of the dialogue was a little unnatural and forced. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick and easy love story without too many surprises, or anyone who is a fan of the romance genre.
Copy supplied for review.
January 31, 2012
I enjoyed A Cowboy for Christmas, a romance novel by Kristen James. Misty is beautiful young woman who's inherited half a horse ranch from her estranged brother. Brent is the long-legged, ruggedly handsome cowboy who owns the other half. Though Misty's never ridden a horse in her life, she's running from a scarred past and is willing to hang in there and learn the ropes. But her presence is a painful reminder to Brent of the friend he's lost. Sparks fly, but this novel is not made of unrealistic melodrama. I liked that the romance unfolded realistically as each got to know each other. There were some moments toward the end, where each was afraid of losing the other when I wanted to yell at them, "Good grief, just communicate!" But awkwardness and lack of communication are common in new love, too, so I think this was neatly and realistically written. Well done. Oh, and the story is set on the Oregon coastline, where Kristen James grew up. Her descriptions of the lovely wilderness made me long to visit that part of the state again.
May 12, 2013
Missy Nelson just inherited a horse ranch on the Oregon coast, from a brother she barely knew. Technically, she inherited half of a horse ranch. And Brent Williams, the cowboy who owns the other half, is still grieving Missy’s brother Ben, and not inclined to be friendly.
Of course, Brent and Missy are both to-die-for attractive. Financially stuck. Emotionally damaged and wary. While there are some hot sex scenes, the story develops naturally; from dislike to grudging respect, then liking, and eventually, giving in to the lust that was there from the beginning. As opposed to them immediately jumping into the sack and bopping like bunnies.
There’s nothing particularly original about the plot or the characters, but it’s still a charming novella, and yes, there is an HEA under the Christmas tree.
Of course, Brent and Missy are both to-die-for attractive. Financially stuck. Emotionally damaged and wary. While there are some hot sex scenes, the story develops naturally; from dislike to grudging respect, then liking, and eventually, giving in to the lust that was there from the beginning. As opposed to them immediately jumping into the sack and bopping like bunnies.
There’s nothing particularly original about the plot or the characters, but it’s still a charming novella, and yes, there is an HEA under the Christmas tree.
June 14, 2012
i got this e-book for review from the Author, this is the first cowboy romance book i have ever read, this book is very good and very well written and very very hard to put down you will want to keep on reading to see what happens next, i really liked the main characters alot, i hope that there is a 2nd and 3rd and 4th book to this book,i am so glad i got to review this amazing book, i really enjoyed this this book alot, this book got better and better on every page, there is not one part in this book that i did not like, it would be cool if this book was made into a movie, if you like romance books than you will really like this book alot, i give this book 5 stars, i highly recommend this book to everyone.
September 6, 2012
I received this book in exchange for a honest review ~WaAr~
This book is a quick adult read that is full of romance. I haven't read anything from this author before, so to me it was really good. It reminds me of modern day westerns, lol.
The story begins when when Missy shows up at a ranch her brother used to own. Her brother was killed in a car accident and left his part of the ranch to her, since she was the only relative. This is a fresh start for Missy, especially since she is trying to run away from her past. She is met by one hot cowboy with a chip on his shoulder. She is intrigued and annoyed by how he treats her. With no way out, Brent has to accept her and teach her the ranch business. This is a great read. I give it 4 stars!
This book is a quick adult read that is full of romance. I haven't read anything from this author before, so to me it was really good. It reminds me of modern day westerns, lol.
The story begins when when Missy shows up at a ranch her brother used to own. Her brother was killed in a car accident and left his part of the ranch to her, since she was the only relative. This is a fresh start for Missy, especially since she is trying to run away from her past. She is met by one hot cowboy with a chip on his shoulder. She is intrigued and annoyed by how he treats her. With no way out, Brent has to accept her and teach her the ranch business. This is a great read. I give it 4 stars!
September 10, 2012
When Missy's brother passes away she is a partner to his friend, Brent. He doesn't take too kindly to her showing up when she really didn't have that much of a relationship to him. She stays on to prove her point that she can do some things. She isn't just a young woman. As time goes on they both learn a few things about each other and within themselves.
Brent was my favorite character in the story. He starts to care for Missy, but afraid to show her as he has been hurt before and feels he is the reason for her brother's death. Missy falls for Brent's looks at the beginning but knows he does not want her there. The way they work together can drive a person insane and mainly themselves. A nice western read that keeps you turning the pages.
Brent was my favorite character in the story. He starts to care for Missy, but afraid to show her as he has been hurt before and feels he is the reason for her brother's death. Missy falls for Brent's looks at the beginning but knows he does not want her there. The way they work together can drive a person insane and mainly themselves. A nice western read that keeps you turning the pages.
Want to read
February 15, 2016176p When her estranged brother passes, Missy is suddenly an unwanted co-owner to Ocean View Stables by Florence, Oregon. Missy wants to start over somewhere new after her old boss burned her. She's jobless and has a wrongly ruined reputation, so this works out perfectly . . . until she meets the cowboy running the place. Brent built his dream with determination and his two hands; he's responsible for everything that happens there. Secretly, he feels responsible that his former partner died. He also doesn't hide his belief that Missy won't stick around. Women tend to take off on him so why would she be any different? They both have a past that can ruin their future. Can he trust her to stay? Can she trust him with her heart?
December 4, 2012
I got this free from Amazon.
This book was spretty good. The author offered just enough information on the characters that it was informative enough to stay in the present. I liked how she kept some mystery with the way the lady came into the ranch and the man felt about her intrusion.
The thing I didn't like was the way the author described the ranch. I felt I had some difficulty imagining what it looked like. I felt confused, at times, as to where the character was and where things were located. I couldn't re-crreate it in my mind.
Overall, cute story. Not much depth but again, the author offers enough to keep me interested.
This book was spretty good. The author offered just enough information on the characters that it was informative enough to stay in the present. I liked how she kept some mystery with the way the lady came into the ranch and the man felt about her intrusion.
The thing I didn't like was the way the author described the ranch. I felt I had some difficulty imagining what it looked like. I felt confused, at times, as to where the character was and where things were located. I couldn't re-crreate it in my mind.
Overall, cute story. Not much depth but again, the author offers enough to keep me interested.
January 11, 2013
So... I've been trying to finish this book but I'm not so sure I can... Its taken me a week to get to 83% and even thats with some skimming. I just keep putting it down or it puts me to sleep. I cant really pin down anyone thing thats putting me off but I just cant seem to care about them.
On a side note... Why the heck are they so obsessed with putting blankets on the horses all the time? Oregon dosnt get that cold and even if it did? Horses LIKE cold. The only time we ever put blankets on our horses in BC was if they were clipped or sick... or MAYBE if we were trying to fatten them.
On a side note... Why the heck are they so obsessed with putting blankets on the horses all the time? Oregon dosnt get that cold and even if it did? Horses LIKE cold. The only time we ever put blankets on our horses in BC was if they were clipped or sick... or MAYBE if we were trying to fatten them.
January 11, 2013
I always like to read Christmas-themed books (no matter how weak and/or trashy) at Christmas. This one was nearly at my lower limit, however. The story line was OK, but the pieces were missing - both characters have histories that encourage bad decisions . . . but the author fails to build this foundation for us in a significant way. We are left with a superficial history that doesn't really delve into the characters' motivations. Additionally, there were distracting errors - grammar or typos - that cheapened what was already a cheap read.
October 22, 2013
Good story.
When Missy finds out her brother passed away in an accident, she leaves Las Vegas and the job she just got fired from to go to Oregon and become partners with Brent. Brent didn't know Ben had a sister, but he was the first to admit there were a lot of things they didn't know about each other. He thinks Missy is a city girl who will leave almost as fast as she came, but after a day or two he realizes that she really is a fast learner and maybe she's not the prissy miss he thought she would be. Together they help each other over some bumps and bruises and we get a sweet story.,
When Missy finds out her brother passed away in an accident, she leaves Las Vegas and the job she just got fired from to go to Oregon and become partners with Brent. Brent didn't know Ben had a sister, but he was the first to admit there were a lot of things they didn't know about each other. He thinks Missy is a city girl who will leave almost as fast as she came, but after a day or two he realizes that she really is a fast learner and maybe she's not the prissy miss he thought she would be. Together they help each other over some bumps and bruises and we get a sweet story.,
August 26, 2015
A Cowboy for Christmas is about stables outside Florence, Oregon and set in the temperate rain forest of the Oregon Coast in that area. As a former resident of the Oregon Coast, the description of the weather and setting was right on and several stables are located as in the book.
What is not to like about a good-looking cowboy? Even an Oregon Coast good looking cowboy? The romance was up and down with some horseplay added in for additional interest. I haven't decided if I enjoyed if so much because of the setting or the hunky cowboy but I did enjoy this short story.
What is not to like about a good-looking cowboy? Even an Oregon Coast good looking cowboy? The romance was up and down with some horseplay added in for additional interest. I haven't decided if I enjoyed if so much because of the setting or the hunky cowboy but I did enjoy this short story.
August 5, 2019
Enjoyable, easy read.
I got this as a free download and enjoyed it. It's a cute, easy read with all the usual ups, downs and bumps in the road to a HEA.
It isn't a deep plot with edge of your seat drama or threats but it is a lovely holiday read when you want something enjoyable but not too taxing.
Missy and Brent are easy characters to like, they have their flaws, but nothing too drastic and are certainly hot together.
It's not a book I would rush to read again, but I enjoyed and would not hesitate to read more by this author.
I got this as a free download and enjoyed it. It's a cute, easy read with all the usual ups, downs and bumps in the road to a HEA.
It isn't a deep plot with edge of your seat drama or threats but it is a lovely holiday read when you want something enjoyable but not too taxing.
Missy and Brent are easy characters to like, they have their flaws, but nothing too drastic and are certainly hot together.
It's not a book I would rush to read again, but I enjoyed and would not hesitate to read more by this author.
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