Cover Image: Christmas with My Cowboy

Christmas with My Cowboy

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Member Reviews

All 3 stories were enjoy and quick easy reads. I highly recommend this book. Diana Palmer's title was spellbinding. I couldn't put it down once i started reading it.

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From the snowy, wind-whipped prairie to the remote Australian Outback, a cowboy’s loving kiss makes this Christmas merry and bright.
This was a cute anthology full of cowboys and the holidays. Each story was well written and perfect to put me in the Christmas mood. I felt I could find any of these stories on the Hallmark Channel. I highly recommend!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

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CHRISTMAS WITH MY COWBOY is actually three stories contributed by different authors. The first story is THE SNOWMAN by Diana Palmer and in this holiday tale there are two matchmakers hard at work. Two beautiful furry creatures that seem to have fallen in love with each-others person and as time will tell do their best to get two very estranged folks together. It’s a huge struggle as in all Diana Palmer stories that center on a strong man struggling with attraction to the wrong woman for him and he uses a sharp tongue to keep a healthy distance between them.

In THE SNOWMAN Dal Blake is truly the nastiest man Diana Palmer has ever created. The only redeeming quality is his love and kindness for animals. His reputation with women proceeds him but to Meadow Dawson he is just mean and nasty and his careless barbs cut her to her core. It’s going to take a miracle to bridge the gap between Dal and Meadow.

Fans of Diana Palmer are going to feel right at home in CHRISTMAS WITH MY COWBOY. There is a very distinct manner in which Diana Palmer fashions her characters. I often find myself laughing when I realize how familiar the lead actors in her latest show are. And yet I am always entertained and that’s why I decided to read and review CHRISTMAS WITH MY COWBOY with Diana Palmer’s THE SNOWMAN as her contribution. FYI the second story to be included with this book is by Lindsay McKenna and the third is by Margaret Way. As always Lindsay McKenna was joyously entertaining in KASSIE’S COWBOY and HER OUTBACK HUSBAND was the first story I’ve read by Margaret Way. Love meeting new authors and really liked her writing style.

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I wish there was an easier way to rate and review books in an anthology, so what I plan to do is rate each novel in this anthology individually as I finish reading it, so this review only pertains to the first novel in the anthology, The Snow Man by Diana Palmer, and although I've read every novel she's ever written under all of her pen names, to say that this one was disappointing is putting it mildly. In all honesty, I can't give it more than a one-star rating.

With very few exceptions (like her novel, Lacy) Diana Palmer sticks to her usual formula--a young, insecure virgin, Meadow Dawson, an older man, Dal Blake, whom she falls for when she's still in her teens, and who treats her to frequent verbal abuse, cruel comments about her looks and attire, and in this novel he even refers to her more than once as dressing like a prostitute, and then he publicly humiliates her. This leads to his all-to-late realization that he's done all this because he's been secretly in love with her and behaved this way because wanted to keep her at a distance because of the difference in their ages. No matter how badly he treats her, Meadow still loves him, and when he finally acts on his attraction she can't say "yes" to his proposal fast enough. Of course, she puts up with all this because he's "dishy". As if that wasn't enough, she's somehow managed to land a job with the FBI, failed at it, and then got a job working as an police investigator locally. The large ranch she inherited is being run by the cowboys on it, and she doesn't do much more than watch videos about ranching, rather than asking her staff to teach her what she needs to know. Considering how inept she is at her job as an investigator, I'm wondering how she managed to get into the FBI to begin with, and here's the spoiler--by novel's end she's now an assistant district attorney, but when did she go to law school and where? How any woman can still love a man who mistreats her in such a fashion is utterly beyond my comprehension, and all is forgotten and forgiven because her dog was injured in a robbery?

Oh yes, and Meadow is a klutz, falling while standing still, falling during her FBI training, falling into a coal bin and a punch bowl and interviewing a violent sexual offender in prison who seemed so nice to her that not only does she interview him alone, she asks that his cuffs be removed. Are we supposed to be surprised when he attacks her? Were there no prison guards available? As for her clumsiness, we eventually learn it's the result of a childhood fall and a mild concussion, but no tests were ever performed. Are we to believe that everyone in this town is that inept at their jobs including the local doctor?

As if that weren't enough, Meadow begins dating her boss, the police chief, Jeff, almost as soon as she starts working there. In what world is that okay? Dal tells her that the sheriff likes strong perfume and is a staunch liberal--and after all the crap he's put her through, she believes him. After Jeff can barely breathe in the car because her perfume is too strong, at dinner Meadow lies about her conservative views and pretends to be a liberal, which obviously turns Jeff off. Why on earth would she take dating advice from Dal, who also happens to appear everywhere she and her boss go, with a lovely woman on his arm, one who Jeff is really attracted to, just to rub it in.

All in all, this book was beyond unbelievable, and it was so far behind the times when it comes to how modern women behave, women who aren't to be blamed for being raped because of the clothing they choose to wear, who don't have to put up with verbal abuse from anyone, who somehow manage to actually be competent at their jobs, and who, after realizing they have serious issues with balance resulting in numerous falls, have enough good sense to see a doctor about it.

I don't know why I keep on reading this author, and I believe it's because I am an optimist and keep hoping that she'll again write a novel as moving as Lacy, and realize that it's 21st century, but I'm beginning to give up hope.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Kassie's Cowboy by Lindsay McKenna, the second title in this anthology, is a spinoff from the author's Wind River series, and is a sweet, sappy, third chance at love story, and I give it 3 stars.

Kassie Murphy, the heroine, was abandoned as an infant, adopted by loving parents, and fell in love with Travis Grant from early childhood. At age 18, Travis joined the Marines, with Kassie waiting patiently for his return--but he didn't return, at least not the Travis she once knew, and not immediately after his stint was up. Instead he entered black ops, was deployed many times to Afghanistan, and finally came home with a severe case of PTSD. When Kassie comes to see him at his job at the Wind River Ranch where he's now working, he tells her he doesn't love her anymore and that they have no future, breaking her heart yet again, but she never really gives up hope. As the owner of Kassie's Cafe, she hires female vets with PTSD, and long, after-hours talks with them give her some understanding of all they've been through.

When Travis sees an SUV go out of control on the icy highway outside his retreat and fine furniture workshop, he comes to the rescue, and is shocked that the unconscious person inside is Kassie. In the middle of the blue norther, with no way to get her to a hospital, he brings her inside, tends to her wounds and they get a chance to become reacquainted with one another during the 5 days in which they're snowed in. While Travis is still fearful that getting too close to Kassie will put her in danger due to his PTSD and the nightmares and flashbacks which with he's been dealing all alone, we really see no evidence of it in this short novel.

Is this third chance at love at Christmastime the charm? While there's not a lot of drama, it's a touching story, and worth the price of admission.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this short novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

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From Net Galley / My Review

A Holiday Book from some of the great writers of contemporary romance. This set of books is what you have come to love from these authors. Strong alpha hero and the women that love them -no matter what. A true Holiday Classic Romance.

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3 great short story Christmas reads by 3 great authors. Good feel good stories that will put you in the mood for the holiday. Diana Palmer, Lindsay McKenna, Margaret Way put together 3 great short stories for the holidays

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Three great holiday romances by three great authors. How can you go wrong?
All three stories have strong heroes and heroines. Plenty of chemistry, sexual tension, drama, and intrigue. They are all well written with good plots.

One story of neighbors who have feelings for each other that they fight for years. Finally they can no longer stay away.

They second the characters have known each other since high school. They go their separate ways and life gives them issues. A snow storm and car wreck keep them away stuck in scluded home while they find thier way to each other.

The third book is the one that I found most interesting. The story of how rumor can ruin lives. A couple that is divorced due to a rumor, and a scheming mother-in-law that know the two belong together and won't give up.

All the books are of long time loves and second chances at Christmas time.

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I am usually a strong supporter of Christmas stories, however this book just didn't do it for me. I liked the first book by Diana Palmer but I found the other two lacked substance and didn't grip me. I hate writing a review like this but I felt I had to be honest.

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This book has three stories in one book. The first one by Diana Palmer was just okay. The male lead character I did not care for at all. His attitude towards Meadow and the way he enjoyed to embarrass her even as an adult just showed how much he was not a cowboy or a man he was especially after her father had passed away. The second book by Lindsay McKenna, goes with the Whiskey River series if you read those and has a vet’s and childhood friend’s reconnecting. They are also dealing with his PTSD while he has helped her from her car accident, now can they stay connected not just for Christmas, but afterwards also. A good story. The third book takes place in the outback of Australia and for me I found this to be a little choppy. Overall not bad I was glad for the middle story.

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Christmas is just around the corner. And with that comes your Christmas romance. I had the opportunity to read three books by three different authors. It wasn’t any hardship since I either still read or used to read books by these authors.
The Snow Man, by Diana Palmer – The old middle school way of showing that you like a girl. You know either pulling her hair or saying something negative about the way she was dressed. Well, Dal did them all to Meadow except the pulling of the hair. He mentally abused her all through the book. I don’t know how this was any type of a Christmas love story, but it worked, especially when you have animals being cupid.
Rating 3 stars.
Kassie’s Cowboy by Lindsay McKenna – This one I DNF. The reason I couldn’t get into this book. Is because every page had the same work PTSD, okay I get that Travis was in the military and okay I get that he PTSD. But every single page has to mention it. I did get through two chapters before giving up on this book.
Rating -0-
Her Outback Husband by Margaret Way – This one is a second chance at love. And with the holiday it’s no better time to try to rekindle that special feeling that you had or still have feelings for.
When Darcey had the opportunity to visit the Outback, she jumped out the chance. And when she comes face to face with Scott her ex-husband she knew that the old feelings were still there.
This second chance at love story was the one I really adored. This one is the one I will read again this Christmas.
Rating – 3 stars

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It's that time of year again. All the Christmas stories are fixing to be released. Perfect timing for them here in Texas, we just got our first cool front. This is a collection of three Christmas themed love stories, all were good.

The first The Snowman by Diana Palmer is my favorite. I loved that Meadow's dog loved getting out of her house and going over to Dal's house, and his cat kept sneaking into her house. Guess I like like the animals being characters in the story. Something to remember in my own writing.

The second book, Kassie's Cowboy by Lindsay McKenna is a heart warming story. Travis and Kassie were best friends all of their lives and fell in love. Travis went into the service and returned home a broken man. He cut severed all communication with Kassie and broke her heart. Circumstances threw the two together again. A beautiful story!

The third book, Her Outback Husband, by Margaret Way took a little time to pull me in. I almost didn't read it. I'm gald I stuck with it beacause it turned out to be a good story. It made me stop and think about how naive I can be at times.  I think there may be a litte Darcey in me.

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Three wonderful Christmas love stories that give all three couples second chances at love. 3 very familiar romance authors, Diana Palmer, Lindsey McKenna, and Margaret Way have you enjoying the Christmas season. All three are new stories.
“The Snow Man” by Diana Palmer
Meadow Dawson needs Santa to deliver a solution to her management of the Colorado ranch she’s inherited. Cattleman Dal Blake just wants his pretty neighbor’s dog to quit digging under his fence. This Christmas, the unexpected gift of love will surprise them both.

“Kassie’s Cowboy” by Lindsay McKenna
A brutal blue norther is battering Wyoming just in time for Christmas when solitary former Marine Travis Grant finds his childhood sweetheart, Kassie Murphy, injured in her car just beyond the ranch where he works. For Travis and Kassie, this snowy silent night will be one last chance to put the painful past behind them—and treat the wounds only love can heal.

“Her Outback Husband” by Margaret Way
Scott and Darcey MacArthur were the perfect couple, devoted to their life together on the family cattle ranch. With one blistering rumor, it ended in heartbreak—but Scott’s mother has a scheme that will reunite them in the Outback for a holiday that will prove it’s the season for forgiveness.

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I loved this book because there were three stories by three really good authors, The Snow Man by Diana Palmer, which I loved, It tells of Meadow who has been in love with her neighbor since she was a teenager and he is much older. It isn't until several years later and they meet again after the death of Meadow's father, but they still seem to hate each other-or do they!?

The second story is by Lindsay McKenna, Kassie's Cowboy, and tells the story of love lost between kassie Murphy who runs Kassie's Cafe and Travis Grant, they fell in love together in high school, and then Travis went to war and came back a different man. After both their hearts are broken, will they get a second chance when fate steps in and brings them together? Loved this one!

The third book is by Margaret Way, called Outback Husband and tells the story of a couple, Darcy and Scott macArthur, who are married for 18 blissful months until a fat lie told by a family member causes a rift and succeeds to separate them. Scott's Mom dearly loves Darcy and decides to get Dary to come for Christmas-will a Mother's matchmaking ways win out?

I loved all of these Christmas Stories and this book was 5*****stars in my opinion!

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I have always loved when authors put out these kind of books. If you have never read these three awesome women, this is a great way to get started. Each has a different perspective on the cowboy way and the women who dare to love them. One of my favorites is Diana Palmer with her knowledge of running a ranch to the intricacies of dealing with cows and horses, she brings not only a wonderful love story, but a realism to the tale that helps one to feel like they are really there.

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Snowman-3
This was just an okay read for me. I love Diana Palmer's stories, but this one was not one of my favorites. The hero never really redeemed himself to me or really to the heroine for all of his nasty behavior. I found it odd how the FBI would take someone so clumsy, not matter the connections, and inept as the heroine was. A pet peeve I had is that it was brought up that she spoke multiple languages, but never spoke anything but English in the entire story. Why bring it up and not use it?
Kassie"s Cowboy-4
This was a good second chance romance. The PTSD that soldiers come back with was discussed quite a bit in this book. These two find their way back to one another after an accident. After all the time that has passed, they still love one another. This is a quick story, but a good one.
Her Outback Husband-2
This story was just an okay read for me. I had difficulty connecting to the story and its characters.

Overall, this book was just an okay read for me.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Three wonderful holiday stories that will touch your heart and remind you of the importance of love and forgiveness, especially during this time of year. You'll find a story of a young woman struggling to hold on to the ranch she's inherited and the love she finds when she least expects it. A great second chance story when a snowstorm leaves a young woman hurt and rescued by her childhood sweetheart. And lastly, a story of a couple who love deeply but have been hurt by rumors and their marriage destroyed until a meddling Mother put's her plan in place.

All three are great stories and perfect quick reads for the holiday season. I highly recommend this one.

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If it was possible to give a book a negative rating, this one deserves it. Only read two of the 3 stories. DNF

The Snowman - Diana Palmer

Meadow Dawson has been in love with Dal Blake since she was a teenager. I couldn’t figure out why. It doesn’t make sense.

Dal Blake is an egotistical, condescending, Neanderthal asshole. And that’s being kind. He spews harsh, unkind words out to Meadow every time he sees her. He makes fun of her, puts her down, and laughs at her in front of other people. And he’s 35 years old! Ten years her senior.

This was an unbelievable romance in every way.

Kassie’s Cowboy - Lindsay McKenna

This writing and relationship felt adolescent even though the characters are in their late 20s. I skimmed and rolled my eyes a lot.

As it was, I picked this book up and put it down too many times, moved on to other books. After the disaster of the first two stories, I just couldn’t make myself read the last one. DNF

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

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This is a volume of three short stories. The first is by Diana Palmer, the second is by Lindsay McKenn, and the third is by Margaret Way.

Palmer's story gets 1 star. I'd give it zero stars if that were possible. It is horrible story about a woman who apparently is ugly, has a bad enough personality that she has no friends, is a klutz, and is dumb. She is hung up on a guy who is the biggest jerk in the world. This isn't the jerk alpha male that appears uncertain stories. This is a man who acts like he's in middle school. Any woman who reads his should be insulted and ready to beat this man.

The McKenna story is standard "soldier-with-PTSD" set in the familiar landscape of Wind River Valley. No surprises- I'd rate it at three stars.

The last story is a new author to me. I would rate this story atv2 starts; it is dull as dishwater.

I'm so disappointed in this story.

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Have a very merry holiday season with this collection of three engaging, "Cowboy" contemporary romance stories. Take a trip to snowy Colorado or perhaps you'd also enjoy going to Wyoming to find love ! The third story may require a bigger suitcase as you go across the Pacific to Australia to find a handsome cowboy "down under". No doubt about it, you'll love these three stories about second chances and lost love. Three of my favorite authors and three outstanding holiday stories!

Christmas with My Cowboy by Diana Palmer, Lindsay McKenna and Margaret Way will be available September 26, 2017 from Zebra, an imprint of Kensington Books. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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A good combination, cowboys and Christmas. This book has three stories. It goes quickly. A good holiday read.

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