Lone Star Christmas is the first installment in the Coldwater, Texas Series and a great way to start. I loved the characters and how the storyline was developed. There was something about Callen that draws you in maybe it’s because of his past or his hardened way. I knew sooner or later that he would be this selfless man that would do what needed to be done for the family. He and his brothers had a rough childhood but then the McCall’s took them in and now Buck needs help. Shelby has been in love with Callen since she was just a teenager and now here he was back in Coldwater the one place he would never be caught coming back but he did for her father. She knows that he is hiding something from her but both Callen and her father, Buck, are keeping something from her. She is helping Rosy her father’s fiancé plan their wedding. That was some crazy stuff going on especially with Billy her taxidermy armadillo. I can only imagine having those armadillo’s all over her wedding dress and also on the bridesmaid's dresses. Callen is going to have to make some decisions that are going to affect not only him but his whole family. He is going to have to change his way of life until Buck is able to take care of the ranch and the foster kids he has living on the ranch. Shelby is going to have to be strong because her life is going to be turned upside down but she will have to hold on for her father. Callen will be there to help with whatever comes up and he will still be able to take care of his business. Callen is also going to be tested because the past is going to come back and and cause havoc.

This is a must read and I’ll be reading the next book in this series.

The Good
* This book is quite sweet and had some really fun moments of humour and light-heartedness.
* The foster kids Mateo and Lucy were really great, Lucy especially. I really felt for their situation and was happy to see the growth in them.
* Shelby was a good character. She was decent and rational.

The Not So Bad
* There were to many unresolved issues by the end of the book. The main being Callen's relationship with his family and the bad feeling between them because of the way he left. It was used a lot in the beginning to create tension but was then quickly swept under the carpet and never really mentioned again.
* Two of the brothers are police officers and they act in ways that law enforcement should not. Manipulating a person to commit a crime (even if they are dirt bags) isn't right and it didn't sit well with me. It made me dislike a lot of the characters.
* Callen was a bit to broody and cold. Again he has a multitude of issues which are never really dealt with and I am not sure anything really changed for him between the beginning and end of the book.
* The romance was cold too. They fell in love but I am not really sure why.


The Ugly
* I just really struggled to connect with this book and found that I didn't care all that much about it. I much prefer other books from this series.

Lone Star Christmas is Delores Fossen at her best! Get ready to saddle up with the sexy Laramie Brothers. Up first Callen, with those hot looks that man can melt a snow glacier 50 miles away.

Callen is one of Buck McCall’s foster kids. The Laramie Boys came to Buck’s foster home {a last placement for hard to place kids}. After receiving a wedding invitation for Buck and Rosy’s wedding and a mysterious visit from Shelby McCall which carried bad news about her dads health, Callen found himself driving toward the one place he vowed never to return to ever…His home to of Coldwater, Texas.

Shelby McCall has been half in love with Callen Laramie her whole life the very thing she thought she kept a secret, but in the days to come she will find out a lot of things that will tip her world upside down. Shelby knew she had to brave the face to face with Callen, he swore he would never return to Coldwater. Something was up with her dad, now she had to convince Callen to come home so she could find out what was going on.

I truly enjoyed the budding passion that built between Callen and Shelby. It was fun, lighthearted, passionate and tender. Their heat for each other is evident, but so is their friendship. I have to say the best part of them for me is the gift exchanges. Priceless.

The supporting characters Kace, Judd, Callen, Nico, Buck, Rosy, Havana, Ted and the other foster children only enhanced the plot line. The plot is having the prodigal son return home, the home town that held scary memories he has tried to out run. As Callen tries to work out everything in his head, Can he fixed what is broken in his heart? Shelby is willing to try and help Callen deal with the mild wide gap between him and his family, but what will she do about her own heart matters?

I could not get enough of Lone Star Christmas OH Lord Billy the Armadillo had me laughing so much and wishing I could be a member of Buck and Rosy’s wedding. Delores Fossen stories always leave me with a full heart. Her characters are strong, independent, and down right pleasurable. Judd Laramie’s story is next coming in March 2019. Hot Texas Sunrise. I can’t wait. Here is the line up on the Coldwater, Texas series:

LONE STAR CHRISTMAS, Book 1, Sept. 25, 2018
HOT TEXAS SUNRISE, Book 2, March 26, 2019
SWEET SUMMER SUNSET, Book 3, July 2019
A COLDWATER CHRISTMAS, Book 4, Oct. 2019
LONE STAR MIDNIGHT, Novella 1, January 2019
TEXAS AT DUSK, Novella 2, June 2019

Rated 5 Stilettos and a Recommended Read by Deb!

I never thought I would ever find a novel that went from the horrors of child abuse, to attraction, broken engagements, cancer, foster children, a flasher, a mooner, and a wedding complete with a shower of sequins and a stuffed armadillo named Billy, and sheer and utter zaniness, which made me laugh out loud one minute and cry the next, and utterly charmed me, but Delores Fossen managed to fit all of the above into one incredibly heartwarming Christmas story, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. This is the first novel in her Coldwater, Texas series and it's most definitely a 5-star read.

Buck McCall, a Texas rancher with a big heart, spent his adult life taking in battered, abused, and troubled foster kids, giving them a place to live, a way to work out their anger, and find loving, kind, forever homes for them. He began with the four Laramie Brothers, Callen Judd, Kace and Nico, two of whom were badly beaten and broken when he took them in. They are grown men now, and Buck gave them a home and a purpose. The only one who left Coldwater was Callen, and he hasn't been back since he left there at age 18, leaving his 3 brothers and Buck's 14-year-old daughter, Shelby, who had a major crush on him, behind.

Callen is now a rich and highly successful cattle broker, based in Dallas, and when he first gets a message to return to Coldwater he ignores it. But when a now fully grown Shelby arrives at his office to reissue that request because Buck requested his presence at his wedding to his long-time housekeeper, Rosy, he can't refuse. What neither he nor anyone else on the ranch knows is that Buck needs to tell Callen a secret, and have him take care of a number of things without anyone else in the family knowing, and it's a request Callen simply can't refuse.

Shelby is now a a beautiful grown woman who, up until quite recently, was engaged to Gavin, a local man, but he ended their engagement, and everyone in town thinks she's nursing a broken heart, but she isn't. Having been placed off-limits to the young Laramie brothers by her father almost as soon as they arrived at the ranch, Shelby is still far more interested in Callen than she ever was in her fiance, and she also has a gut feeling that there's something wrong with her father that has him demanding that Callen return home, and she's not wrong about that, but when Buck confides in Callen, he also swears him to secrecy until after the wedding--and it's a secret that's hard to keep. Shelby has already decided that she's finally old enough to do something about her longtime crush on Callen, even if he's only back in Coldwater for a brief visit.

Then there's Rosy, Buck housekeeper and the love of Buck's life, and she's as wacky and lovable a character as I've encountered in many years. Her hobby is taxidermy, and her kooky insistence on including Billy the stuffed armadillo into everything from the wedding invitations to becoming part of the wedding party had me in stitches, as did her choice of wedding attire, and her making every girl or woman she encounters a bridesmaid--I think I lost count of the number of them at 41.

Buck and Rosy have also been trying to help troubled, battered and abused siblings, Mateo and Lucy, find a forever home. They are the two most recent foster kids that Buck has brought to the ranch, and they too factor into this complex blended family. The secondary characters in this novel are as interesting and compelling as the main characters, something else that made this novel a rather remarkable read, because each one of them is a fully fleshed out character, rather than just a walk-on, and I'm assuming they will become primary characters as this series continues.

With everything else that's going on at the ranch, Callen and Shelby finally give in to their attraction to one another, but that too is often sidelined by members of the family, Callen's trying to conduct his business long-distance, Buck's declining health, Gavin trying to get back in Shelby's good graces, Callen trying to keep Buck's secret, and an odd assortment of weird and wacky local characters in town, as well as a budding relationship between Nico and Callen's equally quirky personal assistant, Havana. Shelby is well aware of the fact that she's in love with Callen, but expects that after the wedding, he'll head back to Dallas, leaving her behind yet again. As if that's not enough, out of the blue, Callen gets a surprise visit from his violent, abusive, and alcoholic stepfather. How deftly Ms. Fossen managed to pack all of this into one cohesive, heartwarming story simply amazed this reader.

While you'd think that there was simply too much going on to be able to follow the central plot, Ms. Fossen made it all work beautifully, and the Christmas theme only added to the charm of this novel. It was an excellent read and I think you'll find it as moving, funny, emotional and entertaining as I did, and I highly recommend it.

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

Delores Fossen has become a favorite of mine. Her books keep me reading, oftentimes into the late hours of the evening. Thank you for allowing me to read.

Great holiday read! This is an author that I had not read before but I will definitely look out for this author in the future. I really like second chance romance stories. Highly recommended.

This is the first Delores Fossen book I have read. My first question is what rock have I been hiding under? My second is why had no one told me about these books before?

Though not the usual type of book I normally read, it is a sweet read. Behind the shenanigans with deeply buried pain and secrets which comes to the forefront as a wedding and Christmas nears. My favorite part was the giving of the gifts from the little store that has stood forever.

This book held more than a romance. More than suspense. It gave hope that no matter your age your pain and guilt can be forgiven and healing will begin. It gave hope that dreams can become reality.

​As I said, this isn't my normal read, other than it is a Christmas book and I love Christmas. For this reason alone it receives four feathers. I would have liked to have seen more connection between all the characters with this being a holiday read. I know we will see these characters again in futures books, but perhaps I expected a Hallmark type feel where everyone's story is told as we see the love story play out.

This paperback was received from the publishers, but the opinions are entirely my own.

Callen Larmaire thought he would never step back into the town of Coldwater, TX. When he left at the age of 18, he hadn’t ever really put another thought into it. But when Shelby shows up at his office in Dallas and asks him to return home for her dad, he just couldn’t resist.

Shelby’s dad was his foster father and he feels like he at least owes the man a visit since so many people think he needs his help. But what he finds when he gets to Coldwater, isn’t exactly what he was wishing for. Now that Callen finds himself back in Coldwater for a while, he needs to make nice with his brothers and hopefully not hurt the one woman he was never allowed to be near… until now.

This book is full of a lot of fun characters, steamy scenes, and love that comes from the heart. I’m a big sucker for Texas Romances and can’t wait for the rest of this series on the Laramaire Brothers!

I have go to authors when it comes to certain types of books and when it comes to cowboys, it is always Delores Fossen. I was totally excited to see that she had written a holiday themed book, because those are my favorite types of books. Ever since I was in junior high, if there was a holiday romance, I wanted to read it.



Shelby and Callen have a relationship that was a long time in coming. They both had a crush on each other back when Callen was a foster at Shelby's family ranch. Their relationship is steamier than what I'm used to in Delores' books, in fact it seems that their relationship is all about sex. Love is declared, but there is no reason for it. There's no reason why they love each other, they just have good sex and that didn't even happen until midway through the book.



This book comes complete with a Christmas wedding and some super quirky characters, including a trench coat wearing flasher named Gopher. He was one the funniest parts of the book, along with Rosy, the cake toppers and the plethora of bridesmaids.



This book also has its share of family secrets and illness. It wasn't the easiest read for me at the current time of my life especially as the illness didn't seemed to be handled according to procedure. The mass, Buck had on his lung would not have been removed without a biopsy done first. I hate when medical stuff is off in books, mostly because I've dealt with so many illnesses from my parents that I know my stuff.



Then there's Rosy, Buck's intended. As a first book in a series, I wish I had more knowledge of the dad and Rosy, because even though she was sweet, she drove me bonkers. I wanted to know how they got together and why at this point in their lives they decided to take a walk down the aisle in such a big way.



Like Delores' other books her characters are all flawed individuals. Buck fostered Callen and his brothers years ago. Callen was the one brother that flew the coop. Again, I wish there was more back story given. Though some of it shows up to add a little drama at the end of the book.



I felt that there was much more that needed to be clarified and it needed more romance instead of jump your bones sex because Callen and Shelby just didn't feel like they were a forever kind of romance.



This wasn't the way I'd want to start a new series, but I do hope Callen's other brothers get more interesting stories, with better romance.

Once Callen was of legal age he packed his bags and refused to ever go back. He isn't even interested after getting an invite to his foster fathers wedding. Its when his old foster sister Shelby gets in contact him about her dad's health that he decides to get the bottom of it. He's always had a thing for her but being foster siblings and his baggage it wasn't going to work. Now that he's back he gets hold of a family secret and his foster father wants him to attend a wedding and find a house for his current foster children. Its then that he decides to stick around temporary and maybe pursue a fling with Shelby before he leaves.

If you are looking for a sweet contemporary romance thats during the holiday season then you'll want to pick this book up. I originally thought that this was going to be a christmassy book because its called Lone Star Christmas but really its not. Maybe during the ending theres a bit that'll remind you what season it is but if you are looking for the holiday spirit you won't find it here but you'll read a pretty great book. I loved getting to know Stellas and Callen's characters. I loved the whole small towne feel with the gossip, and everyone being close. I loved the secondary characters and loved that whole stuff armadillo thing its pretty funny. I can only imagine what it looked like in real life. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.

Lone Star Christmas is the first in a new series set in the small town of Coldwater, Texas. Callen , Laramie hightailed it out of Coldwater when he was 18, never planning to return. When he receives an invitation to the wedding of Buck, his foster father and his longtime girlfriend Rosy, Callen declines. When he gets a call from Shelby, Jake's daughter, he decides to head to Coldwater to find out what is going on. Shelby tells him Jake needs him. He is worried about seeing Shelby again, as he was in love with her all those years ago, and does not know how he will feel seeing her again. This is Callen's and Shelby's story. They must deal with some feelings that resurface, other family members, Buck's secret, the wedding and someone who tries to stir up trouble. Will they be able to find their way to each other? Will Callen decide to stay in Coldwater? Only time will tell.

I really enjoyed this romance, even though the sex scenes were a bit more descriptive than I am comfortable with. It was funny and emotional all at the same time, with a certain cuteness as well. I loved the characters, the small town, the gossiping townsfolk, and the laugh out loud moments. I still can't picture those beautiful red dresses with the added embellishments from Rosy on the QT. That wedding would have been a sight to see in real life. Callen and Shelby were great together. I was rooting for Callen to find some healing from his past and see that coming home would help him. He and his brothers went through some terrible situations. It was great to see, that even when angry that Callen took off never to look back, the brothers were there for one another when push came to shove. I can't wait to see the other three brothers find their perfect mate and Happily Ever Afters. If you enjoy a great romance with a bit of physical loving thrown in, family dynamics and an unselfish man who gave a home to many foster children, then you will love this story. I will certainly watch for more in this series. The publisher, HARLEQUIN, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Plot: A cattleman returns to his Texas home for a Christmas wedding at the request of his childhood crush—and some playful secondary characters keep the story bubbling along nicely.

Holiday Cheer: Medium.

Verdict: Let the bells ring out for Christmas.

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018

Favorite Quotes:

It was Gopher Tate, and he threw open his heavily lined raincoat to flash her. He had a blue bow tied around his wrinkly junk that was covered by a pair of whities that weren’t so tight. They were at least three sizes too big, and the elastic in the waist was shot… Shelby gave him a glare that was colder than the sleet pelting his thinly covered privates. “Close your coat, Gopher, before you have to explain to the ER folks why you got frostbite on your wanger.”

She was reasonably sure that had she been wearing toenail polish, it would have melted, too.

Seems a shame to let the pizza go cold after you slaved over the phone to order it…

The cat was there, sitting by a nearly empty food and water dish and glaring at Callen as if he were responsible for multiple crimes against felines and humanity.

My Review:

Delores Fossen has gifted us with the early Christmas present of a new series, and she has started it off with her own special blend of damaged yet sexy and lovable heroes, clever wry humor, heart squeezing storylines, colorful and quirky small-town characters, and a sweet romance with delectably steamy bits. I always look forward to meeting her amusing and uniquely peculiar characters and she didn’t disappoint with the introduction of Rosy - the armadillo obsessed geriatric bride-to-be with a taxidermy shop called Much Ado About Stuffing; and Gopher - the pervy elderly flasher who was well known yet never actually naked under his raincoat. As always, her storylines were engaging, entertaining, and well-paced. I’m already primed for the next installment.

It seems I've been on a Christmas reading roll. They Christmas season isn't even here and I've already read more then ten holiday books. Crazy right! If I had wanted to find this many to read during the holidays I wouldn't be able to.

I will say I've been enjoying reading them. They have really help put me in the mood for buying new Christmas decorations and doing my holiday crafts.

Today I'm reviewing Lone Star Christmas which is book #1 of Fossen's new Coldwater Texas series. I really love starting new series. It's a plus when that new series is a Christmas cowboy story.

I found Lone Star Christmas to be a wonderfully written story. It's full of laughter, fun characters and touching moments. I loved this small-town. It was so much fun. The other characters really made it for me. More then once they gave me a chuckle.

There are very many moments in this book that make you think, in a good way. I enjoyed the interaction between Callen and Shelby. These two have history and as kids aren't allow to be romantically involved. They aren't kids anymore.

I'm so glad that Callen came home for his foster father's wedding and to be there when his foster father Buck needs him. Sometimes you have to be there for the people who were there for you.

This is truly worth the read. My only small issue with the story is that it didn't have enough holiday spirit in it. Other then some decorations it wasn't till the end of the story that it felt holidayish. For those who don't know I love the holidays with all the fun times and decor so maybe I was asking a lot from the story. Not everyone is crazy like me.

I am a lover of Christmas books, especially Christmas romance. I was very happy to be able to review Lone Star Christmas. Lone Star Christmas is a great story with vivid characters and great romance.

Callen Laramie left his hometown of Coldwater Texas when he was eighteen and in the fourteen years since then, he has amassed a fortune in cattle. The sad memories of his childhood have made him never want to return, even though his three brothers still live in Coldwater. His exemplary foster father from when he was fourteen to eighteen, Buck, has sent him a wedding invitation with a handwritten note that he really wants him to return for the wedding on Christmas Eve. Callen still isn’t convinced until Buck’s daughter, Shelby McCall comes to town to ask him to return and seals it with a passionate kiss.

Shelby has just been dumped by her fiancée but doesn’t feel anything. She does feel something when she sees Callen. As her father’s foster son, romance between the two was off limits when they were teenagers. Now that they are older, Callen discovers one of the reasons Buck had him return is that he now gives the approval for romance between the two. Buck is also very sick and wants Callen to help him out, so he can get to his wedding with Rosie. Callen agrees to stay to help until the wedding, but then he plans to return to Dallas. Will Buck make it to his wedding? Will Callen and Shelby be able to make their romance work?

I loved this novel. The story was compelling. Buck has spent his life time helping troubled kids who couldn’t foster anywhere else and trying to help them on their path. It impacted his marriage negatively and things have not always flown smoothly. Now at the twilight of his life, Buck wants to marry his longtime girlfriend Rosie and wants his daughter Shelby to find love. He also needs help with his last couple of foster children and finding them a placement. Buck also wants to settle lingering issues with Callen and help him find his happy ending. This story didn’t glamorize foster care, but it did show that there are certain people who are able to help troubled youth. They won’t get a perfect life, but they will get back on a better path. I really loved this story.

This is a romance novel and there are serious sparks, or I’d rather say flames between Shelby and Callen. There are several sex scenes throughout the novel, but they didn’t get too hot and heavy or unbelievable to me. The one that made me laugh out loud was when Shelby fell asleep waiting for Callen to come over and didn’t wake up until morning when Callen was leaving. That one seemed very real to me! Ha!!!

My only complaint is that I had to wait until the end to get to more Christmas items in this novel. It didn’t figure into the story much until then, but the decorations and Callen’s hatred of them did give me a good laugh.

Favorite Quote:
“He nodded. ‘It’s hard to explain why I kept it.”
Shelby shrugged. ‘You wanted to be in control of what you chose to keep from your past. A reminder of what you’d come from so that you wouldn’t go back.’”

Overall, Lone Star Christmas was an excellent book full of romance, great characters, and a touching story. I’d love to read about Callen’s brothers!

Book Source: Review Copy for being a part of the TLC Book Tour.

Lone Star Christmas shot right into my heart. What a delightfully ardent, heartbreakingly tragic, and cheerfully Christmassy story with laugh out loud humor drizzled into the mix to give it spice and cheer, delivering that all- around good feeling you get during the holidays.
Yes, I might have mentioned it many times that this series is my favorite cowboy series and this title just confirmed that top spot in my mind. From laughter to tears to smiles and to sighs to swooning, this story brought up, front, and center all the feels.
I absolutely adored Callen Laramie and Shelby McCall, as well all the other secondary cast and crew, especially the Laramie brothers - those brothers have that hot, complex hero thing going for them so strong and vivid, I can't wait to read their stories and destinies.
Callen and Shelby have had the hots for each other ever since the teenage years. The threat of castration and to save himself from his tragic past, Callen leaves the town at the age of 18, without looking in the rearview mirror. Now, years later, Callen and Shelby have the chance to live true those old (and not so old) fantasies, and oh boy, do they heat up the sheets and pages... Through those wildly passionate encounters, it comes tangible how the feelings between them start to grow, how 'no strings attached' comes to something much more, and how they count on each other to be there when the trouble comes knocking at the door.
I loved the story, from the very start Callen found his way to my heart with his conflicted family drama, and I found the book impossible to put down, keeping me up late into the night.
A marvelous Christmas romance novel, a fantastic family saga, and a deliciously desirous addition to the beloved series!
~ Five Spoons

Lone Star Christmas by Delores Fossen is FABULOUS! I absolutely enjoyed this second chance story about Callen and Shelby. Coldwater Texas is such a lovely place to visit. Callen had a major chip on his shoulder and needed a reminder of what was important and who would always be there for him. I am so glad I got to read this book it was really a blessing to see the way this family came together!

This was a good start to my Christmas cowboy romances! I adore Delores Fossen's books so I was excited about this one. This book made me laugh and also it has some pretty steamy scenes for our two main characters.

The secondary characters really stole the show for me. I loved Lucy and Mateo and wanted the best for them, I couldn't wait for Buck and Rosy to get married, and I especially loved seeing all the Laramie brothers connect again.

Now I'm not saying that I didn't like the romance. I really enjoyed the storyline between Shelby and Callen, I just didn't feel like it was anything more than lust. Almost every interaction between that could have been more, was turned into sex. Every time! I would have liked to see them connect a bit more really show that this was becoming more than a holiday fling.

All in all, we get some good Christmas feels, a wonderful family, and some steamy scenes. I can't wait to read about Judd's love story next.

This wonderful book starts an all new series. This charm filled small town romance is a very welcome gift to readers this holiday season. The book is smartly crafted and offers an engaging storyline and likable characters. With lots of sweetness, humor, drama, and powerful emotions, you will quickly be thoroughly sucked into Callen and Shelby's world and find yourself rooting for them ever step of the way.

Lone Star Christmas is the first in a new series set in the small town of Coldwater, Texas. This is Callen and Shelby's story. Callen hasn't been home since he left in his beat-up truck years before. He intends to never go back until he finds out something might be wrong with his foster father, Buck. Shelby was the girl who was off limits, but now they are adults. Can she convince him to come home for good?

I thoroughly enjoyed this romance. It was cute, funny and emotional all at the same time. I loved the characters, the small town gossip train and the laugh out loud moments. I'm not sure I'll ever look at cake toppers the same way again. That wedding would have been a sight to see in real life. Callen and Shelby were great together. I was rooting for Callen to find some healing from his past and see that coming home would help him. He and his brothers went through some thing horrific. I can't wait to see the other three brothers find their HEAs, especially Judd.

I highly recommend this one. It was a fun book to read and I look forward to the next Coldwater, Texas story!