- FATHER GOOSE by Jodi Thomas -

I am a huge fan of Jodi's historical western romances, so I couldn't resist reading this novella. Even though I usually like my historical romances to be long, I thought Jodi did a great job in introducing and making me feel a connection with the characters. Trapper and Emery were great main characters, and I also absolutely loved the five girls that Trapper was in charge of getting home safely. Their personalities were so unique and I enjoyed getting to know them better on the trip to Dallas. All five of them were so different and surprised me in how capable and courageous they were for their ages. This story felt like a full-length novel, and the only thing that was missing in my opinion was an epilogue.

- THE MISTLETOE PROMISE by Sharla Lovelace -

This book is a second-chance historical western romance. I loved that the author included flashbacks to when the main characters Josie and Ben first met and how their relationship developed, because it helped me in connecting with the characters better. It was heartbreaking in seeing how they broke up and lost contact, because it was obvious that they were still in love with each other. I would've loved for this book to be full-length because it felt a bit rushed at times. I still enjoyed it and like with the previous story I was hoping for an epilogue.

- CHRISTMAS ROAD by Scarlett Dunn -

Another great Christmas story with very likable characters. Clint was an honorable and strong hero that did everything he could and even went out of his way to help the people around him. Amelia was a caring heroine and even though she already had suffered some hardships, did her best to take care of her sick neighbor. I loved all the side-characters and the interaction between Clint and Amelia. This was a nice and sweet Christmas story.

Anthologies can be hit-and-miss. I often find that I like one story but others are weak; rarely do I enjoy every story in the volume. This time, though, I did!

Each of the heroes is a cowboy, the wounded kind that make women who read romances swoon just a bit. Each of the heroines is feisty and willing to make sacrifices to get what she wants. Each story includes cute kids that are fairly well-written, not too precocious, and that make sense to the story. While the first story, Jodi Thomas' "Father Goose" could have taken place at any time of year, Christmas played an intrinsic role in the stories. These are nice, clean, feel-good reads, and are an enjoyable escape for a few hours. I'd definitely recommend this pleasant surprise.

When I asked to review this book on NetGalley I thought I was getting one book by Jodi Thomas but to my surprise I had three books not all by Jodi Thomas but they were all very good books

Father Goose by Jodi Thomas

Its a story about Trapper Hawkins who has lied all his life pretty much by himself. He travels around looking for card games to get a little money for his continued travels. This time he wins more than money in a card game. He has to transport five small children to their Father's ranch by Christmas.

You won't want to miss their adventures during their travels. I laughed and smiled to myself because I could see my children being the same way.

The Mistletoe Promise by Sharla Lovelace

I have never met such a stubborn woman as Josephine. Her story made me laugh at times, be sad at others but sometimes I even feel sorry for Benjamin Mason. I won't tell too many details of this story but once Josephine gets upset with Ben she doesn't want to be near him or hear him out.

A really good book that I think you will enjoy as much as I did. Once I started I just could not put it down.

Christmas Road by Scarlett Dunn

Clint did a lot of traveling after the war. He didn't spend too much time at home until he received a letter from his Mom informing him the town had been hit by the Yellow Fever and most of his family had passed away His Mom informed him that she had it as well and wasn't sure if she would make it or not but that Amelia had taken care of her and now his Mom wanted him to find Amelia and take care of her.

I really loved this story. I think you will too and once I started reading it I couldn't put it down.

All three of these books were about Cowboys and how they helped Save Christmas and the Magic of the Season.

A cute collection of short stories.
The first one has Trapper, a civil war vet hired to take five girls home for Christmas. A young lady Carolina runs from home and helps him. Love the girls nicknames.
Second book has a second chance at love. Josie's ranch is failing and she doesn't want to ask for help.
Third story has our hero racing home after hearing yellow fever has struck his hometown.. A note from his mom ask him to look after Amelia. This one also has some cute kids

Each one of these stories was spot on for the holiday season. I really hope that we get some movies out of these because I loved all of them. Although I wished they were a little longer. I wished this would have been at least 400 pages so each story could have been at least a 100 pages long. Overall, each one stood on its own, with great characters and even better tales. Nothing was really new or overly exciting. But I loved the stories!!

I think this will be a great book for this winter!

These were 3 stories sent in the American West, around 1800's. All 3 had a distinct Christmas theme and they all featured cowboys who came to the rescue. The first book was so cute and charming, even though the development was a little flat. The author spent so much time describing the horrific conditions that the heroine lived in and through to the extent I wonder how the heroine had the self knowledge to leave. She didn't go to school, her sisters all ran away or married and never came back to save her. She said she never had nice clothing of any kind, yet she was able to dress in 'found' clothing like a modest means widow would were. Also, the author spent so much time on how they met, but the heroine never let on to the hero that she wasn't an actual widow nor that she was the down-trodden server at the saloon. But for all of that, it was a cute story that was cheerful. I enjoyed it.
I did not read the second story because it was told in the first person which I think is a cheating way of telling a story. Unless you are writing a documentary type story, don't use the first person.
The third story was similar to the first, with an emphasis on children, but again, it was not a fully told story. The author could have added in some extra character building..
I would recommend this book with 3.5 stars because of the items above. It was enjoyable for the evening I read it.

Fans of Historical Romance (American West) and Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace and Scarlett Dunn will enjoy this anthology. It's a great way to sample each if you haven't before! I enjoyed all three stories.
Father Goose by Jodi Thomas
A young man, fresh out of the army and in need of a job, agrees to take a group of 5 young school girls to their father's ranch in Texas. He must get them home before Christmas. Meanwhile, a young woman decides to escape her life of drudgery and signs on to chaperone the girls for the trip. This rag-tag group will make the arduous journey that could set the path of the future for them all. 
The Mistletoe Promise by Sharla Lovelace
Two people with a history must overcome pride and learn to trust again. Told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Josie and Ben I learned their story and was soon hoping for their HEA. 
Christmas Road by Scarlett Dunn
A veteran rides home hoping to see his ill mother for what could be her last Christmas. What he didn't expect was to meet a young widow and mother of two girls who'd help nurse his mother. This a story of survival during challenging times and the honorable people who step up to help. A heartwarming tale about finding the magic of Christmas.

What could be better than a Christmas story. Well how about three done to perfection by some really wonderful authors. The first FATHER GOOSE is by Jodi Thomas. That should already signal that it will delight all your senses. What could be better than a wagon trip across dubious territory with a rag tag team of traveling partners. Trapper is the leader of this gang. Carolina is the needed companion. And last but certainly not least are five little girls ranging in age from 13 to 4. Trapper can’t seem to get their names straight, candidly it’s the entire female thing that has this military guy in a tizzy. So he labels them one to five in order of their ages. First glimpse at what continues to be an absolute joy to read even when some harsh realities intrude on this perfect photo. The seven become a family of sorts. The girls are traveling to Dallas to their father the colonel. Then Trapper and Carolina will go their own way. That’s the plan. The joy is in reading how Jodi Thomas brings to life some great characters that make you smile and laugh out loud. See a perfect holiday story and fall in love with one to five.

The second story MISTLETOE PROMISE is about young love. Complete with a tangled mess of life and commitment this story by Sharla Lovelace is tender, heartwarming and sassy. Josie it’s leading lady captures your attention from the get go and holds on for the duration. Her young man Ben seems to disappear from the picture for a while but he maintained residency in her heart and mind. Both their lives dealt with love and disappointment but you can’t help rooting for them to find each other once more. True love is tough enough to last through a few roadblocks and challenges. Shala Lovelace instilled her characters with honesty, wit, kindness, and grit. MISTLETOE PROMISE is a wonderful addition to this holiday collection.


CHRISTMAS ROAD by Scarlett Dunn is the last segment of this book. Each story will leave you with a huge grin in your face. Guaranteed. But CHRISTMAS ROAD is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. CHRISTMAS ROAD is about traveling a long path of life. Follows the tragedy of yellow fever. Ranches, families being lost. One young soldier Clint returning home to find his entire family wiped out by the fever. He finds his mother’s bible with a message to him. His mother hoped he would find his way home to their ranch. Now Clint has to honor her last wish and find the woman who nursed her through the illness. Having little to go he felt this was a way to make up for being away all these years. He was done with traveling and war. First things first. Find his mother’s Amelia and make sure all is well with her. Life is funny like that. When you least expect to find joy well there it is. Just in time for the holidays. Great story, wonderful characters and the best finishing touch on a grand holiday read.

The trio of stories is called THE COWBOY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. Actuality it was love, trust and faith. Cowboys had an important role in the holiday miracles lots of help from their female counterparts both young and old. Three dynamic stories told by three exquisite authors. Jodi Thomas is a force to reckon with for sure and she is in great company with Sharla Lovelace and Scarlett Dunn.

3 stories in one...and it is Christmas!! I laughed thinking about reading and reviewing a Christmas book in July!!! I really did enjoy the stories however all with almost 100 degree temps outside! They are all set in that great state of Texas...where everything is bigger and better as they say!
The 1st was "Father Goose"...during the war, while hauling 5 wealthy children, the last thing Trapper expects is to fall in love and have his spirit, awakened!!!
2nd was..."The Mistletoe Promise" a rancher looking at loosing everything her father built! old sparks fly for Josie Bancroft and time proves things can change for the better...and what a better time than CHRISTMAS~
3rd was "Christmas Road" Yellow fever hits a young mans mother and his race to get home!
I recommend this gathering of stories to warm your heart at any time of the year!!!.
4 stars~

Three Christmas novellas. Obviously some are better than others, but all three were easy and fun to read. Would recommend, especially if you want a historical Christmas romance reading.