I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great Christmas read. Delores Fossen did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

Christmas at Colts Creek by Delores Fossen is a Christmas romance. I recommend this delightful Christmas romance to all readers who enjoy a good Christmas story.

Read this during the holiday last year and had a great time with it! When I requested the book, I didn't realize it was the second in a series, whoops. But despite this, I still loved Brody and Janessa and look forward to going back and reading the series properly. Thank you!

While only spending one summer of her life in at her father's ranch in Last Ride, Texas. Janessa Parkman finds it strange that now that he has passed, she is bound to inherit everything. The caveat is that she must spend three months there in order to inherit. This proves quite disturbing to Brody Harrell. He managed the ranch for years and thought that he earned the right to own it. For the most part, Janessa agrees. In fact, she wants nothing to do with it and offers to simply give it to Brody. She has a life in Dallas and wants to get back to it.

Brody knows he just cannot accept it, even if he has to deal with resentment that brews from the terms of the will. Factor in that both Janessa and Brody share a powerful attraction and things just got interesting.

As things evolve in this sensitive story, it proves that the two once really liked each other when they were 18-years-old, and those feelings quickly resurface. Beyond the romance that is brewing, there prove to to be secrets that create complications. Factor in Janessa's work with troubled teens and the holidays, and this book proves well-rounded and an excellent read. Although it is the second book in the series, it could very well be read as a stand-alone, but if you are like me you might enjoy the continuity that comes with reading the first book, Spring at Saddle Run. I am already eager to read the third book, Summer at Stallion Ridge, set for release in March, 2022.

Many thanks to HQN and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I liked this holiday romance, but I can't say that I loved it. I really needed more from the main characters and more christmas overall. The sex scenes were spicy but I didn't feel the chemistry coming from the main characters. I almost felt like there was too much going on but not enough depth. All in all, Christas at Colts Creek is an enjoyable book, but not a favorite.

Janessa inherited her father’s ranch which come as a surprise since the last time she spoke to him was 15 years ago. The inheritance come with a condition that she with her mother must stay in Last Ride for 3 months continuously or the ranch will go to charity. It comes as a surprise as everyone is expecting Brody to inherit it. He managed the ranch for years and thought that he earned the right to own it.

I was intrigued with Janessa who comes across as an independent lady and kind hearted with all the works that she did with troubled teenagers. The chemistry between Janessa and Brody sizzled in the story despite all these years. Due to a misunderstanding that tore them apart 17 years ago. Overall this is a fun and interesting read with secrets and lies led to a dramatic filled moment to me

Christmas at Colts Creek delivered a second chance holiday romance. A second chance romance featuring a sexy and charming cowboy. This is the second book in the Last Ride, Texas series and it works well as a stand-alone. Based on the title, one would expect the story to be centered on the Christmas celebrations. Instead, the events which unfolded occurred between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Christmas at Colts Creek introduces Janessa Parkman. She returned to Last Ride, Texas. Seventeen years after her last visit, to attend her father’s funeral. Janessa and her father never had a relationship so his leaving her all his possession, came as a complete shock. However, her inheritance came with stipulations. For Janessa to keep it all, she and her mother, her father’s first wife, must stay in Last Ride for three consecutive months or everything will go to charity.

I found this to be an interesting story. Secrets and lies abound, and this led to some drama filled moments. The characters, both main and secondary, intrigued me and I was eager to learn what drove them. The chemistry between Janessa and Brody (the ranch manager) sizzled and popped throughout the story. Misunderstanding tore them apart seventeen years ago. Seventeen years later, secrets and a failure to communicate threatened to destroy their second chance at love. The events mirrored that of a soap opera.

 This was my first time experiencing Will Damron’s narration. One could easily differentiate between his male and female voices. However, all the male voices sounded the same. His tone for the female voices changed for each of the characters. This made it easy to identify which of the female characters was speaking.

 Christmas at Colts Creek may not have been a favourite, but it ended up being an enjoyable read.

Christmas at Colts Creek (Last Ride, Texas #2). By Delores Fossen. 2021. HQN Books. (eBook ARC).

The funeral of her estranged father, Abe, brings Janessa Parkman back to Last Ride after many years. And she finds herself staying longer than she expected as she tries to navigate the turbulent waters Abe’s will left her, his exes and his ranch manager, Brody Harrell, in. While not really focused on the Christmas holidays, the timeline does runs from Thanksgiving through Christmas and it could be argued that the amount of dysfunction the Parkmans, Harrells, and assorted company bring to the table is more than enough for several holiday get-togethers. Along with Janessa and Brody’s second chance which has a good deal of steam, there is small town charm with a dash of danger. I really enjoy reading romances from Delores Fossen and Christmas at Colts Creek is no exception.

Christmas at Colts Creek is the second book in the Lat Ride, Texas series. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone book. Characters from the first book, Spring at Saddle Run, show up here, but they aren’t integral to this story. This one is Brody and Janessa’s story. While it’s a pretty steamy romance, it’s also a story about forgiveness and family secrets.

I enjoyed the story. The romance was steamy and I enjoyed Janessa and Brody. They had great chemistry. I definitely was rooting for them. Aside from the romance, I loved the rest of the book and the revelations that come out about Janessa’s father. There are a few surprises that I didn’t see coming. I loved Janessa’s decision in the end, especially regarding Sweet Pea. I do recommend this one, especially for a good holiday romance.

The second in the Last Ride, Texas series this is one that can be read as a standalone. There was romance and a little bit of heartache. 

The two main characters, Janessa and Brody have some emotional odds to overcome as Janessa inherits what Brody thought would be his. With a shared past, these two have chemistry from the very start. 

There is a great cast of secondary characters that help to enrich the story and bring the book from good to great!

"But life rarely dealt out perfection. It was all about handling the imperfections and making them work. Sliding them until they fit."

Ah I love this book. It's a fun cute sweet holiday read. Another perfect holiday read for me. It's romantic, a mix between second chance romance and enemies to lovers with small-town holiday romance vibe. Yup it's a complicated one, yet still easy and fun to read.
I thought this one would be like those typical "inheritance with stipulations" stories, but this one is different, Janessa needs to stay at Colts Creek for three months to inherit everything that her father's has, yeah that part is pretty much the same, but then add her teenage crush that also a sexy cowboy, add her father's first love, add her father's ex-wife, add another her father's ex-wife, then add secrets, lies and betrayals. Oh yeah drama, drama, drama and I enjoyed every second of it.
This book also has wonderful loveable characters, love all their banters, they make me smile, frustrated, sad and happy.

A fun sweet romance read with wonderful characters, definitely recommended.

I am absolutely loving this series! Not only is it a feel good and heartwarming one, but it makes me smile! Christmas at Colt's Creek has left the same impression on me and I read it the second I had a copy in my hands. I just couldn't wait to see where Delores took the series next and I am thrilled with how it's going. This is a wonderful second chance romance that deals with real-world issues (complicated families and their dynamics in this case). I very much enjoyed "watching" Janessa and Brody discover love amidst issues going on around them. All in all, this is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.

Delores Fossen is a master craftsman of complex characters, families, and stories, a skill that is on full display in this book. I was hooked from the first few pages and that involvement never let up. Fossen sprinkles the story with family secrets, high financial stakes, betrayals, a mystery, suspense, emotional depth, and just the right touch of humor. Her character development is spot on with an ensemble of main characters who are interesting, relatable, and, again, complex. Some are easy to root for. Others are more flawed.

I loved the sizzling chemistry between Brody and Janessa but also the tender emotions. They start out a bit rocky but that soon changes once the truth of what really happened when they were teens is revealed. I appreciated their open communication and support of one another and was fully on board with their evolving relationship. While they are the main focus of this story, I enjoyed how Fossen also used their interactions with other characters to advance the story, evolve their character growth, add humor, and deepen the emotional impact. This is a romance - I knew there was going to be a happy ending - but the journey to that destination was filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations that kept me eagerly flipping pages the entire way.

While this is the second book in Fossen's Last Ride, Texas series, it stands completely on its own with the hero and heroine from book one, Spring at Saddle Run, making only a brief appearance. If you enjoy spicy romance, emotional depth, complex characters, humor, and happily ever after, with a western flair, give this book a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am already looking forward to book three, Summer at Stallion Ridge, due to be released March 29, 2022.

4.5 Stars
ARC received for fair and unbiased review

A second chance romance for the holidays. Oh, and a second chance romance with a cowboy. Yep, this is my kind of read. I said 'holidays' for a reason: the story may have Christmas in the title, but it takes place over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. That said, it doesn't have the feel of a Christmas romance. The holidays kind of run in the background. So, it's a romance that takes place during the holiday season. Either way, it's an entertaining story. The pacing is steady, and Brody and Janessa have good chemistry. The back and forth between them is mostly about misunderstandings and a lack of communication, and there are secrets. That said, the angst is tempered with the chemistry between this couple. They certainly generate some heat, and they're easy to root for. This is the second book in Delores Fossen's Last Ride, Texas series, but it works well as a standalone, and it's a good way to spend a couple of cozy nights by the fire.

CHRISTMAS AT COLTS CREEK (Last Ride, Texas Book #2) by Delores Fossen is a Western small town fiction story with a second chance romance, sort of, intertwined throughout the story. This story is set from just before Thanksgiving through Christmas. This is the second book in the series, but it is easily read as a standalone novel with very little crossover of characters from the first book.

Janessa Parkman arrives back in Last Ride, Texas just in time for her estranged father, Abe’s funeral. Her father has left instructions that his will be read at his graveside with his second ex-wife, his ranch manager, Brody, and Janessa present. Abe has left Janessa everything and she and her mother, Abe’s first wife, must stay in Last Ride for three straight months or everything will go to charity.

Janessa wants to give Brody the ranch and return to her life in Dallas, but he refuses even as the two find they are still as attracted to each other as they were as 18-year-olds. As they begin to work at unravelling the lies and secrets that have influenced both families for years, will the truth allow them to heal and come together again?

This is a novel with not only complicated characters, but several different plot threads weaving throughout the story. Janessa and Brody have a lot going on with their personal lives and around them with their families. Janessa’s life in Dallas working with troubled teens leaves her with a newborn. Abe’s exes are not only left with nothing in his will but have many reasons to hate him and keep Janessa and Brody apart. All the subplots slowly reveal secrets and disfunction throughout this extended family and are tied up by the end, but I feel the number of problems and secrets take time away from the romantic development of Janessa and Brody and left them with only an assumption of a HEA. The sex scenes in this story are explicit. While this story is set during the holidays, I felt it could have been set at any time; the holidays did not really affect the story or romance itself.

I enjoyed this story as a Western family drama with romantic elements.

The Review

The author did a marvelous job of finding the fiery and passionate heat that romances surrounding either a cowboy or ranch-style setting tend to have while striking a unique chord with the holiday romance readership as well. The themes of family secrets, overcoming bad past relationships, and learning to trust in love are all felt so wonderfully in this narrative, and the setting of the small town itself really makes the story feel vibrant and alive as if you could walk right into the town this holiday season.

The characters themselves popped right off of the pages of this novel. The painful memories of the past that haunt the two protagonists of this novel really draw the reader into the narrative and the character’s journey together as they reconnect, discover the lies that tore them apart before, and find a way to rekindle the flame between them that never truly died. The vivid imagery and passion of their scenes together are definitely steamy and adult romance enthusiasts will not want to put down this story as both the character’s heated romance and the dramatic narrative keep them on the edge of their seats.

The Verdict

A memorable, entertaining, and deeply rich holiday romance story, author Delores Fossen’s “Christmas at Colts Creek” is a must-read novel this holiday season. The perfect winter read for those who enjoy western or ranch-style narratives with a romantic twist will thoroughly enjoy this read, and the honest and hopeful final chapters will leave fans wanting more from this incredible romantic series.

4.5 Stars

Anything Delores Fossen writes goes straight onto my keeper shelf and her latest romantic page-turner Christmas at Colts Creek is certainly no exception!

Janessa Parkman has never quite managed to forget the summer she had spent at her estranged father’s ranch in Last Ride, Texas. Janessa had tried her hardest to bond with her dad Abe, however, she found herself getting distracted by drop dead gorgeous cowboy Brody Harrell, who ran her father’s ranch. Everybody believed that Brody would inherit Colts Creek one day – until the shocking contents of Abe’s will were revealed. Abe had left his ranch to Janessa and she gets everything providing that she agrees to stay in Texas for three months all throughout Christmas.

Janessa knows that going back to Colts Creek is going to bring with it a whole host of unpleasant memories – not to mention having to face the only man who had got under her skin whom she’s never managed to consign to the past: Brody! The proud rancher categorically refuses Janessa’s offer to give him the ranch, however, he quickly realises that saying no to her on a personal level is going to be far harder than he had initially thought. The attraction between them burns brighter than ever and giving into temptation quickly proves inevitable. However, what starts off as a festive fling quickly gives way to something far deeper than they ever imagined…

With the past still threatening to jeopardize their future, will Janessa and Brody find the courage to lay old ghosts to rest and grasp this second chance at happiness? Or will they always be haunted by secrets and mistakes from that long ago summer?

Delores Fossen is on top form with her latest contemporary romance, Christmas at Colts Creek. With her trademark blend of heat, heart, humor and sexy cowboys, Delores Fossen’s Christmas at Colts Creek is a poignant, uplifting and emotional tale about healing from the past, new beginnings and falling in love at the most magical time of the year that ticks all the right boxes.

With a swoon-worthy hero, strong heroine and plenty of intensity, sensuality and drama, Delores Fossen’s Christmas at Colts Creek does not disappoint.

This was an incredibly fun and spicy romance. The whole premise is just fantastic and Fossen infused just the right amount of humor, intrigue, and hotness to keep me completely enthralled in this story. I read this book in two sittings and time just slipped away as I sat totally engrossed in this world. Janessa was a heroine that I had an instant connection with and really admired the way she handled everything that was thrown at her. Brody was an equally great hero and I appreciated how honest both he and Janessa were, with not only each other, but everyone else as well.

Beyond having a swoon worthy romance, Christmas at Colt’s Creek also had lots of drama going on. There was the expected drama of having a romance in a small town, but there was also a couple of riveting side plots that Fossen perfectly balanced with the main story. Janessa and her mother are thrown back into Last Ride because of a stipulation from Janessa’s father’s will and the book is mostly centered on those repercussions. However, there was also a side story involving the girl’s home that Janessa runs and her fostering one of the girls, Teagan, baby. Other than feeling she is too young to raise a baby, Teagan is coming out of an abusive relationship and her ex, Riggs, will stop at nothing to keep his “family” together. I should mention here that this book does include talk of toxic relationships and parenting, death of family members, a mention of suicide, and an abusive relationship.

This is the second book in the series and because of that some tendrils of story are left open which I am hopeful we will see glimpses of in future books. I also must recommend the audiobook of this book. I have never listened to a romance with a male narrator but Will Damron did an incredible job. I think Fossen deserves almost all the credit for how captivating I found this story but Damron does need his due because he told the story in the perfect way. (It’s not shocking that when I looked him up to see what else he has narrated that he has tons of books under his belt and has won many awards.) The only thing that kept me from giving this book a full five stars was that it has Christmas in the title and is marketed as a holiday romance but there wasn’t a lot of Christmas. Beyond a few mentions it read as a romance that could have been set anytime of the year.

If you are looking for an enjoyable and exciting small town romance than look no further than this book. And perhaps you don’t particularly enjoy books that scream Christmas and if that’s the case, this book might just be the five star read you are looking for. I am already eagerly anticipating the next book in this series that comes out in March but in the meantime, I will definitely be checking out the first book.

Disclaimer: I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

When I first picked up this book to read it I was a little scared I would be lost as it's the second book in a series. However, it read very easily and is capable of being a stand-alone book.

From the moment I started it I was intrigued by our main characters and felt compelled to learn all I could about them. Janessa is a kind-hearted, independent spirit who gives a lot to the teens she helps. She is also determined to fix the trouble her estranged father created.

Brody is your typical handsome cowboy but he knows things about Janessa's father that no one else does. He knew the man better than anyone.

Together it was quite a ride to see Janessa and Brody's attraction turn into something deeper. I was rooting for them from the get-go. This book held my attention from start to finish. The author created a story I couldn't put down and was able t read it in one day sitting on my porch.

Overall a great read and one I would recommend if you want a little holiday romance to keep you entertained this holiday season.

Christmas at Colts Creek is the second stand alone in the Last Ride, Texas series by Delores Fossen. This holiday western romance was enjoyable from start to finish.

Janessa has been on her father farm since the last time she spoke to him, 15 years ago. Now she back in Last Ride, Texas for his funeral and the reading of his will. She expects it all to be left to the ranch manager, Brody, the man her father treated as a son and the boy who 15 years ago stole her heart. Everyone's world is thrown into upheaval when her father's will states everything is left to her as long as she and her mother must stay at the ranch for three months. If they don't then the inheritance will be put up for bidding and sold off. Once she convinces her mom to stay, things are far from smooth sailing with livelihoods on the line, her father's secrets coming to light , and her chemistry with Brody as strong as it ever was.

This was a really steady ready. From the beginning, I was intrigued with our main characters. Janessa is independent and kind-hearted with all the work she does with teens in need. She honestly wants to fix the trouble her father has caused and wants what's best for everyone. Brody is our typical handsome cowboy, but I loved that he wasn't stubborn or hardheaded when it came to Janessa. He quickly embraces their chemistry, and I appreciated that there wasn't unnecessary drama between them when it came to their relationship. Whether their relationship was going to progress to more than a fling or not, never affected their support of each other and their individual plans for the future. They simply worked well together and their relationship was delightful , with the bonus of it being steamy with them being unable to keep their hands off each other.🔥

Christmas at Colts Creek by Delores Fossen was simply a pleasure to read. A holiday western romance with second chances, family secrets, mischief in a hammock, and firework kisses.