Once There Was a Lawman, by Diana Palmer

Diana Palmer is always my go-to when I'm craving some Western appreciation. This book was no different, Thomas and Annalisa connect when parks in the wrong spot - her driveway actually. I really enjoyed their initial semi meet-cute and subsequent conflicting personalities. The mystery unfolds with good pacing always keeping your interest as it goes.

Christmas Creek Cowboy, by Delores Fossen

I've never read anything by Delores Fossen, but I really enjoyed this book. It felt like I was reading a Hallmark Christmas movie, complete with a quirky town and the people who filled it as well as two main characters with a reason not to like Christmas and a book to bring them together with their happily ever after - Such a joyful holiday book!

Coming Home for Christmas, Kate Pearce

Kate Pearce was also a new author for me but instantly won me over with a favorite trope of mine - Second chance romance. While they connect early on, a series of "fortunate" events happen to draw them even closer and help them clear the air of the past. Definitely a cute read, and I'm looking forward to checking out more from this author.

My opinion is my own and freely given.

I just love this book..

All three stories were fantasticly written .

Great Christmas stories and I do recommend.

A Christmas anthology of three Christmas stories. The reason I was interested ONCE THERE WAS A LAWMAN was written by author Diana Palmer. I enjoy her books. I never read Delores Fossen books who wrote CHRISTMAS CREEK COWBOY. The last story COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is written by Kate Pearce. All are good stories which remind you of Christmas and people around you. A good choice.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Another great book from some of my favorite authors. Highly recommend to friends and family.

Once There Was a Lawman

Once There Was a Lawman, by Diana Palmer, starts on a somewhat of a meet-cute note, developing slowly into a kidnapping/murder mystery. Though the story didn't evolve as quickly as I would have liked, the author carefully crafted well placed pieces of evidence and clues to keep me invested in the story’s outcome until all pieces came together to solve the case.

Christmas Creek Cowboy

Christmas Creek Cowboy, by Delores Fossen, tugged at my heartstrings right out of the gate. Each of the characters had their own distinct personality, the quirky townspeople kept the story lighthearted and flowing seamlessly from humor to distress as the storyline dictated. As the story unfolded, I found myself further and further immersed in the wait for the comeuppance of certain characters…but it was done in such a humorous way that it left me smiling.

Coming Home for Christmas

Coming Home for Christmas, by Kate Pearce, contains all that I have come to expect from this author…a heartwarming story, strong and relatable characters, and a feel good setting that draws you in and holds your emotions captive until the last page is turned. Including a favorite character of mine, Chase Morgan, from one of Ms. Pearce’s earlier series, was an added delight.

This ARC book was complimentary, furnished by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am providing my honest review.

Diana Palmer, Delores Fossen and Kate Pearce have each contributed a Christmas romance short story to this book.

Once there was a Lawman by Diana Palmer
Thomas is an FBI agent who has come to town to solve a missing person/murder case he meets Annalisa, a nurse, when he parks in her driveway thinking it is part of the motel where he is staying. From this initial clash a relationship forms - but she doesn’t like guns and he’s not ready to settle down. The mystery is sad but the happy ever after is wonderful.

Christmas Creek Cowboy by Delores Fossen
Best friends Calen and Emmy are both miserable about Christmas. Last year they were both engaged, but their respective partners were caught kissing each other. Now they are both hurting. As they both try to avoid Christmas they find that their friendship may be the answer to their misery - but will they risk a comfortable friendship to find happiness. An issue with undelivered mail sets them on the road to finding their happy ever after.

Coming Home for Christmas by Kate Pearce
This is a second chance romance. Lucy has loved Caleb for years - and is stunned when he returns to town and turns up at her B&B to stay. A power outage has the two of them moving out to his father’s ranch and a chance to sort out misunderstandings of the past and find their happy ever after.

All three short stories were really, really good and was perfect Christmas reading.

Christmas Eve Cowboy is a novella trilogy including stories from Diana Palmer, Delores Fossen, and Kate Pearce. Each tale is delightful in its own way and is perfect for the holiday season or any season one wants a good story to keep them company.

I very much enjoyed this collection and do recommend it!

Three different stories that involve delicious men, receptive women and the holidays.
In the first, two lonely souls link up in Colorado, but will,it be permanent?
Christmas Creek Texas is home to best friends. Can they be more?
Big city meets small town with a forever crush. Will it blossom or bust?
I love the combination of Christmas and cowboys. All three stories are charming and sweet and find their mark.
If you didn’t find what you sought under the tree this year, dive into these stories because they will deliver.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Yes I thought it was interesting.

Mini Review: I really enjoyed this festive short story collection! It's a perfect read for the Christmas season. I liked all three stories, but I think my favorite was the third one by Kate Pearce. Overall, I would definitely recommend this romance collection!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

*4.5 stars*

Loved this romance-filled, holiday trio…

It’s the perfect blustery weather to snuggle in front of the fire, under the blanket, getting lost in a holiday read! Christmas is a time for special things to happen and love is the best magic of all. Each more-than-a-novella story had its own appeal. And of course, right from the start, cowboys/lawmen are always at the top of my list…

ONCE THERE WAS A LAWMAN * Diana Palmer
This author has her own unique style of alpha heroes and plucky, but struggling heroines. Thomas and Annalisa fit the mold but offered their own style of banter and connection as they worked through a deadly mystery together…

CHRISTMAS CREEK COWBOY * Delores Fossen
Calen and Emmy were long-time friends and they became even closer as their respective significant others cheated in spectacular fashion. They vented and commiserated and, funnily enough, wrestled with a new problem, together… I loved their friendship to lover’s story filled with humour and heart and the right tinge of grumpiness…

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS * Kate Pearce
Caleb was coming home and not too sure of his welcome. Luckily, Lucy and her B&B offered a timely rest stop and delay in seeing his family. His best friend’s little sister was all grown up and her struggles soon became his. Bad weather meant a closeness they’d never shared now opened up a whole new host of possibilities.

Each story had likable characters, interesting plots and, above all, the magic of love at Christmas time!

Once there was a lawman by Diana Palmer tell the story of Thomas who is an FBI agent is in town to solve a murder case, met Annalisa who live next door to the motel that he is staying. He becomes friend w Annalisa and as time past, they become closer. However both of them are not interested in marriage..

Christmas creek cowboy by Delores Fossen is about two persons come together after a betrayal by their loved ones. Calen and Emmy found their fiancés together last year at Christmas and have spent the last year together together to come to term about the betrayal:


Christmas Eve Cowboy by Kate Pearce tell the story of Lucy and Caleb. Caleb is Lucy’s brother best friend and she has loved him for years. Caleb is back to town to see his father and to patch back whatever there is left of their relationship. As they found themselves in each other company, Caleb realised that his feeling for Lucy is no longer what it is used to be.

This is 3 short Christmas stories featuring cowboys / sheriff as the hero. These stories have the same theme I.e reunion stories and based on its title, it happen around the holiday. Overall i love all the individual stories.

* review post schedule to be posted in my blog on 19/12/22*

Christmas Eve Cowboy. By Diana Palmer, Delores Fossen, Kate Pearce. 2022. Kensington Books, Zebra (ARC eBook).

Aside from the Christmas holiday, each story has different romantic elements. Once There Was a Lawman has mystery and two people who have closed their hearts to lasting love, or so they think. My favorite, Christmas Creek Cowboy by Fossen, visits Christmas Creek, Texas as two friends realize there can be more between them as they address a snafu with the town’s Christmas mail. And Coming Home for Christmas has realigning priorities and healing of strained relationships with family. Overall, a nice collection to read for gearing up for the holidays.

I received a complimentary copy of this anthology and I also purchased a copy.

Once There Was a Lawman - Diana Palmer

This was a charming tale of two people who have so many similarities but yet different in a few meaningful ways.

Tom Jones (love the name!) is a FBI agent from Chicago that comes to investigate a murder of a young woman who was kidnapped. Tom doesn’t like small towns and can’t wait to return to the big city. He is grumpy at best. He doesn’t do love since his ex left him right before he was going to propose.

Annalisa Davis is a young nurse. She is a pure innocent. She works hard but has a hard time with men after her father’s treatment of her.

When Annalisa goes to the motel next door to her home to get someone to move their car from her driveway so she can go to work, she meets the sexy FBI agent. The two are drawn to each other but they have several hurdles to overcome.

I loved the interaction between the two. There were some very funny conversations between them that had me laughing out loud more than once.


CHRISTMAS CREEK COWBOY * Delores Fossen

This was a very charming story. I adored the dual POV format. Two BFFs commensurate the anniversary of their engagement break ups. Not from each other but from their respective partners.

Calen Jameson is the Sheriff in town and is busy trying to move the giant inflatable Santa out of the way of traffic when his BFF Emmy Kendrick comes charging up to him with a crisis.

It appears that Calen’s deceased father Waylon, who hated Christmas and worked for the post office, had done the unthinkable! Now Calen is tasked with how to solve the issue.

Emmy has a secret now that Waylon’s deception has come to light. Can she share her secret with Calen? What other secrets are hidden within?

This is a slightly sexy read with the scene being very highly glossed over.


Coming Home for Christmas - Kate Pearce

This last story was also great. It was told in a dual POV format like the others. Where this one differed was it was more descriptive in a sexy way than the other two

The story was a charming one but it just seemed strange to have three different levels of sexy to the collection.

THERE WERE NO COWBOYS! I feel bamboozled. Two cops and a guy from Seattle. Pft. On top of that one of the characters had the gull to suggest leaving an animal in a house that had no power (ie heat!!!) to surely die. I was really turn off after that. HARD PASS

Three short stories have to do with Christmas. The first dealing with lawmen I liked both of the thoughts the first one being an F.B.I. agent I thought was really good, as well as the second one about a Sheriff. The last one for me felt off from the first two stories and I was a little letdown. Overall not bad.

These three holiday romances are about three different sexy cowboys finding love with three feisty women who know what they want for Christmas: their own personal cowboy.
This was a nice holiday romantic read. I liked the main characters, and felt the spark that ignited between them. But I wanted more, more plot twists that had the characters overcome to get to the happy ending. Overall, these Christmas novellas were satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed this collection. These stories didn't feel rushed, and I felt like I got the whole story for these characters. I think Christmas Creek Cowboy was my favorite of the three, and even though that author is new to me, I will be looking for more of her work! If you're looking for something short and sweet to get you in the mood for the holidays, get this collection!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

This was a great collection of 3 cowboy stories. I enjoyed them all but some where better than the others.

The first was a great story but not very Christmasy. It was a crime/romance novel a very different genre hybrid story. They characters were good and well developed. It was a well rounded 3.5 star story. 

BOOK 2 was a nice enough story. I only connected with part of the story. The characters was OK but wasn't much depth to them probably because it was a novella. For me a not very memorable story but a nice average read 3 stars.

My favourite story was number 3 this was a lovely Christmasy story. The story-line was heartwarming and the characters were loveable and easier to relate to. I rated this novella or story 4 stars. So overall this book is a solid 3.5 star book. Although all 3 books feature cowboys and are set at Christmas time they are all very different in content with different levels of Christmas cheer and love scenes. I am wondering is a cowboy a cowboy if he doesn't ride a horse? There were no horses in sight a slight let down for me. It was an unique book that's for sure the only thing they have in common cowboy now I use this term loosely and romance. If this sounds like your type of book then give it a go you can always try a sample this could be your next 5 star read. 

Many thanks to the authors and publishing team for creating this enjoyable read.

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog yesterday https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/christmas-eve-cowboy-by-diana-palmer-et-al-kensington-3-5-stars either under my name or ladyreading365

CHRISTMAS EVE COWBOY is a fantastic offering by three well-known, best-selling authors that will get you into the Christmas spirit with a few laughs, a few tears, and maybe humming a couple of Christmas songs.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=79693