Branding Iron, a quaint little town with a Christmas parade and very good neighbors. Each book is a new couple, with familiar friends and couples, around Christmas time in the late 1980s. We have a second chance romance with Judd and Ruth, everything changed in one night but they have a chance to start over. Her kids are great, but realistically the girls seemed too mature for their ages. It’s tough to gauge the conversation skills and personality of 4 and 6 year olds. I wasn’t sure about Ruth in the beginning, a little whiny and pitiful but she came back strong and stubborn. The story is sweet and charming with a bit of suspense from someone in the past. It’s not necessary to read the books in order and this could be a standalone. I read an early copy from NetGalley and my review given voluntarily.

Ruth McCoy has had a hard life. Her first love went to prison for manslaughter after trying to save a friend's life. Her second one was tragically killed one day. And her third love, well... He was the stuff of nightmares.

So, Ruth is determined to support herself and her three children without anyone else's help. Every time she's trusted a man to be part of their lives, it's simply caused her more heartache.

Yet when her first love suddenly shows up in town one day, there's more at stake here than her heart. How long will it take before he realizes that her son is his too?

This was a touching second-chance romance that explored how the decisions we make change the course, not only of our own lives, but of everyone around us.

If you enjoy small-town, second-chance romances, you'll want to check this one out.

Thank you to Janet Dailey, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

What a joy to spend a bit of the holidays in Branding Iron, Texas, where miracles can happen and first love can be rekindled, even when it seems impossible. Ruth is focused on building a new life for her 3 children, after her husband was sent to prison. Judd is trying to start his life over after spending years in prison for a crime that never should have happened. Ruth has no desire to have her son spend time with Judd as he helps the kid fix the town’s harness for Santa’s sleigh. She’s too worried her long kept secret will be exposed and her son, her daughters and Judd will never forgive her. Christmas is a time for miracles and Branding Iron seemed to get a bit of holiday magic for its residents including some rare snow. A lovely holiday read that put me in the holiday spirit. I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I enjoyed this story but found it hard to sympathize with Ruth. Judd and Skip and their connection was nice and how everything fit together was seamless. Christmas is a time for miracles and this family got one in a big way.

Judd and Ruth had a relationship when they were younger and he made a horrible decision that changed their lives. He did his time and is making the most of his life. When Skip, Ruth’s son, starts helping Judd repairs the sleigh bells for the sleigh, Skip finds his calling, but Ruth basically tells him no. She doesn’t want him to have anything to do with Judd. Judd has never stopped loving her, but he respects her wishes to not be in her life.

The main reason I struggled to feel bad for Ruth is due to the fact that she wouldn’t consider giving Judd a second chance even though she was keeping a huge secret from him and had no plans of telling him the truth. But, the truth always comes out. Judd was a good man and I felt bad for the way she treated him. I wish there would have been more of a discussion between them about him needing to process the news and how she had treated him.

Overall, I liked this book and would like more from this world. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Ruth has lived a hard life but never stopped caring for her first love and the father of her son. Judd is out of jail and makes a great living building custom saddles. They've managed t avoid each other but circumstances continue to throw them together in this small town, and it's only a matter of time till someone sees the resemblance.

When a former friend arrives in town, all he'll breaks loose. Can Judd keep Ruth and her children safe from the evil presence invading their lives? It's a lovely holiday story of friends, family and second chances that you'll want to read.

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Sound of Sleighbells is the sixth book in Janet Dailey’s Christmas Tree Ranch series. A year prior Ruth McCoy, with the help of the Delaney, Chapman, and Winston families, was able to have a fresh start after her abusive husband Ed burned down their home and kidnapped her son Skip and Trevor Chapman. Now he is serving time and they are divorced, and Ruth has another chance at life.

Except Ruth has ghosts in the form of her first boyfriend, Judd Rankin. He was a bit of a bad boy, riding with a motorcycle gang. On the night that put Judd behind bars Ruth had begged him to stay with her and had not forgiven him for going or the repercussions that followed her. Having served his time, Judd is now living on the land left him by his parents, raising cattle and running his profitable custom saddle business.

When Digger, the man Judd had spent time in jail protecting, arrives on his doorstep late one night, Judd is very suspicious. As such, he puts him up in his unused bunkhouse just to keep an eye on him.

With an unexpected undercurrent and twists the reader may not see coming, this is a well done continuation of this series. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it.

A Christmas story of second chances

The Sound of Sleighbells is a delightful story of forgiveness, second chances, and lasting love. Ruth and Judd have a history together, and when they meet again 15 years after he goes to jail, they can't help but wonder what if. Not to mention, there is someone connecting them together. I’ve read several books by this author and know I will get a story of love and acceptance. Her characters, while not perfect have the capacity for kindness and forgiveness. Watching Judd come out of his forced solitude as he gets to know Skip was heartwarming. Ruth had a long way to go to relearn trust, but Judd’s easy way was the support she needed. The suspense surrounding them didn’t take away from their story of reconnecting. I love second-chance stories and this hopeful book was a beautiful tale of Christmas and the miracles we can all make happen. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

It could not be Christmas without Janet Dailey's annual Christmas romance. Her books always deliver the warmest SIGH when romance triumphs in the end.

I started reading the Christmas Tree Ranch series last Christmas season and was so happy to learn the series was going to be continuing with a new book out this year! THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS brings us back to Branding Iron, Texas with all the holiday charm and old-fashioned Christmas warmth of the previous books in the series. I snuggled up in a cozy chair and enjoyed this book over several days. Ruth McCoy has recently divorced her abusive husband, who is now in jail. But she’s living paycheck to paycheck and can barely afford groceries for her and her three kids. Her teenaged son Skip takes an interest in helping the local leathermaker Judd repair the Christmas sleigh before the town parade, but Ruth dreads the idea of Judd or Skip doing the math and figuring out that Judd is really Skip’s father. This was a cozy Christmas romance, with warm meals shared with neighbors, icy storms, helping people out when they need a hand, families going to get a Christmas tree and a slow burn romance. One of Judd’s old friends shows up, hoping to start trouble. Will he be able to ruin Christmas? Loved this one. 5/5 stars.

The Sounds of Sleigh Bells by Janet Dailey is a wonderful small town, ranching family romance. The novel culminates with the holidays and the sound of sleigh bells, but it is the journey to get there that makes this a great read. It can be read as a stand alone, but it is the sixth book in the series called the Christmas Tree Ranch.

Ruth McCoy is a wonderful mom. She has managed to pull herself up and make a life for her children despite the number of disadvantages to them. Right now she is focused on having a positive holiday with her family and friends. One kink in the system seems to be her son and his friend are working on redoing the harnesses of the sleigh with a leathersmith, who has a history with Ruth. Then another guy shows up and is not a nice guy.

Judd Rankin made some poor choices when he was younger, but he paid his time and is now a respected craftsman. Two young teens are working on replacing the worn out harnesses on the sleigh, and this brought him back into contact with Ruth.

All sorts of surprises happen and there are so many good people in the novel. The novel is a testament to the small town where people help people. It is a novel of second chances and hope. The Sounds of Sleigh Bells by Janet Dailey is a good read.

The Sound of Sleighbells by Janet Dailey is the sixth book in the Christmas Tree Ranch Series.

Judd Rankin has had a difficult time. After paying his due to society, he settles in his old hometown. He learned the craft of making custom saddles and his saddles are now in demand.

Ruth McCoy is a divorced mother. Her last husband is in jail and is trying to make trouble for her while still in jail. Judd is her high school ex-boyfriend. He does not know he is the father of Ruth’s son.

Christmas is coming and Ruth’s son and his friends want to fix the harness for the sleigh for Santa to appear in Branding Iron’s Christmas Parade. Will the harness be repaired in time? There are so many obstacles. Will Ruth and Judd reunite?

This is a nice second chance romance book surrounded with all the festivities of Christmas. I really liked the small town, the characters and the HEA ending. If you want to feel the nostalgia of Christmas, this book is for you. I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was my first Christmas book for the season. It was a good one to begin with. An easy, sweet read.

This is a sweet Christmas time second chance love story. Ruth and Judd were together as teens but then Judd went to prison for manslaughter. Ruth’s life has been challenging since that time.
With three children to care for, Ruth doesn’t want to give Judd a second chance and she has a secret, which is not as well kept as she thinks.
I enjoyed this Christmas story. There is caring, kindness, redemption and love.
The reason for 3 stars is that there was a little too much angst from Ruth about things from the past. I really just wanted the story to move along a bit faster.
Thanks to Netgalley and Zebra Books for the opportunity to review this book.

Old fashioned...

Set in 1998, it feels like 1998. Ruth is a widowed, then divorced mom who works as a custodian and drives a station wagon. She picked two jailbirds and one good man. Judd was her biker boyfriend who went to jail and she was pregnant and never told him. She married Tom when she was pregnant, but he died violently. Then she married Ed, who ended up in jail cuz he was a terrorist, but had two kids with him and divorced him in jail. Judd is out of jail and clean up his act and his son Skip (who he never knew about is helping out). There's drama over another jailbird. The story isn't very romantic, more matter of fact with two blue collar workers. Not a billionaire in sight.

Enjoyed the book.
Ruth had a difficult time by becoming pregnant as she graduated high school and later in life with her second husband. Things were finally starting to settle down when the father of her oldest child a son by the name of Skip was back in Branding Iron. Then to complicate things a person that was a cell mate of her second husband who is in prison for life came into town causing trouble. It was holiday time of the year, not her best book, but the cover and title are Very lovely

Judd & Ruth. Second chance with a little suspense thrown into this latest installment of this series. Almost too much Hallmark movie in these stories, but the suspense makes them better IMO. I’m glad they all get a happy ending.

This is the first book I have read by Janet Dailey but it certainly won’t be the last. If you love small town, second chance romances that are set in the magical holiday season look no further than The Sound of Sleighbells (The Christmas Tree Ranch #6). This is Ruth McCoy and Judd Rankin’s chance at a HEA.
Ruth is back home after her husband is convicted of kidnapping and attempted murder, she is determined to give her children a wonderful Christmas. Her son Skip is getting involved with the holiday parade but the harness for the horses that pull the sleigh need repairing and that means asking for help from custom saddle maker Judd.
Ruth really didn’t want her son mixing with the man she dated years ago but it’s the only way the harnesses will get repaired. Secrets are being kept and it doesn’t take long for Skip and Judd to become close but what happens when someone from the past comes back to haunt them and will the secret being revealed make or break them…….One click now to find out.
A magical read that has certainly put me in the mood for the hallmark Christmas movie season.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

Though this book takes place during the holiday season leading up Christmas, it can be enjoyed anytime of the year. Ruth and Judd’s story is one of young love, wrong choices, regrets and redemption. It is an insightful, angst-ridden story with characters that evoke empathy and a need to see them get a second chance at a happily ever after. A poor decision led to Judd being taken away from Ruth at a time when she needed him the most. Some fifteen years have passed since the fateful night that changed their lives. Life has been a series of ups and downs since then for Ruth. She has been married twice, one good marriage, one horribly bad. The first marriage ended after a few years when her husband was killed during a robbery. The second marriage ended after her abusive, controlling and cruel ex blew up the family home with Ruth’s son Skip and his friend inside. The only good things about that marriage are her two darling daughters. Now Ruth is renting a home, trying to sell the family land, and struggling to make ends meet on a teacher’s salary. Skip is her saving grace. Just fifteen, he has taken on the role of man of the house and works part-time to help his mother with the finances. He has no idea that the reclusive neighbour of his best friend is in fact his father. He meets him for the first time when he accompanies his friend to help clean up Judd’s storeroom. Judd has been back in town for nearly a decade, living on his family’s ranch and also running a business making custom saddles. He keeps pretty much to himself and has only seen Ruth on occasion. He tried to contact her all those years ago after that night, but she never responded back. He knows she was married and has kids, but doesn’t know any details and doesn’t want to. He regrets the decision and actions that took him away from Ruth, the woman he can’t forget and still has his heart. Meeting her son is a little disconcerting and brings all his regrets to the surface. He has no idea that the conscientious, polite and hardworking teenager in his workshop is also his son. That’s a secret that Ruth believes he should never know, for the wellbeing of their son. Yet, secrets rarely stay hidden and this one is about to be revealed as a spectre from the past appears to haunt and terrorize both Judd and Ruth. As the holidays near, Ruth finds she has to deal with the past whether she wants to or not. Fate or a divine power has brought Judd back into her life once more. She is afraid to trust him with her heart again or with the hearts of her three children who have been hurt enough by the men in her life. Everyone, including their son, can see and feel the chemistry and connection between them. While Judd is eager to reunite and try again to build a future with Ruth and her three kids that he has quickly come to love, Ruth keeps pushing him away. Will there be a happily ever after in their future or more heartbreak?

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Loved It! Loved It! Really Loved It! I love this whole series. This one is so heartwarming. Ruth is a proud woman who has had a hard life. Her children are her world and her sole purpose for living. Circumstances beyond her control caused her to lose the love of her life and now he's back. But has he changed? Taking a chance on a man has not served her well in the past. She has come to realize she can only depend on herself. Judd has changed. Prison will do that to a man. He has built a successful business and ranch. He has only loved one woman. He knows his mistakes. Will he be able to convince her to take a chance. Will she trust him to not let her down. And then there is Ruth's son. He is the spitting image of a younger Judd. Did I mention this book is REALLY great?
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A holiday romance that had some holiday aspects, but it didn't scream Christmas. This book more follows the redeemed ex-convict Judd and Ruth the single mom with some tough previous relationships, which is a pretty classic romance set up.

I like this book from more of a drama/women's fiction perspective. I didn't get much of the building romance or desire coming from the main characters. Yes they had a past together, but the renewed connection seemed closer to a friendship instead of romance.

I liked the kids working on the sleigh harness and the reveal of the past to Skip. This book does give you a sense of a tough life as a single mom and made you feel for Ruth's character and her choices.

I have loved other Janet Dailey books, but this one just seemed a bit flat from a romance perspective and had some unusual character name choices.

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.