On a Midnight Clear is a collection of Christmas-themed novellas. I've read several books by all three authors, so I was excited for this one.

This is a sweet collection that will leave you in the Christmas spirit. All three books feature faith, which I, of course, always appreciate, and the romance is gentle and tender. I enjoyed the familial themes in all three stories, and each author's distinct writing style brings something special to the collection.

I don't agree with some of the theology in the first story, which has God literally speaking to a character through a dream. But, otherwise, this was an enjoyable collection. As a reader who grew up reading Barbour's historical romance collections, books of this sort have a special place in my heart, especially books about Christmas and our Savior's birth.

For readers of sweet and wholesome Christian historical romance, this is another book to add to your TBR.

*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in conjunction with the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and a positive review was not required.

I love Christmas novellas and these were by three of my favorite authors!
The Shepherd's House by Tracie Peterson:
Angel was left at the altar and doesn't believe she will ever marry when her elderly neighbor says her son needs a wife to care for his children after their mother's death. Angel feels this is her chance to leave the past behind and travels to Wyoming to get married.
No Room at the Inn by Misty M Beller
Hope Palmer and her brother run their family's stage inn but a big snowstorm brings the driver, a young lady and her escort to the inn for a lengthy period. A family heirloom disappears only to turn up in an unexpected place! Hope and the escort experience attraction and a deepening relationship by the time the snow melts!
A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer
Stella Barrington promised her mother on her deathbed that she would care for her father. Stella also knows she is not a beautiful woman and has decided she will never marry but live with her father all of her life. God has other plans when guest lecturers visit Baylor University and are invited to the Barrington home.
I enjoyed all three stories included in On a Midnight Clear and recommend the book to others.
I received a complimentary e-book and print copy of On a Midnight Clear from Bethany House and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

This was a good collection of Christmas novellas centered around the Nativity story. Each one had something unique and different.

Novella #1: The Shepherd's Heart by Tracie Peterson - 5 Stars

Loved this one so much. On the western frontier in 1875, we see a widowed sheep rancher with his children, Vincent Duran. He needs a mother for his two children after losing his wife and other children. He and his remaining two children have been through so much grief. Angel Lewis agrees to marry him, a marriage of convenience if you will. They brace a winter storm and find love again. I loved seeing Angel walk through the grief with this family together, helping the children understand what happened and about how to trust God even through hardship. Seeing the real meaning behind Christmas on display through the Nativity story was the best too. I have never read a book by Tracie, but now I have to check out her books!

Novella #2: No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller - 4 Stars

Also on the western frontier but in 1861, Hope and her brother run an inn. A blizzard forces everyone to stay at Hope's home, where a romantic interest occurs between Hope and Noah. Everyone literally has "no room at the inn" and they have to figure out how to all stick together during this storm. Meaning of Christmas is shared and we have very much a Pioneer tale at Christmastime.

Novella #3: A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer 4.5 Stars

This one is set in Waco, TX in 1890. This one had a "3 wise man" and a "baby" storyline. A thread of Christmas redemption in Christ too that I really enjoyed. Frank is a Harvard Math Professor who comes to Waco and meets Stella. He is socially awkward and she doesn't see herself as she should. They interact a lot together and there was also some fun humor was in this one too but the ending had serious topics involved and a mention of a brothel / women working at the brother but the redemption in Christ is shown in the situation.

Overall, this is a great collection that is going to be a good one for the Christmas season, especially to my friends who appreciate good Christian content in their Christmas novellas.

Thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Sweet Christmas novella collection penned by some of my favorite authors. The holiday season is at times so busy, it is hard to dive into a full-length book. A shorter story is just the right length to grab a moment of peace. These stories are a great reminder of the hope the holiday season is meant to bring.
All three authors pen a story on the western frontier in the 1800's, providing a nostalgic reflection on a simpler life, before commercialization has overtaken the season. I loved the fact that the simple acts of baking, sharing simple gifts and most of all the Christmas story are the focus. With a sweet romance in each, the hope each couple has that the obstacles that lie in their paths will be solved is a gentle reminder to trust in God and His timing.

While I am enjoying the autumn, I highly recommend readers add this to their holiday TBR.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This festive collection of Nativity inspired Western Christmas novellas is the perfect cozy read for the coming holiday season! Karen Witemeyer, Misty M. Beller, and Tracie Peterson all featured charming, romantic, and heartfelt Western tales of Christmastime, and all three stories featured unique ways of acknowledging the Nativity in a historical romance short story. My favorite was Karen Witemeyer’s clever nods to the Magi in the form of three “Wise Men” (aka Harvard Professors) coming from East to Texas for a symposium at Baylor University. I loved this peculiar and endearing scientific hero who is head over heels in love with his pen pal Stella! Their love story is sweet and funny, but not without its adventure and realistic problems. Countless little nods to the Wise Men will have you laughing throughout this short story too! Let’s not forget Misty M Beller’s swoon-worthy forced proximity romance with nods to “no room at the inn,” and Tracie Peterson’s marriage of convenience story with ties to the shepherds watching their flocks by night. All of these stories were so romantic and inspirational! This collection is absolutely wonderful, and I highly recommend it for your reading list this coming season!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own— I really did love it!

Novellas are my favorite during the holidays when things get busy! It's so much easier to enjoy a shorter novella than a full-length novel during the hustle and bustle. And collections like this with multiple novellas in one? Even better! I have enjoyed books from each of the included authors, so I was excited to check this one out... and these stories did not disappoint in the slightest! Each story was the perfect blend of history, romance and holiday tradition and while they may have been shorter in length, they weren't lacking in any way, each feeling complete and not at all rushed. The Shepherd's Heart immediately drew me in with a sweet marriage of convenience story filled with hope and healing. No Room at the Inn offers a hint of mystery that I really enjoyed. And A Star in the West takes us to Texas to finish out with two characters who I couldn't help but root for. Each of these stories is a standalone and can be enjoyed in any order. If you love Christian historical romance, this is a collection you'll want to add to your holiday TBR.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

On a Midnight Clear contains three historical Christmas stories by Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, and Misty M. Beiler. I like that the novellas are inspired by the Nativity story. I enjoyed all three stories. The reason for the season shone in each one. The stories are well-written with likeable characters. My favorite novella was The Shepherd’s Heart by Tracie Peterson. It was sweet and heartwarming. A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer is a more sedate story with its mathematical talk. I liked their take on the three wise men from the east. No Room at the Inn by Misty Beiler is appropriately named. The story is well-crafted with an effective twist. On a Midnight Clear contains three uplifting tales that provided me a great escape and have me humming Christmas carols.

The Shepherd’s Heart by Tracie Peterson
What a great marriage of convenience story! I was drawn to Angel’s sweet nature and was genuinely invested in her getting true love after having her heart broken by another man. I liked that Angel and Vincent weren’t complete strangers as it did make their love story more believable. I also liked how Vincent guided his children through their young faith as they struggled with the loss of their mother. Overall, an enjoyable novella!

No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller
I loved the mystery in this novella! It added some depth and made it easy to stay engaged in the story. The storm added a cozy feel to the Christmas themed novella. I liked the characters and their love story developed sweetly. Recommended!

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer
This was my favorite of the trio of novellas! I loved the premise of the story as two pen pals fall in love over letters and then finally get a chance to meet. There were humorous parts to the story that made me laugh several times. I loved the integration of faith and the true meaning of Christmas in the story. And the mathematics conversations were so fun! Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

There is nothing better to me than Christmas novella collections that come out in time to get me in the mood for the holidays! These 3 wonderful authors have gotten me ready to start celebrating early! I loved each of their stories about a marriage of convenience (at first) and how the characters fell in love as the season took hold of their hearts.
THE SHEPHERD'S HEART - Vincent has recently lost his wife and child. He doesn't want another love match but he does need a mother for his two children, so he marries a woman from his past. Angel agrees to marry him even though she knows Vincent will never love her. She just needs to get out of her family home and she does want to be a mother. It's hard going to something unfamiliar though. I was impressed at how hard she worked at being a wife and mother and hoped her situation might change, especially during a big storm.
NO ROOM AT THE INN - Noah and Hope story was so sweet. Hope & her brother ran a stagecoach stop in the Rocky Mountains. During an especially fierce storm, Noah and his charge must stay there but there aren't enough rooms and he has to stay in the barn. He helps Hope with a mystery and they learn more about each other. Could they possibly be right for each other?
A STAR IN THE WEST - Stella and Frank seem total opposites! Frank is a Harvard math professor and comes to Waco, TX to speak to students at Stella's father's university. He's very smart but socially awkward! However, Stella is devoted to her father but interested in Frank through his previous letters. Could a relationship ever work?

This sweet and cozy collection of novellas will put you in the mood for Christmas! The three novellas are stand alone stories and not connected to each other aside from their Christmas themed focus.

The Shepherd’s Heart by Tracie Peterson was a marriage of convenience story with such a sweet female main character. I loved the way Angel cared for Vincent and his children, all while knowing that she did not have their love. So, when that changed and love began to grow, it made it extra special.

No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller was a forced proximity story as travelers found themselves snowed in together. I appreciated the way Noah turned to prayer and Bible reading to help him decide what path to follow for his heart and the feelings that were growing for Hope.

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer was the story of two pen pals who fell for each other through the letters they exchanged. Yet, they were both nervous and unsure about each other’s feelings once they met in person. It was so sweet to see Stella and Frank give each other their hearts.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Good collection of Christmas novellas!

All three novellas are inspired by the Nativity story.

The Shepherd's Heart by Tracie Peterson (Nebraska and Wyoming 1875)
My heart jumped for joy at the "old maid" who thinks she'll never find true love, finding it.

No Room at the Inn by Misty M Beller (Nebraska Territory/current day Wyoming 1861)
When an unexpected blizzard leads to an innkeeper and businessman getting to know each other...

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer (Texas 1890)
Loved the geeky math professor hero, mathematical analogies, history and bits of humor.

A gift of a collection by three talented authors.

On a Midnight Clear is a great collection of historical romances all set around the Christmas season. The authors, Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer and Misty M. Beller are a combined force to be reckoned with. If you love Christians historical romance, this is a collection you shouldn’t miss.

In the first story, a struggling widow with two young children marries for convenience, but his bride held a torch for Vincent many years ago. Could a miracle of love be under the tree this Christmas? Misty M.Beller’s offering sees love blossoming at a snowed in stage stop, and finally,y Karen Witemeyer shares the story of a visiting maths professor and a woman who’d long given up on anyone loving her.

While very different in setting and circumstances, all three stories share the hope of a baby, born to save humanity. They give glimpses of hardship endured and turned into opportunity, and the promise of love.

If you’d like some festive romance, heavily dosed with family and faith, wrapped up and delivered like a literary gift, then I highly recommend On a Midnight Clear.

I received a copy of On a Midnight Clear from the publisher via NetGalley. The enjoyment and opinions are all my own.

If you are looking for a Christmas novella collection that is full of great stories and great Christian content, then this is the collection for you! In this collection you get 3 stories!

The Shepard’s Heart by Tracie Peterson
-This is a marriage of convenience story that just warms the heart. Angel was jilted at the altar and Vincent is a widower with children. I just loved this story so much! Perfect!

No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller
-Hope runs an Inn. Frank is escorting a young lady when their party has to stop at the inn due to snowy weather. As they are trapped there Hope and Frank get to know one another and love blossoms. There also is a little mystery of the missing family heirloom. Loved it!

A Star in the West
-Frank is a math professor at Harvard. He is a “Wiseman”. He is a bit awkward socially, usually prefers his numbers but has been lonely lately. He is hoping to court a woman he has been writing to, Stella. Stella thinks she is unattractive. She is nervous that Frank is coming. I thought Stella and Frank were so cute. I really enjoyed this story!

I really appreciated the strong Christian content in all three of these stories. I definitely recommend this collection!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

🎄On a Midnight Clear a 3-in-1 Christmas Novella Collection and ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎄The Shepherd’s Heart © 2025 by Peterson Ink, Inc.

Nebraska & Wyoming, 1875
A gently woven tale about moving on after loss, coping with grief, and learning to trust God in the process. This story was so sweet and beautiful. It had me balling by the end. 😭
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ P.S.: I really expected a recipe for carrot cookies! 🥕 Need to look that up!
Read 8/15&16

🎄No Room at the Inn © 2025 by Misty M. Beller
December 21, 1861, Nebraska Territory (future Wyoming) Hope Palmer & Noah Bently's winter romance is of a genteel nature, born of mutual attraction, respect, and faith. A simple story of life in pioneer times.
⭐⭐⭐
(I again expected a recipe for Chess Pie 🥧) Read 8/17

🎄 A Star in the West © 2025 by Karen Witemeyer
°Nerds in Love ~ How Divine°
December, 1890
Baylor University, Waco, Tx
Stella Barrington & Frank Stentz are the epitome of the word nerd and I absolutely loved their story. So few writers make space for these types of characters to have the leading roles. There were so many fantastic mathematical references. And the way they, particularly Frank, approached life and romance so logically, quantifying each choice and analyzing all the data, was quite amusing. Frank's subtle romantic ways are so charming. The faith and Christmas play added just the right layer. Then there was Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Muir, the "Oscar & Felix" of the story. Great fun!
Suddenly, the tale takes an unexpected turn, which I won't spoil, but had me choked up.
QUOTABLE: "God doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to handing out miracles.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½!
My favorite of the 3 Novellas! Read 8/18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall. I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

Three stories of Christmas on the western frontier in the 1800s.
1. The Shepherd's Heart- Tracie Peterson
Nebraska 1875
Angel's future is unknown after her fiancé leaves her at the altar. Vincient, a widower with two small children, is floundering in his grief and can't seem to take care of his children the way he would like. The story touched my heart. It was heartbreaking, but redemption and God's love had an answer. The characters were great, and I was captivated by them from the beginning, especially the children. I loved the ending and the Christian theme.

2. No Room at the Inn- Misty Beller
Nebraska Territory (future Wyoming) 1861
Hope and her brother, Martin, run a stage stop and inn. A storm brings strangers stranded along with the stagecoach driver, who is injured. Hope is very caring as she tries her best to guard her heart. But God has something planned for her. Great ending.


3. A Star in the West-Karen Witemeyer
Waco, Texas 1890
Stella Barrington doesn't have a good opinion about herself, and she feels she will be a spinster for the rest of her life. She takes care of her aging father, but also, on his suggestion, writes to one of his friends, a mathematics professor, Frank Stentz. All is good until he arrives at their home. It seems God has other plans. There is also humor, which made me laugh.

The story has some twists I didn't see coming. The ending was beautiful-it made me cry.

A wonderful collection that will bring Christmas into your heart, reminding you of the most important reason to celebrate Christmas. Loved all three. Inspirational and uplifting.

This was such a beautiful collection of inspirational holiday romances!

The Shepherd's Heart by Tracie Peterson
- marriage of convenience
-grieving widower/single father
-Wyoming snowstorm

No Room at the Inn by Misty Beller
-forced proximity
- snowed in
-touch of mystery

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer
-pen pals
-friends to more
-“I choose you.”

I absolutely adored this delightful collection of Christmas stories! Each one felt unique, yet they all had the perfect blend of sweet romance, heartwarming holiday moments, and inspirational reminders of the true reason for the season. I was especially charmed by the clever and creative way that each author wove a piece of the Nativity into their story.

If you are a fan of western settings, winter snowstorms, forced proximity, pen pal romances, Christmas surprises, loyal friends, swoony kisses, the marriage of convenience trope, and faith-filled stories full of hope and holiday cheer, then this collection is for you! Each story warmed my heart and reminded why I love Christmas romances so much! This will be a definite re-read for seasons to come.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

This is such a great read, the writers are so good and the pages flew, only problem I was soon finished with the book.
Each story features a sweet romance, and they happen around Christmas. Three different stories by three different authors, they are each separate and all equally good! These authors are gifted and we are blessed by this uplifting selection of novellas.
These are go to authors for me, and I know I am in for a good clean Christian read with them!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

What a delightful Christmas anthology! I enjoyed the plot of each story and loved how the true and spiritual blessing of Christmas shone through in each one. It was a winning medley of novellas with similarities and differences among the three.

The Shepherd’s Heart by Tracie Peterson was a poignant and heartfelt marriage-of-convenience story in which the two main characters had both experienced recent loss but managed to work through their emotions to a beautiful conclusion. I loved the pairing of the heroine’s name, Angel, with the hero Vincent’s profession as a shepherd.

No Room at the Inn by Misty Beller was aptly titled when a blizzard forced the occupants and driver of a stage coach into an extended stay at Hope Palmer’s home, allowing romantic interest to bloom between Hope and passenger Noah Bentwood. Some other happenings during the snowstorm added heightened interest and kept the house’s residents busy in the countdown to Christmas.

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer had a different setting, taking place in Texas instead of Nebraska and Wyoming, so snow was not involved. Although no less captivating than the first two novellas, this one read like a historical romantic comedy to me as I found myself laughing out loud numerous times at the use of many examples of mathematical jargon in the thoughts and conversations of the characters. Loved the idea of the “wise men from the east” coming west for an academic symposium. A specific event toward the end of the book was so inspirational and gave witness to the true meaning of Christmas.

I highly recommend this enthralling and faith-based collection of wonderful Christmas stories to brighten your day for the holiday season or any time of year.