This heart warming tale set during the Christmas season features genuine struggles and emotions, memorable characters, profound insights and sweet romance.  The story is beautifully written with vivid imagery and is very satisfying.  Its messages are timeless, the narrative is smooth and the book is hard to put down!

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

Riley and Mark's first meeting does not go according to plan. At least, if he'd taken the time to plan it I doubt he'd have chosen to have it involve a baseball bat.

Thankfully things improve from there, and the banter between them leaps from the page and keeps you entertained throughout. I could not put this book down. Just when I thought I'd reached a good point to pause, the author had me in tears at a not-altogether-unexpected turn of events.
Happy, sad, angry, tearful; this book gets you right in the feels.
Caution; this book will cause laughter and tears. Read while alone, or among those who won't judge!

Fun and sweet love story. The characters were amazing and you are drawn to them from the start. You take this roller coaster of a ride with them and when it's over you are wanting to go again.

This is such a good one!

Mark and Riley both have deep issues that have left scars. In Mark's case, his scars are also visible and he's still recovering from a fire that killed his friend and burned his body.

Riley took the art teaching job in a small town hoping to get away from an embarrassing breakup. Her absent parents and the death of her grandmother have also left emotional scars she's still dealing with.

Poor Mark, the way he met Riley and she mistook him for someone with bad intentions. He's already so reluctant about everything to do with going out and meeting people, and this doesn't help.

I liked the way their friendship grows. Sometimes they have awkward moments but the more they do something for the other, the more connect, despite their hangups.

I liked the town and Mark's family. Everyone's so nosy but they also have good intentions.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

3.5 stars.
Quotes (from ARC):
«"In this whole town, you’re the only one who looks at me like a person with burn scars, instead of burn scars walking around like a person.”» (Mark to Riley)
“In that moment, that brief glimpse of before and after, she wanted to tell him he was beautiful, either way. Before and after. Would he ever see that?”

“Miracle Creek Christmas”, by Krista Jensen (Shadow Mountain Publishing), is a clean, sweet romance novel, with a really wounded hero and a practical, down-to-earth and very gentle heroine.
I loved that the author, Krista Jensen, showed how Mark’s scars and burns were a transformation, a change of our once (conventionally) “beautiful boy”, and not ugliness or destruction.
I also liked the caring way the heroine, Riley, looks at Mark and at the pain and rehabilitation he’s been through, and the fact she’s aware of the psychological trauma and understands how he’s still trying to overcome his fears.
It’s great that the author didn’t downplay Mark’s injuries and its effects in his daily life and his mental pain.
I felt there were a lot of things going on in the story, with a very formulaic, annoying antagonist (Dalton) and a general small town atmosphere which was a bit suffocating sometimes.
I liked the secondary characters, but I was more interested in the romantic couple relationship and I found Mark and Riley worried too much with what others might think.

Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen
Book starts out with Mark and he's just making his appearances in town, at bakery and events his niece is doing at a school play.
Others approach him as he tries to stay in the dark shadows ever since the fires. He is known as a hero but he has many nightmares of the fires and those he saved and those he could not save-his best fire fighter friend.
He lives with his dad at the vineyard/orchards and he wants his son to start living again. He wears many special things to help in his skin recovery.
Love hearing of the orchard and other neighboring vineyards and the maintenance they do throughout the year. It's almost the holidays in the late fall and there are many chores to do.
The new art teacher, Riley he had followed one night to ask her to paint a picture for the Christmas gift he wanted to give his dad, led to misunderstandings.
Like the area of the Cascade Mountains as we hope to visit there in several months so interesting to learn more about the area.
Riley has a lot of repairs to do to the house she lives in, from a relative.
Love hearing how he helps her out at her house to make it more secure with wind and cold and fires. Love hearing he lets his guard down along with his hoodie and she likes what she sees.
Priceless moment-his fingertips on her palm so he can feel her hand...misunderstandings and she's ready to just leave for a new job...
So many treasures in this book, it's the small things that grab my attention.
Received this review copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#MiracleCreekChristmas #NetGalley

What a beautiful Christmas read. I love the predictability of the book; knowing there would be a happy ending. But also knowing I’d have to read with eagerness to get it.
Fireman meets art teacher. They both have issues with relationships but their characters make the story believable.
Great holiday read for the shelf

#netgalley #miraclecreekchristmas
I loved this cute little Christmas romance by Krista Jensen. It was a first time read for me by this author, and I'm a fan now.

#MirAcle Creek Christmas#Bet Galley
Riley Madigan is moving to Miracle Creek for a temporary job as a high school art teacher. She wants to find peace after a relationship gone bad. Mark Rivera goes to his niece's play and finds the artwork on the scenery is very much like his Mothers work before she passed away. He tries to connect with Riley to ask her to paint a nativity scene for his dad for Christmas to replace the one that was lost in a fire. Mark has not been out in public pic much since his best friend died in a wild fire that also left Mark with many scars inside and out. Riley is the first person to see past the scars and see the man Mark truly is.
This is a great book.Broken hearts are mended,Miracle Creek is a town where good things happen especially at Christmas. I received this book as Arc copy from HerBalist and this is my review. I will look up more books by this authir.
Dd

This is the first time I have read Krista Jensen. I loved this story of Riley and Mark. and the town of Miracle Creek. Mark is from MIracle Creek and Riley was running to it. Their story had many road blocks but they finally got to where they are at the end of this story. This is a GOOD READ. You will need to read this to know why and how things happened.

Sweet love story with Hallmark Christmas Quality
Beautifully written with great characters..
Thanks NetGalley & Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ACR!

Miracle Creek Christmas was a sweet story. I did struggle at first getting into the storyline but don't give up it turns into a great read. The characters are easy to follow, the setting was Christmas time and I do love Christmas stories. Overall a romantic, sweet book.

ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Sweet, clean story of two wounded souls who find each other. As they help each other heal they slowly fall in love. There are ups and downs along the way.

Miracle Creek Christmas is a sweet Christmas romance and so much more. The main character face lies of issues and the story is full of emotion. I really liked this book. Its so nice to read a Christmas story when it's 90 degrees outside.

This is a sweet romance set during Christmas time. Mixed in with Christmas festiveness are the hard struggles the main characters Riley and Mark are going through. I really loved how their friendship naturally developed into more, and how they were able to heal each other of their inner scars. It is definitely a Christmas to remember for them and the entire cute town of Miracle Creek.

I liked the banter between Riley and Mark. I liked the person mark was with Riley. I think because she didn't know him before she could see him "as is" I liked Mark's family as well. Didn't care much for Riley's family. I thought this was a good story about two people healing the hurt. I thought it ended rather quickly, but still a good read, Loved Carmen.

For a Christmas Book, this one was deep. The issues that both of our main characters were facing were real, genuine issues that deserve to be treated with care, and they were absolutely given the care they deserved. There was grief, there was physical pain, there is emotional pain and turmoil, and it makes for a beautiful story.

I was thoroughly impressed at the depth, the healing, and the change evident in this book. It was a story of hope and it was more than the same old stories that you see all the time.

This proper romance is a book worthy of a read. You can wait until Christmas, but it could be read anytime.

I received an eARC on netgalley and this is my honest review.

Miracle Creek Christmas is a beautiful Christmas romance. With two characters that have scarred pasts, this story teaches looking beyond the outside appearance, digging deep, and finding what is beneath provides the best of friends and romances. Not only does it tell a story about miracles and looking below the surface, it creates a self-realization and redemptive arc for the characters too. They push past their struggles to make a life for themselves that is fulfilling.

I loved this book. The character progression was powerful and resonated within me and the romance added the perfect touch to make this a feel -good, Christmas, hallmark-like story. Krista Jensen is an author that I will keep an eye out for meaningful romantic stories in the future.

This book reads like a Hallmark movie in many ways. It is clean and a sweet story of two people learning to move past their sorrows in life, physically and emotionally. I love that they were able to help each other heal. The story is not without the emotional moments where I choked up while reading since some of the history is truly tragic. Both Riley and Mark were so scarred by their histories that the coping mechanisms they used weren't the healthiest. But with hope and each other they learn new ways to cope and we are left with the impression that they are going to be okay. Hope is an important theme in the story. I like that the main characters each had wisdom to help the other how they needed it. I especially loved the idea of them "still healing". Neither had to feel like they had done as much as they could. They could start where they were and keep healing.

There is a clear villain of sorts in the book but it seemed to me that the greatest conflict in the story was the insecurities in each character rather than outside forces.

I did wonder about his desire to become a volunteer fireman. I would worry that the PTSD would kick in and paralyze him in a critical moment but perhaps I just don't understand how that works.

Mild Christian themes.

Possible trigger: Burn victim as well as property loss due to fire and PTSD

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: a well deserved slap across the face
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Miracle Creek Christmas is THE holiday book for 2020. I absolutely adored the story of Riley Madigan and Mark Rivers. Mark Rivers is the small-town hero with the physical and emotional scars to prove it. Recently recovered from a horrific fire, Mark has retired from firefighting and returned home to live with his widowed father on the family orchard. Riley needs an escape from a relationship that broke her heart and lands her dream job teaching art in Miracle Creek. Riley is the first person to see Mark, for who he really is and was and not just what his scars show. But, Riley has a complicated history of her own that just might prevent her from ever really allowing herself to find a true home. Their romance is a slow-burn, in the very best way, and readers are swept into a winter wonderland that is heartwarming and delightful. I look forward to the upcoming fall and winter season when everyone can curl up and enjoy Miracle Creek Christmas!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First, I have to start by saying a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Christmas is my favorite holiday so I was happy to get approved for this novel. In it we see a woman who’s new to town befriend a surly ex-firefighter with a painful history. Both have a lot of healing to do but can they trust each other with their hearts? This book comes out on September 8, 2020.

This year I decided to do a Christmas in July week where I read at least one Christmas book, watch at least one Christmas movie, and bake one Christmas cookie recipe. And so far it is going so well. I had so much fun reading this novel. I kept telling my husband that this book is like a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form only better. There is so much to love in this novel.

For me, the thing that had me hooked from the beginning was the setting. You get the small town feel of Miracle Creek and it seems like the setting was put together by someone who actually knows what it’s like to live in a small town. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine when everyone knows everyone else’s business. Though, the specific place in Miracle Creek that won my heart is Riley’s house. It’s an old Craftman style home that she’s working on while trying to decide if she really wants to put down roots. And the characters were so believable. It felt like all of our main characters had so much depth and that they were grounded in reality. I found Mark to be the most amazing character in this novel. He’s got PTSD and he still isn’t back to his old self mentally or physically. And it’s great to see a character who’s been through a traumatic situation who is still dealing with it.

I found the romance to be believable and adorable. I could have used more of it if I’m being honest. I think the build up was there and the moment everything comes together is beautiful, but I wish these characters--who have been in such painful situations--had a few moments to be happy before the climax of the story happened. I also loved seeing all the ways Christmas was represented in the book. I even enjoyed seeing the scenes from Thanksgiving despite not liking that holiday nearly as much as Christmas. The author managed to make Thanksgiving seem like a prelude of Christmas fun to come.

There are two things I really struggled with when it came to this novel (and they’re the reason I rated it below a 4 star rating). The first being the Christian overtones. I know that Christmas is a Christian holiday, but it wasn’t originally and also, while I love Christmas, I don’t have ties to any faith so it felt a bit alienating. Secondly, this had a conflict where--if everyone stopped being so hurt for two seconds and talked--everything could have been solved in a lot less time. I think the characters needed the time away and that pain to make the end so fulfilling, but the way it happened was disappointing. I felt like it could have been dealt with over a cup of hot chocolate in one afternoon.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and it has me in such a Christmasy mood now. Too bad we have over 5 months left to wait. This book is available for pre-order now and will be in stores on September 8th. It will be the perfect thing to read this Fall in the lead up to Christmas.

Christmas books in July? Yes!
I am getting a jump start on my 2020 Christmas books. And I began with Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen. I could not put this book down! This was such a sweet and tender love story! Mark Rivers is the exact definition of a cinnamon roll character. I absolutely fell in love with Mark and his backstory. He is so sweet and so patient with Riley. And who doesn't love a hometown hero??? Riley and Mark's meet cute was hilarious and probably one of my favorites. If you are looking for a softer, tender love story I highly recommend this one. This is a no steam, hallmark type romance. It was the perfect blend of Christmas cheer and character development.

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Riley Madigan escapes to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek after her relationship with an A-list actor ends badly. At least for a time, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will bring her the peace and quiet she is looking for. The last thing on her mind is love.

Mark Rivers was a firefighter until he got trapped in a wildfire and suffered third-degree burns on his face and body. After a year of recovering, Mark is trying to piece his life back together but struggles both emotionally and psychologically. He’s been a recluse until he forces himself to attend his niece’s school play and sees Riley, the school’s art teacher. Immediately, Mark feels a connection to her. Maybe it’s the kind way she greets his niece or the way the art she created for the school play is reminiscent of his late mom’s artwork. Either way, Mark feels driven to get to know her, but first he’ll need to build up the courage to talk to her.

When Mark asks Riley to work on a special nativity, he finds himself falling for her, particularly because Riley doesn’t seem bothered by his scars. Is her affection for him real or is she simply overcompensating, pretending he’s not different. One thing’s for certain, in a small town that views Mark as a fragile hero, it’s hard to pursue a relationship without everyone in his business. And although Riley has sincere feelings for Mark, is she really ready to risk her heart?

Broken hearts and lives are mended as the town of Miracle Creek comes together to celebrate a Christmas to remember.

Gah! A new author to love! The Proper Romance series is a go to for me but sometimes the modern books aren't my favorite. Not true with this one! My first instinct is to say it's like a Hallmark Christmas movie but that would be doing this book a disservice because it's so much better than that.

Mark is semi reclusive after suffering severe burns and Riley is running away from a broken relationship. Both scarred in their own way they form a friendship ans help each other heal.

It was such a heart warming story and I couldn't put it down. I cried when Mark told Riley the story of the fire and I laughed at the many times Mark made a fool of himself at the beginning.

I don't understand why after leaving such a bad relationship Riley agreed more than once to go out with Dalton. It made the plot work but it seemed a little unrealistic to how she should have acted based on her mindset and what had happened in her previous relationship.

The secondary characters were great, especially Mark's dad and sister. I loved the overprotective sister scene. It is what I would have done too.

If you like cozy, heart warming, can't-put-it-down books then this is a must read.

A very enjoyable Christmas read. The characters had depth and likability. The story was fun. Riley's came super fast and the end and I thought the end was rushed. Overall a fun story. I will recommend it to others.

Miracle Creek Christmas is a heartfelt and very romantic story of finding home. Sometimes it's where you least expect it. Mark, a firefighter, is a real hero coming back from a tragedy. Riley, an art teacher, is starting over in a small town after a humiliating break-up. Neither is looking for a relationship but are grateful for friendship. When Riley agrees to work on a project for Mark they slowly get to know each other. Krista Jensen's characters are authentic and believable and I loved how their story played out. It's a feel good Christmas novel.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read it! 4.5 stars

I enjoyed the depth of Krista Jensen's writing in this engaging offering 'Miracle Creek Christmas'. The characters were complex, but willing to grow and overcome fears. That especially coincides with the message of the Christmas season and made me feel warm and hopeful as I read the story. I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to be uplifted and cheered.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I knew this had a Hallmarky feel to it but this was so much more! The characters felt real and had a lot of depth that most Hallmark movies miss (I haven’t read their books that they’re now publishing to know if that’s different). This gets you in the Christmas spirt!
☃️
Mark, known as the small hometown hero, can’t keep living life. He doesn’t know how in this new reality. He was a fireman and badly burned and lost his best friend. Why did he get to survive when his friend didn’t. And why is the town watching him for a nervous breakdown? He can’t get donuts without it being talked about.
☃️
Riley is used to picking up and leaving so often she doesn’t know where home is. She picked the small town of Miracle Creek, WA because an artist she liked lived there and they happened to need an art teacher. Hopefully her past in LA won’t hind her here.
☃️
After a school play, Mark, wearing a hood to hide his scarred face, tried talking to Riley about her artwork. Riley misread him and threatened him with a baseball bat. It took a while for her to agree to be friends and help him with a secret project.
☃️
Mark started to feel alive with friendship again from someone who didn’t know him before the fire. Riley can’t do anything more than friends because she’s going to leave again. Can they help each other and heal each other’s scars?
☃️
This book left me completely satisfied and happy and wishing it was Christmas instead of 90 degree weather in July. I love ALL the Proper Romance series and this fits it perfectly!
☃️
I can’t wait for this book to come out in September. I received an ebook copy from the publisher Shadow Mountain and Net Galley.
☃️
Plus I love I that it’s set in WA and I love going to Leavenworth.

This is basically a story about two broken people trying to make it through the holidays in a small town, with all the gossip and things “small town” implies. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, you will love this, though I would say it is a notch above. It has all the feels and very subtle Christian undertones. The characters are great, and the plot flows well if a little slowly at first. I love the messages of hope and courage. It is a cozy Christmas read that I think many would enjoy snuggling down with during the coming holiday season.

Riley is the art teacher at the high school. She chose Miracle Creek to hideout from a public breakup with an actor in Hollywood. Mark is a firefighter and local hometown hero. Mark and his best friend Jay saved boys in a wildfire. Jay died and Mark was burned. This is a wonderful feel good romance between these two with a few bumps along the way. I loved the relationship that Mark had with his dad. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

This book gets my first five star review this year. I very much enjoyed everything about it. It made me cry, laugh and root for the underdog. A perfect story.

During these times we can all use a feel good Hallmark movie book. A well written sweet love story about getting beyond the past, falling in love, and looking forward.

This book is so fun! I loved the Christmas setting and the small-town location. I adored the depth of the characters and how each was written into the storyline. I especially marveled at the past heartaches the main characters were struggling with and how they brought out the best in each other. It was pure joy to watch them grow in their relationship. I highly recommend this book!

I really loved this Christmas story from Krista Jensen. I loved the setting of the book. Having grown up in WA I loved how she described the area. I also loved the main characters. I loved how they were imperfect and were both dealing with past hurts but how when they opened up to each other they could start to heal. I loved how the theme of Christmas worked into the story to help the couple come together and to heal. This was a really good book and I would recommend it to others.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Do you like Hallmark Movies?
Do you Love books themed around Christmas time?
If you said yes two both then I recmend checking this one out!
Miracle Creek Christmas is available September 1 on Kindle and Paperback back.

Thank You Netgalley and Shadowmountian fir the ARC Copy.

Book synopsis:

"Riley Madigan escapes to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek after her relationship with an A-list actor ends badly. At least for a time, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will bring her the peace and quiet she is looking for. The last thing on her mind is love.

Mark Rivers was a firefighter until he got trapped in a wildfire and suffered third-degree burns on his face and body. After a year of recovering, Mark is trying to piece his life back together but struggles both emotionally and psychologically. He's been a recluse until he forces himself to attend his niece's school play and sees Riley, the school's art teacher. Immediately, Mark feels a connection to her. Maybe it's the kind way she greets his niece or the way the art she created for the school play is reminiscent of his late mom's artwork. Either way, Mark feels driven to get to know her, but first he'll need to build up the courage to talk to her."

A modern Western Christmas romance with heart. Jensen's hero and heroine are likable and the villain is a stinker. A good way to get into the Christmas season.

If you like Hallmark Christmas movies then you’ll like this book. Super sweet. Of course it’s about a fireman, so I was sold even before I read it.

This is a sweet sorry about two people who’ve been hurt in the past and are trying to forget and move on. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.

So many heart flutters.

A very well written and enjoyable book to read in time for Christmas. I have only one negative feeling and that is too much of the story was given away before chapter one started. That didn't stop me from enjoying this cuddled up with a nice hot chocolate and feeling lovely and warm. I am giving this 4 stars, it would have been 5 if the story line hadn't been given away at the front.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return of an honest review.

What a perfect story to read in the winter... or for Christmas in July. It's like a cozy blanket with a cup of cocoa. There's a girl in one of my book clubs who hugs books she loves and this one needs a good squeeze and a re-read.
Mark loses his best friend and becomes a local hero in the same day. He's devastated and hurt almost two years later, trying to disguise his pain to make others comfortable. When he meets Riley, he almost forgets to hide.
Riley is running away from her parents and the drama of her Hollywood life when she applies for an art teaching job in Miracle Creek. She has few plans to stay and only wants to live for today, not tomorrow.
Mark and Riley have scars. Only his are also visible to the world. They're both lonely in a crowd of people who care for them. Both are completely relatable. My emotions felt tugged on nearly every page. I love how Riley looked past Mark's appearance to see the hurt soul and pushed to be there for him in a different way. I love how Mark was already working on challenging himself to heal before doing it for the girl.
This is my first read by Krista Jensen but it certainly will not be the last.
Thank you, Shadow Mountain and NetGalley, for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.

A very well written romance. A good plot and great character dynamics. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

While it might seem funny to be reading a Christmas book in the middle of summer, it's definitely worth snagging now even if you don't read it until closer to Christmas. And while it is the Christmas season in the book and Mark and Riley are working on a nativity project, the Christmas element wasn't overdone; there was a good balance between that and the other elements of the story. It fit with the story and didn't feel like it was just set at Christmastime for the sake of being a holiday book.
Besides the Christmas element, I really loved Mark and Riley. They've both been burned and have scars--him literally and her figuratively--and I found both to be realistic. Riley was sometimes exasperating but in a totally realistic way; I could definitely see people I know (cough *myself* ough) in the way she was drawn to Mark but also afraid to trust and not ready to commit to anything. I adored Mark and loved seeing him come out of his self-imposed shell and find himself again. While there wasn't necessarily a ton of conflict, there was a lot of emotional action, with both characters having to work through feelings and their pasts, and I totally connected to that.
I devoured this book, even with it being 93 degrees out as I read it. I definitely recommend adding this to both your to-read list for yourself and shopping list to gift to others this Christmas.
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This sweet romance will put you in the Christmas spirit. It is full of Hallmark movie vibes.
Riley has relocated to the small town of Miracle Creek after a bad breakup. Mark is a fireman from Miracle Creek and considered the towns hero. Both Riley and Mark have been injured in their own way and in need healing. Could they be what one another needs to find happiness?
This was such a cute story and I really enjoyed all the great characters in Miracle Creek.

I enjoyed this story! It had a spunky heroine and a hero who is blind to his true worth. This was a cozy, small-town romance, especially suitable for Christmastime!

#MiracleCreekChristmas #NetGalley
A Christmas story filled with two broken people. Riley moves to a small town to get away from a relationship that ended badly. She moves into a house that needs a lot of work, in hopes that she will fill the hours, that she isn't teaching art to students in her classroom. Mark is a small town hero, and some what of a recluse. He hides behind his burns and won't let anyone get close two him. A sweet Christmas story.

This novel features Riley Madigan an art teacher who has left behind a love affair gone wrong in California and come to the small mountain town of Miracle Creek to escape and recover. There, she revitalizes the school art program, participating in creating the set and props for the school production of Peter Pan, and begins to renovate an old house she's bought.
Her art work on the set attracts the attention of Mark Rivers, a local firefighter who is still recovering from a work-related accident that left him with severe burns, as well as the loss of his best friend, another fire-fighter. Mark's mom was an artist, and she passed away from cancer when he was a teenager, but Riley's work reminds him of his mom's style and he wonders if her can convince her to help him replace a sentimental piece of his mom's that was also lost in a fire the same year he was injured.
Riley isn't looking for a romance, feeling disillusioned by her recent relationship, and she also has baggage from other losses in her life. Part of her wants to fix up the house and move on, but she has also started to make connections in town, and enjoy the setting and the people.
There is miscommunication to start, and wariness on both sides of this developing romance, but Riley and Mark have things in common and services that they can offer each other in a practical way.
I liked how Mark brought Riley out of her comfort zone, exposing her to people that needed her in a different way and to the landscape around them. I liked how Riley looked beyond the scars to see Mark as a person with his own issues. A nice read.

Some scars are much more obvious than others. Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Lynne Jensen explores that along with healing, recovery and helping others. The Miracle Creek Community had a difficult time with forest fires in the past year. While many suffered with loss none more so than the former firefighter Mark Rivers who is still recovering from injuries and grief. Nomad Riley Madigan moves there to work in the art school dept. She has scars from life that are not seen on the outside but come through with her wary behavior.

Surprising these two characters click. I liked Riley’s no back down attitude which is what Marks also appreciates. It is a slow process for these two to learn to trust for friendship then to romance. Mark is a rework in progress, but one that is lovable if gruff. The supporting characters are some of small towns best which drew me to this fictional town. The descriptions of the area put you right there in the story whether at a school play or in the fire ravaged areas or the orchards new and old.

I was thinking as I read this book that it hasn’t been since reading Linda Lael Miller that a book could hold my interest though it is so much based on normal days for mostly normal people. While Mark’s story is full of tragedy he longs for some normalcy. Riley’s and Mark’s journey to love is an excellent book that kept my interest and spoke to my heart.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Miracle Creek Christmas is this season’s holiday offering by author Krista Jensen. Artist/art teacher Riley Madigan has recently relocated to the small town of Miracle Creek on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range in Oregon. Having lived in many big cities around the world as her father moved repeatedly for his work, Riley is seeking to find home and put down roots. Having just been on the receiving end of a brutal breakup, Riley is seeking solace in her job, her students, and her new life in a very small town. Having made a strong bond with her arts department colleague Yvette Newsome, head of the school’s drama department, Riley has completed all of the beautiful scenery for the fall production of Peter Pan.

Mark Rivers is what you might call a local hero. He wouldn’t! While he is credited with rescuing six boys between 7 and 10, to him it is his late best friend Jay Hendricks who brought the boys down from their tree fort one by one as the flames caught and the fire roared. Mark feels he simply brought them from that point to safety, and when it really counted not only could he not rescue Jay and bring him safely out but he also couldn’t save himself from the crashing fire infested trees and has worked for over a year to recover from his scarring injuries. He still finds himself a recluse, covering as much of his head and face as possible, telling himself he is protecting others from seeing the monster he feels he has become.

When Riley and Mark meet at the presentation of Peter Pan, in which Mark’s young niece Ivy is a Lost Boy, it is the beginning of a tenuous relationship. Friendship develops in such a manner that each sees the other’s soul first, leading them through many hurdles from anxious acquaintances to tenuous soulmates clamoring to find their way forward.

So much happens in this heart warming story that finds two lost souls just trying to figure out their lives. One is wounded from circumstances, betrayal, and loss. The other is wounded from deep loss, loss of self, and fighting back from significant physical injuries. And in this story friendship translates to a deeper feeling and this then becomes a more intimate friendship. They seem to be a salve to mend each other’s wounded souls and you will be rooting for them every step of the way!

With heartwarming characters, pristine scenery, and the trek each has to find the soul searching journey to where they next need to be, this is a magnificent story any time of the year. However, the fact that the story takes place in the Christmas season just makes the story even better. I very much enjoyed this book and I certainly do recommend it!

Miracle Creek Christmas is the first book I have read by Krista Lynne Jensen. It will not be the last because this one was a great read. I highly recommend it.
Five stars.

Passing thru or coming home?

Riley's nomadic life and wounded past has her torn between following a sort of superficial, surface-level lifestyle with no roots or risking the pain to find a safe home for her heart.

The story is immediately engaging, and the characters are sympathetic and well-developed. Unfortunately, I don't care much for love triangles & I wasn't sure why Riley kept going out with Dalton when she had more or less pegged him as shallow & self-serving from their first date. I think there were more likely angles for dramatic tension or conflict in the plot.

That said, Riley's family is an argument for mental distress & one could argue (& the story basically does) that Dalton is just a symptom of Riley's self-sabotaging avoidance of depth and authenticity. The story still succeeds overall as a heartwarming love story between two scarred people who find healing with each other - and I heartily recommend it!

*Romance level: passionate kisses, but nothing graphic

If you're looking for a light and fluffy Christmas read, especially after looking at the cover, I have to say that this book is much more than that. So much more!

Riley and Mark are two souls who have had struggles and loss and heartache. They've both had hard experiences. They've both taken different roads in their learning after their experiences. I really enjoyed the way the author portrayed both of these characters. I enjoyed diving into their thoughts and learning more about what they learned as they shared with each other. It was a good reminder that what we see on the surface doesn't truly tell us a person's story and struggles and triumphs and joys. Their initial meeting had some humor behind it. Some misunderstandings for sure.

The budding friendship was sweet to watch unfold. There were many factors standing in their way. Small town being one of the biggest. You know, everyone knows everyone and everyone's business. It's real. Not necessarily a bad thing in some instances but definitely not helpful in others. Riley has traveled the world with her parents since she was young. She's lived in many places. But Miracle Creek is quickly wrapping itself around her heart. The people and the sights.

There are some fun connections that you learn about the further that you read into the story. Reasons for why Riley chose Miracle Creek, WA. I loved finding out about those. They made a greater connection for me as a reader with Riley and Mark and his family.

I enjoy books that I find personal connections with as well. The setting of this book is one I know, well one of the places that the characters talk about and visit. Leavenworth. It truly is a charming place to visit. I want to go back and have been thinking about visiting there quite a bit over the last year. So to have it show up in the book and read about it, it definitely brought on a stronger desire to go there. Maybe soon for a vacation. I visited Leavenworth years ago on a family trip. I had just finished studying German for many years and had dreamed of visiting Germany. Well, it was a close alternative. Lol! If you get the chance to go visit there, do it! It's charming. I only had a short amount of time to explore but it was a fun time.

Another connection was Mike and his story. I have a family member who was also severely burned over most of his body. It was a miracle he lived. I am drawn into books who have characters who have experienced burns. I really was impressed by Mike's character. He was strong. And through his demons and pain he kept pushing ahead and reaching out to help others. I loved his character.

Riley and Mark were just a fun couple. Even through their struggles and uncertainties and pain, I loved seeing the healing slowly start. The moments of understanding and acceptance and love. It was just sweet. So as I said before. If you're looking for a fluffy and light read, this isn't that. But it has light and fun amid everything else.

Content: Clean. Some kisses. Some very mild innuendos.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Miracle Creek Christmas
By: Krista Jensen

“We don’t always have to be strong. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? I think it’s okay to be tired. Or scared. But, here’s a secret I discovered. Sometimes we think we want to run away. Disappear. When all we really want is to be found.”

Do you love all things Christmas!? Do you love The Hallmark Channel Christmas movies!? If, so, then this book is for you!

Both main characters, Mark and Riley have been through a lot and have gotten pretty good at hiding and running away from people. Despite these emotional barriers, I was immediately drawn to and connected to these characters. I was rooting for them!

Then the author gave us a minor love triangle. Boo! Despite that, I was still along for the ride. This book will give you all the feels. You will laugh, it has witty-banter, and is definitetly swoon worthy!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75. This book will get you in the Christmas spirit and you’ll want it on your bookshelf to read, year after year! Thank you to @ShadowMountainPublishing via @netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my honest opinion and review.