
Just in Time for Christmas: a High-Country Christmas novella
by Davalynn Spencer
Published by Wilson Creek Publishing
Publication Date November 1, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christmas, Clean Romance
Setting: Colorado Gilded Age – US – 1875 – 1900
Main Character Ages: 15-18, 18-24
Written for: Adults
Pages: 114
Synopsis:
She’s seventeen with a ranch to run, a fear of heights, and a cowboy intent on stealing her heart.
Abigale Millerton leaves a Denver girl’s school and returns to her grandparents’ high-country ranch to find the boy she’d grown up with not a boy any longer—and butting in on her challenge with local timber thieves. If he’d stop telling her what to do, they might get along.
Seth Holt has loved Abigale since before he knew better. And now that she’s back in the high country, she’s still as bull-headed as ever. But Seth can match her, and he’s determined to keep her out of harm’s way and in his line of sight. Trouble is, he’d rather keep her in his arms.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
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Davalynn Spencer has a gift for writing heartwarming stories, filled with beautiful prose and lovely descriptions. She does not merely pen stories, she carefully crafts her words to create rich satisfying narratives that make me smile.
Just in Time for Christmas is no exception. As a case in point, as I was reading about the frozen waterfall, I had a momentary thought that I should grab my camera so I could take a picture!
Reading back over the passages I highlighted, I’m again overwhelmed at the wonderful way this author has with words. She has such a gift for turning a phrase into a thing of wonder. Reading this story was a magical experience simply for this reason.
It would be difficult to not fall in love with Abigale and Seth. These now-grown childhood friends have always been there for each other. To help, to explore with, and to boss each other around. It was so easy to fall back into those patterns now that they were grown (yeah, though seventeen isn’t exactly grown by today’s standards. . .)
Orphaned for a second time, Abigale is now mourning the grandparents who adopted and raised her when her parents died. When she got herself into a mess of trouble at their ranch, God sent Seth to rescue her. I loved the honorable way Seth cared for her and how he learned to stop bossing her around; instead caring for her feelings and wooing her. Seth’s work ethic was quite amazing as he took over the chores at her ranch without thinking twice about it or moaning about the work.
When they discovered more trouble than they expected, Abigale was challenged to learn even more about what it means to “trust in the Lord and do good”. Although this trouble wasn’t resolved by the story’s end, there was a satisfying conclusion with a hint of more to come.
If you enjoy historical fiction and picturesque descriptions that combine to make a tasty treat with just the right blend of romance and friendship, Just in Time for Christmas is a great choice!
Thank you for reading and reviewing, Phyllis!