Book Review: A CHRISTMAS WISH A Sweet Small Town Christmas Romance (Sapphire Bay #3) by Leeanna Morgan

'Tis the season and here's a Christmas romance with a bit of suspense. Be sure to have tissues handy...

Synopsis

Can a little girl's Christmas wish come true? 

After a tragic accident, Megan Stevenson is determined to give Nora, her five-year-old niece, a loving and stable home. With her fantasy cake business thriving and her niece’s nightmares finally over, her life is more stable than it has ever been--until a stranger knocks on her door. FBI Special Agent William Parker knows what it’s like to lose the people you love. He’s convinced himself that his job is all he needs to be happy. But while he's protecting Megan and Nora from a brutal terrorist group, his emotionless and solitary life is torn to shreds. 

With Christmas fast approaching, can Megan and Nora convince him that it’s safe to love again…even if loving them is harder than letting them go? A CHRISTMAS WISH is the third book in the Sapphire Bay series and can easily be read as a standalone. Each of Leeanna's series are linked so you can find out what happens to your favorite characters in other books. Happy reading!

Review

The romance builds as William does his job and protects Megan and Nora from terrorists and helps her deal with the discovery that she was adopted. Moving them from Milwaukee to a house in Sapphire Bay, Montana is the best way to keep them safe. 

The characters, from Megan and Nora to William, and others in the town of Sapphire Bay are well-developed. Five year old Nora, with her rag doll and exuberance is the best. She definitely made me smile. Both Megan and William have history that obstructs a smooth romance and both try to deal with their own issues. Then, there is the danger that brings them together. 

I loved the town of Sapphire Bay and the sledding and decorating for Christmas. It sounds like a great place to unwind with community spirit. And the cakes and cookies Megan makes sound oh, so yummy! Lots of emotional scenes, a few scares, and a happy ever after. As noted above, have tissues handy. A good read for the holidays, for sure, with new meaning for "family" and "home."

This is the third in the Sapphire Bay series and the first one I've read. It can be easily read as a stand alone, though I will be checking out the others in the series now. Oh, and it's FREE,
as of today at least!

Falling for You (Sapphire Bay #1)

Once in a Lifetime (Sapphire Bay #2)

A Christmas Wish (Sapphire Bay #3)

Before Today (Sapphire Bay #4)

The Sweetest Thing (Sapphire Bay #5)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JFZLBC9

Psst! It looks like there's a spin-off series coming in 2021 - Return to Sapphire Bay)

For all the books by Leeana Morgan, check out her amazon author page here.

Book Review: A CHRISTMAS IN MONTANA Embers on Ice Book 1 by Elysia Strife

It's hot in Texas - very hot! I took a break from the heat with a little Christmas in July and a bit of romance ... 


Synopsis (from Amazon)

Orion McNalley has a heart the size of Texas—and a temper to match.
Years in service and living alone have made Matt Jefferson one callous man.
Will the spirit of the season bring them together?
Or will the secrets they hold inside keep them apart?

Christmas is quickly approaching. Orion’s sleepy Montana town is bustling with returning family, vacationing students, and several unexpected visitors: a friend on the rebound, Orion’s volatile ex, and a handsome silver-eyed stranger.

When a surprise letter arrives from Matt's mother, it leads him deep into a snowy world of holiday magic and Irish fire that threaten to crack his shell.

Filled with holiday humor, tempers, sweet romance, and lots of food, Orion and Matt rediscover what it means to have hope, faith, love, joy, and a belief in something greater than themselves.

Some language and violence.

Review

Orion is divorced and after her relationship with Boone has a definite "no dating" policy. She works as a bartender and enjoys her sleepy town where everyone helps everyone else. The daughter of a famous body builder, she's no slouch and can hold her own, competed herself. It's the holidays and her good friend is coming to visit and she's already seen the writing on the wall. He wants more than friendship and she knows better. Then there's Matt. A stranger in town, ex-military and fighting his own demons. He's inherited a family cabin in the sleepy town and what better place to hide?

Snowstorms and other factors bring Matt and Orion together. There's a lot going on, but Orion and Matt are able (with a little nudge from Orion's parents) to let down their walls at least enough for Matt to decide he'll figure out how to work from the small town rather than returning to the city life. Probably more realistic than many HEAs, there's no big engagement or wedding. Both are cautious and, as suggested by Orion's dad, they're going to date first. There's also the bullet Boone left in her jacket as unfinished business.

This is the first in a 2-book series. I enjoyed the first enough to purchase the second, but readers should be aware that their relationship and the threat of Boone are left hanging. If you want the happy ending with all the resolution, you'll need to read both books.

A Christmas in Montana

Wildfire (Embers on Ice #2)