Wednesday, September 6, 2023

About the Book

Book: Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows – A Marriage of Convenience Anthology

Authors: Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, and Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 26, 2023

From bestselling and award winning authors, experience Christmas on the rugged western frontier with three novellas filled with unforgettable adventures, enduring romance, and the timeless message of hope found in the Savior’s birth.

Claiming the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund

Serena Taylor is hiding in Colorado’s high country to keep her son safe, and she knows the best way to protect him is by marrying again and giving him a father. Weston Oakley needs a wife by Christmas to placate his meddling family, but after being spurned one too many times in love, he’s reluctant to give his heart away again. When they agree on a marriage of convenience, both of them get much more than they bargained for.

Doctor’s Snowflake Bride by Lacy Williams
Minnie steps off the train ready to become a mail-order bride, but she finds the well-dressed man waiting for her isn’t her intended husband. The protective oath Jed took when he became a doctor doesn’t cover stranded women, but he can’t leave the beautiful stranger alone in a building blizzard two days before Christmas. When circumstances force them into close proximity, Jed and Minnie find that their growing feelings aren’t convenient at all.

Marrying the Mountain Man’s Best Friend by Misty M. Beller

Two Stones, a Salish warrior accustomed to navigating between tribes and miners, unexpectedly finds himself summoned to the side of a dying friend in Virginia City. Sworn to honor the miner’s last wish, Two Stones agrees to marry his daughter, Heidi, but plans to take her to live with his parents. He’ll provide all her needs, make sure she’s safe, and visit her on occasion when his path leads him that direction. As they set out on the journey, their path is fraught with challenges that defy Two Stones’ plans and reveal a surprising depth to Heidi’s character. As they near the end of their trail and join the Christmas festivities at the Coulter Ranch, Two Stones begins to realize this inconvenient marriage might really be a Christmas gift he’ll always treasure.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams is devoted to bringing her readers heartwarming love stories about cowboys and the women that tame them.

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

More from Misty

When Friends Join Forces…Magic Happens!

For me, joining with my good friends Jody Hedlund and Lacy Williams resulted in Christmas magic!

Ever since I was young, Christmas stories have held a special place in my heart. The charm and warmth they exude, coupled with the enchantment of the holiday season, are a captivating combination I find irresistible. Can you relate?

I’ve also long been a HUGE fan of Jody Hedlund and Lacy Williams. I’ve read so many of their books over and over!

Joining them for this Christmas novella collection has been a dream come true for so many reasons. And not only are these three marriage of convenience stories set on the Rocky Mountain frontier (my favorite place!), each of these novellas is an exciting extension of the current series we’re each writing.

Jody’s novella is the finale to her Colorado Cowgirls series. We meet both the hero and heroine of this Christmas story back in book 4. You don’t have to have read Jody’s series to fall in love with them here though!

Lacy’s novella tells the story of a character from a new mail order bride series she has coming soon. This prelude is a fantastic taste that will have you swooning as you eagerly await the rest of the books!

My own contribution features Two Stones, the Coulter family’s best friend from the Brothers of Sapphire Mountain Ranch series. I love having the chance to tell his story, even though he’s not ‘officially’ one of the brothers. 

If you’ve read any of these series—or if you just love Christmas books like I do!—you’ll definitely want to read the novellas in Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows. It’s our collective holiday gift to you, the readers—intertwining familiar settings and characters with the joy and love that the festive season brings. We hope these tales bring you the same warmth and joy we’ve felt while penning them.

Blessings!

Misty

MY REVIEW

What a great collection of stories about marriage of convenience. Each story is beautifully written and has wonderful characters.

Claiming The Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund

I could tell this story was going to be filled with a journey that will take us into 1878 . It is December and our heroine named Serena is out in the bitter cold with her son Tate. She used to have a home with her husband but now that he has passed away she needs to find a safe place for her and her son. It is no wonder she left the home she thought would be a great place to raise children. At the mention that her father-in-law wants to raise her child, she bolted out of there as fast as she could. Now she is on her own and needs to find a husband.

Weston needs to get married and fast. After all he told his family he would be by Christmas. When he helps Serena and her little boy out, he starts thinking maybe they could help each other out. I loved that Weston was a true gentleman and explained that getting married was to benefit both their situations. Weston takes to Tate very well and that probably helped Serena to say yes to getting married. There is a little secret Serena is keeping that could be dangerous for everyone.

The story is fun to read as these two characters dance around their feelings. Serena is so worried that she will be rejected by Weston that she apologizes for everything. I wanted to tell her to get a grip and let those feelings known. Christmas is a whirlwind of family and a start to a relationship that can stand the test of time. Be prepared for a little scrimmage in the story between a man desperate to kidnap his grandson and the man who will risk everything to protect the ones he loves.

Doctor’s Snowflake Bride by Lacy Williams

I loved this story from the beginning pages. A young woman named Minnie travels to a small town in snow to meet her soon to be husband. Standing there she realizes that she may be stood up. When a tall man appears she thinks he has finally come. What happens next can only be God’s plan. I loved how Minnie helps the doctor when a disaster happens.

Jed is relieved to see the woman standing there on the steps. Finally his nurse has arrived and maybe he can get some much needed help. Instead of a nurse, he finds Minnie. The way they meet is an answer to prayer when a building collapses.I loved how they both worked together to save people who had been trapped. My question is where is the nurse and Minnie’s husband to be?

Sometimes the path we take is not the one Hod has planned for us. Jed wants Minnie to stay to help with the injured and assures her that Mr. Black won’t be coming for her anytime soon due to the snow. Minnie needs a place to stay so it only made sense to help the doctor out. Jed has other problems beside finding a nurse. His relationship with his son is so strained they barely talk. With such a demanding job, Jed is hardly there to bond with his son. Their bitterness is starting to show and I thought that at any minute someone would say something they would regret.

Minnie may just be what the doctor ordered in this emotional story of forgiveness and finding love. Will Jed choose her or let her walk out and go off to marry Mr. Black? I held my breath as the author delivers an emotional ending. A great reminder in the story is that God loves each of us unconditionally.

Marrying The Mountain Man’s Best Friend by Misty M. Belle

Two Stones is an honorable man and comes to see his dear friend who is gravely ill. What Two Stones hears his friend whisper to him is surprising but he promises the man his dying wish. Now he must convince Heidi to go with him and marry him.

Heidi is beside herself as she knows her father has passed away. What was he thinking asking this stranger to marry her? She is defiant and refuses to marry this man. Heidi believes that she can take care of herself. Little does she know that Two Stones will honor his friend’s wish and take her as his bride. His word is everything to him. Now he has to convince this stubborn woman to be his bride.

This story takes us on a journey through treacherous snow as they travel to their destination. I like that Two Stones is kind and respectful to Heidi. He is not afraid to show his faith and assures her that he will honor her at all times. He wants her to feel comfortable around his people and make the village her home. What a beautiful story of sacrifice and honor that illustrates how someone doesn’t go make on their promise. A love story that shows how God puts two people together and prepares their hearts as husband and wife. Honor, trust and unconditional love is illustrated beautifully in this story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.