This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Released on September 25, 2018
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
“Steve-Freakin’-Springfield!” Camille awkwardly calls her high school crush to his face. I feel the same. A single-dad firefighter cowboy… be still my heart, right? Oh yeah, I’m right. Another adorable, humorous, slightly spicy slow burn romance in the crisp winter of Colorado mountain country.
Review
Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas is the beginning of a new series. However, if you are a person who prefers to read from the beginning if there is even a slight connection to previous books then let me give you the down lo. Start with the four Search & Rescue books where Steve was introduced and then progress through the four K-9 Unit books where he was also a side character. And, then, here you are ready to see where Steve went to get his own story.
And, quite the story it was. Steve, a widower of several years and single dad of four precocious kids, left his two previous towns as a firefighter because of the danger to his kids (see previous series to know Steve is not exaggerating the danger). He decided to come back to his hometown of Borne and the family ranch which he and his three brothers are running as a Christmas Tree ranch during the season for the extra money. He takes up as a volunteer firefighter and one of the first people he encounters outside of home and work is Camille Brandt whom he always thought was nice and pretty.
Camille has always been awkward and shy, artistic and something of a geek. Social disaster does not even cover it. The only person more reclusive is Joe Springfield the brother to her unrequited high school crush. Steve is the epitome of perfect in her eyes from his kindness back in high school to his heroic gestures and swoony dad moves with his kids. Camille is used to hiding in her workshop making amazing metalwork art out of junk, but now she is distracted and wanting a bit of the down home country Christmas charm she sees out at the ranch with Steve and the kids. When her house burns down and she doesn’t want to stay with the old gossip across the street, Camille finally gets her chance.
Holiday romances bring out the nostalgia in me and I am open to lots of sweetness, charm and holiday setting. Christmas in the mountains on a Christmas tree ranch hits the spot. It didn’t hurt that there is a wonderful quirky family and an even more awkward and quirky heroine. This book took its time over fun little activities and growing pain moments with the kids, holiday family times, and a romance that has to wrap around work, chores, kids, and a fire. Steve and Camille were adorkable together and I loved how the author didn’t ignore his widower raising a family, but also didn’t make it a dwelling point, either. The slow build of attraction and easing into a physical relationship after the friendship was just right.
I was a little thrown off over the minor suspense element, but not necessarily in a bad way. It was one of those where I had my suspicions, but thought I was really reaching until no, I was right. Makes me really curious about what will be next in the series because there was a family dynamic among Steve and his brothers that was touched on, but I’d like to see developed now that this first story is complete.
So, another engaging story from Katie Ruggle and a great start to a new series. Those who enjoy their country cowboy family-style Christmas and slow burn romance should definitely reach for this one.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Micah, one of Steve’s children loves to cook and he makes up lobster bisque. I was in awe. I love lobster bisque, but was too chicken to make it until now. If a kid can do it… So, I found a crockpot recipe for easy lobster bisque and I will be making this accompanied by a fresh sourdough loaf. I figure I can get in some Christmas Card writing and present wrapping while my soup bubbles away in the crockpot. If your mouth is watering too, well here you go courtesy of Crystal at Mommifried blog.
Crock Pot Creamy Lobster Bisque
Ingredients
3 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 Small onion (finely chopped)
3 Tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/4 cup sherry
1 32 oz. carton chicken broth
1 Pint heavy cream
1 3/4 Cups lobster (fresh or frozen (thawed))
Directions
Step 1 Melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Cook onion in butter, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in flour, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly; remove from heat. Transfer to 4 to 5-quart crock pot. Step 2 Add chicken broth, sherry, Old Bay Seasoning, and 1/4 cup of lobster. Step 3 Stir, cover, and cook on low for 6 hours or 3 hours on high. Step 4 Remove lobster pieces from crock pot. Discard. Step 5 Add remaining lobster, cover, and cook 45 minutes on low or until lobster meat is cooked. Step 6 Add the cream and stir. Step 7 Cook on low for another 10 or 15 minutes. Garnish with croutons and herbs. Serve immediately! Serves 4 Prep time 15 minutes Cook time 7 hours Total time 7 hours, 15 minutes
Link to her blog: http://mommifried.com/crock-pot-creamy-lobster-bisque
Challenges
New Release #185
HoHoHoRAT #1
Recommendations
Preview
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I read your delight and skipped the rest. I have this for audio review and will begin listening today or tomorrow. I love this author, so I am excited this was a good start to the new series.
You are in for a total treat, Kimberly. Can’t wait to see what you think. 🙂
Well I loved this so much for the character development. There were so many well defined interesting people in this story. The children were awesome. It felt very authentic to me. Anne – Books of My Heart
I agree how Ruggle writes the most interesting people including the kids in this one. It had charm.
I haven’t read a Christmas cowboy story yet but I need to!
Oh yes, you really do, Melliane. 🙂
This sounds fantastic, Sophia Rose! I still have one book left to read from the last series but then I do want to read this one. I love a good slow burn romance!
Definitely one that will be a pleasure for you, Carole. I loved the last one, too. So two books that will be treats for you. 🙂
I thought it’s not connected to other series, therefore I’m glad I got to read your review, so now I know where to start. 🙂 Katie Ruggle’s books have been on my TBR for a while!
It’s not a strong connection so you could start from here if this one is grabbing your fancy at the moment, Liina. Her books are great. 🙂
This definitely sounds like one of those books that I will have to add to my wish list to read at a later time.
Oh yes, Mary! I think you’d get a kick out of Steve, his kids, and Camille. 🙂
Another cowboy book! I need to read one soon. I think I have one waiting for me…mhmmm I’ll have to check.
Haha! Yes, I went a bit nuts on cowboys at Christmas time this year. Loved them all. 🙂 Hope the one you have is a good one, Carole. 🙂
This book sounds so far up my alley that it feels invasive. LOL! I love the premise for this; for some reason, single dads are always so sexy!
Great review, Sophia. I hope you enjoy your Lobster Bisque. 🙂
Sometimes a book just ticks off every single box. 🙂 This was a great one for my interests, too.
I’ve got my ingredients. I went with imitation crab instead of lobster because of a sale, but I’m hoping it won’t make a huge difference.
I was surprised by the identity of the fire starter! I really had no clue, and now I’m wondering how that will play out in the next books. He got off easy considering someone could’ve died! I loved this story, though! Camille was beyond socially awkward and adorable. She fit right in with his quirky bunch of kids and Steve. Love the setting of a Christmas Tree Farm/Ranch! Sounded beautiful. Glad you loved this one, too, Sophia Rose!
Yeah, I figured it out early and thought for sure I was crazy to go there. I’m curious about how it will go in the other books, too.
So cute all around with this one. Can’t wait for book two.
Oh, and thanks for the lobster bisque recipe! It sounds perfect in the cold weather we’re having! 🙂
Sure thing! Sorry, Rachel, about missing your second comment until now. 🙂
Oh goodness. So the second spin off of the original. Yeah, I’d definitely want to start from the start so thank ya!
It can definitely work standalone easily if you’d rather not go through 8 other books to get to this one and he was a background character all along. I just wanted to make sure if a reader started here that any vibes that that there were earlier books is spot on. 🙂