Christmas of Love: A Small Town Holiday Western Romance

Erin Wright

Oct 2020 · Cowboys of Long Valley Romance Book 5 · Wright Hot Sexy Cowboys

About this eBook

Enjoy this steamy cowboy series by USA Today Bestselling small-town romance author Erin Wright...

Oh baby, it’s cold outside...

Austin Bishop doesn’t want a lot for Christmas. He especially isn't looking for love. 

But romance shows up anyway, in the form of the most beautiful, curvy redhead he’s ever seen.

Suddenly, canoodling under the mistletoe seems like the best Christmas activity this side of eating homemade snickerdoodles. A fling with no strings attached? There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays.

Except, partway through the twelve days of Christmas, it stops being a fling and starts feeling like a whole lot more.

But Ivy has secrets, and so does he...

Christmas of Love is the fifth novel in the Cowboys of Long Valley Romance series, although all books in the Long Valley world can be read as standalones. A HOT romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after, it does have some strong language and oh my, sexy times. Enjoy!

NOTE: In October 2020, this book was re-released after having gone through major updates. The new edition is clearly marked with an “Expanded and Revised” red medallion on the cover. I hope you enjoy this new edition!

Ratings and reviews

On the surface of things, Ivy McLain appears to be a bright, happy, and smiling artist, but beneath the mask, she is suffering from the same insecurities she experienced growing up in the small Idaho town. She has hardly been back in town a few hours before running into her nemeses and rubber-banded back into her high school years. The problem with wearing a mask and telling everyone how successful she is, only creates complications, especially when her well-laid plans fall apart. Austin Bishop, on the other hand, has had his life torn apart by his parents’ betrayal, which resulted in his fiancé breaking off their engagement. Just when he begins to trust Ivy, he finds that she has been keeping secrets and he experiences her lies of omission as a major betrayal. Ivy and Austin have an undeniable attraction that zaps between them, but due to their brokenness, they both have difficulties fully committing to one another. It takes a catalyst moment for each of them to realise the truth. This story highlights the impact of childhood bullying on a person and the insecurities that it creates. It also shows how in spite of the fear of rejection, a person can nevertheless grow into a talented adult, especially after they have faced their childhood fears. This book is well written and although it is part of a series, it is nevertheless a standalone and does end on a very positive note. I received a copy of this book from BookSprout as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Ivy McLain looked around at her parents’ boring 40th anniversary party, hearing groups of farmers talking about crops, broken equipment, and water (too much or too little) – mundane, boring things -- and she was VERY cold. She did not understand why anyone would voluntarily live in Sawyer, Idaho! She wanted to return to California and get away from this place! She needed some hot cocoa before she froze to death on the spot! She rapidly turned toward the refreshments and ran right into what felt like a solid brick wall. The attractive cowboy steadied her on her feet; then she saw the cider she had caused to spill all over him. Blubbering apologies, she dragged him to the table and grabbed paper towels to dry his face. She couldn’t stop looking at his green eyes and awesome grin. Austin Bishop introduced himself to the flustered redhead. But before they got to chat further, a pushy female named Tiffany threw herself all over him. He had made a mistake of dating her one time and she acted like he had made a lifelong commitment! When he finally got away from her, Ivy had disappeared. He asked Declan about her and was told she was leaving the next day. That was probably for the best since he wanted nothing more with serious relationships after he was painfully dumped by the woman he hoped to marry. An accident involving Ivy’s older sister changed her plans about leaving. And when Austin needs Ivy’s help getting Tiffany to back off by pretending to date Ivy, their connection sets off a spark between them. Could a real relationship develop? Could Austin take a chance on Ivy and break his “no-serious-relationship” rule? And would Ivy be willing to stay, as long as they could be “warm” together? I sincerely love this author’s books and the descriptions of the action among the characters. The bits of humor thrown in kept me laughing through much of the story! It didn’t take long to be drawn right in! The characters were wonderfully developed, most of them quite likable. These truly were “old friends” if you read the previous books in the series. The pacing of the story was perfect. I definitely recommend this one. It will take the reader through a world of emotions, but warm relationships and family will surround you. Don’t miss reading this – it’s a really good one to put you in the mood for Christmas, which is fast approaching!

I read the first book when it came out and loved it. I really didn't think the author could have improved on it. It was some time ago and all I can say is WOW! I am so glad that I read this one. I have read all of the Long Valley series. Reading these books makes me feel like I am there and visiting with old friends. The characters are wonderful. They really feel so human. They aren't perfect just like me. I love the fact that this book is written in a dual POV format. That is the part that makes the story shine. Ivy is home for her parents' anniversary. She left Sawyer, ID for California right after she graduated high school. She was bullied in school and needed to escape. People back home think she has a thriving art studio. Unfortunately the truth is so much different. She is a waitress. She meets Austin at the party and the sparks just light up between them. One of Ivy's tormentors is at the party (uninvited of course) and cuddles up to Austin. The conversation that Ivy has with herself is adorable!!!! The day after the party, Ivy is due to fly home but her older sister, Iris slips and falls and is rushed to the hospital. Ivy can't leave. She couldn't come home months earlier when Iris was in a car accident so she must stay! Needless to say, Ivy can't get home, she didn't buy an insurance policy for her plane ticket so the cost of a one-way ticket back to California is beyond her limited funds. This is a delightful tale that I so thoroughly enjoyed reading. It was like reading it for the first time. If you enjoy a well-written story that is full of laughs and chuckles, then you will enjoy this one. However, I would only be able to recommend this to someone over 18 as there may be some to take offense to the "bedroom" scene. The author really glossed over the details but I would hate to offend parents of someone younger.

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Erin Wright has worked every job under the sun, including library director, barista, teacher, website designer, and ranch hand helping brand cattle, before settling into the career she’s always dreamed about: Author.

She still loves coffee, doesn’t love the smell of cow flesh burning, and is currently living out her own love story in a tiny town in rural Idaho.