The Rancher’s and the Widow’s First Christmas: a contemporary western romance set in historic Coyote Springs, California

Debra Salonen

Mar 2022 · Loner Llama Press

About this ebook

“No strings attached” doesn’t apply to family.

Sam O’Neal’s goal had been simple—keep his brother, Josh, alive long enough to die an old man with Jenny and their children at his side. Cancer had other plans. Jenny’s a widow just hours after giving birth, and Josh died without getting to see or hold the babies he fought so hard to have. Will Sam’s new role will be grieving uncle or surrogate father to Jenny’s twins—Sam’s biological babies? Josh knew better than anyone why Sam guards his heart with an iron fist. Surely, his brother’s crazy arrangement wasn’t supposed to be Sam’s second shot at a family of his own.

Jenny Sullivan O’Neal’s life was perfect…until it wasn’t.

The people of Coyote Springs call her “Jenny Perfect” for a reason. Eldest of the triplets that the town helped raise, Jenny is strong, kind, and reliable. Not the sort of person who would agree to use her brother-in-law as a sperm donor when the love of her life found out he couldn’t father a child. But she did. Now the happiest day of her life has turned into the worst, quickly followed by a reality she can’t wrap her head around: Josh is gone, she’s a widow with two babies, and the twins’ biological father is a hardworking, humorless enigma she respects but certainly doesn’t love. With Christmas approaching and fire bug on the loose, what choice does she have but to shelter-in-place with Sam? The man she’s starting to see in a completely new light.

In Coyote Springs, home for the holidays takes on new meaning for the rancher and the widow who share both a singular loss and a double blessing when they spend their first Christmas together and celebrate a future that redefines the word: family.

The Rancher’s and the Widow’s First Christmas brings the Gold Country series forward, through one poignant loss, the birth of twins, a vengeful firebug, and a match-making ghost. If you enjoy a few tears with your happily-ever-after, you’ll love Jenny's and Sam’s story. Don’t miss Book 2 in this heart-warming series from bestselling author Debra Salonen.

Ratings and reviews

The Rancher’s and the Widow’s First Christmas is a sweet, emotion packed, heartwarming, inspirational, small town romance. You will probably need tissues as Sam and Jenny try to make sense of a world without Josh. This well written book will keep you engaged while tugging your heartstrings. I could not put it down!

About the author

Past winner of Romantic Times Reviewer's Career Achievement "Series Storyteller of the Year" award, Debra Salonen's 26 titles for Harlequin Publishing have sold more than 2.3 million copies, worldwide. A six-time nominee for RT's Best Superromance of the Year award, Debra took home that honor in 2011.