Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

Katie Ruggle

Sep 2018 · Sourcebooks, Inc.

About this ebook

In the heart of this Rocky Mountain haven, one unexpected Christmas reunion can change everything.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home...

Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget.

Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town's resident eccentric, she's used to being lonely—until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he's always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn't take long before she's in danger of falling for him again. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas...

With its blend of suspense, quirky small town humor, and sizzling attraction, this unexpected cowboy romance will be sure to sweep you off your feet!

What People Are Saying About Katie Ruggle:

"Gripping suspense, unique heroines, sexy heroes."—CHRISTINE FEEHAN, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"I love Ruggle's characters. They're sharply drawn, and vividly alive. I'm happy when they find each other. These are wonderful escapist books."—CHARLAINE HARRIS, #1 New York Times Bestselling author

"Sexy and suspenseful, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."—JULIE ANN WALKER, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, for Hold Your Breath

"Chills and thrills and a sexy slow-burning romance from a terrific new voice."—D.D. AYRES, author of the K-9 Rescue Series, for Hold Your Breath

Ratings and reviews

Widower and fire-fighter Steve Springfield returns home to Borne, Colorado with his four kids to live at his family's Christmas Tree ranch and store with his three brothers. His first call out is for a missing person, Camille Brandt, a girl he recalls vividly from school. Camille isn't lost at all, she's foraging in a local scrap heap for metal to use in her art, a socially-awkward loner who avoids people she can't think of anything worse than being gawked at by a whole crowd of search and rescue teams, until Steve freaking Springfield, her high school crush, takes the heat by pretending to get his foot stuck in the scrap. But mixed in with the burgeoning romance is a mysterious shadowy figure and a spate of fires ... This was great, a holiday romance which was just the right level of cute (brilliant, cute kids, Christmas Tree farm, sleigh rides, home-made soup) without being sickly or cloying, to be honest right up until the end it didn't even feel very Christmassy. The suspense was good and I was cleverly misdirected. As befits a holiday novel (and a single father of four teenagers) the smexy times were rare and air-brushed. Overall, loved it, although I don't think I would classify this as a cowboy novel, but that's semantics. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The first book in the new Rocky Mountain Cowboys series by Katie Ruggle is a thrilling and sweet romance that captivates readers from beginning to end. Steve and Camille are strong characters that easily draw readers to them as well as fascinating them with their romance. The sparks fly from first contact, the romance is sweet and full of emotional turmoil as Camille bravely tries to interact with Steve, his kids and his brothers in order to give their attraction a chance. This vulnerability speaks to readers and tugs at heart strings while they cheer Steve and Camille toward their happily ever after and well the kids adds their own special brand of happy to the story while capturing hearts as well. The story has a steady to fast pace that keeps anticipation building throughout with small details that show that there is a danger to Camille, but the danger isn’t obvious which adds to the thrilling expectation of the story and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. There is a stunning betrayal and surprising twist that makes the suspenseful climax even more exciting and the whole holiday atmosphere of the story adds spice and goodwill to the story as the couple try to keep their family alive until Christmas. I was completely enthralled with the Springfield brothers and their holiday business and ranch combination and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1 Competitive siblings – brothers – the Springfield boys were just that but as adults that should all be behind them, right? Perhaps not. When Steve returns to the family Christmas tree ranch with his four children and is called out on a search and rescue mission he is first to find Camille Brandt, local artist and shy eccentric. The fact that perhaps she was not really “lost” and is very nervous at the attention leads Steve into taking the spotlight off of her in his own way. Camille creates sculptures using found metal and seems rather awkward with most adults though a bit easier with children. She ends up taking some of her sculptures to sell at the gift shop that is part of the Christmas tree ranch and meets Steve’s oldest son, Will. She then meets the rest of his children and enjoys spending time with them. She soon finds she is not as awkward with Steve and his children as with other people and their relationship (he’s a widow) takes off. Throw into the story a peeping tom with an agenda, competitive brothers, Christmas events, some animals and a fun romance and you have a wonderful story that left me with a smile on my face. I love this author and know that when I see her name a quality book will be provided for me to read. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Casablanca for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

About the author

A graduate of the Police Academy, Katie is a self-proclaimed forensics nerd. A fan of anything that makes her feel like a bad-ass, she has trained in Krav Maga, boxing, and gymnastics, has lived in an off-grid, solar- and wind-powered house in the Rocky Mountains, rides horses, trains her three dogs, and travels to warm places to scuba dive. She has received 5 Amazon Best Books of the Month and an Amazon Best Book of the Year. Run to Ground, the first book in her Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series, is a 2017 RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee. Connect with Katie at http://katieruggle.com/, https://www.facebook.com/katierugglebooks, or on Twitter and Instagram @KatieRuggle