🎄❄️💗 “Their Yuletide Healing” (Bliss, Texas #4) (2021) 💗❄️🎄 – Bookstagram + Review Tour
MY REVIEW
Series: Bliss, Texas (Book #4)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (November 30, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335758941
ISBN-13: 978-1335758941
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“As her plans unravel,
can she give her children what they truly need?
Foster mom Rae Girard’s determined to make her children’s first Christmas with her the best they’ve ever had—and she’s shocked when the town scrooge, attorney Cole Heinsohn, offers to pitch in. Rae’s young charges have melted Cole’s heart, and he wants them to experience the special day he never had. But when disaster strikes, an imperfect holiday might bring them something better: a family…”
Thank you in advance to the author, Mindy Obenhaus, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I cannot believe it is time to say goodbye to everyone in Bliss – Wes, Laurel, Mick, Christa, Paisley, Crockett, Rae, and Cole? I barely got to know the kids and I JUST met Cole!
Confession: One of my favorite TV characters? His name is Cole. That character was originally an attorney too.
Here we are at the end of the road in Bliss, Texas. I can’t believe this started back in June 2020 when we met Wes and Laurel with sweet little Sarah-Jane.
Speaking of …
All of the characters make an appearance in this book: Wes and Laurel (A Father’s Promise), Mick and Christa (A Brother’s Promise), Paisley, and Crockett. It is in this book that Paisley and Crockett (A Future to Fight For) will get married at the castle. The castle is also going to be the setting for The Mistletoe Ball that Rae and Cole get roped into organizing. The original organizer, Tilly, happens to be Cole’s aunt.
Rae is in her 40’s and has always wanted to be a mother. She becomes foster mom to Max and Maggie. I had to laugh about her comment about being 44 and aches and pains after an event.
As of note, Max and Maggie came from an abusive home. This resulted in the murder of their mother from domestic violence, and the subject might be disturbing to some readers though it is mentioned only once, and definitely not in graphic detail. However, little Maggie has a heart-breaking question for Rae about her father making her other mama go away. Grab the tissues for this one.
Cole himself also comes from an abusive home, namely his father, while not physical – it is bad enough to scare him off away from relationships. But, it helps him connect with Max who at first is not too comfortable with him, even refusing to eat if Cole is there. Yet, watching Max grow attached to Cole is endearing. Cole’s empathy for the boy is just as endearing. Cole’s father suffers from dementia which is unsettling to him given how his father was. This is something a lot of caregivers and family members go through.
How could I, even knowing the background, not want to read this book? The cover is adorable and heart-warming. After all, it has to have a happy ending, right? It is a romance and is a Christmas book. And, my favorite setting – small Texas town.
As of note, I definitely identify closer with Rae when it comes to the Christmas season. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!! While this year is different due to obligations, normally my tree is up (assembled, lit, decorated) by no later than December 5th.
I also LOVE Rae’s taste in Christmas music: Bing Crosby (no one croons “White Christmas” better), Andy Williams, even Amy Grant (I still remember her 1992 “Target” song – “Let the Season Take Wing”).
I definitely LOVED how the author included Johnny Mathis as well. So, this book was VERY personal to me given all the sweetness in it.
Another note about the “disaster” – slight spoiler – it is a fire, and I mention this only because there was a fire around where I live just before Christmas. It was very tragic and I want readers to be prepared given the topic. Like the abuse subject, Obenhaus treads it lightly and quickly without dwelling or miring in it.
Because of Max and Maggie’s situation, Rae wants to give them the best Christmas ever – just in case she isn’t able to adopt them. But, that interferes with the planning of the ball that supports children like Max and Maggie.
While it seems like Cole is the town Scrooge – he isn’t like the Scrooge of the Dickens’ novel. He just doesn’t do the holiday – until he meets Max and Maggie. As much as he doesn’t do kids either – he is determined to make their Christmas special and to be a good influence on them. Developing a crush on Rae isn’t helping matters either. But, neither one of them is looking for romance for different reasons. Rae notices a “sad air” about Cole.
But, as we all know … that won’t last long (even if it takes until the end of a book).
As soon as Cole helps Max and Maggie with their fears, they can’t wait to see him. Though Rae enjoys Cole’s commitment to the kids, she is left wondering why. This is even more so when Cole does something special for the kids after an incident at the park. When Rae learns Cole’s motives, she then decides to help him see the magic in Christmas.
It isn’t long until Maggie starts pushing Rae towards Cole even suggesting they get married. At one point, Maggie even tells Santa she wants them together. Ironically, it is Cole in the Santa suit.
Rae is also reflecting on how huge their families have grown – husbands, kids. Their Yuletide Healing definitely ends the series in a beautiful way that doesn’t leave the reader wondering “what happened”. The book also wraps up its own storyline as well.
The disaster is probably the worst part of the story, but it is balanced out, if not eclipsed by the entire town of Bliss “showing up” for Rae and the kids.
Obenhaus has a wonderful gift in telling a beautiful story that has elements of realism. You can go from laughing to crying and back. It is equally emotional and entertaining.
This is the fifth book I’ve read by the author and haven’t been disappointed. I do have the first four books in her ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEROES I still need to read.
This seemingly has shorter chapters than most books in the Love Inspired line, so that was probably the reason I read half of the book in about two (2) hours. I honestly couldn’t stop turning the pages. That isn’t too unusual. Back between 2000-2002 I would be able to read a Harlequin Intrigue (about the same size as the LI and LIS books) in a day.
While this was fast-paced, Obenhaus didn’t skimp on details or rush through the story. Sometimes the last book shows there is a rush to end it. Not just the book, but the entire series. I’ve read two “enders” (this one and Her Rocky Mountain Hope) and have not been disappointed or felt like it was a “rush” job. I didn’t read book #1 of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEROES series (Their Ranch Reunion) so I can’t compare the first and last books. I did read the first one in this series (A Father’s Promise) and there was NO difference in the care and attention from book #1 to book #4.
This will have a bit more Christian and faith themed references in it than most Love Inspired. But, give the theme of the story, this is definitely to be expected. However, I truly enjoyed this and CANNNOT wait for the next series from the author.
Her fans, those who enjoy the Love Inspired line, as well as those who read the first three books won’t want to miss this one.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other Books in the Series:
Publisher: Love Inspired (June 16, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133548826X
ISBN-13: 978-1335488268
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Is he ready for fatherhood?
He doesn’t think he deserves a family…
But now he has a daughter.
Stunned to discover he has a child, Wes Bishop isn’t sure he’s father material. But his adorable daughter needs him, and he can’t help feeling drawn to her mother, Laurel Donovan—a woman he’s finally getting to know. But can this sudden dad overcome a past tragedy that has him convinced he’s not meant to be a husband or a father…and make a promise of forever?”
Publisher: Love Inspired (February 23, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335488758
ISBN-13: 978-1335488756
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“A little girl will change his world…
He didn’t realize he wanted a family…
until he suddenly became a single dad.
After his sister’s death, rancher Mick Ashford’s determined to ensure his orphaned niece, Sadie, feels at home. And accepting guidance from Christa Slocum is his first step. But just as Christa and Sadie start to settle into Mick’s heart, Sadie’s paternal grandparents sue for custody. Now Mick must fight to keep them together…or risk losing the makeshift family he’s come to love.”
Series: Bliss, Texas (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 27, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335758704
ISBN-13: 978-1335758705
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“All their dreams will come true…
if they can work together.
Widow Paisley Wainwright’s so close to taking her Texas event-planning business to the next level by turning Renwick Castle into a wedding venue. Only one thing stands in the way: her longtime rival, Crockett Devereaux, who wants the building to become a museum. When the building’s owners insist they collaborate to implement both plans, can Paisley and Crockett put their differences aside…and fight for their dreams together?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, and countless cattle. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen, spending time with her grandchildren or roaming the ranch in search of inspiration. She’d love to connect with you via her website or on Facebook.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorMindyObenhaus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindy.obenhaus/
Website: https://mindyobenhaus.com/
GIVEAWAY
🎉#Giveaway 🎉 – (1) winner will receive a copy of four Bliss, Texas series books and a $20 Amazon gift card. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 6, 2021.)
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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