🐎 🎄 💗 “Wyoming Christmas Reunion” (The Blackwells of Eagle Springs #5) (2022) 💗 🎄 🐎 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (November 29, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584749
ISBN-13: 978-1335584748
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“A love that never died…
Could be rekindled this Christmas
Helen Blackwell never stopped loving horse trainer Nash…even when she divorced him. When the stoic cowboy bets the ranch on her winning a cutting horse competition—and she’s terrified to ride—she wonders if there’s any hope for them. Renewing the love between them may take more than a moment under the mistletoe. But working together could heal past hurts and give their five-year-old son his Christmas wish!”
Thank you in advance to the author, Melinda Curtis, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Just like the previous four (4) books in this series, this book and series is connected to the RETURN OF THE BLACKWELL BROTHERS and the THE BLACKWELL SISTERS, and is written the same way – with four other authors – Amy Vastine, Anna J. Stewart, Carol Ross, and Cari Lynn Webb.
My introduction to the Blackwell Family, albeit Big E’s side was with Carol Ross’ Montana Match (The Blackwell Sisters #4). I later went on to read the fifth book in that series and bought the first three. I was later gifted the entire set, so I gave my extras to my mom.
Some series books can act as standalones in that when you read it, while it is connected, the previous or subsequent books do not have to be read in order to get a full picture.
This series is definitely best read together and in order. In fact, in the middle of reading this series, I went and found copies of RETURN OF THE BLACKWELL BROTHERS to read at a later date.
While the main romance of each book in this series is mostly concluded at the end of the respective books, the main story continued with small cliffhangers that are carried over into the next book.
This book ties up most of the main plot from the first book.
Christmas time in Eagle Springs and it’s time to check in on Denny’s branch of the Blackwell family in this conclusion of the series. In addition to the upcoming holiday, they’ve got a deadline looming and things are not looking good. And, after a bet, it all hinges on Helen Blackwell – Nash’s ex-wife.
When last we heard, Helen was engaged to Phil, but as this book begins – she can’t marry Phil. She still loves Nash Blackwell. And, if the sweet and romantic cover indicates anything – these two want to get back together. But, it won’t be an easy road with their personal obstacles standing in the way.
Big E – Elias Blackwell – is continuing to help his sister Denny. While no characters from the previous two series make a physical appearance, they are mentioned at the end of this book.
Most of the major characters from the first four books return, even if briefly (or are mentioned):
👒 Corliss – one of the five Blackwell siblings living on and working The Flying Spur
🥘 Mason – Corliss’ 13/14-yar old son (rarely seen, but mentioned)
🚒 Ryder – Eagle Springs’ new fire chief
🐎 Olivia – Ryder’s 8-year-old daughter (not seen as much)
🤠 Wyatt – youngest Blackwell sibling
🤠 Levi – Blackwell sibling, former rodeo star, injured
👒 Adele – widowed, mother of twin girls, Blackwell sibling; tends to get arrested on a regular basis
🚓 Sheriff Grady McMillan – usually arresting Adele on a regular basis
🤠 Nash – Blackwell sibling, divorced, has a son
🤠 Big E (Elias) – Denny’s older brother; lives in Montana
📱 Harper Hayes – social media influencer, accidentally married Wyatt
👒 Gran (Denny) – Matriarch of the Eagle Springs Blackwell family, owner of The Flying Spur Ranch
🐎 Isla Blackwell – Levi’s 10-year-old daughter, a bit obsessed with Summer; part of a riding club
🐎 Summer Davies – professional equestrian
A lot of characters connected with those in the books do not return. Even ones that are related.
Those who read the previous book, Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff, Grady’s father does not return, nor does Adele’s mother-in-law.
Like books #3 and #4, this one begins differently from the first two as there is NO DATE listed, but it takes place in December – the month the loan is due. Putting this right after book #4.
Due to Nash’s past, there is a reference to alcoholism. Another troubling subject would be the shooting of a horse after an accident – this is done for the animal’s comfort rather than any malice. It is still a standard practice though some might be upset about it.
Curtis starts off with Helen telling Phil she can’t marry him, and of course he doesn’t take it well. This will end up being a plot ploy with regard to a bet between him and Nash and the future of the Flying Spur.
While Nash wants to get back with Helen, he has his own demons – one of those is his sobriety.
Yet, Helen still wants him back.
Now that they know who the enemy is – and, why, time becomes a concern.
Big E realizes that in a way, he has financed Frank’s vendetta against Denny; though not intentionally. And, Frank won’t be happy with the end of the Flying Spur, he wants to divide the family.
As always, happy endings take a while, as does finding a solution to a huge problem. Curtis definitely didn’t make the journey easy, but it was well worth it by the end.
While this was hard to put down, some of the plot did kind of seem to creep a bit. There were a few plot holes that have me wondering if they aren’t going to be worked into another Blackwell series by the authors.
For the most part, I loved Helen and she was definitely the strongest part of the story. I related to her “eviction” issue as earlier this year, my mom and I were given notice that our lease wasn’t going to be renewed – the plan was to renovate and charge more money. We only got lucky because of my mom’s health issues, but it is a frightening thing to experience.
Like the other books, I couldn’t tell there were different authors who wrote the books. This definitely flowed right with those books.
Curtis balanced the serious parts with humor. Some nuggets were “a girl could be happy with a frog”, as well as Big E telling Luke to get a lawyer about a girl bullying him.
I did enjoy the advice Big E gave to Denny to not take responsibility for what someone else does. And, it was interesting to see how Denny ended up “ending” the feud”.
And, if there are more Blackwell stories … heads up … they’re on the TBR stack already! (Y’all can count me in as a reader). This is the first book I’ve read by the author and it didn’t disappoint.
Those who’ve read the series so far won’t want to miss this, and certainly fans of the author will want to grab this.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs (Book #1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (July 26, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584587
ISBN-13: 978-1335584588
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“A reunion with a twist…
May save the day!
After a near-fatal day on the job, firefighter Ryder Talbot's finally back in Eagle Springs, Wyoming, and ready for a new start with his daughter. Seeing Corliss Blackwell again stirs up old feelings he tried to leave behind. Now that Corliss needs his help to close a deal on a loan that will save her gran’s ranch, can he finally prove they’re worth taking a chance on?”
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs (Book #2)
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (August 23, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584625
ISBN-13: 978-1335584625
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“Can a secret Vegas wedding…
Survive in Wyoming?
Social media influencer Harper Hayes never wanted to marry. So how did drop-dead gorgeous cowboy Wyatt Blackwell end up as her husband in Vegas? Now Harper’s in Wyoming, trying to convince her gun-shy groom to stay married for at least a month so she can save face. But marrying a Wyoming Blackwell comes with a whole lot of complications. Especially when Harper falls for her handsome new husband…for real.”
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (September 27, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584668
ISBN-13: 978-1335584663
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Will a Wyoming cowboy…
Rescue her heart?
Famous equestrian Summer Davies travels to Wyoming to escape a scandal…and rescue Levi Blackwell’s rodeo. When she arrives early, the only place to stay is with the ornery—and gorgeous—cowboy. Their commitment to making the rodeo a success, and Summer’s affection for his young daughter, draws them together. When he learns about her past, will he still want her help? Or will he end up chasing her away?”
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print (October 25, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335584706
ISBN-13: 978-1335584700
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“She keeps finding trouble…
He keeps finding her
Adele Blackwell Kane can’t seem to not get arrested. In fact, the pretty widowed mom of twin girls might be Sheriff Grady McMillan’s favorite not-quite-a-criminal. But keeping Adele out of trouble is hard work—especially when Grady wants out of Wyoming for good. When Adele decides to rescue the town from developers, Grady wonders if his quirky felon might be stealing his heart, too…”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning USA Today bestselling author Melinda Curtis, when not writing romance, can be found working on a fixer-upper she and her husband purchased in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Although this is the third home they’ve lived in and renovated (in three different states), it’s not a job or the faint of heart. But, it’s been a good metaphor for book writing, as sometimes you have to tear things down to the bare bones to find the core beauty and potential. In between, and during, renovations, Melinda has written over thirty books for Harlequin, including including her Heartwarming book Dandelion Wishes, which was made into a TV movie – Love in Harmony Valley, starring Amber Marshall.
Melinda Curtis be found on the following social media networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/melcurtisauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelCurtisAuthor
Website: https://www.melindacurtis.net/
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