#GIVEAWAY Review A Cowboy's Christmas Carol by Brenda Harlen #hohohoharlequinholidayextravaganza

Today on the blog I'm reviewing another very favorite author who writes for HQN's Special Edition line, Brenda Harlen's Christmas novel, A Cowboy's Christmas Carol. I've also included a little something special from Christmas past from Brenda. Don't forget to enter the #Giveaway.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978-1335894946
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 12-1-2020
Length: 288pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin/Amazon

Overview:

It’s the holiday season in Bronco, but for tour operator Evan Cruise, Ôtis only the season for making money. Haunted by his past, he refuses to celebrate the festivities around him—until he meets Daphne Taylor. As the owner of the local animal sanctuary challenges Evan’s resistance to yuletide spirit, their attraction grows into something deeper. But when Daphne uncovers Evan’s shocking family secret, it threatens to tear them apart. Will a little Christmas magic change everything?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix?

My Review:

A Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Montana Mavericks What Happened to Beatrix #6
Brenda Harlen

 

Brenda Harlen finishes the Montana Maverick’s What Happened to Beatrix mini-series with a mystery and ghost story including an affective retelling of A Christmas Carol. Her Montana setting at Christmastime is storybook perfect and her stars, Evan who plays Scrooge very well and Daphne the big hearted animal loving vegetarian are also the perfect fit for each other and are also very good at sleuthing to get to the bottom of the animal rescue’s ghost problem. The secondary characters both two and four legged are unforgettable especially Grandma Daisy on the two legged cast and Tiny Tim the pig on the four legged. Reading the mini-series in order is best but there’s enough body to the story to enjoy on it’s own merit too.

Evan Cruise is looking to expand his ghost tours for the holidays and when he hears about a haunted Animal Rescue farm called Happy Hearts he knows it’s the perfect addition, when he meets the pretty owner of the rescue he’s haunted by more than ghosts. He’s haunted by how she makes him feel.

Daphne Taylor has been haunted for years by Alice Milton’s ghost a woman who lived and perished in a fire on her farm years ago so she’s not surprised to be approached by the operator of the local ghost tour business wanting to put Happy Hearts on the tour. What does surprise her is that Alice seems to approve not just the idea but also the handsome ghost tour owner and if Daphne is honest she’s happy to have the handsome owner around too.

 

A holiday recipe from Brenda's 2016 holiday post:

Brenda’s Café Mocha

12 ounces strong, freshly brewed coffee

4 tbsp grated chocolate (I used a bar of gourmet

   dark chocolate)  + a little extra for garnish

¼ cup light cream (or substitute, as desired)

1 oz. Kahlua (optional)

whipped cream

Melt grated chocolate in microwave-safe bowl, approximately 40-60 seconds, stirring every 20 seconds.

Pour coffee into mug.

Stir melted chocolate into coffee.

Add cream and Kahlua, if desired.

Top with whipped cream, then sprinkle extra grated chocolate on top.

Enjoy!

And the crackle gingerbread cookies that I made to go with my café mocha are incredibly simple to make—especially if you cheat (like I did) and start with a tube of Pillsbury’s refrigerated gingerbread cookie dough. Just scoop out 2 tbsp, roll into a ball, then roll the ball in coarse sugar (I used turbinado sugar). Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then place about 2” apart on cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes. They look fancy and taste delicious (crisp outside; chewy inside) but are super quick and easy—which is my favorite kind of recipe J 

May your holiday be filled with lots of sweet treats!

Merry Christmas,
Brenda Harlen 

PS. The Christmas tree in the photo was made by my youngest son when he was in second grade—nine years ago—and is still one of my favorite holiday decorations.

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