The latest in Linda Lael Miller's Springwater series, A Springwater Christmas introduces a boarding house spinster and a prodigal son to the mix of loveable characters in this frontier town.
Miss Olivia Darling seizes her first and last opportunity for adventure when she uses her inheritance from her late aunt to buy a boarding house. Her courage starts to falter, however, when all the customers steer straight for the rival McCafferys' hotel. When a tall, handsome stranger darkens her door, Olivia is instantly attracted to him. But Jack McLaughlin is determined to keep himself removed from Olivia and life in Springwater. Haunted by a dark past, Jack once failed those who loved him most. Now as he finds himself falling for Olivia, Jack must face the consequences of his past, or risk the dreams of his future.
Miller's warm characters and sleek, unaffected writing style neatly disguise what is not always the most profound plot. While Jack enjoys a complex internal debate, Olivia's progression from grumpy activist to drama club president feels hollow. But profundity is not the point here: the dialogue is realistic, the romance is solid, the sensuality is restrained, and the final result is sure to keep more than a few readers up past their bedtime. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien
Old Book Barn Gazette
"Springwater Seasons: Miranda" - A gentle love story about individual growth and adjustments to loss. If you're looking for a simple love story to relax with, this is the one."
Romantic Times
"A Springwater Christmas" - Christmas is the perfect time of year to return to Springwater Station and the unforgettable characters we've come to know and love . . . With this tale of a prodigal son, Ms. Miller opens our hearts to a tender and beautiful story. Springwater has become synonymous with heartwarming Americana romance with the spark of sensuality Linda Lael Miller is famous for. Readers will glory in this new addition to the series . . . Ms. Miller has once more given us a gift of love. "Springwater Seasons: Miranda" - A sensual marriage of convenience tale guaranteed to warm your heart all the way down to your toes . . . The mounting sexual tension combined with the Americana aura takes MIRANDA to a new level of romance; just what readers expect from Linda Lael Miller. "Springwater Seasons: Rachel" - A delightful and delicious mini-series. These short, charming, sweet and heartwarming books will delight western and Americana fans alike . . . The first volume of SPRINGWATER SEASONS will charm you, enchant you, delight you and quite simply hook you on the rest of the series. Linda Lael Miller does what she always does, creates luminous characters who touch our hearts in very special ways. "Springwater" - Linda Lael Miller captures not only the ambiance of a small western town, but the need for love, companionship and kindness that is within all of us. SPRINGWATER is what Americana romance is all about.
Book Description
Come home to the heart of a frontier town.... Linda Lael Miller created magic in five novels set in Springwater, Montana -- and in the delightful characters whose lives and hearts entwine in each of her enchanting tales. Now, come back to Springwater for an unforgettable holiday -- and join in the tears and the smiles when a prodigal son returns to find love at long last. When Jack McLaughlin drifted into Springwater, he carried little more with him than his bitter memories of the Civil War and the shattering secret of a promise betrayed in the heat of battle. Wounded soul-deep, and fearing the wrath of his own parents, Jack has hidden his identity and come to Springwater to see his mother and father from afar, even if he can't bear to face them. Taking odd jobs and keeping a low profile, Jack finds a safe haven at the town's new rooming house. Olivia Darling had never done anything impulsive -- until she left the east and opened a boarding house in Springwater. But still an outsider at heart, and struggling to make a success of her business, Olivia finds herself turning to the other newcomer in town, the rough-hewn and embittered man she's taken in. As the Christmas season brings them together, Olivia finds in Jack's arms a passionate sweetness she never knew existed. And with the stunning revelation of Jack's true identity, all of Springwater witnesses a heartwarming reunion that will change their lives forever.
From the Back Cover
When Jack McLaughlin drifted into Springwater, he carried little more with him than his bitter memories of the Civil War and the shattering secret of a promise betrayed in the heat of battle. Wounded soul-deep, and fearing the wrath of his own parents, Jack has hidden his identity and come to Springwater to see his mother and father from afar, even if he can't bear to face them. Taking odd jobs and keeping a low profile, Jack finds a safe haven at the town's new rooming house. Olivia Darling had never done anything impulsive until she left the east and opened a boarding house in Springwater. But still an outsider at heart, and struggling to make a success of her business, Olivia finds herself turning to the other newcomer in town, the rough-hewn and embittered man she's taken in. As the Christmas season brings them together, Olivia finds in Jack's arms a passionate sweetness she never knew existed. And with the stunning revelation of Jack's true identy, all of Springwater witnesses a heartwarming reunion that will change their lives forever.
About the Author
Linda Lael Miller has written more than twenty-four novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Princess Annie, The Legacy, Yankee Wife, and Daniel's Bride. With more than six million copies of her books in print, she is considered to be one of the finest romance authors writing today. Ms. Miller resides in the Seattle area, where she is hard at work on an exciting new series for Pocket Books.
Springwater Christmas FROM THE PUBLISHER
In this conclusion to the "Springwater" series, Jacob and June-bug McCafferty get some starling news when a mysterious stranger returns to Springwater. As the now-bustling little town continues to grow, a new arrival establishes a hotel, and romance blossoms for a Christmas wedding.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Miller continues her Springwater Seasons series with the 19th-century romantic escapades of Rachel, the young friend of Evangeline, the heroine in the author's previous offering. Rachel English arrives from Pennsylvania as the new schoolmarm for the remote stagecoach stop of Springwater, Mont. The young miss has her first encounter with the hero, Trey Hargreaves, when her horse and buggy get stranded in the middle of a swollen creek. The prudish Rachel assumes that Trey is a "no account" rake and rounder. Her heart softens toward the handsome hero, however, when she meets his beautiful 11-year-old daughter and discovers that Trey has been raising his child alone after the death of her mother. As the days go on, and as Rachel treks through the back hills, rounding up her students for the coming school year, she encounters a different way of life and experiences a major change in her thinking. Despite the slight size of the novel, Miller provides all the necessary components, including well-defined subplots and characters, to create a warm and cozy love story. (Mar.)
Art & Photography
Book Info
