4 STAR REVIEW: SIMPLE GIFTS by Anna DeForest

Christmas promises to be anything but merry for Robin Matthews who is waging a losing battle to keep her ranch and her family together. So when rugged ex-Marshal Nathaniel Hollister grudgingly agrees to help her run the Rocking M temporarily, he appears to be the answer to her prayers. But with Christmas fast approaching, Robin is going to need a miracle to keep from losing everything, including her heart to this kind but bitter man.

Though his attraction to her is growing by the day, Nathaniel knows he is too world-weary for a decent young woman like Robin. Once the most infamous lawman in the West, he turned in his badge after a tragedy left him guilt stricken and disillusioned. And yet Nathaniel is about to discover that the magic of Christmas has a way of making the impossible possible… and turning wishes into simple gifts that can last a lifetime.

Before I start, I want to mention that this book is a reprint of a title published in 2000 titled A Cowboy for Christmas. Amazon also says this is the first book in a series, but the book itself says it’s book 3. Now that we got that out of the way, on to the review.

I love historical romance stories, set it around the holidays, and I’m all in. Bonus is that it’s a historical western romance. Okay, this book marked off all the right boxes for me to want to dive in. The only downside is that it was the third book in a series, and I haven’t read the other books. However, this book stood quite well on its own.

Robin Matthews is trying to run a ranch and raise her younger siblings after the death of her parents. It’s made more difficult by a neighbor who is intent on her selling her ranch to him. The story opens as she’s discovered some of her cattle has been rustled, and she takes off after the thieves. During her rescue, she runs into Nathaniel, and the story takes off.

I really enjoyed this book. I was totally sucked into the story and couldn’t wait to see how everything was resolved. I mean, I knew there would be a happily ever after, but that journey to get there was so full of indecision, twists and turns, I was kept on the edge of my seat, happily turning those pages. I liked all the supporting characters; the family added enough spice to fill out the story. The villains were deliciously evil that I couldn’t help but hate them and root for their downfall.

My only complaint was the internal reasons that Nathaniel had for wanting to stay out of Robin’s life. I mean, they were valid, but I felt they were a little on the thin side. I could have used something with more substance, but that’s just me.  

Otherwise, the story worked for me, and I’d be interested in reading more of this series and author.  

I’ve always enjoyed reading romances, and I love western history and fantasy. I decided to combine these loves, and I was thrilled when my first western historical, Golden Dreams, sold to Leisure Books. I wrote six more romances over the years, and I am pleased to be able to offer them here. I tried to write the sort of romances I like to read, stories about warm, caring people who pursue their lives and loves with passion.

Growing up in Colorado gave me a lifelong taste for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and skiing. I also enjoy gardening, which is a challenge because armadillos keep rooting around in my flowerbeds here in Dallas. I have a wonderful husband, two terrific daughters and way too many dogs and cats. Thank you for visiting my website, and I hope you enjoy my stories!