One Special Christmas

Author: Amanda Cabot
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages 255
Release Date: October 8, 2024
Publisher: ByDand Publishing

It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn’t it?

Fearing this may be her young brother’s last Christmas, Greta Engel is determined to make Otto’s dream of spending it at the foot of Pikes Peak come true. She’ll do anything, even selling a priceless family heirloom, to get them away from Houston and the man who threatened both of them. But the trip to the fabled mountain is more arduous than she’d anticipated and a crisis leaves them stranded in the Texas Hill Country.

Even though it’s only a temporary stay, Greta finds much to like about Sweetwater Crossing, including the opportunity to manage the town’s tearoom. And then there’s Matt Nelson, the all too handsome man who’s running for sheriff.

She wants to trust him when he proposes they serve as chaperones to help his brother win the woman of his dreams, but what if she’s making a mistake like the one she did in Houston? What if the rumors are right and there’s more to Matt’s request than he’s admitted?

Greta’s head tells her she and Matt can be nothing more than friends, but her heart has other ideas.

---

Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

What a delightfully satisfying reunion with the folks from Sweetwater Crossing, Texas, courteous of super-talented storyteller Amanda Cabot! 

I dearly love this fictional Texas Hill Country small town and its residents (especially the Vaughn sisters), and I am so glad that Ms. Cabot decided to write this wonderful Christmas story as a companion to her amazing Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series.  

Newcomers Greta Engel and her young brother Otto, who need a Christmas miracle, and honorable rancher Matt Nelson headline the cast of memorable characters who advance the story beautifully. I felt I was right there with them, sharing their joys and sorrows.  

The well-paced, captivating plot flows smoothly with a few heartwarming twists. A strong faith thread and sweet romance round out this heartwarming story. I love this book and highly recommend it as a perfect read for Christmastime or any other time of the year! 

NOTE: Even though there are carryover characters from the series, this book can easily be read as a standalone. I encourage you to read the series, though, because it is so good and well worth your time!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author via Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

---

---

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

What a treat it was to be back in Sweetwater Crossing! For those who have read The Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series, you will be delighted to know all your favourite characters are back, plus a few new ones to make this a book you want to pick up!

Greta Engel comes to Sweetwater Crossing as a new character who has come from Houston with her little brother Otto in tow. Unfortunately, Otto is sick and Greta needs help fast. With her wagon on its last legs and her horse in dire need of attention, she finds herself in Sweetwater Crossing and that's when her life changes for the better.

Matt Nelson is also a new character who helps Greta and is quickly taken by her. The love story for these two is very sweet and all the more special with the Christmas season thrown in, where everything is just a bit more magical!

I enjoyed the faith element of this book and of course, seeing all the characters again. Thank you, Amanda Cabot, for giving us one last visit to Sweetwater!

If you haven't read the series, this book can be read as a standalone, but why deprive yourself? Go out and get the other books in the series because you won't regret it!

I received a complimentary copy from the author for my honest review.

---