Review, Q&A, and Giveaway - - Cowboy Christmas Redemption

Cowboy Christmas Redemption
by Maisey Yates
A Gold Valley Novel  
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: September 24, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
    

Cowboy Caleb Dalton has loved single mom Ellie Bell, and her little daughter, Amelia, for years. But since Ellie is his best friend’s widow, Caleb’s head knows Ellie will always be strictly off-limits. If only his heart got the memo. So when Caleb discovers that Ellie has a Christmas wish list—and hopes for a kiss under the mistletoe—he’s throwing his cowboy hat into the ring. If anyone’s going to be kissing Ellie and sharing this magical time with her and her daughter, it’s him.

Ellie has dreaded the holidays since losing her husband. But this year, she’s finally ready to make some changes. She never expects the biggest change to be the heart-stopping kiss she shares with Caleb. For almost five years, Caleb has been her best friend, her rock, her salvation. This Christmas, can Caleb prove he’s also the missing puzzle piece of Ellie’s and Amelia’s hearts?

My thoughts:

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this newest addition to Maisy Yates' Gold Valley series brings all the feels. Though Caleb and Ellie have been best friends for years, the mass of intermingled emotional baggage they both carry has kept them from moving beyond friendship. Until Ellie finally decides to move forward with her life...and Caleb isn't about to let her move on with anyone but him. It makes for a complex, emotional journey that made me laugh, cry, and tingle in all the best ways. 

Yates does a great job of bringing her characters to life and immersing me in their journey. I could feel all the doubts, desire, and guilt that Caleb and Ellie have to wade through. My heart ached for the pain caused by the secrets Caleb has kept from his family, and Ellie, and rejoiced in the forgiveness and acceptance that follow when he finally shares them. 

Ellie and Caleb have been tested by the flames of emotional fire, from which they emerged stronger and wiser, with a solid foundation of friendship and love. I turned the final page of their story confident in the strength of their bond and their future happiness as a family. 

I can't wait to return to Gold Valley for more Dalton family stories!

Q&A with Maisey Yates

Hi Maisey! Thanks so much for visiting with us today. I’ve been eagerly anticipating Caleb's, Ellie's, and little Amelia’s story and you did not disappoint, taking me on a journey filled with both laughter and tears. Which scene(s) in this book did you have the most fun writing? Which was the most difficult?

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. I think my very favorite scene to write was that first kiss. Caleb has so much passion built up inside of him and I loved when it just exploded. As far as difficult scenes go, definitely anything at the end, prior to them figuring out they loved each other. Ellie is so wounded, and trying so hard to do the right thing, and her grief was tricky to navigate, but very, very rewarding!

Best-friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes. What is it about this trope that appeals to you as an author? 

I love it because I relate to it. My husband and I were friends before we got together, and there’s something that I like about suddenly seeing a person you’ve known for a long time in new way. (this is why I also like the best friend’s little sister trope a lot!)

What’s next from Maisey Yates? 

A COWBOY FOR ALL SEASONS is out February 24^th 2020, and I’m so excited about that book. It’s a project I worked on with three of my best friends – Caitlin Crews, Nicole Helm and Jackie Ashenden – about four cousins who each spend a season in their late grandmother’s farmhouse and find healing and love with a handsome cowboy. J Then in May my first Women’s Fiction, SECRETS FROM A HAPPY MARRIAGE is coming out. It’s different for me, but also still very much a Maisey Yates book. It’s about forgiveness, healing, a historic lighthouse, and family, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.

Let’s do a fun five!

Favorite Halloween candy: Snickers

Dogs or cats (or something else): I would really like a pet raccoon, but I could only ever have one if there happened to be an orphaned one that needed to be cared for, but I would take it in a second!

Favorite sound that soothes your soul: Is it weird to say Dierks Bentley? If so, then I’m weird.

Favorite fall comfort food: I’m not going to lie, it’s for sure pumpkin spice everything.

Last book that kept you reading past your bedtime: Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore.

Thank you for visiting with us, Maisey!  Do you have anything else to add? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

I told you a couple of my favorite tropes, what are yours?


One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, September 28, will receive a copy of Cowboy Christmas Redemption.


*Winner must be 18 or older.
*Limited to U.S. and Canada only.