An Outlaw's Christmas (Mckettricks of Texas) [Hardcover]

Linda Lael Miller (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 25, 2012 | Series: Mckettricks of Texas

With his wild heart, Sawyer McKettrick isn't ready to settle down on the Triple M family ranch in Arizona. So he heads to Blue River, Texas, to seek a job as marshal. But in a blinding snowstorm he's injured—and collapses into the arms of a prim and proper lady in calico.

The shirtless, bandaged stranger recuperating in teacher Piper St. James's room behind the schoolhouse says he's a McKettrick, but he looks like an outlaw. As they wait out the storm, the handsome loner has Piper remembering long-ago dreams of marriage and motherhood. But for how long is Sawyer willing to call Blue River home?

As the gray skies clear, Piper's one holiday wish just might bring two lonely hearts together forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget." -#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

"Miller is one of the finest American writers in the genre."-RT BookReviews

"After reading this book your heart will be so full of Christmas cheer you'll want to stuff a copy in the stocking of every romance fan you know!"-USA TODAY on A Lawman's Christmas

"Strong characterization and a vivid western setting make for a fine historical romance."-Publishers Weekly on McKettrick's Choice

About the Author

The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is the author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels. Now living in Spokane, Washington, the “First Lady of the West” hit a career high when all three of her 2011 Creed Cowboy books debuted at #1 on the New York Times list. In 2007, the Romance Writers of America presented her their Lifetime Achievement Award. She personally funds her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women. Visit her at www.lindalaelmiller.com.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN; Book Club Edition edition (September 25, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373777019
• ISBN-13: 978-0373777013
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 star read September 25, 2012

By K. Branfield

Format:Kindle Edition

An Outlaw's Christmas is a heartwarming historical romance that will delight fans of Linda Lael Miller's McKettrick series. Sawyer McKettrick journeys to Blue River, TX to take over his cousin Clay's position as marshal. Arriving in the middle of a blizzard, he is greeted by a bullet from an unknown assailant. He collapses in the schoolhouse yard, where he is discovered by school teacher Piper St. James. A prim and proper lady through and through, Piper rescues Sawyer despite the very real risk of ruining her reputation. But Piper soon discovers the greatest danger is to her heart...

Piper and Sawyer are fabulous characters and I absolutely adore both of them. Piper is no shy and retiring miss. She is a bit of rebel and she has strong convictions that she stands up for no matter the consequences. Piper is also quite compassionate and caring. She might be prim and proper, but Piper is pretty feisty. She has a temper and she does not hesitate to speak her mind.

Sawyer is a McKettrick through and through. Stubborn and strong-willed, there is no changing his mind once he decides on a course of action. He has a mysterious reputation and he is reluctant to give up any personal information. Sawyer has certainly met his match in Piper, and with a lot of determination and perseverance she manages to learn his secrets.

Although love comes quickly to Piper and Sawyer, it never feels forced or rushed. Their romance is sweet and touching. Despite their mutual desire for each other, Sawyer is always a perfect gentleman. And when Piper's reputation is threatened, he gallantly comes to her rescue.

An Outlaw's Christmas is a feel good romance that is fast-paced and engrossing.... Linda Lael Miller delivers yet another moving story about love and family that perfectly expresses the spirit of Christmas. A perfectly charming love story that fans of historical westerns do not want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy for review. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely Christmas story... September 25, 2012

By Herding Cats

Format:Hardcover

Oh I liked this. An Outlaw's Christmas was one of those books that I immediately felt comfortable with. It's just a sweet story and the writing flows so easily.

Piper and Sawyer were both wonderful characters. They're compassionate and honest with the perfect touch of fire in them. I really enjoyed watching love sneak up on the pair. And how they dealt the not-so-proper situation they found themselves in when Sawyer landed injured on her doorstep and compromises her reputation. I loved how they were with each other. A touch, a look, a murmured word just when the other needed it. There was such a comfortable, right feeling to the two of them as a couple.

An Outlaw's Christmas is just a feel good kinda book. It's short, sweet and warms your heart. I loved the little glimpse into a family full of solid honorable men and bold feisty women. Always a great combination. I'll definitely be going back now and checking out the rest of the McKettrick clan. They sound like a damn fine group of men and women and I can't wait to hear all of their stories.

{A temporary copy was received in exchange for an honest review}

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Juvenile and predictable October 1, 2012

By Sandra

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

LLM is a veteran writer whose books have improved significantly over time. This was like one of the earlier books, very simple, and predictable. Very old fashioned, almost Victorian in the writing of the prudishness of the schoolteacher. Other characters were also 1 dimensional, very bigoted, or very haughty or very prejudiced. I was disappointed in this book because she can usually write so entertainingly about families, and complicated situations.

It makes me wonder if this is a rerelease of an earlier novel? I did not enjoy it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love the McKettricks. September 30, 2012

By Teresa E. Snyder

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Another 5 star book from Linda Lael Miller. Admittedly, I had my doubts about Sawyer when he first appeared in last years Christmas book. No more. Sweet, easy to read, book. And, we got to see Clay, Dara Rose and several other old friends in the McKettrick family.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Outlaw's Christmas, A Review for the Blog Tea and Book September 25, 2012

By Shauni Steenburgen

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The McKettricks are BACK!! Linda Lael Miller is giving us a brand new McKettrick treat. This time we are traveling back to Blue River Sawyer McKettrick is on his way to be temporary sheriff before returning to The McKettrick Spread in Arizona. Every time I read about the McKettrick's I just want to smile. From feisty old Duncan to the youngest one. From the old west to WWI era to today.. there is just something to love about each and every one of them.

Sawyer is on his way to Blue River to take over as sheriff to help out his cousin, that's what McKettricks do after all. With a busy ranch two daughters and a baby on the way he really doesn't have much time for Sheriffing right now so Sawyer to the rescue. Of course he has to arrive in the middle of a blizzard, leaving his trunk at the train depot, Sawyer rides through town determined to make it to the hotel before he freezes. Unfortunately, someone has other ideas and shoots him. Barely alive he hangs on and hopes he ends up somewhere safe.

Piper St James is the local schoolmarm (why did they call them that anyway?) she is freezing in her little room attached to the local school trying to figure out if she really does need to go out into the blizzard. I mean seriously, does she really need wood for the fire? or water? Finally giving in to reality she walks out and stumbles right into a riderless horse. A saddled riderless horse. Realizing something is wrong, she backtracks to where she stumbles and finds Sawyer frozen, unconscious and bleeding right on her doorstep. Realizing that even though it will jeopardize her reputation the only thing to do is to bring him inside and care for him.... While she is undressing him she discovers his gun, seriously in these modern times (1910) who carries a gun anymore unless they are an outlaw or a sheriff, seeing no badge she realizes he must be an outlaw.. what's a girl to do?

Piper is a great character.. she cracks me up, sure she knows she should be taking care of this poor injured man but seriously does he have to bleed all over her trousseau quilts? made me giggle when she offered him coffee in one of her chipped cups, thinking to herself not in one of her matching china set that remains in her chest unlike her quilts. This is a girl with a good heart but a practical nature. Sawyer is almost secondary.. that seems odd for a McKettrick but Piper is so well written she just jumps off the page. When one of her students is ill and Piper finds out that the Doctor won't visit because she lives in the local brothel, Piper is off and running.. and sure enough with a little help from Sawyer, the doctor shows up.

As often occurred in a time when a life could be destroyed by innuendo, Sawyer and Piper realize that the only way to save her reputation is by marriage. Piper of course is still not quite convinced that he isn't an outlaw, even if his cousin is married to hers. Obviously those McKettricks stick together. But she realizes her options are few so they decide to marry and then slowly get to know each other. But the die is cast and the two fall crazy in love.. I know spoiler *grins* but this is a McKettrick novel, Can you imagine if they didn't? These two belong together.

There is the secondary story of who shot Sawyer and why, which of course Sawyer being a contrary McKettrick is bound and determined to solve.. of course nothing in Blue River ever happens the way things ought to and he is saved by... *grins* ok not gonna do another spoiler..

This book was classic Linda Lael Miller, sassy, funny, sexy and yes those McKettricks qualify as swoonworthy men.. Even when like in this book that McKettrick is there to showcase an amazing female character.. If you haven't yet met the McKettricks... oh you so seriously need to. Be sure and check out Ms Millers Website for all of her wonderful characters.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of An Outlaw's Christmas was provided by netgalley Read more ›