Customer Reviews

The Christmas Cradle (Harlequin American Romance)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Christmas Cradle is a lovely story with a unique twist on the "secret baby" storyline. I read this book and was unable to trade it or give it away. Linda Warren has a special talent for writing heartwarming, emotional romances about home and family. The Christmas Cradle is her best yet!

Marisa Preston has mourned the child she lost for eight years. When she once again sees Colter Kincaid, her lost baby's father, she meets his 7 year old daughter. A poignant reminder of what might have been hers, Ellie, Colter's daughter, only wants a mommy for Christmas, and writes a letter to Santa every year.

Slowly, the truth behind the last eight years unravels, her parents ended her relationship with the rodeo star, and she was too weak-willed to fight against the pressure. Colter has hated Marisa for breaking her promise to marry him eight years ago, though she insists she made the biggest mistake in her life. In the midst of pain and betrayal, a love that never really died is discovered. Instead of falling apart under the circumstances of losing her child and the abandonment by Colter, Marisa becomes a stronger person, which in turn impresses Colter.

Linda Warren fans will cherish this emotional tale of second chances. Marisa and Colter are realistic characters, and Colter placing his daughter first makes him a solid father, and wonderful hero. Still the cast of characters makes for a strong holiday romance that will live in your memory. A

Wow...what a beautiful romance. I loved the book so much, I read it over. By the time the heroine realizes what had kept her away from the hero, I was bawling. But instead of falling apart, she became stronger, and that impressed the hero. The ending should have had a stronger finish, and the parents should not have been so easily forgiven, but the rest of the book was fantastic!

The Christmas Cradle is a wonderful story with a unique twist on the standard "secret baby" plot. I read this book over Christmas weekend and couldn't put it down, to the point where I took it everywhere I went, reading on the long drive between places my husband and I visited over the holidays. Linda Warren has a real talent for penning a heartwarming, intriguing romance story and this book is her best yet!

...even though I read the book closer to Valentine's Day than Christmas. Doesn't matter the holiday, this story was will melt your heart.

Marisa Preston has mourned the child she lost for eight years. When she remeets her baby's father,Colter Kincaid, she is introduced to his daughter, a poignant reminder of what might have been hers--a sweeet little girl who only wants a mommy for Christmas. Slowly, the truth behind the last eight years unravels, and in the midst of pain and betrayal, a love that never really died is discovered.

All seven years old Ellie Kincaid wants for Christmas is a mommy. Her annual letter to Santa breaks the heart of her dad horse rancher Colter, but he knows he will never fall in love again.

Marisa Preston feels lonely around Christmas time because eight years ago she met the love of her life Colter, a rodeo star. Her upper crust parents ended her relationship with her beloved as she just was not strong enough to deal with their pressure.

Marisa is at the Dalton's Department Store in Dallas where she works in management being the daughter of the company's driving force. Colter happens to be in the store shopping with his daughter when he and Marisa see one another. Colter hates Marisa for breaking her pledge to marry him though she insists she made mistakes and was only seventeen. She meets Ellie, his daughter with Shannon who he married just after Marisa left him; they have since divorced. What he never knew is they had a son who died. Marisa needs to tell him what really happened, but will he listen? If Ellie has her way, Santa has finally delivered her present.

Fans will cherish this entreating Yuletide second chance at love tale due to the lead couple especially Colter who is a rare realistic hunk; his placing his daughter first makes him a solid father. Though the ice storm seems a bit contrived as this strands Marisa, contemporary readers will not care as this device enables her to gain the time she needs with Colter. Still the cast makes for a strong holiday romance that will bring good cheer to one and all.

Harriet Klausner

Overall, the story is pleasing. However, the plot is so desperately contrived in order to make the story work. Without revealing the story, there is a past history between the two main characters that is so implausible for various reasons--gullibility, legality, human nature, etc. But this ridiculous backstory exists in order to set the stage for the story being told.

The ending is terribly forced as well. Much too "and they all lived happily ever after" considering the grievous ills committed by subcharacters.

That said, if you can ignore all the contrived ridiculousness, the main characters are interesting and the story is a light, entertaining read.