Lizzie McKettrick is coming home for Christmas. And Indian Rock's new schoolteacher has a surprise in store for her family—a special young man, Whitley Carson. He might seem a little too interested in the McKettrick money, but Lizzie's certain Whitley cares for her deep down.
Yet fate has a surprise of its own for Lizzie: Dr. Morgan Shane. When their homebound train is halted by a massive avalanche, injuring and stranding its passengers, the handsome doctor takes charge—with Lizzie by his side.
Despite their growing bond, Lizzie and Morgan know time is running out. With another avalanche looming and the train's food supply dwindling, it's going to be a bleak Christmas Eve. But with faith, hard work and a little extra help from a most unexpected source, they just might find their way home to celebrate a McKettrick family Christmas after all.
In January of 2006, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Linda Lael Miller left the Arizona horse property she's called home for the past five years and listened to the call of her heart. Packing up her work-in-progress for HQN Books; her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and her four horses, the author of more than 70 novels bid farewell to her home in the desert and returned to the place of her birth, Spokane, Washington. The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. Her grandparents' spread was so rustic that in the early days it lacked electricity and running water.
As delightful as this childhood was, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.
Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. The first morning there, a snowfall blanketed the pine trees, something she had missed in the desert outside Scottsdale. Still enamored with the people she came to love in Arizona, she says she will still set books in that starkly beautiful area, and, of course, in other stories the action will take place in Washington.
Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, the author will launch her sixth round of Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women in May of this year. A talented speaker, she donates all her speaking honoraria to her scholarship fund. The stipends are awarded to women who seek to better their lot in life through education.
It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. 'These qualities make them excellent role models for young women,' Miller explains. 'The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate.'
The author traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she made her first sale.
Although Linda has written successfully in other genres, she is best known for stories set in the West'stories like McKETTRICK'S CHOICE (HQN Books March 2006 paperback); THE MAN FROM STONE CREEK (HQN, June 2006 hardcover) and that very first novel, FLETCHER'S WOMAN, which is being reissued in 2006. Her stories, set in yesterday's world, and today's, are historical romances, romantic thrillers, and other contemporary tales. They consistently score on prestigious national bestseller lists.
Linda has come a long way since leaving her sheltered life in Northport at age 18 to experience the world. 'Growing up in that time and place, in a family grounded in Western values, served me well,' she allows. 'And I'm happy to be back home.'
This review is from: A Mckettrick Christmas (Hardcover)
In 1896 after spending two years at Miss Ridgley's Institute of Deportment and Refinement for Young Women, Lizzie McKettrick is excited to be coming home to her family on the Triple M Ranch in time for Christmas. She looks forward to being the new Indian Rock schoolteacher as well and mostly to introduce her beau Whitley Carson to her family.
An avalanche causes the train wreck stranding the passengers including Beau and her. Dr. Morgan Shane helps the injured while Lizzie assists him even as she waits for her family to rescue everyone. While working with the caring doctor, she reconsiders her feelings towards Whitley, who increasingly compared with Morgan looks like a gold-digger. However, more important than working through her feelings, she knows time is running out on the stranded travelers.
Clearly targeting fans of the McKettrick saga with a holiday toast, this is a warm inspirational historical romance. Lizzie is an intriguing lead character as she compares the two men in her life; one is caring and helpful to strangers while the other is aloof with a not my problem attitude. Although the story line follows a simplistic straight track, readers will enjoy spending A MCKETTRICK CHRISTMAS with the return of one of the daughters.
Harriet Klausner
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This review is from: A Mckettrick Christmas (Hardcover)
Ms. Miller revisits the historical McKettrick family with her latest novel. This book stars Lizzy Holt's daughter who is returning from San Francisco to Indian Rock to be the new Schoolmarm, she brings with her, her beau Whitney Carson to meet her family and share the holidays. Dr. Morgan Shane is on his way to Indian Rock at the request of LIzzy's Uncle to be the town doctor. Little do they know that an unexpected catastrophe is waiting literally around the next bend on the railroad tracks that will redefine every one's future. This book is wonderfully written and it's always fun to revisit one of my favorite families The McKettrick's and find out what they're all up to. It's a touching story about perseverance, bravery and a little Christmas miracle.
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This review is from: A Mckettrick Christmas (Hardcover)
It was a great story for the upcoming season. I love that linda lael miller wrote a story about the earlier McKettrick Women. It was a fast and easy read. Well written. I hope she does one for Kate in the future.
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