kimbacaffeinate
Written on Dec 3, 2018
- I really enjoy Katie Ruggle's romantic suspense series and Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas is not only a holiday read, but the first novel in a brand new series. Family, friends and a wonderful setting quickly pulled me into this heartwarming story.
- A single father of four who is also a firefighting cowboy. Come to momma! A scare regarding the children had Steve Springfield moving his young family to his childhood home, a Christmas Tree ranch in Borne, Colorado. Steve works the business with his three brothers and accepted a position with the local volunteer firefighters dept. On his first call he encounters, Camille Brandt, a shy, socially awkward girl, well woman now, that he remembers from high school. She was three years younger than him, but memorable all the same.
- Camille Brandt remembers Steve alright. While they never hung out, she had the worst crush on Steve freakin' Springfield. I loved their first encounter. Camille made me giggle and the way these two spoke warmed my heart, as I snuggled in to see what would happen.
- Camille was a fun character. I easily identified with her reclusive nature. She is a bit of a nerd and a talented artist. When she would start babbling around Steve, adorable things would happen.
- The romance or as my young friends like to say, "the ship" was wonderful, awkward, blush worthy and slow building with a touch of heat to curl your toes.
- Secondary characters like the Springfield brothers and Steve's precocious children added humor, some sticky situations and helped pull the storyline together.
- The suspense angle was more of a side thread, but powerful and suspenseful. It involved fire and plenty of danger as Camille finds herself the center of unwanted attention. Ruggle presented clues and to be honest I had a hunch but quickly dismissed it. Ruggled added a few twists and surprised me with this thread. I felt it was well done.
- Fans of Ruggle will remember Steve from the Search & Rescue series but new fans can begin here. I love when Ruggle ties in previous series and characters.
- Callie Beaulieu has narrated all of the Ruggle books I've listen to, so it was a surprise to see a new narrator for this series. This was my first time listening to narrator, Vanessa Daniels but I was pleased. She captured the characters and pacing making the transition smooth for me. I would listen to this narrator again, and hope she continues with this series.
