The first story in this romance duo by Linda Lael Miller is
A McKettrick Christmas. Lizzie McKettrick is on her way
home, not just for Christmas but permanently. She is excited
to begin her new career as a school teacher and to
introduce her family to Whitley Carson who she feels
certain is destined to become her husband. But as they
travel along the mountainous trails, their train gets
derailed by an avalanche. Suddenly, they find themselves in
a perilous situation along with the other travelers. They
realize that it will take cooperation, resourcefulness,
courage, and a big dose of luck to survive. And a few
miracles wouldn't hurt.
Dr. Morgan Shane is abroad the ill-fated
train on his way to start a practice in Indian Rock. Morgan
quickly realizes that Lizzie is a willing, albeit strong-
willed, woman who unflinchingly becomes his helper in
tending to those injured or sick. It also becomes
apparent that her travel-mate is quite the opposite. As
Morgan and Lizzie work together, a mutual respect (and
perhaps more) starts to develop. Lizzie is banking on her
family coming to their rescue but, with her faith shaken,
even she is looking for a Christmas miracle.
The second story, A Creed Country Christmas, finds Juliana
Mitchell in dire straits, without a home for herself and her
charges and no foreseeable solution. Her one hope is dashed
when the eagerly awaited help from her brother Clay fails to
appear. When her Indian school is closed, the students are
shipped off to other institutions. She defiantly takes the
last four with hopes of returning them to their families or
finding suitable adoptive parents. But without any
resources, she truly needs a miracle when in walks Lincoln
Creed. The widower hopes for a positive responses to his ads
for a homemaker, governess or, if necessary, a wife to help
raise his young daughter Gracie.
Lincoln quickly assesses Juliana's plight and takes them all
home to his ranch to give them a safe haven from the frigid
weather as well as the racially motivated unwelcoming
atmosphere of the town. Things become more complicated once
they arrive at the ranch. True to her nature, precocious
Gracie is open to having Juliana as her teacher but would
rather she become her new mother. Juliana realizes that she
and her charges aren't the only ones that need saving.
Lincoln and Gracie need a special woman in their lives.
Could she fit that role and give up her dream for a real
marriage based on love? Stillwater Springs Ranch could be
the answer to her dreams. Who knows what other Christmas
miracles are still to come?
A McKettrick Christmas reacquaints us with the ever growing
and devoted McKettrick clan -- kind of like going home for
the holidays and seeing beloved people. It joyously
conjures up visions of previous stories in the series.
A Creed Country Christmas features the ancestors of
characters in her Creed series. The characters are lovable,
exasperating, and of course enjoyable -- typical Miller
style. THE CHRISTMAS BRIDES is a good choice for Miller fans
and followers of these two families.
A McKettrick Christmas
Lizzie McKettrick is on a homebound train with a Christmas
Eve surprise 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. But fate has a surprise for Lizzie—Dr.
Morgan Shane. When their train is stranded by a massive
avalanche on Christmas Eve the handsome doctor takes charge—
with Lizzie by his side. Time's running out for the
passengers. But with faith, hard work and some unexpected
help, it just might be a joyous McKettrick family Christmas
after all...
A Creed Country Christmas
In the Montana wilderness of 1910, Lincoln Creed is up
against more than rustlers, wolves and winter storms. His
young daughter, Gracie, has needs beyond the beans and
bacon he can barely cook. The widowed rancher must find
Gracie a suitable governess who won't set her sights on
him. Disowned for her refusal to marry, the young
schoolteacher Juliana Mitchell seems like a perfect fit in
the Creed home. As she gets to know Lincoln and Gracie,
Juliana suddenly doesn't feel so strongly against marriage
after all. In the season of miracles, Providence just might
find a way to bring these souls together in a wonderful
Christmas blessing.