Christmas is fast approaching and at the Speckled Lizard bar, that means carols on the jukebox. Some people are already tired of carols, and an unlikely altercation between two women results in unexpected entertainment for the crowd. CHRISTMAS IN SNOWFLAKE CANYON isn't always this chaotic....

Genevieve Beaumont is used to being the little rich girl, and she's come from Paris to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado. She didn't expect to be handcuffed and taken in for brawling. Dylan Caine, who had tried to separate the combatants, is about to be cuffed when the cop realises she's got a problem; Dylan's minus a hand. She just has to cuff him to Genevieve to keep him still. Maybe it's not what every officer would do, but Hope's Crossing isn't a big city. Genevieve suddenly faces a reality check; she's squandered her internships in Paris socialising instead of looking for jobs, and now her father the mayor is going to kill her.

From this lively start, we find Genevieve and Dylan obliged to carry out community work in lieu of jail time. There's a support group for injured and disabled veterans which needs assistance. Veterans like Dylan in fact, who is missing a hand and an eye. First, the pair are called upon to help decorate mountain cabins for Christmas. The sulky girl opens up a little and starts chatting about previous Christmases, a contrast with Dylan's more basic upbringing in Snowflake Canyon. Eventually they've relaxed enough that Dylan offers to help her strip wallpaper from an old house her parents are giving her. Redecorating goes much more smoothly with two people, even if one of them wears a prosthetic limb.

The arrival of the wounded warriors is a good reminder to us all that some people's lives have changed irrevocably and they need to learn to cope with everything, including family gatherings. Aching after a trail ride, skiing and hiking, Genevieve wishes for a hot tub; however we can see her growing and learning by her interactions. Her former fiancé is still in town, and a part of growing up means that the girl has to be polite to everyone, even those who she believes have wronged her.

RaeAnne Thayne tells an interesting varied story, with several life lessons and well-drawn characters. CHRISTMAS IN SNOWFLAKE CANYON is one of the more unusual seasonal romance novels and a fine read.