SNOWBOUND IN STARLIGHT BEND is a novella set in the world of
Jennifer Ashley's Riding Hard contemporary romance
series. The hero in this story is
related to the Campbell family in the Riding
Hard series, but SNOWBOUND IN STARLIGHT BEND is a
standalone story. This is a perfect book for readers who
enjoy stories with a "snowed in" theme, as well as
Christmas-centered tales and cowboys. I love all of the
above, and I'm a Jennifer Ashley fan so reading this story
was a no-brainer for me. When city gal Haley McKee's car
skids off the road and dives into a snow bank, she is forced
to rely on the kindness of strangers -- specifically one hot
cowboy.
Maddox Campbell is a tough cowboy with a soft side, who has
known the pain of rejection. Maddox's hidden depths are
slowly revealed over the course of SNOWBOUND IN STARLIGHT
BEND through his Aunt Jane's confiding in Haley, and by
having part of the story told from his point-of-view. True
to form, Jennifer Ashley doesn't write stereotypes.
Although Maddox makes a few initial assumptions about Haley,
her desire to get out of his small town has more to do with
wanting to be there for her dad than any disdain for country
folk and their ways.
While this isn't an "enemies-to-lovers" story, Maddox and
Haley are a little prickly with each other at first. This
early friction is mostly to do with sexual frustration over
what they feel is an inconvenient attraction and feelings of
uncertainty about any possible future relationship they
could have. Sparks fly without having things turn ugly. A
child in need help bring Maddox and Haley together and see
each other differently.
SNOWBOUND IN STARLIGHT BEND strikes the perfect balance
between sweet and sexy, and gives readers visions of hot
cowboys for Christmas. This hero and heroine are both
flawed yet sympathetic and complex characters. Jennifer
Ashley provides a satisfying epilogue to tie up loose ends
for readers. I look forward to Jennifer Ashley's next
installment in her Riding Hard series.
Haley McKee is furious to find herself stuck in the tiny
town of Starlight Bend so near Christmas. The only one
who can help her is the handsome Maddox Campbell, a
cowboy who’s not impressed with her fancy job title and
money. In fact, no one has given Haley this much grief
her entire life.
But there’s a lot more to Maddox than at first seems—he’s
a hard-working man who gives much of his time and
patience to help those who have little.
When a Starlight Bend tradition promises to bring Haley
all she wants, will she make her Christmas wish with her
head or her heart?
This novella was originally released in Holiday Heat: The
Men of Starlight Bend. New in this edition: Expanded
epilogue.