There are all types of damaged creatures: animals and humans alike who are all trying to do their best to appear normal and functioning while dealing with the aftermath of accidents, abuse, addiction, or war. The damage can manifest itself in many ways, and in BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS, Joanne Kennedy runs the gamut in trying to escape those damages and exorcise those demons. Fighting those internal demons is terrifyingly difficult, as well as emotionally and physically draining. In the end, we all need people to help us regain that strength and confidence that has gone away. It doesn’t matter how big or small; the damage can feel life-altering and threatening.

Riley and Griff were both broken by their pasts. They were the first to understand that, unfortunately. Their lives had just not worked out well for either of them. Griff left his family ranch and joined the military. Coming back home was not a choice. It was the only apparent option for him. Griff had a lot of work to do on himself, and yet he recognized a kindred soul in Riley, who was as rough as can be but built like a fragile doll in some ways. She has moved on from her life as an addict, but she still has a long way to go to rebuild her reputation.

The one thing both Riley and Griff have in common is they were both prisoners of their memories. Griff’s memories were his military wounds. They reside in his mind and present a distraction from regaining normalcy in his life. Returning to the family ranch just might help Griff recover part of who he had been.

Riley is part of Griff’s memory from before he left to join the military. She kept residency in some remote part of his mind throughout his tour of duty. However, Riley does not view herself worthy of a real relationship with someone as noble as Griff. But there’s no denying that these two people are indeed worthy of a happy future and perhaps they can help each other in that department.

Riley is convinced that she can help Griff and then release him to a future with a more worthy partner. Griff is going to do his darndest to convince Riley that she is the answer to a prayer. And we are so lucky to ride along with them on this journey to discover that elusive thing called happiness and dare we say, love. . . 

Joanne Kennedy is such a joy to read and review. BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is book number two in the Blue Sky Cowboy series. In BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS, we are back at the Diamond Jack ranch which is undergoing some major changes. BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is a masterpiece painted with care, tenderness, affection, and sexiness by Joanne Kennedy. I absolutely adored the first book in this series and jumped at the chance to read and review BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS, which is Joanne Kennedy’s first foray into Christmas stories. This is a gem of a tale with two characters who light up every scene and grab at your heartstrings.