Scout Harlowe inherited the farm she helped
run with her grandpa, and his passing leaves her somewhat
vulnerable. Luckily, her llamas guard the goat flock well,
and they manage to get the better of Hudson Concord, who
wakes up in an awkward position. He’s not seriously
concerned because he’s a hitman. ALL I WANT FOR
CHRISTMAS IS A HITMAN is a fantastic, fun title and
storyline.  
 
I think I’d have been recommending a working
dog to a lady isolated in the open country. The llamas with
their tall necks and good hearing are suspicious of
intruders and coyotes alike. Scout doesn’t know what
to make of the strange man with pistols and cash in his bag,
but he says he’s just looking for work. That being the
case, maybe he can help for a few weeks ahead of a winter
festival.
 
Candy Cane, Florida, is a small town and friendly to most, but
Zack Willman runs the bigger ranch next door, and he’s
looking to expand. It might be a coincidence that vandalism
has been occurring on Scout’s land. Her ex, Oliver
Michaels, now works for the Willmans, and he warns her that
the men might want her farm. The quiet, hard- working hitman,
keeping to his cover story, listens and watches because
he’s developed a protective streak that he never knew
he had.  
 
This lively Christmas tale is something like the
classic western Shane, in which a passing stranger helps a
family out of trouble. Here, the family consists of Scout
and llamas Lucy, Patricia and Clover. The loose clan of
hitmen and hit women comes across as more of a supportive
family structure. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine so many
people being able to drop their commitments and come to help
out at a farm festival. They bring not just willing hands
but security gadgets. The clan feature in other books of
this series, Holiday With A Hitman, and we see they have
principles, and they don’t just take any contract.
 
 
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A HITMAN is a cheeky title you
won’t forget in a hurry. The holiday theme is not
overdone, as Florida is mild, so the brooding menace never
subsides. This short novel is an adult romance by prolific
romantic suspense author Katie Reus. I will definitely be
reading more by this writer.