I enjoyed these short stories from the western frontier time. All three had Christmas themes and showed the spirit of Christmas hopes during the troubling times each faced.

The first, The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle, is a story of hope and forgiveness as Caleb McGraw faces the consequences of his past. Even though he was not guilty of the crime he was imprisoned for, he cannot face the guilt and fess up to the beautiful Caroline. Once she finds out his past, all hopes seems to dwindle that there could ever be a future between them.

The second story, Christmas at Cahill Crossing, was a great story with secret Santas and two independent people who both can’t seem to put the past behind them to move forward. Although the blurp says that Lucas has a frozen heart, Rosalie isn’t far behind and it will take sharing a Christmas between them to thaw either.
In the third story, A Magical Gift at Christmas, we find two people from very different walks of life thrown together in order to survive a band of thieves. It will take courage and determination on both of them to make it through the ordeal. With their lives on the line, will anything change between them in the long run?

All three stories were great Christmas stories filled with all things Christmas: Faith, Hope, and Trust. Okay, maybe some Love thrown in for good measure. If you like western styled romances, I would recommend you pick up this one! ( )

"Snowflakes and Stetsons" is a perfect example of why I have come to really enjoy anthologies: A trio of terrific tales written by three talented authors of the historical western romance genre. Each story is quite different, yet each tale offers poignant romance, and touch of humor, and a satisfying serving of seasonal spirit. I read this book all in one sitting--it was very enjoyable and made me smile while it put me in a much-needed happy holiday mood. The characters are well-defined and the story lines are involving and atmospheric. Hunky western heroes and lovely and spirited heroines offer the perfect romantic pairings, and adorable children and Christmas magic add the extra special touches that romance readers adore!

In "The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle", by Jillian Hart, Caleb McGraw finds freedom from a wrongful imprisonment and then discovers that he had fathered a son by his sweetheart. When the boy's mother died shortly before Caleb was released from prison, she gave the care of her son to her best friend. Determined to see his son just once, Caleb finds himself attracted to the boy's caregiver, the lovely Caroline Dreyer. A young widow grieving the loss of her husband and young son, Caroline is trying her best to make a new life for herself and the young boy, Thomas. Will the three of them find healing and a true Christmas miracle?

"Christmas at Cahill Crossing", by Carol Finch, is a passionate tale of two independent souls, each lonely in their own way, who are brought together by a fateful snow storm. Former Texas Ranger Lucas Burnett is a tough as they come, living a solitary life with only his wolf dog for companionship. When he rescues the beautiful and beguiling Rosalie Greer from snow-bound buggy wreck, his life is forever changed. Rosalie, an Eastern-born daughter of society, had fled to the West to escape troubling family circumstances. While keeping her many suitors at a distance, she runs a successful boutique and also does charity work as the town's "Secret Santa". Will Rosa and Lucas find the gift of true love beneath their Christmas tree?

Cheryl St.John's "A Magical Gift at Christmas" is not just a lovely and touching romance, it is also a rousing Western adventure! US Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh expects trouble when he is guarding a train carrying a payroll load of gold. He is not prepared to meet a beautiful and courageous heiress and two orphaned children who will steal his heart. Meredith Abbott is the privileged daughter of a railroad tycoon, traveling in her father's luxurious custom-built rail car on her way to a society ball and a possible marriage proposal from a suitable gentleman. She never dreams that she will spend Christmas trapped with a handsome lawman and two appealing children, all of them in danger from advancing train robbers. Jonah is impressed with Meredith's calm and fortitude, and also her shooting skill! Meredith is equally smitten with Jonah's underlying sensitivity and true respectfulness. Can four holiday hearts in need of some seasonal magic come together and form a loving family? Be sure to visit Cheryl St.John's blog spot to view her Annual Great Christmas Tree Tour! ( )