Me getting this book was a combination of the efforts of two friends. It almost seemed like it was a combination of Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines. As one friend remarked, it definitely belongs in the law enforcement subgenre.

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION:

I liked the idea of the pageant and thought Wade's recounting of his time as the pageant angel was amusing. I thought Jasmine's idea to have sparklers with her angel costume was a bit dangerous. I was waiting for them to catch hay or her costume on fire or drop sparks on the other pageant participants etc. Especially with her planning to put them on her ankles--much less control than if they were held in hands.

Jasmine seems stuck on the idea that she needs to repay God for taking her in--similarly to how she feels she should mimic Edith's dress to repay the town for taking her in after she gets out of jail. Though her attire decisions are addressed, her feeling that she needs to pay back God is not--at least not in this book. Salvation is a gift. There is no need to pay God back--and indeed, no way to do so. I do like that Jasmine seems to have turned her life around though. I can understand her doubts as to whether other people view her as an ex-con or as a new creation.

Wade's skepticism seems genuine and believable. We see him learn and grow during the period of the book.

I figured that Lonnie would show up once the law figured he wouldn't. That's usually how these books go. ( )

So good that I read the entire book in one day! ( )

I loved that it was a good Christmas story that had edge but not to much edge. ( )

I loved that it was a good Christmas story that had edge but not to much edge. ( )

A P.I. who is recovering from an injury is asked by the sheriff to secretly protect a young woman who is an ex-con from her boyfriend who is still in prison but threatening her. Wade Sutton falls in love with Jasmine Hunter, who plays the same angel part he did in the Christmas pageant years ago. Wade has to be reconciled to his family and old problems and discover there is more for him in his hometown called Dry Creek in Montana than he ever imagined. A sweet Christmas story of loss and recovery and faith. ( )