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Texas Grooms #5
Her Holiday Family
THE CHRISTMAS CHILDREN
Reserved widow Eileen Pierce never considered herself the kind of woman who was cut out to be a mother. She wouldn't know what to do with one child, much less ten. But when handyman Simon Tucker is stranded in town with a group of young orphans at Christmastime, she discovers she can't just turn them away.
Simon knows there's more to Eileen than meets the eye. Though his easygoing demeanor immediately clashes with her buttoned-up propriety, Simon's kindness soon melts Eileen's stern facade. Simon and the children already upended Eileen's quiet, orderly life. Will they do the same to her guarded heart?
Texas Grooms: In search of their brides…
Reserved widow Eileen Pierce never considered herself the kind of woman who was cut out to be a mother. She wouldn't know what to do with one child, much less ten. But when handyman Simon Tucker is stranded in town with a group of young orphans at Christmastime, she discovers she can't just turn them away.
Simon knows there's more to Eileen than meets the eye. Though his easygoing demeanor immediately clashes with her buttoned-up propriety, Simon's kindness soon melts Eileen's stern facade. Simon and the children already upended Eileen's quiet, orderly life. Will they do the same to her guarded heart?
Texas Grooms: In search of their brides…
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
About the author
Winnie Griggs
66 books229 followersWinnie Griggs grew up in south Louisiana in an undeveloped area her friends thought of as the very back of beyond. With her two younger siblings and another family of two siblings for playmates, she spent many an hour exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou.
Once she ‘grew up’ she found other outlets for dealing with all those wonderful, adventurous imaginary friends by filling notebooks with their stories. And somewhere along the way, those scribblings gave way to full length stories.
Eventually she found her own Prince Charming, a rancher whose white steed takes the form of a tractor and whose kingdom is situated in a small rural community that she loves to call home, and together they’ve built their own storybook happily-ever-after. Their lives together expanded to include four now grown children who share Winnie’s vivid imagination and her husband’s steadier influences and are now out in the world pursuing their own adventures.
Winnie shares her stories with readers through her writings for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Historical books. You can learn more about Winnie at www.winniegriggs.com
Once she ‘grew up’ she found other outlets for dealing with all those wonderful, adventurous imaginary friends by filling notebooks with their stories. And somewhere along the way, those scribblings gave way to full length stories.
Eventually she found her own Prince Charming, a rancher whose white steed takes the form of a tractor and whose kingdom is situated in a small rural community that she loves to call home, and together they’ve built their own storybook happily-ever-after. Their lives together expanded to include four now grown children who share Winnie’s vivid imagination and her husband’s steadier influences and are now out in the world pursuing their own adventures.
Winnie shares her stories with readers through her writings for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Historical books. You can learn more about Winnie at www.winniegriggs.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 18, 2015
Once again Author Winnie Griggs did not disappoint me. A very sweet holiday romance, set in Texas.
This time we have a woman who has lived one lie and then another but a good man and ten orphans land on her doorstep and nothing in her life will ever be the same again!
(Children have a way of changing things, don't they?)
Ellen Pierce is the heroine, a widow who has felt cut off from the town after her husband's death. Simon Tucker is the hero who was merely helping a woman move her orphans to a new house. But the woman falls ill and he has to make some fast decisions and the first one is to ask the local church for help.
I've come to depend on a sweet romance from Winnie and this is a good one!
This time we have a woman who has lived one lie and then another but a good man and ten orphans land on her doorstep and nothing in her life will ever be the same again!
(Children have a way of changing things, don't they?)
Ellen Pierce is the heroine, a widow who has felt cut off from the town after her husband's death. Simon Tucker is the hero who was merely helping a woman move her orphans to a new house. But the woman falls ill and he has to make some fast decisions and the first one is to ask the local church for help.
I've come to depend on a sweet romance from Winnie and this is a good one!
June 9, 2015
Series "Texas Grooms" book #5 Her Holiday Family by Winnie Griggs
I enjoy reading the LIH books, good authors and good stories go together in this group.
Eileen Pierce was a reserved widow who had her life organized just as she wanted it and did not plan on being a mother any time soon. This changes when Simon comes into her life with a group of 10 children looking for a place to stay while the woman that had taken care of them has a stroke.
Eileen looks on with interest when the church talks to the town about someone volunteering to care for them and the preacher singles her out because her home is so large and can accommodate all the children.
Before she can blink she has said yes and as time goes on she is glad that she did. The big old house comes alive with the patter of running feet through the halls and up and down the stairs.
You will enjoy as I did this story and how it unfolds...A heart becomes more open and learns to love again with all the antics of the children and Simon brings a smile to her many times.
Thanks Winnie.
I enjoy reading the LIH books, good authors and good stories go together in this group.
Eileen Pierce was a reserved widow who had her life organized just as she wanted it and did not plan on being a mother any time soon. This changes when Simon comes into her life with a group of 10 children looking for a place to stay while the woman that had taken care of them has a stroke.
Eileen looks on with interest when the church talks to the town about someone volunteering to care for them and the preacher singles her out because her home is so large and can accommodate all the children.
Before she can blink she has said yes and as time goes on she is glad that she did. The big old house comes alive with the patter of running feet through the halls and up and down the stairs.
You will enjoy as I did this story and how it unfolds...A heart becomes more open and learns to love again with all the antics of the children and Simon brings a smile to her many times.
Thanks Winnie.
December 1, 2020
Wholesomeness and domesticity in spades. Her Holiday Family is a low-conflict Christian romance that satisfies that seldom-indulged craving I have for stories that feed into the cozy (and entirely false) mythos of western America in the 18th century. I have always been—and always will be—100% trash for pioneer fiction. (Don’t @ me, I am fully cognizant that this genre is beyond problematic. THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS.)
As I said, this romance is pretty low-conflict, and it’s not going to win any awards for innovative use of tropes. Once a wealthy socialite, widow Eileen is now an awkward outsider in her small Texas town, living alone in the huge mansion her husband built her. Enter Simon and a gaggle of orphans. For ~romance reasons~ (don’t question them ok), Simon and the children have to stay in town for the foreseeable future, and Eileen’s house is the only place they can stay (seriously, do not question Romance Logic.) Starchy, uptight Eileen now finds herself the unwilling host of 10 children and their rustically attractive guardian.
And that’s pretty much the whole story! Major conflicts in Her Holiday Family include, but are not limited to: (1) feeding all the children when there aren’t enough dinner plates; (2) a sprained wrist following a fall from a tree; (3) dismay and disappointment when poor weather forces the annual Thanksgiving Festival to be cancelled; and (4) Eileen winning over the heart of a standoffish preteen. Also, there’s like…a love story…I guess. Which was suitably chaste, but in kind of an amusing/endearing way. My favorite bit was when Simon LOST HIS MIND when he saw Eileen’s bare toes peeping out from the edge of her skirt (no, not her entire foot, you perverts; this is written for the kind of Christians who think Song of Songs is merely “allegorical,” as opposed to King Solomon writing about how much he loves titties).
Everybody has their thing. For many, it’s cottagecore or the OT3 in Leverage. For me, it’s whitewashed stories about virtuous cowboys and schoolmarms who bake pies, attend barn-raisings, and swoon over bare toes.
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As I said, this romance is pretty low-conflict, and it’s not going to win any awards for innovative use of tropes. Once a wealthy socialite, widow Eileen is now an awkward outsider in her small Texas town, living alone in the huge mansion her husband built her. Enter Simon and a gaggle of orphans. For ~romance reasons~ (don’t question them ok), Simon and the children have to stay in town for the foreseeable future, and Eileen’s house is the only place they can stay (seriously, do not question Romance Logic.) Starchy, uptight Eileen now finds herself the unwilling host of 10 children and their rustically attractive guardian.
And that’s pretty much the whole story! Major conflicts in Her Holiday Family include, but are not limited to: (1) feeding all the children when there aren’t enough dinner plates; (2) a sprained wrist following a fall from a tree; (3) dismay and disappointment when poor weather forces the annual Thanksgiving Festival to be cancelled; and (4) Eileen winning over the heart of a standoffish preteen. Also, there’s like…a love story…I guess. Which was suitably chaste, but in kind of an amusing/endearing way. My favorite bit was when Simon LOST HIS MIND when he saw Eileen’s bare toes peeping out from the edge of her skirt (no, not her entire foot, you perverts; this is written for the kind of Christians who think Song of Songs is merely “allegorical,” as opposed to King Solomon writing about how much he loves titties).
Everybody has their thing. For many, it’s cottagecore or the OT3 in Leverage. For me, it’s whitewashed stories about virtuous cowboys and schoolmarms who bake pies, attend barn-raisings, and swoon over bare toes.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
November 21, 2014
5 stars
I was surprised about how much I liked Eileen Pierce. If you have read any books in the Texas Groom series you will want to read this one.
Eileen Pierce for the last two years as been keeping by herself since her husband died and his crimes came to light. I understand and enjoyed learning more about her.
Simon Tucker was escorting 10 children and their guardian Miss Georgina Fredrick. They were moving from the city to a western city to a bigger house. When Georgina had a stroke and they were taken off the train in Turnabout, Texas. The kids are not related but they have become a family and Simon plans to keep them together.
Simon is hoping that Gigi will get better and they will be able to travel to their new house. He asks the people of Turnabout for help. The people say they can feed them and Eileen gets asked to house them since she has the room in her house. Simon also volunteer to help Eileen with any repairs while they stay their.
Eileen is full of rules. She has no experience with children. It is good to see her open up to the children and Simon.
Miss Dovie Jacobs is a boarder who lives with Eileen. She is wonderful with the children. She can not leave too far from her room but knows children.
The setting for the book is Turnabout, Texas November 1896
I love the children. That would be hard to take care of 10 children all of once. Simon has only known the children for the most of about a week. Except his niece and nephew who lost their mother three months ago.
Lots of drama, relationships and caring people of Turnabout. Also clean read.
I was given Her Holiday Family to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest review of Her Holiday Family.
I was surprised about how much I liked Eileen Pierce. If you have read any books in the Texas Groom series you will want to read this one.
Eileen Pierce for the last two years as been keeping by herself since her husband died and his crimes came to light. I understand and enjoyed learning more about her.
Simon Tucker was escorting 10 children and their guardian Miss Georgina Fredrick. They were moving from the city to a western city to a bigger house. When Georgina had a stroke and they were taken off the train in Turnabout, Texas. The kids are not related but they have become a family and Simon plans to keep them together.
Simon is hoping that Gigi will get better and they will be able to travel to their new house. He asks the people of Turnabout for help. The people say they can feed them and Eileen gets asked to house them since she has the room in her house. Simon also volunteer to help Eileen with any repairs while they stay their.
Eileen is full of rules. She has no experience with children. It is good to see her open up to the children and Simon.
Miss Dovie Jacobs is a boarder who lives with Eileen. She is wonderful with the children. She can not leave too far from her room but knows children.
The setting for the book is Turnabout, Texas November 1896
I love the children. That would be hard to take care of 10 children all of once. Simon has only known the children for the most of about a week. Except his niece and nephew who lost their mother three months ago.
Lots of drama, relationships and caring people of Turnabout. Also clean read.
I was given Her Holiday Family to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest review of Her Holiday Family.
Read
January 12, 2016"There are a number of intriguing characters in this heartwarming tale of acceptance. With the hero and God’s help, the heroine finds happiness and a life worth living" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
August 7, 2018
What a good, emotional story. Eileen and Simon were really great main characters. Eileen was so proper, so rigid but so hurting too. Very few people got to see the real person underneath all that facade. Dovie is someone who has been boarding with Eileen for some time and she has only see some of what Eileen is going through. Dovie does prove to be quite the caring, friend to Eileen and the "family" that is now staying at the "castle". That is the name that one of the littlest girls, Molly calls it and she is simply in awe of the castle. As you can see, 10 children is going to be quite challenge even for people familiar with children, which Eileen is not.
Eileen had such a barren, rigid childhood, it's almost not fair to say that she had a childhood. It becomes easy to see why order and discipline is a major part of her life. It might not have been fun but there were times that it steadied her life.
Simon, is like no one Eileen has ever encountered but he is a good man. She slowly begins to see that. And when he gives his word about something he does his very best to honor it no matter what. It was good to see Simon's childhood also had it's bumps and bruises too.
The children all bring something to the story of course, because no matter how well behaved they are children. Fern at 13 seems to be one of the most challenging to Eileen. But it soon became clear to me that some of it was because they were so alike.
I liked the slow friendship that turns to a slow romance. As they watch each other, they begin to see more that they like in each other. Still, that also terrifies Eileen. An unexpected twist towards the end brings understanding to Eileen. Understanding of what she has to lose if she doesn't just grab her courage when it comes to Simon.
I was glad to see that there was a sweet Epilogue included in the book.
Eileen had such a barren, rigid childhood, it's almost not fair to say that she had a childhood. It becomes easy to see why order and discipline is a major part of her life. It might not have been fun but there were times that it steadied her life.
Simon, is like no one Eileen has ever encountered but he is a good man. She slowly begins to see that. And when he gives his word about something he does his very best to honor it no matter what. It was good to see Simon's childhood also had it's bumps and bruises too.
The children all bring something to the story of course, because no matter how well behaved they are children. Fern at 13 seems to be one of the most challenging to Eileen. But it soon became clear to me that some of it was because they were so alike.
I liked the slow friendship that turns to a slow romance. As they watch each other, they begin to see more that they like in each other. Still, that also terrifies Eileen. An unexpected twist towards the end brings understanding to Eileen. Understanding of what she has to lose if she doesn't just grab her courage when it comes to Simon.
I was glad to see that there was a sweet Epilogue included in the book.
March 9, 2024
I LOVED Eileen and Simon's story!! Simon meets Eileen when he, Miss Frederick, and the ten children they are traveling with get off the train in Turnabout and need a place to stay. Miss Frederick has had a stroke, and Simon and the children need a place to stay while Miss Frederick recovers. Simon wants to keep all of the children together, as they've been raised as a family. Eileen has been a widow and alone for two years, other than taking in two borders, one of whom married and moved into her own house. Eileen isn't used to being around children, though it doesn't take long for these ten to steal her heart, along with Simon. Eileen feels if Simon knew all about her, he wouldn't like her, much less love her. When she realizes that she's worthy of love, she hopes it's not too late and that Simon will love her, even after she tells him about herself. Of course, he does! Love how these all come together to form a family!!
November 28, 2020
Turnabout, TX 1896
I really liked it! Great, cozy Thanksgiving 🦃 & Christmas 🎄 historical centering around 10 orphans who suddenly find themselves in need of shelter when their foster mother has a stroke while on a train with them bound for a new home in a new town. Their escort Simon immediately enlists the nearest town for help & in pulling together to provide charity, it's decided the aloof Widow Pierce has the perfect home large enough to accommodate them. Each day brings new challenges, forcing personal walls to slowly come down, to make room for change, for healing & for God to do a work in their lives.
I purchased this book from Christian Book Discounts. All opinions are mine alone.
I really liked it! Great, cozy Thanksgiving 🦃 & Christmas 🎄 historical centering around 10 orphans who suddenly find themselves in need of shelter when their foster mother has a stroke while on a train with them bound for a new home in a new town. Their escort Simon immediately enlists the nearest town for help & in pulling together to provide charity, it's decided the aloof Widow Pierce has the perfect home large enough to accommodate them. Each day brings new challenges, forcing personal walls to slowly come down, to make room for change, for healing & for God to do a work in their lives.
I purchased this book from Christian Book Discounts. All opinions are mine alone.
August 31, 2017
This was a much better installment of the Texas Grooms series than the previous holiday one I read last month. It was more balanced between sweetness and seriousness and was overall more realistic.
Mrs. Eileen Pierce is a young widow and person non grata in Turnabout, Texas. She had a pampered but very lonely childhood, followed by a marriage where she was seen as a good hostess and a pretty thing to look at and dress up/show off. Her short marriage to her husband ended when he embezzled money from the bank to pay bills that came about from his luxury lifestyle and he committed suicide when people started looking into the bank's affairs. She had to sell most of the marriage's possessions to pay back the money her husband stole, but her fall from the town's graces is more to having a husband die via suicide than the downturn in financial affairs. Dovie returns, as she is now living back in Eileen's house as a boarder (she was living with Eve and Chase in the last book I read). Dovie is more like Eileen's confident and mentor. Eileen's one friend in town is Dovie's foster daughter Ivy. Eileen's world is very small.
Enter Simon Tucker, bachelor and carpenter who is escorting a family friend and her ten foster children to their new home in Hatchetville. They stopped in Turnabout because the family friend/foster mother had a stroke on the train and that was the first stop. While the doctor in Turnabout sees to Ms. Fredrick, Simon is in need of shelter and food for himself and his ten charges. At a church meeting, social pressures force Eileen to open her home to the temporary visitors to Turnabout. Ms. Fredrick passes away and Simon has to make some tough decisions now that he is the sole guardian of the group. Simon had a rough childhood, but has made the most of his opportunities since reaching his majority and decides to treat all people with true respect and dignity, no matter what the locals have to say about anyone.
Eileen and Simon were so well matched and fun to get to know as a couple. There was a strong chemistry between the two that when they finally kissed, it was worth it. Eileen grew a lot during the course of the book, gaining confidence in her abilities beside being pretty. And thankfully Simon was not the picture-perfect hero; he had his flaws just as Eileen did. Dovie did her part time and again to help them along on their journey (much as she did in the last book), but without needing to lecture Eileen or Simon on how they are treating each other. Ten kids in a romance is a lot, and not all of them got screen time, but none were annoying or cloying sweet.
Just an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.
Mrs. Eileen Pierce is a young widow and person non grata in Turnabout, Texas. She had a pampered but very lonely childhood, followed by a marriage where she was seen as a good hostess and a pretty thing to look at and dress up/show off. Her short marriage to her husband ended when he embezzled money from the bank to pay bills that came about from his luxury lifestyle and he committed suicide when people started looking into the bank's affairs. She had to sell most of the marriage's possessions to pay back the money her husband stole, but her fall from the town's graces is more to having a husband die via suicide than the downturn in financial affairs. Dovie returns, as she is now living back in Eileen's house as a boarder (she was living with Eve and Chase in the last book I read). Dovie is more like Eileen's confident and mentor. Eileen's one friend in town is Dovie's foster daughter Ivy. Eileen's world is very small.
Enter Simon Tucker, bachelor and carpenter who is escorting a family friend and her ten foster children to their new home in Hatchetville. They stopped in Turnabout because the family friend/foster mother had a stroke on the train and that was the first stop. While the doctor in Turnabout sees to Ms. Fredrick, Simon is in need of shelter and food for himself and his ten charges. At a church meeting, social pressures force Eileen to open her home to the temporary visitors to Turnabout. Ms. Fredrick passes away and Simon has to make some tough decisions now that he is the sole guardian of the group. Simon had a rough childhood, but has made the most of his opportunities since reaching his majority and decides to treat all people with true respect and dignity, no matter what the locals have to say about anyone.
Eileen and Simon were so well matched and fun to get to know as a couple. There was a strong chemistry between the two that when they finally kissed, it was worth it. Eileen grew a lot during the course of the book, gaining confidence in her abilities beside being pretty. And thankfully Simon was not the picture-perfect hero; he had his flaws just as Eileen did. Dovie did her part time and again to help them along on their journey (much as she did in the last book), but without needing to lecture Eileen or Simon on how they are treating each other. Ten kids in a romance is a lot, and not all of them got screen time, but none were annoying or cloying sweet.
Just an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.
January 7, 2024
Thank you, Winnie! I received this book for entering your portion of the "Petticoats and Pistols" online Christmas promotion.
The story is engaging and was much enjoyed. I was immediately drawn in by Simon's dilemma (suddenly becoming the caretaker of 10 orphans) in an unfamiliar town. Eileen, the prim, reserved widow who becomes their hostess, gives Simon and the children a temporary home and much more. Read the novel and find out how Simon and Eileen negotiate their differences to reach a solution.
The story is engaging and was much enjoyed. I was immediately drawn in by Simon's dilemma (suddenly becoming the caretaker of 10 orphans) in an unfamiliar town. Eileen, the prim, reserved widow who becomes their hostess, gives Simon and the children a temporary home and much more. Read the novel and find out how Simon and Eileen negotiate their differences to reach a solution.
April 28, 2024
I loved this book! A beautiful story about a family of orphans with a stand in guardian who found themselves in a small town when their foster mom was taken sick. The widow opened her home to them even though she thought she was ill-equipped to care for the children. A book that will have you loving the characters and make you feel like you are right there watching everything. I definitely recommend this book.
April 29, 2020
Another old book but great story.
December 27, 2020
Winnie Griggs is one of my faves. This one stands up. Fun, quick read.
December 16, 2014
Eileen Pierce was wealthy and spoiled, but she is trying to hide just how far she has fallen from a town that already looks down on her. Can she continue to hide her secret when she is coerced into taking in ten stranded children and their temporary guardian?
Simon Tucker is intrigued by the ice queen that offers them shelter while the caretaker of the ten kids he has been escorting to their new home recovers from her stroke. Even more interesting is the fact that she obviously doesn't want them in her home, but she opens it to them anyway. He is sure that there must be more here than meets the eye.
The characters in this book were so believable I felt like I was right there with them. I understood what they were thinking and why they did the things they did. That isn't true of very many books. A lot of the time when I'm reading I keep thinking how stupid the characters are and they really get on my nerves. Griggs characters weren't like that. Yes, they had their problems, but they were believable, relatable, and worth reading about.
This book did take me a little longer to read than I expected, however it was still a great book to read during the holidays. I kind of wish we had a secret room where we could put up our tree.
I highly recommend this book!
Simon Tucker is intrigued by the ice queen that offers them shelter while the caretaker of the ten kids he has been escorting to their new home recovers from her stroke. Even more interesting is the fact that she obviously doesn't want them in her home, but she opens it to them anyway. He is sure that there must be more here than meets the eye.
The characters in this book were so believable I felt like I was right there with them. I understood what they were thinking and why they did the things they did. That isn't true of very many books. A lot of the time when I'm reading I keep thinking how stupid the characters are and they really get on my nerves. Griggs characters weren't like that. Yes, they had their problems, but they were believable, relatable, and worth reading about.
This book did take me a little longer to read than I expected, however it was still a great book to read during the holidays. I kind of wish we had a secret room where we could put up our tree.
I highly recommend this book!
March 15, 2015
This historical romance can be quite amusing as a solitary widow who pretends wealth to keep up appearances in a small Texas town, finds ten children under her feet. She's also got their temporary guardian, a cabinet-maker and handyman. Ah well, at least he's good for making repairs in her big and formerly empty house.
I was not convinced that such a small town would have a sweet shop and a toy shop. These items would have been largely made at home. People did not have a lot of money to spend and children needed shoes and clothes before toys which would have to be brought by train or cart. I could see a general store stocking a few of these items.
Children in those times were seen and not heard, and were expected to work around the house or garden. I think the strict-minded widow is too modern in her actions towards them but of course the story also had to be acceptable for today's readership. The tale follows the group through Thanksgiving and Christmas with a look at legal difficulties in establishing an orphan home and a gradual thawing in the relationships of the adults. Plenty of fun.
I was not convinced that such a small town would have a sweet shop and a toy shop. These items would have been largely made at home. People did not have a lot of money to spend and children needed shoes and clothes before toys which would have to be brought by train or cart. I could see a general store stocking a few of these items.
Children in those times were seen and not heard, and were expected to work around the house or garden. I think the strict-minded widow is too modern in her actions towards them but of course the story also had to be acceptable for today's readership. The tale follows the group through Thanksgiving and Christmas with a look at legal difficulties in establishing an orphan home and a gradual thawing in the relationships of the adults. Plenty of fun.
November 14, 2014
This was a lovely book, my first time reading from this author, and she did a wonderful job at writing this book. I've come to find out that she has written more books that I will read as well. If you are looking to read a lovely book, I recommend this book. She takes in 10 orphans and a man, while they wait to see if the caregiver will make full recovery from the hospital. Like I said if you like to read a book that you won't want to put down this is it, you will catch yourself smiling, a few laughs here and there a few tears. I also wanted to say to Winnie Griggs is thank you for writing sure a wonderful book and thank you for putting this book on the giveaway, as I won this book from you, I would have never known about you had it not been for the giveaway. I will be buying books of yours.
December 3, 2015
Often I find it hard to enjoy a book where the heroine has an unlikeable personality, but the storyline and other characters kept me reading and more than made up for her flaws until Eileen's reserved and prideful nature dissipated. The author chose wait until nearly the end of the book to reveal to the reader as well as Simon the reason for Eileen's uptightness, which made it more of an effort to get to know her true character... however I think it was an effective method of letting the reader experience Simon's journey of viewing the slow crumbling of her defenses. The romantic moments between the two are my favorite scenes in the book and definitely sigh-worthy :)
(Thank you to Harlequin Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to Harlequin Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
December 16, 2014
Her Holiday Family has been by far my most favorite book in the Turnabout series! It took me almost until the end of the book to realize who Eileen Pierce was from the very first book Handpicked Husband; which was another good one!
Simon Tucker found himself the ward of ten children after Miss Frederick's (the children's caretaker) suffers a stroke on the train, as they were traveling to their new home. Now they were stranded in Turnabout and needing assistant.
Enter Eileen Pierce who appears to be the only one capable of taking this large group in and the towns shunned widow. Simon and Eileen share an immediate connection in their efforts to care for the children.
This is such a awesome read and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
Simon Tucker found himself the ward of ten children after Miss Frederick's (the children's caretaker) suffers a stroke on the train, as they were traveling to their new home. Now they were stranded in Turnabout and needing assistant.
Enter Eileen Pierce who appears to be the only one capable of taking this large group in and the towns shunned widow. Simon and Eileen share an immediate connection in their efforts to care for the children.
This is such a awesome read and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
September 15, 2016
Great story and characters. Eileen is from the upper crust of society but has her own set of problems. She is challenged to face her problems by 10 needy children and one very handsome man. She has a kind, caring heart down deep inside.
Simon accompanies the orphans on their move from one home to another but encounters all kinds of obstacles in his efforts to help them. His strong, kind character is appreciated by the children and Eileen.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style, character development and Christian themes of kindness, forgiving self, and caring for those in need.
Simon accompanies the orphans on their move from one home to another but encounters all kinds of obstacles in his efforts to help them. His strong, kind character is appreciated by the children and Eileen.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style, character development and Christian themes of kindness, forgiving self, and caring for those in need.
November 7, 2014
If you look forward to reading Love Inspired historical novels, enjoy strong heroes and interesting heroines then you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It took me only one day to read this book. It was that good. The story made me laugh and made me cry. It has a well thought out plot, is well written has engaging and believable characters and has several twists and turns. Winnie Griggs is a writer I will most certainly read again.
December 23, 2014
Formerly wealthy Eileen has been ostracised by her community for two years since the death of her husband, but things slowly start to change when a man with 10 orphan children need a place to stay and her home is the only one big enough to fit the whole crew. Her characters are just always so well developed and the stories never seem rushed. Loved Eileen, Simon, Nana Dovie and the kids, and I want my own secret tower room.
July 5, 2016
This is a charming late 19th century story of how a "family" of 10 orphans bring together two caretakers. Eileen and Simon's romance over the course of November and December is touching, but the best moment is Eileen connecting with 13-year-old Fern - in a hidden turret room (I still totally need to find a house with one of those).
October 10, 2014
This was a very heart warming story. A woman who was shunned by the town takes in a group of orphans & the man who has found himself in charge of them. It shows what love, trust & compassion can do to change the lives of everyone in the house.
November 24, 2014
This is one of the best Christian Western Romances I have read in quite awhile. Winnie Griggs put God in without beating you over the head with it and the romance was clean throughout.
December 9, 2014
I loved this book!
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December 28, 2016Good relaxing read.
December 15, 2017
A sweet and charming story about love and family.
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