Review: The Christmas Brides by Linda Lael Miller

Title: The Christmas Brides

Author: Linda Lael Miller

Release Date: October 26th, 2010

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 384

Celebrate the holidays with these heartwarming family classics in one keepsake collection from New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller.

A McKettrick Christmas Lizzie McKettrick is on a homebound train with a Christmas Eve surprise for her family—a special young man, Whitley Carson. He might seem a little too interested in the McKettrick money, but Lizzie's certain Whitley cares for her deep down. But fate has a surprise for Lizzie—Dr. Morgan Shane. When their train is stranded by a massive avalanche on Christmas Eve the handsome doctor takes charge—with Lizzie by his side. Time's running out for the passengers. But with faith, hard work and some unexpected help, it just might be a joyous McKettrick family Christmas after all…. 

A Creed Country Christmas In the Montana wilderness of 1910, Lincoln Creed is up against more than rustlers, wolves and winter storms. His young daughter, Gracie, has needs beyond the beans and bacon he can barely cook. The widowed rancher must find Gracie a suitable governess who won't set her sights on him. Disowned for her refusal to marry, the young schoolteacher Juliana Mitchell seems like a perfect fit in the Creed home. As she gets to know Lincoln and Gracie, Juliana suddenly doesn't feel so strongly against marriage after all. In the season of miracles, Providence just might find a way to bring these souls together in a wonderful Christmas blessing.

The Christmas Brides contains two different sweet and romantic historical stories set in the US and around Christmas time.

A McKettrick Christmas is the story of Lizzie. She's traveling to meet her family for Christmas when an avalanche strand her train. She's not scared and not alone, since she's traveling with Whitley Carson, her probably future husband. But when they and a couple of more passengers are in real danger, it is the handsome Dr. Morgan Shane who takes charge. Lizzie is a McKettrick, and she's going to help Dr. Shane and the rest of the passengers to survive, even if Morgan doesn't want her.

Most of the story is about Lizzie and Dr. Shane dealing with the passengers of the train. Lizzie is young and sweet, but I liked her attitude. Morgan is strong and responsible, and liked Lizzie from the beginning.  Their story is sweet and extremely romantic. It was obvious they were made to each other, but Lizzie have dreams and Morgan is afraid he isn't going to give her what she deserves.

A Creed Country Christmas is the story of Lincoln Creed and Juliana. Juliana just lost her teaching job and she's taking care of a couple of native kids. She loves them very much, but she's having bad times. They don't have anywhere to live, until Lincoln Creed met them and invited them to his home.

He has been alone since his beloved wife died, and his daughter Gracie need a teacher and a mother. Could Juliana be that person? He doesn't want a wife, but Juliana seems pretty and perfect for the role.

Their story is sweet but was more intensive than the first one. Lincoln can't accept to love another women, and Juliana is poor and needs a place to stay. But they begin to fall in love, without really wanting to. Juliana is strong and her heart is big enough to love every kid she meets. Lincoln also has a big heart, and underneath his problems, he's a good man.

I loved both stories. Both were heart-warming and perfect to get into the Christmas feeling. I specially liked that their families where included, because I fell in love with the McKettricks and the Creeds. Looking for more books from this author, I discovered her McKettrick and Creed families' series and I'm assuming The Christmas Brides are part of this families.

Overall, The Christmas Brides is a very well written enjoyable read, and if you like sweet romantic stories (and a little bit naughty) you should read them.

More about this book at www.lindalaelmiller.com, Goodreads, Amazon.