| Title | : | A Christmas in Montana (Embers on Ice, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 |
| Publication | : | Published October 1, 2020 |
Years in service and living alone have made Matt Jefferson one callous man.
Will the spirit of the season bring them together?
Or will the secrets they hold inside keep them apart?
Christmas is quickly approaching. Orion’s sleepy Montana town is bustling with returning family, vacationing students, and several unexpected visitors: a friend on the rebound, Orion’s volatile ex, and a handsome silver-eyed stranger.
When a surprise letter arrives from Matt's mother, it leads him deep into a snowy world of holiday magic and Irish fire that threaten to crack his shell.
Filled with holiday humor, tempers, sweet romance, and lots of food, Orion and Matt rediscover what it means to have hope, faith, love, joy, and a belief in something greater than themselves.
A Christmas in Montana (Embers on Ice, #1) Reviews
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This was so meh. They kept introducing new plot points that felt unnecessary, there was just too much going on. And
what was the point of the whole creepy ex plot if he wasn't going to be the main conflict in the end? Why was the weird friend who forced a kiss on her the other prong of the love triangle instead of the ex? Mostly i was just really bored for 60% of the book. -
I always hope that one day I will get to see Montana with a huge blanket of snow ... i love Montana ...i have traveled there multiple times .. dream come true, i hope??! "Big Sky Country" is a must see if you have been there. love the cover. Holiday season (Christmas) reads are a must ... any time of the year. such Christmas magic. It is full of angst, romance, food, new and old friends reuniting together for fun times. look forward to more from Elysia soon, very very soon. always had me at Montana ...that or Wyoming .. 2 of my faves ... then Maine and Michigan ...or West Va and Virginia ... i am easy to please ... love me some states ... i keep trying to figure out a few states why folks love them that is ?? if u care just ask ... 'cause every time i see a person who lives there i say please tell me why??! i am wondering??! happy reading!! enjoy all books ... why hate ...there is no point ...if u have a real reason to not like it ... be kind ... u know??!
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🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/7/2019)! 🎁
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Awesome FIVE star read complete with lots of steamy scenes, great food, anticipation, and tons of love. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole book!
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Ms. Strife is clearly a talented storyteller who has created a detailed story world with real-to-life characters. Everything about the setting felt like she must have firsthand experience with living in those conditions. I enjoyed being immersed in a Montana winter and all the dangers (and beauty) that ride brought with it. I personally love broken characters and think she presented them in a very realistic way that handled their arcs well. If you enjoy gritty characters with broken pasts, and you like romances with a touch of suspense, a lot of family love, and a setting that takes you some place different, give this one a try.
That said, beware of a few things before diving in. A. Go into it understanding that this series continues the same characters' arcs, so you will not find the typical resolution at the end as you would in a stand alone novel. B. This book contains language and leans heavier on the spicy side of romance than the sweet side. Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to romance. In my experience, the usual way we qualify sweet romance means no swearing, no sex (or closed door), and no description of body parts/reactions etc. I think Ms. Strife did a great job showing an emotional connection as well as a physical one. We can see how and why the H and h fell for each other--their connections, why the admired each other, etc. It wasn't all physical. However, the physical aspect is pretty lustful and more descriptive than I'd expect for sweet romance. Don't get me wrong, it's very realistic. The thoughts and reactions they have to one another are true to life, for sure. Again, good story telling that feels real. But if reading that kind of content makes you a bit uncomfortable, then just keep that in mind before jumping in. -
A Christmas in Montana is Elysia Lumen Strife’s first book in her Embers on Ice series. Orion McNalley has a heart of gold that attracts those who are broken, insecure, or callous. Years ago someone she loved and trusted hurt badly her; now she has sworn off dating. Matt Jefferson has a brief break from work to figure out what he is going to do with the house he inherited. Christmas holds no meaning to him, but the people in this little town are excited about the seasonal bliss and good cheer. They attempt to pull him in because of old family ties, but Orion’s Irish temper has Matt questioning what he wants in life. Is it worth trying for love one more time?
Elysia Lumen Strife writes a tremendous romance novel with layers of hidden emotions and doubts woven in the lives of her characters. A Christmas in Montana has all the elements of a holiday fiction; plenty of drama between the individuals, fearful of being hurt in love, and the magic of circumstances and hope the brings them together. The characters are full of life and well-rounded, keeping the action flowing. The importance of family is key to Orion’s character. Her ability to bring people together makes her lovable, even when her temper pushes people away. Matt’s powerful character and beliefs were built off someone he lost; now he falters finding a purpose. With scars inside and out of her characters, the author gives hope to her readers that love can find a way into remote areas, broken hearts, and when you least expect it.
Written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite. -
Interesting and Fantastical
If you're looking for a romannce that's full of spice without getting too graphic, this might be a good choice for you. I'm not sure I'd have labeled this one sweet since there were some pretty serious and heavy things the MCs had to overcome, but certainly the romance between the hero and heroine happened in a sweet way. It was just far more "fiery" than sweet in my opinion. I prefer romances that focus more on the non-physical aspects of a romantic bond since the physical aspects are going to change.
If you don't like curse words, this may not be a good choice for you. However, I didn't find that to be graphic or crude, rather it was more true-to-life.
Overall, this book was good. I was invested in the characters. But I'm not so invested that I wanna read book 2. That's a personal preference, though, and no reflection on this author's talent for spinning a good tale. I just don't like reading a whole 'nother romance book about the same two characters.
I hope you'll give this book a try if you enjoy stories reminiscent of late 60s, early 70s Harlequin romances. -
Delightful! The characters have fire, heart, and struggles that make them relatable—people you want to root for and see succeed. Christmas in Montana is an engaging first book in a trilogy that would appeal to fans of heartwarming romantic suspense and small-town charm.
I enjoyed the rugged, mountain setting, and the small-town relationships and dangers that go with winter in a remote location. There’s a warmth that comes from Orion’s family, both her relatives and found family, that wraps you up like a blanket when reading and made me that much more invested in the story.
Matt’s military background and struggles with PTSD bring a fascinating dynamic to this story, especially paired with Orion, who can chop wood and hunt as well as any man, even if she fights her own internal battles. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, which promises more action and a deepening of the love that grew so beautifully in this book. -
Love Strikes When You Aren't Looking
I am new to this author and will definitely be reading more of her stories ~
I love Christmas stories and read them year round. Not only is this set during my favorite holiday but Orion and her parents embrace that feeling all the time. I really enjoyed how two broken people discovered their better half.
I have a slight inkling something really bad is afoot and can't wait to dive into book #2~ -
A Christmas Story
This Christmas story had the best of everything . A little suspense added a great deal to the background of Montana and a quiet town. The suspense of not knowing for sure what was happening physically with the heroine blended well with the problem of PTSD in the hero and back problems with her father and the awesome strength of her mother. Great story. -
Long story, good, but at times I felt it got a little boring. Why did they both refuse to tell the other what they were thinking. Author is good at describing feelings. Ending is fine but is also a set up for the next book. I do not like that!
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What a great read! At first I wasn't so sure but I kept reading and I am so glad I did! I was in the edge od my seat, I had to grab a tissue in one part.
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Fear can rob us of life and love.
A lovely sweet and clean romance that shows us the meaning of Christmas
A good story line that is well written with characters that stand out -
A Christmas in Montana
I really enjoyed the story. Plenty of ups and downs for Matt and Orion to work it out between them. I wasn't to happy with how the story ended. -
Holiday Romance
Orion and Matt both have shadows that darken their lives and they need to work through. Is awesome to see flowed characters that are just like us, dealing with life. a well written story, I did have to learn to like one character but I am sure in time, he will have his book. Great start to the series!
