BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS - Joanne Kennedy
Blue Sky Cowboys Series – Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN-10:1-49261-695-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-49261-695-5
September 29, 2020
Cowboy Romance

Wynott, Colorado – The Present

Griff Bailey is returning to his father's Diamond Jack ranch as he has nowhere else to go. He joined the army to get away from the ranch. Griff only hopes he can find a way to become the man he once was, but he doubts it. He needs to regain his sense of having a life worth living after returning from the horrors he endured fighting in Iraq. It is snowing, and at his house, he finds the woman who has haunted his nights for the last four years of his military deployment there. He hadn't expected to find anyone at the house and didn't want to meet anyone. His mind often explodes in a flight or fight response that has nothing to do with reality. Mostly they are fight responses, which he knows makes him dangerous.

Riley James is staying at Diamond Jack to do some renovations the owner hired her to do. Tonight, she feels elated. She has finally found a sense of family with Ed Boone, owner of Wynott's hardware store. He had given her work and an apartment in the attic above the store. Riley's life had been as an unwanted child Santa Claus never visited. At thirteen she became a street urchin--one who got into drugs and trouble, but she has cleaned up her life. Tonight, she will meet Ed's real family. His sisters are visiting for Christmas. A first since they hadn't visited when Ed's wife was ill nor come to her funeral. When the front door bursts open, Riley is surprised to recognize the giant entering the house. Her well-perfected senses recognize Griff as dangerous. At the same time memories of their glorious night together before he left haunt her.

Both Griff and Riley have problems with self-worth as both have been through risky situations, yet they both have an irresistible urge to do what is best for the other. They face mounting challenges. Bruce, the half mastiff dog, seems like the angel of the story, giving both Riley and Griff moral support, but even he can't prevent all the problems that arise. BLUE SKY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is a great Christmas read, filled with the festivities of the season while exposing Christmas's message of compassion as well as kindness and generosity.

Robin Lee