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Book Review of Western Christmas Proposals: Christmas Dance with the Rancher / Christmas in Salvation Falls / The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal (Harlequin Historical, No 1299)

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Having read something by each of these authors before, I was primed for some great reading for the holidays.

CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER (Carla Kelly) No one is at the train depot to meet Katherine Peck. Then she receives notice from the sheriff that there was an altercation in a saloon (in another town) and someone was killed (probably her fiancee). Katherine is taken in by the local minister.

Ned Avery has too much to do on his ranch without the twin problems of his gravely ill father and handicapped brother. He decides to hire a chore girl. Katherine agrees to take the job even though Ned's unhappy father swears he doesn't need any help. Within a month, Katherine has made tiny changes that alter the lives of those around her.

CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS (Kelly Boyce) Morgan Trent and Wilma Stanford share a lot of history. They were engaged to be married when Morgan left town to earn enough money to keep Wilma in the style in which she was raised. Wilma waited and when Morgan stopped writing, Wilma's father made her marry another man.

Now it is six years later and Morgan is shocked to find Wilma again. She is a widow and he has come to Salvation Falls to join his Uncle Bertram's law practice. Is there anything left of the love they once shared?

THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL (Carol Arens) This is a lovely based on two improbable circumstances: Former US Marshal Roy Garner takes a job as a town sheriff so he can take care of his four children; his wife died (while he was out chasing crooks) last Christmas. He's been hired to literally be the social director of the town. The citizens have strong opinions about everything and they need a mediator to lead and keep down on the fisticuffs among the locals.

Bell Annie Key and Grannie Key are following the trail of the man who stole Grannie's wedding band. If she doesn't have it on her finger by Christmas, she will die. They know that Roy Garner has the ring and plan to expose him as a thief after they get the ring back. This highly improbable story is charming and before long I didn't much care how the characters got together.

All three stories were pleasant and well-worth reading.