Book Description:
He wasn’t sure what he was looking for. She wasn’t looking for anything.
Cyan Hewitt drifts onto his estranged grandparents’ New Mexico ranch in time for Thanksgiving… and stays. As a cyber security consultant, he can telecommute, so why not from here, where his restless soul is soothed and his heart is awakened by the attractive ranch housekeeper?
Maria Sanchez works at Rancho de Esperanza to provide a stable life for her son. She’s content—mostly—in her roles as housekeeper, part-time student, and mom, but when her precocious seven-year-old is diagnosed with diabetes, her world shatters. There’s no time for distractions from the long-term visitor who’s stirring a longing in her for more.
Cyan may think her faith and courage are inspiring, but Maria feels vulnerable. Relying on others has only ever resulted in broken dreams. Christmas might be a season of hope, but does she dare risk everything for love?
Hope Ranch is a place where second chances and God’s love are waiting for everyone.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
Hope for Christmas (Hope Ranch Book 1) is set on a ranch in New Mexico. Maria is a single mom who works as a housekeeper on a ranch owned by Cyan’s grandparents. Her faith is strong and her life circumstances provide many challenges in the story.
The story opens with Cyan at a beach on Whidbey Island, WA, with no real direction in his life and no idea of where he’d be driving later in the day. I have visited Whidbey Island, and totally understood why Cyan chose to park himself there and housesit a beach house.
Cyan talks with his sister, Azure, who encourages him to visit their long lost grandparents in New Mexico for Thanksgiving. At the beginning of the story Cyan has an open heart regarding Christianity. He’s curious, has questions, and is seeking answers. The story has a strong spiritual thread and powerful gospel message without being preachy. I enjoyed this aspect of the story.
Maria’s gorgeous son, Calvin, has a health issue that’s handled with care and sensitivity. I loved seeing Cyan and Calvin together, and the developing romance between Maria and Cyan is both charming and realistic. I understood why Maria was reluctant to put herself out there and take a risk on love. This is a story I’d recommend to readers who are exploring faith issues.
If you’ve read Elizabeth’s Peacock Hill series, you’ll know Cyan’s sister, Azure, from A Heart Realigned. I enjoyed reading Hope for Christmas, and I’m looking forward to reading more books in the Hope Ranch series.
Hope for Christmas is available at Amazon.