My Kind of Christmas by Janet Dailey is a second chance at life and love book. The catalyst for the chance is the oncoming holiday season. Truly a Christmas story that has a romantic side to it. Travis Morgan has had a hard time of it, but I liked this man. Maggie Delaney did not seem like the woman for him at first, yet the story convinced me otherwise. Also I found the cover irresistible.

What puzzled me the most is not the story which I enjoyed but that the author is decreased. I read someone else’s comment, so I googled Janet Dailey. Sure enough she passed away almost five years ago. I could not find where this is a reissue but perhaps the name has changed, or it is a book she wrote many years earlier.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“It just took a little time and patience.”
Overall, this is a lovely Christmas romance. It has what I love in a western romance – a loner of a cowboy who’s a bit damaged and a strong woman to help heal him. To say he’s a cowboy is a bit of a stretch though, as Travis is new to ranch life, but he’s got the making of one. My Kind of Christmas is filled with family drama, Christmas spirit, and a Christmas miracle. I’m ready to read about the other two bachelors now living with Travis and see them get their own happily ever after. This is an easy to read, sweet Christmas romance with interesting characters.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (September 23, 2018)

Dailey's books have a specific feeling to them that draws me in and captivates my interest. This was no different, except I had trouble really connecting to Travis and Maggie. The zing wasn't easy to identify however the story was wonderful. A small town, family issues, Christmas time and three bachelors set on a dream. This seems to be loosely related to the Tylers of Texas series. Always a joy to read her books, luckily I received an early copy.

I enjoyed My Kind of Christmas. It's like having a Hallmark movie on my Kindle.

Travis is a down on his luck ex-cop who is looking to rebuild his life on the dilapidated family ranch in Branding Iron, Texas. Maggie, Branding Iron's mayor, is looking for a volunteer to replace Santa in the town's annual Christmas parade. When these two meet, sparks fly and soon Maggie wants more than Travis's help with the parade.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt holiday tale. My favorite part of this book is the camaraderie between Travis, Connor, and Rush. It gives true meaning to brotherhood.

Another light and sweet Christmas story from Janet Dailey. (Although, I can’t seem to find who writes “Janet Dailey” books since she’s been deceased for about 5 years. Or maybe they could be works she left behind?) This one is actually an offshoot of the A Cowboy Christmas series as it takes place in Branding Iron and some of the key players from that series pop their heads into this one. But you absolutely do not have to read that series to read this book.

I fell in love with Travis right away. There’s something about the grumbly cowboy hero that just gets to me. I guess it’s because I know there will be a heart of gold that will be uncovered eventually. I liked Maggie, too. It just took a little longer to love her. She comes across as a bit uptight and straight-laced at first. Not that that is a bad thing. But I definitely enjoyed her more once I saw her soft underbelly and realized that she is such a caring person.

Maggie and Travis have solid chemistry. I found it beyond sweet that, although they both seemed to want more, they were content with hugs and snuggles; neither willing to take it further until some issues were worked out. And although they didn’t sleep with each other, they still craved and missed being together.

This book seemed like a bit of an introduction of characters to me. Since Travis was on his family “ranch” himself and didn’t have much money or experience, he called in an old friend to help. Then they meet another guy who they hit it off with. I don’t want to give spoilers so I won’t say much more than that, but as much as I loved meeting everyone I could feel myself being “told” the story of the ranch instead of immersing myself in the atmosphere. Not through the whole book, but at certain times it definitely came across that way.

Overall, this is a lovely Christmas romance. It did it’s job of giving me all the emotions plus making me curious as to the other people who ended up on the ranch and seeing them eventually get their HEA.

3.5 stars

Fun holiday romance between Travis, a rancher just out of prison, and Maggie, the Mayor of the nearest town. It's a rough road to happiness but they finally make it. There's mystery too and a hunt for Santa Claus. Sweet

Janet Dailey is one of my favorite writers. This was a Christmas story obviously and for me it was just ok. I just don't have much to say about it either way. I didn't hate it but I didn't absolutely love it either.

My Kind of Christmas by Janet Dailey is a well written and enjoyable story. This is a Christmas story with Travis and Maggie as the main characters, and is a heartfelt story about love, forgiveness, and a few surprises. This would make an excellent TV movie that all would be sure to enjoy. I highly recommend the story as it grabs you to the very end.

I always enjoy Janet Dailey’s books and My Kind of Christmas was no exception. Great plot, characters and setting. I highly recommend this book.

What starts out as a somewhat depressing, down on his luck story, Travis Morgan’s story quickly picks up steam and morphs into a feel good Christmas themed romance - second chances story that ends with a comfort to the heart, joyful HEA. This is a first rate story that’s on target to be enjoyed this holiday season.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

My Kind of Christmas by Janet Dailey is one that contains a lot of surprises. I was hooked. The characters have their own background story that affects their present lives. Other characters try to help. But it only gets messier. The troubled characters are so stubborn that it’s funny and frustrating at times. All that misery because of some past hurt feelings. People change. That’s what the father and son must learn now. Otherwise their future is bleak without the forgiveness. It takes another man to help show them what each one would go to, to defend each other. Risks, pride, and love are found on these pages. The males are tough. But so are their women. Overall, I love a good story that sweeps me into the plot. Funny, entertaining, and sweet, My Kind of Christmas felt so real.

Travis Morgan inherited a rundown ranch from his mother. His parents had divorced when he was a child and his mother took him away from Branding Iron, Texas. After serving three years in prison for a misunderstanding of an accidental, police officer involved, shooting, Travis decides to try to make a go of the ranch. He is struggling to make ends meet with the sale of hay when an elderly neighbor, Abner, begs him to take his two Perc heron work horses, dog, and handmade sleigh. How is he going to feed these animals as well as himself through the winter. Turns out Abner used to play Santa in the local Christmas parade with his horses, dog and sleigh. He will no longer be able to do it now that he will be living with his daughter in Denver. Travis wants no part of the celebration. While trying to think of a way he can take care of these animals no one else wants and he doesn’t know how to care for, he remembers an old buddy who used to ride the rodeo circuit. Conner jumped at the chance to come live on the ranch. As they were checking out the property on Connor’s ATV, Travis and Conner found a huge stand of evergreen trees. An answer to their money woes? They sure will try to use the trees to tide them over until the next hay crop. A Christmas story filled with family drama, comic relief and plenty of Christmas spirit.

If you like Hallmark movies you will like this book. It is a lovely sweet cowboy, redemption, Christmas story. Both the hero and heroine in the book are likable. Secondary characters are great too.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had the perfect mixture of cowboys & sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS by Janet Daley
Sept 25. Kensington
Travis swearing of having a farm when one has to climb the platform to free the ice off a windmilll.. His future was here after being with highway patrol and a mishap ended with him now as an ex con, and no work. Maggie spun out in her car, hitting a post, distracting him, falling to the ground.
Neighbor, was moving, he now winds up with a couple of horses and a dog. With an added surprise of a beautiful sleigh., which had been in the parade for over twenty years. He had been playing Santa, and his two horses as reindeer. Travis now has the awful feeling he might be roped into filling the man’s spot as Santa. Finding the dog, had trapped a skunk,this was turning out to be one of the worst decisions he had made. Maggie as mayor knew how to manage people and Travis, was now first. A case of tomato juice was delivered to bath the dog in.. This was a delightful story, of two older people, attracted to one another, and how, with their busy schedules, finding time for love, Given ARCby Net Galley and Kensington for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

great festive read, about family, love and forgiveness.
After a stint in prison, Travis has nowhere to go, so ends up a run down ranch in Branding Iron, the town where his estranged father still lives. He sets out to make a go of the ranch, gathering help from old and new friends as he proceeds.

Janet Dailey is a wonderful storyteller. My Kind of Christmas is a sweet Christmas romance. It's about second chances, starting over and moving on.