THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS is a slow burn contemporary story that I was pulled in to from the very first page. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because I love Janet Dailey, or whoever it is that is writing her books now, but the cover really pulled me in. I mean, a cowboy and a horse drawn sleigh? Yes please!! What more could you want? This is the sixth book in the Christmas Tree Ranch series and you are going to want to jump right in, trust me! I loved everything about this beautiful story and I’m excited to recommend it to my reading friends. Janet Dailey stories always has a way of grabbing readers and they never lets us go.

THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Judd or Ruth are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore their growing feelings. Janet Dailey writes some amazing, cowboy, all the feels stories! Ruth McCoy’s life has not been easy, but now she is finally settling in after her divorce. Ruth and her three children are anxiously awaiting Christmas. Ruth is trying to figure out how she is going to pay for it!  Judd is still trying to start his life over after spending years in prison for a crime that never should have happened.  Judd is trying to get over spending years in prison and Ruth is just what he needs! Ruth was his girlfriend when he did something stupid and she walked away right after it happened. THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS screams Hallmark movie and will make the reader crave hot chocolate.

THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS is filled with twists and turns and will have the reader staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Janet Dailey was taking us and what would happen to Judd, Ruth, and the kids! Not to forget Abner! There is so much heart in Janet’s writing that I’m always left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a very long time. I love how Janet does that to me each and every time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Fresh Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Sound Of Sleighbells is the sixth book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series written by Janet Dailey. <b>TIS THE SEASON!!!!!!</b> I have loved and adored this series since the very beginning and I don't want it to end anytime soon. The way Janet Dailey writes her Christmas books just gives me <b>all the festive vibes.</b> From snow, sleigh rides, Christmas, and reindeer, it was just so festive and fun. I didn't expect to get so emotional with a Christmas book, but boy did I have tears streaming down my face. I adore how Janet Dailey doesn't make her Christmas stories all cutesy and cheesy, they are actually realistic. Whoever is writing these books for Janet Dailey since she has passed, can happily take my money, I will read and love everything this author writes. I can't express my love and gratitude for this book enough, just know it was absolutely amazing and even <b>heart breaking.</b> One minute I was swooning with love, one minute I was smiling like an idiot, one minute I was shedding tears, it went on like that throughout the entire book. There's absolutely <b>NOTHING</b> I would change about this book whatsoever. It was so so perfect and so realistic. Please do yourself a huge favor and pick up a copy of this book immediately.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND KENSINGTON BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Ruth McCoy is the true definition of a mama bear, she has two little girls and a fifteen year old son. Ruth will do <b>ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING</b> to keep her precious babies safe. Ruth's fifteen year old son was so relatable, I feel like everyone can relate to him, at the age of fifteen we thought we knew literally everything and we didn't need our mama hovering over us, but secretly we need mama bear every single day. After her divorce, Ruth is eager to trade her children's painful memories for new holiday traditions. Ruth has had enough of being physically abused, she divorces her husband while he's in jail. Ruth has nothing to her name but her own children, so she's determined to make her holiday traditions with her babies. Ruth has a whole new set of distractions when fate brings the man she once loved together with the son he never knew he had. Ruth and Judd thought they would eventually get married, but that plan was thrown out the window when Judd decided to kill a man for beating up his so called best friend at the time, when this happened Ruth was pregnant with their son, but Ruth never said anything to Judd because she could never forgive him.

Judd had to go to jail and serve his time for killing someone. Judd would send Ruth letters while he was serving his time, but they would always return back to the jail unopened. Life has thrown Judd some tough turns, but he's startled by the feelings he still has for Ruth. Judd thought Ruth would wait for him, but she didn't, she married an abuser. My heart absolutely broke for Ruth and her babies, but i'm so proud of everything she has overcome. Though the successful rancher knows better than to chase old dreams, Judd doesn't mind lending Ruth a helping hand. Ruth's son finds an interest in Judd's custom saddle business, and it gives him an idea to fix the saddle for the annual Christmas sleigh parade. Besides, Ruth's son reminds Judd of the young man he once was..... a young man who believed anything was possible. It was so heart warming to see Judd take time out of his day and help the son he never knew he had. Ruth is so powerless to deny the growing bond between her son and the man she once loved, but Ruth knows it's only a matter of time before her secret is discovered by the resemblance of her son and Judd. It was so cute and precious to watch this family come together in the end and make happy family Christmas traditions.

Beautiful, heartwarming story for Christmas, by a wonderful author. Such a comforting read with very likable characters. I enjoyed reading the story.

This is a second chance romance that is full of emotions. It will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a good book. The main characters are Ruth McCoy and Judd Rankin. They dated when they were in high school. Judd went to prison. Ruth and Judd meet again several years later. Judd is now a rancher and makes custom saddles. Judd realizes Ruth’s son is his son that he didn’t know about. They each issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

Branding Iron, a quaint little town with a Christmas parade and very good neighbors. Each book is a new couple, with familiar friends and couples, around Christmas time in the late 1980s. We have a second chance romance with Judd and Ruth, everything changed in one night but they have a chance to start over. Her kids are great, but realistically the girls seemed too mature for their ages. It’s tough to gauge the conversation skills and personality of 4 and 6 year olds. I wasn’t sure about Ruth in the beginning, a little whiny and pitiful but she came back strong and stubborn. The story is sweet and charming with a bit of suspense from someone in the past. It’s not necessary to read the books in order and this could be a standalone. I read an early copy from NetGalley and my review given voluntarily.

Ruth McCoy has had a hard life. Her first love went to prison for manslaughter after trying to save a friend's life. Her second one was tragically killed one day. And her third love, well... He was the stuff of nightmares.

So, Ruth is determined to support herself and her three children without anyone else's help. Every time she's trusted a man to be part of their lives, it's simply caused her more heartache.

Yet when her first love suddenly shows up in town one day, there's more at stake here than her heart. How long will it take before he realizes that her son is his too?

This was a touching second-chance romance that explored how the decisions we make change the course, not only of our own lives, but of everyone around us.

If you enjoy small-town, second-chance romances, you'll want to check this one out.

Thank you to Janet Dailey, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

What a joy to spend a bit of the holidays in Branding Iron, Texas, where miracles can happen and first love can be rekindled, even when it seems impossible. Ruth is focused on building a new life for her 3 children, after her husband was sent to prison. Judd is trying to start his life over after spending years in prison for a crime that never should have happened. Ruth has no desire to have her son spend time with Judd as he helps the kid fix the town’s harness for Santa’s sleigh. She’s too worried her long kept secret will be exposed and her son, her daughters and Judd will never forgive her. Christmas is a time for miracles and Branding Iron seemed to get a bit of holiday magic for its residents including some rare snow. A lovely holiday read that put me in the holiday spirit. I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I enjoyed this story but found it hard to sympathize with Ruth. Judd and Skip and their connection was nice and how everything fit together was seamless. Christmas is a time for miracles and this family got one in a big way.

Judd and Ruth had a relationship when they were younger and he made a horrible decision that changed their lives. He did his time and is making the most of his life. When Skip, Ruth’s son, starts helping Judd repairs the sleigh bells for the sleigh, Skip finds his calling, but Ruth basically tells him no. She doesn’t want him to have anything to do with Judd. Judd has never stopped loving her, but he respects her wishes to not be in her life.

The main reason I struggled to feel bad for Ruth is due to the fact that she wouldn’t consider giving Judd a second chance even though she was keeping a huge secret from him and had no plans of telling him the truth. But, the truth always comes out. Judd was a good man and I felt bad for the way she treated him. I wish there would have been more of a discussion between them about him needing to process the news and how she had treated him.

Overall, I liked this book and would like more from this world. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Ruth has lived a hard life but never stopped caring for her first love and the father of her son. Judd is out of jail and makes a great living building custom saddles. They've managed t avoid each other but circumstances continue to throw them together in this small town, and it's only a matter of time till someone sees the resemblance.

When a former friend arrives in town, all he'll breaks loose. Can Judd keep Ruth and her children safe from the evil presence invading their lives? It's a lovely holiday story of friends, family and second chances that you'll want to read.

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Sound of Sleighbells is the sixth book in Janet Dailey’s Christmas Tree Ranch series. A year prior Ruth McCoy, with the help of the Delaney, Chapman, and Winston families, was able to have a fresh start after her abusive husband Ed burned down their home and kidnapped her son Skip and Trevor Chapman. Now he is serving time and they are divorced, and Ruth has another chance at life.

Except Ruth has ghosts in the form of her first boyfriend, Judd Rankin. He was a bit of a bad boy, riding with a motorcycle gang. On the night that put Judd behind bars Ruth had begged him to stay with her and had not forgiven him for going or the repercussions that followed her. Having served his time, Judd is now living on the land left him by his parents, raising cattle and running his profitable custom saddle business.

When Digger, the man Judd had spent time in jail protecting, arrives on his doorstep late one night, Judd is very suspicious. As such, he puts him up in his unused bunkhouse just to keep an eye on him.

With an unexpected undercurrent and twists the reader may not see coming, this is a well done continuation of this series. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it.

A Christmas story of second chances

The Sound of Sleighbells is a delightful story of forgiveness, second chances, and lasting love. Ruth and Judd have a history together, and when they meet again 15 years after he goes to jail, they can't help but wonder what if. Not to mention, there is someone connecting them together. I’ve read several books by this author and know I will get a story of love and acceptance. Her characters, while not perfect have the capacity for kindness and forgiveness. Watching Judd come out of his forced solitude as he gets to know Skip was heartwarming. Ruth had a long way to go to relearn trust, but Judd’s easy way was the support she needed. The suspense surrounding them didn’t take away from their story of reconnecting. I love second-chance stories and this hopeful book was a beautiful tale of Christmas and the miracles we can all make happen. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

It could not be Christmas without Janet Dailey's annual Christmas romance. Her books always deliver the warmest SIGH when romance triumphs in the end.

I started reading the Christmas Tree Ranch series last Christmas season and was so happy to learn the series was going to be continuing with a new book out this year! THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS brings us back to Branding Iron, Texas with all the holiday charm and old-fashioned Christmas warmth of the previous books in the series. I snuggled up in a cozy chair and enjoyed this book over several days. Ruth McCoy has recently divorced her abusive husband, who is now in jail. But she’s living paycheck to paycheck and can barely afford groceries for her and her three kids. Her teenaged son Skip takes an interest in helping the local leathermaker Judd repair the Christmas sleigh before the town parade, but Ruth dreads the idea of Judd or Skip doing the math and figuring out that Judd is really Skip’s father. This was a cozy Christmas romance, with warm meals shared with neighbors, icy storms, helping people out when they need a hand, families going to get a Christmas tree and a slow burn romance. One of Judd’s old friends shows up, hoping to start trouble. Will he be able to ruin Christmas? Loved this one. 5/5 stars.

The Sounds of Sleigh Bells by Janet Dailey is a wonderful small town, ranching family romance. The novel culminates with the holidays and the sound of sleigh bells, but it is the journey to get there that makes this a great read. It can be read as a stand alone, but it is the sixth book in the series called the Christmas Tree Ranch.

Ruth McCoy is a wonderful mom. She has managed to pull herself up and make a life for her children despite the number of disadvantages to them. Right now she is focused on having a positive holiday with her family and friends. One kink in the system seems to be her son and his friend are working on redoing the harnesses of the sleigh with a leathersmith, who has a history with Ruth. Then another guy shows up and is not a nice guy.

Judd Rankin made some poor choices when he was younger, but he paid his time and is now a respected craftsman. Two young teens are working on replacing the worn out harnesses on the sleigh, and this brought him back into contact with Ruth.

All sorts of surprises happen and there are so many good people in the novel. The novel is a testament to the small town where people help people. It is a novel of second chances and hope. The Sounds of Sleigh Bells by Janet Dailey is a good read.

The Sound of Sleighbells by Janet Dailey is the sixth book in the Christmas Tree Ranch Series.

Judd Rankin has had a difficult time. After paying his due to society, he settles in his old hometown. He learned the craft of making custom saddles and his saddles are now in demand.

Ruth McCoy is a divorced mother. Her last husband is in jail and is trying to make trouble for her while still in jail. Judd is her high school ex-boyfriend. He does not know he is the father of Ruth’s son.

Christmas is coming and Ruth’s son and his friends want to fix the harness for the sleigh for Santa to appear in Branding Iron’s Christmas Parade. Will the harness be repaired in time? There are so many obstacles. Will Ruth and Judd reunite?

This is a nice second chance romance book surrounded with all the festivities of Christmas. I really liked the small town, the characters and the HEA ending. If you want to feel the nostalgia of Christmas, this book is for you. I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was my first Christmas book for the season. It was a good one to begin with. An easy, sweet read.

This is a sweet Christmas time second chance love story. Ruth and Judd were together as teens but then Judd went to prison for manslaughter. Ruth’s life has been challenging since that time.
With three children to care for, Ruth doesn’t want to give Judd a second chance and she has a secret, which is not as well kept as she thinks.
I enjoyed this Christmas story. There is caring, kindness, redemption and love.
The reason for 3 stars is that there was a little too much angst from Ruth about things from the past. I really just wanted the story to move along a bit faster.
Thanks to Netgalley and Zebra Books for the opportunity to review this book.

Old fashioned...

Set in 1998, it feels like 1998. Ruth is a widowed, then divorced mom who works as a custodian and drives a station wagon. She picked two jailbirds and one good man. Judd was her biker boyfriend who went to jail and she was pregnant and never told him. She married Tom when she was pregnant, but he died violently. Then she married Ed, who ended up in jail cuz he was a terrorist, but had two kids with him and divorced him in jail. Judd is out of jail and clean up his act and his son Skip (who he never knew about is helping out). There's drama over another jailbird. The story isn't very romantic, more matter of fact with two blue collar workers. Not a billionaire in sight.

Enjoyed the book.
Ruth had a difficult time by becoming pregnant as she graduated high school and later in life with her second husband. Things were finally starting to settle down when the father of her oldest child a son by the name of Skip was back in Branding Iron. Then to complicate things a person that was a cell mate of her second husband who is in prison for life came into town causing trouble. It was holiday time of the year, not her best book, but the cover and title are Very lovely