A trio of holiday novellas by three heavy hitters of small town, western romance.

Having read previous compilations from these authors, I was looking forward to this new trio. All three stories carried the heart and warmth these authors are famous for. However, while they all take place at Christmas time, only "Her Christmas Cowboy" by Delores Fossen truly incorporated the holiday into the story. I just wasn't getting a lot of holiday vibes in this collection.

That being said, the stories themselves worked on a non-seasonal level. Ms. Palmer delivered the mystery and suspense I'd expect with that helping of hard fought romance I'm always looking for. Ms. Pearce offered family angst among heartfelt, sympathetic characters.

All in all, these were enjoyable stories, but they were lacking in the holiday magic I was hoping to feel.

We are gifted with three short stories filled with cowboys and love. Diana Palmer brings us of Essa who works as a hotel cook working on a novel she hoped to publish. She meets Mellie when she barrels into the kitchen hiding from her dad, Dominic who is a senior investigator working on a case. They get thrown together when Mellie and Essa get involved in the case Dominic is working on and they must all work together to solve it. With a child's innocence and the kindness of strangers, will it make a difference when they are confronted by a man haunted by his demons? How will Dominic and Essa fare with all the mystery and suspense around them? And when the case is closed, will they be apart or will they find a way to see where things may lead?

Kate Pearce brings us the story of Pen and Rob. Pen is in charge of her cousin Bernie's wedding to rancher Luke. She is surprised by this as being considered the weird one in her family and the one everyone watches out for because she has ADD. As she goes around getting ready for the wedding, she gets closer to Rob who has his own demons and insecurities to deal with. Will these two people be able to see what they can have together, or will their own insecurities and doubts as well as nosy family members get in their way?

Lastly, Delores Fossen brings us the story of Reese when she runs into Zach when she is on a mission to find the man who broker her great aunt Sylvia's heart as well as two other women's hearts. Happy Harry has a habit of meeting women, falling in love with them, marrying them, then leaving them. Reese ends up in Loveland to figure out the mystery and find out why he left these women who have decided to all descend upon this town to see for themselves if they can find him as well. All this and remembering the first time she met Zach years ago and the embarrassment she caused them both has her reluctant to work with Zach who is now Loveland's sheriff who escorts her to the various suspects on her list. As each name is crossed off and three more are added, they spend more time together remembering the past and hoping to see what the future can hold for them. Can there be a future when their lives are in different places and each must go back to their lives once the case is solved?

Each author brings us a delicious story with a cowboy thrown in there. Will they be brave enough to face their past and deal with it so they can see a future with them, or will all their feelings and doubts just get in the way. You are drawn into their lives as you follow along with them as they try to figure out a mystery or plan a wedding. Read to find out what happens next.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Zebra and Kate Pearce for this privilege.

Here Comes Cowboy Claus
By: Diana Palmer, Kate Pearce, Delores Fossen

Three short Christmas cowboy romances with happily ever after for more than one couple ~ Fun easy stories to read for the holidays

COLORADO CHRISTMAS CAROL by Diana Palmer
Essa and Dean start off more like enemies at first sight with Mellie, Dean’s precocious daughter, there to help them move closer together as Dean looks for a killer and Essa works on her first novel.

THE MOST WONDERFUL RANCHER OF THE YEAR by Kate Pearce
Pen and Rob were fun to get to know. I really liked them together. Pen doesn’t have a filter and says what she thinks and she thinks she likes Rob. Rob has a difficult past that included drugs and prison but is a charming man perfect for Pen.

HER CHRISTMAS COWBOY by Delores Fossen
Reese is on the hunt for a serial polygamist and comes face to face with a man she shared a steamy kiss with that neither of them have forgotten. Reese and Zack were perfect together and the three wives of Happy Harry also might end up with some interesting partners.

4 Stars

Three short stories in one book. They are good but not like I would ever read again in the future.
Was I entertained? Yes I was.

Do I recommend? Yes.

This book has three different books with cowboys and a Christmas theme. For the most part, they were okay, and the one story I liked the most the last one felt shorter than the others. The first two for me just felt off for some reason even though I have read these authors before. I am sure most people will enjoy them though.

This holiday short story compilation includes stories from three authors. If you’re new to my reviews, you may wonder why I’ve only reviewed two of the three stories. I’m a huge Kate Pearce fan and especially love her short stories so I cannot pass up the opportunity for an ARC from her when presented. But she often does compilation books with an author I am not a fan of and I hate reading something I know won’t work for me just to give an author (beloved by many, just not by me) a bad review. It doesn’t seem fair to her and wastes my time. I’ve learned it’s best just to skip her story in these books.

The Most Wonderful Rancher of the Year
by Kate Pearce

This story was the HEA for some peripheral characters from this author’s Three Cowboys series. I’ll admit that the books in that series overall fell flat for me. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but it didn’t live up to my other experiences with Kate Pearce. This book had everything I was missing from the other books. Heart, angst, love, happiness, and a couple who fit together like a perfect puzzle.

Pen and Rob both have loving families that don’t understand them. While Rob’s family isn’t featured in person, it’s obvious he misses them being in his life. As for Pen, she makes a lot of excuses for the way her family downplays her accomplishments and inadvertently holds her back. She knows the things they do are out of love, but by trying to keep the peace she is hurting herself. She had me in tears and I couldn’t wait for her to stand up for herself and for Rob to have her back. When that came about, it was beautiful. I love these two and I love their story.
~5 stars
Ages 14 and up
CW: addiction

Her Christmas Cowboy
by Delores Fossen

What a fun whirlwind this story is! I love how the couple initially met years ago, I love the nosy family members and townspeople, I love how careful Reese and Zack are with each other. It’s a fantastic Christmas novella, even if you’ve never read anything by this author. I’ve only read a few of her short stories in compilations like this one, but I need to read more. I always enjoy her stories.

Zack and Reese have a great connection and, although their relationship evolves quickly, they cannot deny they would be great together. The swiftness of their romance is addressed and actually used within the plot. They are speed-dating to the extreme. They aren’t the only ones who have an insta-love connection, either. It’s wonderful and heartwarming all around.
~4 stars
Ages 15 and up
CW: cheating, bigamy

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

I love all three of these authors and loved the stories from each of them. Kate Pearce was a continuation of our stories The Three Cowboys.

I requested this book on NetGalley because of Diana Palmer, and I am glad I did. The three stories consist not only of Christmas time love, but also mystery, and drama.
The language is great, their plots actually unique and fun to read, and the setting so cozy it felt like Christmas time already.
Absolutely loved them.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Kensington Publishing | Zebra for the ARC

Here Comes The Cowboy Claus by Diana Palmer, Delores Fossen and Kate Pearce are three shorter Christmas stories by three fun authors. The novels are all centered around the Christmas season. Each story sets up a romance that is between two people who might not normally be found together. In the story, Colorado Christmas Carol, a cook with a desire to become a novelist helps out Private Investigator and his daughter Mellie catch a serial murderer. Kate Pearce’s story has Pen and Rob helping plan for a wedding and while neither of them have family that believes in them their friends sure do. Her Christmas Cowboy by Delores Fossen matches Zach and Reese and their version of speed dating makes you warm and fuzzy. The stories are fun and quick and remind us all about how magic happens. ENJOY.

I was giving this book to read by Netgalley. This was a really good read, it's three books in one, with three great authors.

This is a fun holiday collection. I enjoyed Kate Pearce's story for two reasons. One, I wanted to witness Luke and Bernie's wedding. Two, the characters in this story had unusual challenges that made them seem unlovable to themselves but not to each other. Delores Fossen's story was very funny. Reese runs back into a man she had kissed mistakenly a few years earlier. They have a project to complete together while dodging their crazy chemistry.

Here Comes Cowboy Claus, novellas by Diana Palmer, Kate Pearce, and Delores Fossen, all excellent cowboy romance writers. Diana’s entry is Colorado Christmas Carol; Kate’s, The Most Wonderful Rancher of the Year; and Delores’, Her Christmas Cowboy. In the first, Essa works in a hotel and makes friends with a little girl named Mellie, who has a beast of a father. He is a private investigator and is looking for a serial killer that he thinks might be near. He is seriously overprotective of his daughter. In Kate’s, Pen is a young woman who has no self-esteem. She is ADHD and has been told by her parents for years that she can’t do things. Her cousin, Bernie, doesn’t agree and has tasked her with organizing Bernie and Luke’s wedding. She has found her niche, and maybe more. In Delores’, Reese meets a man she had met before, in embarrassing circumstances: a misidentification. She should have paid attention at the time, but she didn’t, and she paid for it.

All three of these are short and sweet and surprising. Not what one would expect to happen at all. The characters were charming and interesting, and well-written. The plots were complicated given the length of the books, especially in Essa and Mellie’s story. They were fun to read. I prefer full-length novels but I am willing to settle to read works by my favorite authors. This is a great choice for a little off-kilter Christmas read.

I was invited to read Here Comes Cowboy Claus by Kensington Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonBooks #DianaPalmer #KatePearce #DeloresFossen
#HereComesCowboyClaus

Here Comes Cowboy Claus is three short novellas about Christmas, Cowboys, Country life and Love.

"COLORADO CHRISTMAS CAROL" by Diana Palmer
I did not finish reading this book. I got about 70% through and I just thought it did not make sense to me. I really did not connect with the characters at all. It felt too unrealistic to be believable to readers.

"The Most Wonderful Rancher of the Year" by Kate Pearce: This heartwarming story follows Pen and Rob, two individuals who are complete opposites but find a way to come together. Pen, who has ADD, is undervalued by her family, who only see her as a coffee shop employee. However, when her cousin and boss need help with wedding planning, Pen seizes the opportunity to prove herself. Rob, an ex-convict given a chance at the ranch, keeps to himself until he crosses paths with Pen. Can they overcome their insecurities and find happiness together?

"Her Christmas Cowboy" by Delores Fossen: Among the three novellas, this story stood out as my favourite. The connection between Zack, the sheriff, and Reese, a private detective, is palpable, and their shared history adds depth to the narrative. The plot revolves around Reese's quest to track down the bigamist who jilted her great-aunt Sylvia many decades ago in Loveland, Texas.

While these novellas may not entirely capture the feel-good Christmas spirit, the last two stories in particular kept me thoroughly entertained.

The collection presents a captivating trio of stories, each with characters that resonate with the familiarity of real-life individuals. They each confront challenges that they must overcome, even as they forge romantic bonds that profoundly change their existence. These narratives celebrate the love found in family, friendships, and romantic relationships, all portrayed with warmth and sincerity.

Wonderful Christmas/Holiday stories. There are 3 stories in this book 1: Colorado Christmas Carole is about Essa and Duke including his daughter, Mellie.Book 2: The Most Wonderful Rancher of the Year. Pen worked in her mother’s bookstore and has some challenges. Rob is a former prisoner that served his time but feels he deserves nothing. The last book: Her Christmas Cowboy. This is Zack, the Sheriff and Reese a private detective. All these stories have ups and downs but are lovely Holiday stories. I look forward to reading more books in the future by Ms Palmer, Ms Pearce & Ms Fossen.

An interesting trio of stories. I really enjoyed one of them. The other two were okay, but not as appealing for one reason or another. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Recommend to readers who enjoy reading Suspense & Romance theme.
4*Colorado Christmas Carol-Diana Palmer, very interesting cozy murder mystery that kept me on edge, grumpy single dad, his daughter is adorable and courageous, Estelle is likeable, independent and compassionate. Intense and emotional.
4 1/2* The Most Wonderful Rancher of the Year-Kate Pearce, love that the characters are frank and enjoyed reading how they work out the intricacies of a newfound romantic relationship. I like both characters, and how she develops. Sweet and heartfelt.
5*Her Christmas Cowboy, Delores Fossen, this was my favorite, in addition to the scenario being entertaining, the story had many engaging comical moments to add to the romantic atmosphere.

Three novellas...

Three novellas, Christmas in theme, by three of your favorite authors.
Yep. Christmas, cowboys and HEA's.
Recommend.

I enjoyed the first story but not the other two. The second story was boring. The third was silly. I was very disappointed. I usually enjoy these authors.

Rating 4.5
This is a wonderful collection of Christmas Cowboy stories by 3 wonderful authors. The characters are spot on in all the stories and the pace is perfect. It was a wonderful Christmas read.