Texas at the end of the nineteenth century is no place for a lady to wander unescorted. Eve Pickering comes to the rescue of a young boy who stowed away on the train, Leo, at Thanksgiving, but she's newly arrived from Arkansas herself and doesn't know anyone. A gentleman called Chance Dawson offers to escort her to where she can get a good meal, but the sheriff takes an interest in Leo - a thief. The boy protests that the stolen watch had been his father's and he took it back after working for two years unpaid for the man who held the watch.

A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS seems an unattainable dream for young Leo, but Eve agrees to postpone looking for a milliner's job until the truth can be established, making herself responsible for the boy. Chance meanwhile gets an unwelcome letter, read to him by a friend because he has reading difficulties which we would now call dyslexia. His father is coming to see what he has made of his life. The town of Turnabout boasts a newspaper and a subscription library, a school, various shops and a repair shop owned by Chance. Here he tinkers with sewing machines, clocks and a motor carriage, and he is working on a stationary engine. The town is even hosting a festival. Proper or not, Chance might just be able to encourage strait-laced Eve to dance....

The historical setting made for an interesting read and the engaging characters dealt with issues and got on with their lives. People had to be more self-sufficient in those days, and with less money to go around everything that broke had to be mended. The ladies make fudge and join a quilting circle, and handcrafts are excellent skills for both boys and girls. The only real challenge is the strained relationship between Chance and his father, made more severe by the fact that the older man has bought up the loan which financed Chance's business.

This inspirational tale will provide a gentle romance and look at past times for readers, especially fans of Winnie Griggs who has written several other historical romances. A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS is a pleasant read infused with the scents of Christmas spices.

Book Summary

An Unexpected Gift

Eve Pickering knows what it's like to be judged for your past. So she's not about to leave the orphaned boy she's befriended alone in this unfamiliar Texas town. Since Chance Dawson's offer of shelter is the only way to look after Leo, Eve is determined they'll have a warm, welcoming home for the holidays.

Chance came from the big city to make it on his own despite a painful secret. But Eve's strength is giving him a confidence he never expected—and a new direction for his dream. With a little Christmas blessing, he'll dare to win her heart—and make their family one for a lifetime.

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