Dreaming of a Cowboy Christmas by Ann Einerson

 

A grumpy cowboy with a permanent scowl isn't quite what I had on my holiday wishlist this year. Except we don't always get what we wish for, which I quickly learn when I find out the Christmas vacation home I booked is a scam. Which means I need to get off the surly silver fox's property ASAP. But even a grumpy cowboy has manners, and he isn't about to send this city girl away with a snowstorm blowing through town - even if it would make his life less complicated. Another not-so-small problem? There's only one bed in his cabin. I might be used to bright city lights, but country evenings turn into the perfect holiday nights when I find myself wrapped up in his arms. It seems the crackling fire isn't the only thing heating up, and I can't help but wonder if fate led me here after all. Dreaming of a Cowboy Christmas by Ann Einerson was published on November 13th, 2025. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Ann Einerson and The Smuthood. Thanks ladies for giving me the chance to read this book. Now, this book isn't what I normally read. So first off don't expect dark romance type of shit. But it's a cute holiday romance book that is perfect to read for the holiday. I actually started laughing from the get go of the first page. The first quote grabbed my attention that I had to actually send it to my friends because it made me crack up laughing. Then of course later had to do some Google searches to see if some things were actually out there for products (By the way...yes they are.) Anyways, this book had me laughing so much through the book. This tough cowboy who has become so isolated in a small town opening up and becoming a big teddy bear slowly through the book was top tier. It's everything you expect from a Cowboy. Noelle (love the Christmas name) was so fun to get to know. I loved her weaknesses in the book and how her weaknesses tend to bring out even more lovable characteristics from the Cowboy. I loved how their relationship ebbed and flowed until they slowly fell from just lust for each other to love. The smut scenes are not as graphic as I am used to but really sweet. I highly recommend this amazing Christmas theme book. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Is there a reason you have a two ten-inch dildos in your carry-on?" 

"I should've brought you a helmet." 
"The bright side is I'm probably less talkative after a head injury." 

"Save a horse, ride a toy, and a Cowboy!" 

"Fuck it.....The only man who can give you what you need is me."
"You sure about that, cowboy?"
"You. Are. Mine." 

Tropes 

Christmas

Small Town

Age-Gap 

Grumpy/Sunshine

Forced proximity 

The Hero (Game of Chance #3) by Susan Stoker

 

Any solider who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric "Bob" Evans isn't ready to give up the fight. He's been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for. Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she's arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicious about the true culprit, but even when she's rescued from prison, there's nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard's only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory. The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife. The Hero by Susan Stoker was published March 2024. This is the third book in the Game of Chance series. 

I  love reading books written by Susan Stoker. Her creative mind is something I would love to be able to go deep within to see how she creates everything. Let's first talk about the characters. I absolutely loved Kendric in this book. You got glimpse of him in the previous two books and how he interacted with his friends and their girlfriends. But, didn't really know him and his back history until this book. While you do learn more about Kendric I felt like I needed more. Why didn't he get know his parents more. What made him get into the military. Did he always have the drive to rescue people? I still loved him and how he treated Marlow. He's got the cinnamon roll type feel to him. I had a hard time connecting to Marlow in this book. I wanted to know more of her personality but I felt like he hid a lot of her personality through the book. Not sure if it's because she trained herself while in prison to keep it hidden to stay safe or if it's something else in her past. I loved the two characters together and felt like I could see their relationship develop as they were trying to get out of the country. I also love how they switched places and Marlow became the hero in parts of the book. The story-line in this book is great and it follows a lot of the other military romance books that I have read. But it always works with them and don't change something if it works. Though Susan Stoker knows how to change the plot and story-line a little bit to make each one different. I highly recommend checking out this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 

Quotes That I Liked 

"For doing what? Having an ID for me? Distracting the cops so they wouldn't look at my prision-issue shoes? Giving me a kiss that curled my toes and made me forget for just a moment that my life has gone to shit? Yeah, Kendric. I forgive you." 

...Because in that second, he knew. This women was his. His. 

He was in big trouble. This women had him wrapped around her little finger after a total of a few hours....and she had no clue. 

"Marry now..."

"What?"

"Mary now. Here. Then can stay in safe place under floor. Together. Even if the police search, they will no find you. I can make arrangements. Now."

"You're right. If it means we can stay together, stay safe, and you can have that shower I know you want so badly, we'll do it. But I'll be damned if I cheat you out of this.....Marlowe Kennedy....will you marry me?" 

"You really think I'd let you give yourself up so I can get away? I've never been that guy, and I never will be. You're under my protection, Marlowe. Hell, you're my wife, and I'm going to protect you with my last breath if need be. You will get back home." 

Game of Chance series 

1. The Protector

2. The Royal

3. The Hero

4. The Lumberjack (July 30th, 2024) 

Tropes 

Men in Uniform - Military

Forced Proximity

Marriage Convenience

Bodyguard