Unexpected blessings are the best!  Linda Lael Miller, author of the McKettrick Series among others, is sending an advance copy of her newest book, A Creed Country Christmas, to be released in November.  I will be reading this Christmas novel, a part of the Creed Series, and reviewing it for WOW readers.  I'm also delighted that Linda is taking a gander at Women Out West Magazine! WOW what a great opportunity.  Thanks Linda, for your thoughtfulness and for your kind interest.

Susan

New York Times Bestselling AUTHOR LINDA LAEL MILLER

Puts a Special Present Under the Christmas Tree

A CREED COUNTRY CHRISTMAS (Click here to purchase this book)

November 2009

A Montana Creeds novel

New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller drops an early present into Christmas stockings everywhere with A CREED COUNTRY CHRISTMAS (MIRA Books, November 2009, $16.95 U.S./$19.95 CAN.), her first historical novel to feature the forefathers of Montana's most famous family of ranchers—the Creeds.

Stillwater Springs, Montana, 1910

It's five days before Christmas and Juliana Mitchell is in desperate need of a miracle. The young teacher suddenly finds herself without a building in which to educate her native charges when the Indian schoolhouse is sold to a neighboring farmer.   Matters are further complicated by the fact that Juliana has kept guardianship of four of her youngest students despite orders from Mr. Philbert at the Bureau of Indian Affairs to send them to Missoula. 

If only Juliana could rely on her inheritance. But ever since she ran away from her home in Denver after refusing to marry her brother Clay’s business partner, he has cut her off. With no money and little hope, Juliana can only pray for an angel to deliver them from their dreadful predicament.

He may not have wings and a halo but once he learns of their situation, Lincoln Creed wastes no time in bundling Juliana and her students into his buckboard and bringing them back to Stillwater Springs Ranch until they can figure out what to do next. In the meantime they can enjoy Christmas with him and his young daughter, Gracie.

The precocious Gracie is delighted with her new playmates and over the moon when she learns that Juliana is a teacher. Indeed, Lincoln, a widower, had been advertising for a governess, housekeeper or—as a last resort—a wife to help him raise his young daughter.

Unable to let go of the memory of his deceased wife, Lincoln is hoping to hire or marry someone for whom he feels nothing.

 Juliana is intrigued by the odd proposal. As Mrs. Creed she might have the wherewithal to keep the four native children out of Mr. Philbert’s hands. And marrying an independent rancher might appease her brother’s ire, too.

 But neither Juliana nor Lincoln can account for the intense feelings they stir in each other. Despite their best intentions, a marriage of convenience might be the best gift either ever receives.

 A CREED COUNTRY CHRISTMAS will be available wherever books are sold, or through www.mirabooks.com.