Skip to content
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • WordPress

Barbara's Booknalysis

All for the love of romance.

  • Home
  • Blog archive
    • Book Reviews, Author A-K
    • Book Reviews, Author L-Z
    • Book Reviews, Title A-K
    • Book Reviews, Title L-Z
    • Favourite Finds of the Week
    • Random Thoughts and Idle Chitchat
    • Wednesday Web-polls
  • Promotions
    • Book Blitz
    • Cover Reveals
  • About Me
    • Ratings
    • Contact
  • Review Policy
  • The Serious Stuff
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
  • Resources
    • Review template + access to more
    • Book tracker
    • Blogtionary
  • Toggle search form
  • The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh by Ella Quinn – Book Tour! book blitz
  • A Wish in Irish Falls by Jen Gilroy All Reviews
  • Book blitz! Ruinsong by Julia Ember book blitz
  • Beautiful Facade by Kathryn S. Rose – Book tour review All Reviews
  • One Little Kiss by Avery Maxwell – ARC book review Book Reviews, Author L-Z
  • Holiday Terminal: (A Second Chance Secret Baby Billionaire Holiday Romance), by Gwyn McNamee and Christy Anderson All Reviews
  • Book cover - Tell Me This Is Forever by JS Scott
    Tell Me This is Forever by J.S. Scott – ARC Review Book Reviews, Author L-Z
  • Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship by Parker Fairchild – Book tour review All Reviews

Simple Gifts by Anna DeForest – Book tour review

Posted on January 1, 2021 By Barbara @BarbarasBooknalysis 6 Comments on Simple Gifts by Anna DeForest – Book tour review

Thanks for joining me on my stop of the
Simple Gifts
book tour!

Published: 13 November 2020
Series:
High Country Marshals Book 3
Pages: 352
Warnings:
Violence, sexual assault

Christmas promises to be anything but merry for Robin Matthews who is waging a losing battle to keep her ranch and her family together. So when rugged ex-Marshal Nathaniel Hollister grudgingly agrees to help her run the Rocking M temporarily, he appears to be the answer to her prayers. But with Christmas fast approaching, Robin is going to need a miracle to keep from losing everything, including her heart to this kind but bitter man.

Though his attraction to her is growing by the day, Nathaniel knows he is too world-weary for a decent young woman like Robin. Once the most infamous lawman in the West, he turned in his badge after a tragedy left him guilt stricken and disillusioned. And yet Nathaniel is about to discover that the magic of Christmas has a way of making the impossible possible… and turning wishes into simple gifts that can last a lifetime.

* Simple Gifts was originally published as A Cowboy for Christmas from Kensington (2000)

If you hadn’t been there, I could have handled things just fine on my own. I probably wouldn’t have even been shot,” Robin said defiantly. She was sitting upright in her bed now, the covers she had tucked so modestly under her arms long ago forgotten in the blaze of her anger. The well-worn fabric clung to the sweet swell of her breasts.

As he stared at her, his awareness of her as a woman came rushing back in a dangerous tide. Lord, Robin Matthews was pretty when she was in a temper. Her cheeks were flushed with color and her green eyes sparked fire. With that golden braid of hair falling over her shoulder, she looked soft and feminine and far too delectable for his peace of mind. He was painfully aware that he was alone with her in her bedroom, and that she was wearing just a nightgown and not much else. He remembered how good and soft she’d felt while he carried her home, and he could still remember clearly the way her hair had smelled of roses and lavender.

A part of him wanted to take her into his arms, sink back with her into that featherbed, and make her forget all about her precious ranch. He knew she wasn’t indifferent to him. He saw the small looks she slanted his way when she thought he wasn’t aware. It would be good between them. He’d help her turn some of that passion she felt for her ranch toward loving, and it would be better than good.

Book links: Amazon AU | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Goodreads |

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commission from any qualifying purchases made from Amazon through links on this website.

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1052552

Book cover of Simple Gifts by Anna DeForest, showing a man and woman embracing in front of a farmhouse

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read Simple Gifts in a few sittings and each time I picked it up to start reading, I felt like I was being transported back to the old west. The language used and descriptions weaved by Anna DeForest were all so appropriate to the mood of the setting that I felt like I was being carried off to another time.

In this story, our leading lady is Robin Matthews. She runs a cattle spread in the mountains of Colorado with her younger siblings. She took over the running of the place, along with raising the younger family members, after the death of her parents a few years ago. Robin is a strong woman, facing what seems to many to be insurmountable obstacles. But she holds strong to her belief that she can defeat the odds.

Nathaniel is a man with a past. He is ten years older than Robin and he feels that the experiences of his past, in addition to those extra ten years, have made him into a man who is not worthy of being with someone like Robin. But he is doing battle with himself, as she is everything he wants.

I loved the story between Robin and Nathaniel. The progression of their relationship was really sweet and I enjoyed the way it gently built. They both had struggles to overcome and they complemented each other as they faced their challenges.

I also really liked the other characters in this story. We really get to know Robin’s younger brothers and sisters, who all have important roles to play amongst the day to day running of things. I even enjoyed the dirty dudes in this story. There were some real bad boys that were making regular appearances, but each time they did, the responses of our main characters gave me another opportunity to find more things to like about Nathaniel and Robin.

Potential spoiler alert!

I don’t normally do spoilers and I’m going to try to keep it to a minimum this time too, but there is a part of this story that will matter to some readers, so I’m going to give it a moment of attention. (Look away now to skip the spoiler.) It is not a big part of Simple Gifts, but attempted sexual assault does come into it. And once it gets addressed, it has an ongoing effect to the undercurrent of the story from that point onwards. It’s not described with any particular detail nor is it given an inordinate amount of focus, but it is there.

Ok it’s safe to look again now.

I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of old west romances, as Anna DeForest paints the time period so very well. And as an added bonus, I got totally sucked in by the excerpt at the end from the next title in the series, Golden Dreams. It sounds great! So now I have another title on my list to look forward to.

Thank you to the author, Anna DeForest, and Goddess Fish Promotions, for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pink background with a hearts border. Ratings of 4 flames for romance, 3 chilis for spice, 3 hatchets for violence and 4 thumbs up for overall rating.

Anna DeForest wrote her first book-length piece of fiction in fifth grade. She taught history at the Colorado Heritage Center and a Denver private school. She was thrilled when Leisure Books bought her first historical romance, Golden Dreams. She was actually watching Sesame Street with her four-year-old when she received the good news call from her agent, but she managed to tear herself away from Big Bird long enough to listen to the terms of her new contract.

Growing up in Colorado gave Anna a lifelong taste for outdoor activities such as hiking, riding and skiing. She also enjoys gardening, which is currently quite a challenge because armadillos keep rooting around in her garden in Dallas.

Anna has always tried to write the kind of romances she likes to read—stories about warm, caring people who pursue their lives and loves with passion. These days, Anna is excited about offering four of her previously published romances to her new readers, along with three romances that have never been published before. You can learn more about Anna and her books at http://www.annadeforest.com.

A heading banner image with mint green background highlighted by decorative stars with the word giveaway

Don’t miss out on your chance to win a $20 Amazon / BN gift card!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Anna DeForest will award a randomly drawn commenter a $20 Amazon/BN GC.

Check out the other stops on the tour and be sure to leave a comment to let them know you read their review. The more Simple Gifts tour reviews you comment on, the more chances you have to win!!

Click the Goddess Fish button below to see the full list of all stops on the tour, and then be sure to visit as many as you can! Good luck!

Barbara @BarbarasBooknalysis
Author: Barbara @BarbarasBooknalysis

All Reviews, Book Reviews, Author A-K, Book Reviews, Title L-Z Tags:4 Thumbs Up, Anna DeForest, Family drama, Goddess Fish Promotions, Historical, Western

Post navigation

Previous Post: Freak by Leslie Georgeson – Book review
Next Post: The Breakup Plan by Elle Vaughn – Book review

Related Posts

  • Barbara’s Booknalysis Resource Pages All Reviews
  • Just For A Moment by Kate Carley – Book review Book Reviews, Author A-K
  • ARC Review: Tell Me You’re Mine by J. S. Scott All Reviews
  • Brimstone Bound by Helen Harper All Reviews
  • The Winter Witch By Karpov Kinrade and Heather Hildenbrand All Reviews
  • Book cover - Tell Me This Is Forever by JS Scott
    Tell Me This is Forever by J.S. Scott – ARC Review Book Reviews, Author L-Z

Comments (6) on “Simple Gifts by Anna DeForest – Book tour review”

  1. Gen says:
    January 2, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    After watching a history piece series, I’m opening my mind to other genres. An old west sounds about right! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book!!

    Reply
  2. Melissa Greco says:
    January 2, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    Thanks for your review, Anna! I might pick the book up myself. I am itching for a good read.

    Reply
    1. Barbara @BarbarasBooknalysis says:
      January 2, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      It’s worth it Melissa – you will enjoy it 🙂

      Reply
  3. Victoria Alexander says:
    January 2, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    Happy New Year!! Thanks for sharing the great post 🙂

    Reply
  4. Anna DeForest says:
    January 2, 2021 at 5:20 am

    Dear Barbara,
    I’m so glad you enjoyed SIMPLE GIFTS, and thank you for your kind review. I hope you and yours are staying safe and well this holiday season.

    Warmly,

    Reply
  5. Goddess Fish Promos (@GoddessFish) says:
    January 1, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    Thank you for hosting today.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020

Categories

  • 6 Thumbs Up Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • book blitz
  • Book Reviews, Author A-K
  • Book Reviews, Author L-Z
  • Book Reviews, Title A-K
  • Book Reviews, Title L-Z
  • Book Sales
  • Cover Reveals
  • Favourite Finds of the Week
  • Promotions
  • Ramblings
  • Uncategorized

ConvertKit Form

Recent Posts

  • Yours and Mine by A.E. Bennett – Book review
  • The Defector by Michelle Donn – ARC Review
  • One Little Kiss by Avery Maxwell – ARC book review
  • Wolves of the Midnight Stars by Jewel Killian
  • One Little Lie by Avery Maxwell – Book review
http://bookbloggerlist.com
barbarasbooknalysis's Profile
  • To the left is the cover image, to the right are the ratings; 3 for romance, 2 for spice, 2 for violence and 5 thumbs up overall
    Infernal Enchantment by Helen Harper All Reviews
  • Banner with mint green background and glitter stars and the words Favourite Finds
    Favourite finds of the week All Reviews
  • Book blitz! Remember Me At Christmas by Debra Curwen Promotions
  • Barbara’s Booknalysis Resource Pages All Reviews
  • Banner with mint green background and glitter stars and the words Favourite Finds
    Favourite finds of the week Favourite Finds of the Week
  • Box Set Sale! Frat House Confessions by Bethany Lopez Book Sales
  • Banner for Blane by CJ Marin with image of a man in a singlet
    Blane by C. M. Marin – Cover reveal! Cover Reveals
  • Vow of Hate By Lylah James – Book review Book Reviews, Author A-K

Copyright © 2023 Barbara's Booknalysis.

Powered by PressBook News WordPress theme