Will he face his past or run from his future?Ethan Thompson has been a part of the Martin family since he was a troubled teen and Susannah Martin saved him. He’s always done everything in his power to help the Martins, especially oldest daughter Penelope. But he’s always made sure to keep himself just separate enough to safeguard his heart against the straight-talking beauty.Pen Martin-Wakefield … beauty.
Pen Martin-Wakefield moved home to Last Stand, Texas, with her three girls hoping it would give them all a fresh start after her husband’s tragic death. She’s ready to move on, and as she deals with the stresses of a holiday season and a broken arm, she realizes Ethan is always the one she’s leaned on.
Ethan’s determined to resist Pen and her girls. He’s got too many secrets and scars to be any good for them, but as a Christmas in Last Stand works its magic, Ethan begins to find out just how tenacious Pen is and how lonely his heart has been.
more
An enjoyable afternoon read, with easy to relate to characters.
I’ve read two books in this series and I’m looking forward to a third.
I AM LATE WITH THIS REVIEW THOUGH I REALLY FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY GOOD STORY. ETAN THOMSON WAS TAKEN IN BY THE MARTIN FAMILY SO THE FEELINGS HE HAS ALWAYS HAD FOR PENELOPE THEIR DAUGHTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN PUT ASIDE.
NOW YEARS LATER WIDOWED AND WITH THREE GIRLS TO RASE SHE COMES HOME TO HELP HERSELF, HER GIRLS AND THEN HER FAMILY FOR THEY ALL LOST THEIR MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AS WELL. SHE IS RUNNING HERSELF TO THE BONE AND ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE THE FEELINGS SHE ONCE HAD FOR ETHAN HAVE RETURNED. SHE LIKES THAT HE IS HELPING HER AND THE FAMILY BUT WHEN HER OLDEST DAUGHTER DOES NOT CARE FOR IT WHAT ARE THEY TO DO? READ THIS WONDERFUL STORY TO FIND OUT. I GAVE THIS BOOK FOUR STARS. FOLLOW US AT http://www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Quick easy sexy Angsty read about Ethan & Pens attraction to each other’ while within close quarters Of one another!! I love this family and the farm !!! Great book and series !
I really like this book I read the first in the series and the author has away of getting you right in the heart. I really love how the author take a group of really imperfect people and doesn’t try and change them but tries to heal them. I also enjoyed in this story how the author had the 3 girls personality really shine off the pages they were just as equally fun to read about. My heart broke for Addie she was so small but dealt with some very adult emotions. I could not put this book down I really wanted to see how the story was playing out. There is one sex scene not completely in detail but you get the point. Over all this book is a super fun read and so will sum up what Christmas and family is really about, so worth the read.
A passionate, emotional love story where hearts are healed, and lives are changed at Christmas. I loved Ethan and Pen–and people who know me, know I’m a sucker for a wounded alpha–and these two just worked their way into my heart. I was pulling for them and praying for them and so happy when they got their happy-ever-after. A wonderful read any time of the year but extra special during the holidays.
Christmas for the Deputy is the second in Nicole Helm’s Bad Boys of Last Stand series. I liked that I was able to revisit Helm’s Last Stand with Ethan’s story.
I would call this a second chance Christmas romance. Pen returns home to Last Stand looking for a fresh start for herself and her girls. The Christmas season is the perfect time for Ethan to open himself up to all the possibilities. Christmas for the Deputy was an enjoyable read.
Can a troubled teen overcome his past as a grown man and find love?
Growing up, Ethan Thompson never knew a safe home life. Not until he landed at the Martin family ranch in Last Stand, Texas, as a teenager. Susannah Martin found a way to save him and brought him to the family ranch. But the scars and trauma of his childhood still haunt him and shape his view of his present life and future life. Ethan has become a sheriff’s deputy which has allowed him to keep a safe emotional distance between him and everyone else in the community.
Pen Martin-Wakefield has moved back home to the family ranch with her three children after her husband’s line of duty death. She is still trying to deal with the stress of his death and rebuilding her life plus dealing with her girls who are all dealing with their father’s death in different ways. And of course with her girls being different ages, she is also dealing with a wide range of normal growing up issues. Throw in that she has moved back at the Christmas season, plus a long hidden attraction to Ethan, and the stresses build.
Can Pen learn to accept that she doesn’t have to be perfect and can just be herself? Can she learn to let her girls live in the moment and learn to handle their own battles with each other? Can Ethan learn that it is safe to love? Well, given this a Nicole Helm novel, yes. But like her all of her other novels I have read, the storyline moves along and the characters are well written. You can relate to the characters in this novel because we all have a little bit of each one in us.
I did receive a copy of this book in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Okay first off let me say this is the second book in the Bad Boys of Last Stand series and while it can be read as a stand alone this is one book you would really benefit from reading the first book in the series. That being said, I knew going into this book that Ethan and Pen’s story would not be smooth and easy and it was not. Pen came back home with her kids after her husband was killed in the line of duty. She is so strong in spirit, sometimes to strong. Then we have Ethan Thompson. Ethan has been part of Pen’s family since her parents took in 3 stray boys to foster and raise. Ethan’s past sneaks into his hope for a future with Pen and her girls. I totally get both characters in this story and I hope that you will read and get this book like I did. I can’t wait to read Bracken story and maybe our author will give us a wedding book. Last Stand weddings. Just a thought right?
Pen and Ethan’s love story in Christmas for the Deputy by Nicole Helm, book two in her Bad Boys of Last Stand series, was an emotional, heart-warming and enjoyable tale. Oldest daughter Pen (Penelope) Martin-Wakefield moved home to Last Stand, Texas with her three girls hopeful that it will give them a fresh start after her husband’s death. Ethan Thompson has been a part of the Martin family since he was a troubled teen and Susannah Martin, Pen’s mother, saved him. For as long as he can remember he’s helped the Martins, especially Pen. Yet he’s always made sure to safeguard his heart against falling for this beauty. Now that Pen has returned Ethan struggles to resist her and her girls. He believes that all of his secrets and scars have damaged him too much to be good for them. Pen ready to move on, and as she deals with the stresses of a holiday season and a broken arm, she realizes Ethan is always the one she’s leaned on. However, Christmas in Last Stand interferes and works its magic on Ethan as he finds out how determined Pen can be and how she fills the loneliness in his heart.
Ms. Helm wrote a wonderful and emotional story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Pen and Ethan a chance to discover they loved each other and were meant to have a future together. I highly recommend Christmas for the Deputy to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Second book in this wonderful series and like the first book is a masterpiece in analysing feelings and doing the work that makes us really feel the emotions of the characters
Susannah Martin was a law officer but what she did for others was what made her special she took in boys from damaged families and gave them a future by letting them live with her family One of those boys was Ethan Thompson Now Susannah has died and her daughter Penelope a widow to a fallen police officer has returned to the family ranch with her three daughters. She is determined that everything will be perfect for Christmas even though it is a time of year she personally hates. Problem is she is forever judging herself against her mothers memory and falling short in her own eyes. When she breaks her arm will she be able to step back and allow her childhood crush Ethan help her and will he allow his walls to fall enough to admit how he feels about Penelope. You will have to read to see if they get their HEA
Bad Boys of Last Stand Series by Nicole Helm is a pleasing cowboy series with book two, Christmas for the Deputy being a delightful addition. This time up is the oldest Martin daughter, Penelope Martin-Wakefield along with deputy Ethan Thompson. Ethan had stayed in Last Stand, Texas but Pen is returning home with her daughters now a widow.
Again it is evident that Nicole Helm knows cowboys, loyalty and family ties. She is able to weave it all into an engaging realistic story. A fresh start is what Pen is looking for but finds a second chance with Ethan.
If you enjoy cowboys and cowgirls, flaws and all, but who have strength of character, act with resolute trying to do their best, and deserve to find love, then you will want to read the all of the Martin Family Stories. Christmas for the Deputy will become a favorite.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Loved this contemporary family drama. This is one of those books that you become a part of the family and can feel everything they’re going through. Lots of love spreading around, which is why you see the subtle change in lives develop as you read more and more. The theme here is very different, with it featuring a widow and a single cop who for all intents and purposes do not rush into a relationship yet it grows over time without either of them realizing it.
I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my volunteer review.
A beautiful love story. Just when you think you might never be the recipient of the most intense love, faith steps in and gives you the greatest of gifts. First I want to tell you that I read
Homecoming for the Cowboy prior to this, which is the first book in the Bad Boys of Last Stand series. While Christmas For The Deputy is a standalone, I believe my enjoyment of the book was better because I had a prior understanding of all these wonderful characters. And of course, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Ethan and Pen…..
These two characters were so deserving of a happily-ever-after. Each has issues from their past that they are trying to live with. The best part was when they each realized that they weren’t really living at all; just existing to please everyone but themselves. Until they understood that they could help each other. All that was needed was patience, trust, understanding and love. Of course, these emotions were not easily obtained for Ethan and Pen. My favorite part of this book were all the hurdles they had to jump to find their HEA. It was not easy. There were several angsty aspects going on at once. Pen was a very strong character and I loved her determination and the fact she never gave up, despite her emotional baggage.
There is an emotional past in both Ethan and Pen’s lives. The best part? There is a beautiful future ahead for them. I’m not going into details as this is a pretty quick read. The pace and flow of the story is steady and you’ll eat up the pages in no time.
An even better bonus? Christmas for the Deputy takes place during the Christmas holidays. If you’ve visited Last Stand via other authors of Tule Publishing, you’ll know how special this town and its residents are.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to red it. 🙂
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoy this author’s writing style. This is the second book in the series and I have read the other book too. This is the story mainly of Pen and Ethan. The author continues to include the characters from the first book in a significant way which as nice. We have learned that Pen’s husband died 3 years prior and she and her 3 girls have moved back to the family ranch. He husband had been a Texas Ranger and she had married him when she was just 18 and now she is 30. Her parents had taken in 3 troubled boys to be raised with the girls before their mother and savior passed away years earlier. Colt and Ethan are still living in Last Stand full time but the 3rd brother is busy traveling in rodeo events.
It is approaching Christmas and Pen is missing her mother, and her husband, struggling to raise her girls and keep a happy face and positive demeanor. The oldest, Addie is pushing the boundaries, not happy they left San Antonio. Pen would like to get remarried to share her life with a loving partner. Distraught, Pen goes outside for air and falls and breaks her arm. She is now struggling to accept help doing the normal cooking, holiday preparation and caring for the girls. Ethan is the local sheriff and has always tried to help her and her girls. She leans on him and realizes he stays on the perimeter of the family, never asking for help and getting fully involved. Pen tries to talk to him about it. They end up discussing more than he feels comfortable with so he shuts down. She kisses him and he’s quite unnerved even though he’s attracted to Pen.
This story sees Ethan and Pen both struggle with their old issues to try to get past them and be together. It is a very hopeful story with a lot of introspection. There is emphasis on the relationship between Pen and Ethan, Pen and her daughters, Pen and her sisters, Pen and her Dad, Ethan and the girls and Ethan and his brothers. It was well written and the ending was very well done.
This was a very heartbreaking book for me,made me think of my grandparents who have died around Christmas time.Me.Helm writes a good storyline surrounding grief around Christmas time and for Pen to keep living for her kids even after the passing of her mother.This book can be read as a standalone but it’s better to read The Homecoming for the Cowboy first book in this series to get a better background of the Martin family.
Christmas for the Deputy is an emotional tale about finding love at Christmas. Ethan and Pen had both suffered loses and were shielding their hearts from more hurt. This is a heartwarming story about finding love and accepting it.
Ethan and Penelope have had feelings for each other for many years but never acknowledged it to each other. Penelope married her high school sweetheart who was killed as a police officer. She is back to her home ranch with three daughters to raise as the feelings for Ethan resurface.
It is a difficult but lovely story to read. It captures the emotions of Penelope dealing with the death of her husband and managing her daughters. Ethan’s story is true to life demonstrating the fear of retribution he has for his father (in prison but soon to be released). It is well written and incorporated into his fear of love and of a future with Penelope.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5
I enjoyed revisiting Last Stand.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Bad Boys of Last Stand
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading Mack’s story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
For me this book was just okay. I found myself having a hard time getting involved with the characters- boring at times and felt like they just weren’t truly connecting. Ethan became a part of the Martin family as a teenager but in a lot of ways felt like he wasn’t good enough and didn’t belong. Pen was a part of that family. Ehtan kept any feelings he had for her secret. Which allowed her to fall in love with someone else, have kids and become a widow. He gets a second chance to be with her but will secrets keep them apart? Will he always feel not worthy? I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.