The best gifts last a lifetime . . . Veterinarian J.T. “Rush” Rushford isn’t looking forward to Christmas. It’ll be his first without his beloved four-year-old daughter, Claire. A year ago, Rush’s wife divorced him for another man—then broke his heart further by revealing that Claire was her lover’s child. The final blow was Rush losing all parental rights. Now he’s in Branding Iron, Texas, … Branding Iron, Texas, with his mobile vet practice, just hoping to get through the season—until something like a Christmas miracle happens . . .
Turns out Claire’s parents are going on an extended cruise, leaving Rush to take her for the holidays. It’s bittersweet, knowing that he and Claire will have to part again, maybe forever. . . . Until a smart, not to mention beautiful, lady judge with a pregnant cat and an aging mutt takes a liking to the vet and his little girl and gets involved. With her on their side, and love in their hearts, this Christmas just might be the most joyous of all . . .
“The story is full of Christmas spirit . . . Those looking for a little pre-holiday pick-me-up will find plenty to enjoy here.”
—RT Book Reviews on Just a Little Christmas
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When veterinarian Rush Rushford gets a call to Judge Tracy’s house to care for a stray cat she found, who turns out to be pregnant, he is captivated by the beautiful woman.
Tracy is recovering from the death of her husband and isn’t looking for a relationship, but has to admit the vet is a handsome man.
Rush is carrying heavy burdens of his own. His wife divorced him and to add salt to the wound, informed him his daughter is actually another man’s offspring. When he’s given the chance to care for Clara over the holidays, he jumps at the chance.
Soon, the three become inseparable, but the dark cloud of Clare’s mother’s return and Tracy’s loss hang over the happy group.
Will a holiday miracle occur?
I’m a long-time fan of Janet Dailey. Her Calder series are some of my most-read books and hold a place of honor on my library shelf.
This is a sweet holiday story that will make you believe in HEA’s and features a beautiful old dog, Bucket, that will melt your heart.
Another heartwarming romance in this delightful Christmas trilogy! FIVE SPARKLING STARS!
You know how you taste something sweet and want another bite? I read the first book in the Christmas Tree Ranch trilogy and couldn’t wait for more, so I immediately devoured Book 2, which is even sweeter than the first and just as addictive. I don’t know where this craving is coming from, because I seldom read sweet and clean romances. Maybe “it’s a Christmas thing.” I’m fairly bursting with warm and fuzzy feelings, and I haven’t even started Book 3!
Unlike all the other Janet Dailey books I’ve read, this one has very little suspense, no danger, and no mystery. Instead, it has a sweet, slow-burn romance between the town’s municipal judge (Tracy) and the local veterinarian (Rush); a darling little girl (Clara) who calls Rush her daddy; a mischievous dog (Bucket); an abandoned mother cat and four precious newborn kittens; and all the familiar characters and scenes from the first book in the trilogy–just one year later. It’s time for another heartwarming Christmas in Branding Iron, Texas!
Despite the absence of mystery and danger, the plot grabbed me right away because I felt so darn sorry for poor Rush, who left Phoenix a year ago after his wife revealed that their little girl had actually been fathered by another man. She divorced Rush, married her lover, and told Rush he’d never see Clara again. Brokenhearted, he moved to Branding Iron, became a partner in the Christmas Tree Ranch, and established a mobile veterinary practice. But he’s never stopped grieving the loss of the four-year-old girl he believed was his daughter.
Our beautiful heroine (Tracy) is suffering from her own grief, having lost her beloved husband to a brain tumor eight months earlier. But when a stray, pregnant cat shows up on her back porch one night, she calls the handsome veterinarian for help, and that’s the beginning of their slow-burn romance. The plot thickens when little Clara’s mother takes off on a cruise with her new husband, leaving Clara behind with a couple who can’t care for her, so they ask Rush to take her over the holidays.
Rush, Clara and Tracy form a strong bond during the weeks before Christmas. But will Rush lose his little girl forever when her parents return from their cruise? Will Tracy relinquish her grief and accept Rush’s love and the chance for a future together? Can we hope for another Christmas miracle in Branding Iron, Texas?
I enjoyed the realistic plot, engaging characters (except for Clare’s selfish mother), and the small town and ranch settings that almost feel like home. (And who doesn’t love four adorable kittens?) Be warned: you might shed a few tears toward the end (happy tears). As with the first book in the trilogy, there are no sex scenes (just hugs and kisses), and I don’t recall any swear words. I’ll be reading Book 3 soon, after I take a short break from all this sweetness. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Awesome book
This is Rush’s story, a mobile vet and part owner of the Christmas Tree Farm. Through a cruel twist of fate he has lost custody of the little girl he thought was his biological daughter. Tracy, a widowed court judge is resigned to her fate of being alone forever. But Rush and his daughter melt her heart. This is a sweet romance, complete with all the usual drama that occurs in a romance novel. I loved the entire 3 book series.
This is the type of Christmas story I enjoy, The characters were very real and just enjoyed the setting, the animals, and the story line
This book is amazing. I read it in one sitting… last night. I cannot tell you what this book meant to me. I couldn’t put it down.
Rush and Tracy have both been through incredibly rough times. They are drawn together over a very pregnant stray Calico cat. The attraction is immediate the moment he walks through her door with his vet case in hand.
Where will it lead them? Will a 4 year old Clara bring them together and teach them faith in the love they long to share?
I highly recommend this book to all those searching for that one lasting connection. I received this book as a gift from a friend and it came at just the right time for me!
Rush is trying to regain his life after his ex-wife betrayed him and tore his world apart. He has moved to Texas and partnered with 2 friends on a farm. He is a Veterinarian by trade and is helping supplement the farm income . He receives a call from Tracy a local Judge about a stray cat. Turns out the cat is pregnant with kittens due anytime. Rush is attracted to Tracy but her heart is still attached to her husband who passed away.
Rush receives a call from the couple caring for his ex wives daughter Claire. He had raised her the first few years of her 4 years until his ex sprang the news she wasn’t his. She is on a cruise with her new husband and the care givers have an emergency they need to take care of. He will get to care for Claire until her mom returns.
While she is at the farm a lot of changes will happen to better their lives.
This is a sweet story. It gives a view of healing and love. received from the publisher for my honest review.
How can you go wrong ! Love Christmas animals all the great things of life! Fun read!
A very sweet family Christmas story. Rush is missing the little girl he calls his own. He is putting down roots in his new home. Tracy is trying to get over the death of her husband and dreading Christmas. Claire is an adorable little girl who is hoping for a Christmas miracle. These three will bring nothing but joy in your heart. You will be excited as you read how smart and funny Claire is. As she brings Rush and Stacy ever closer together you will get to go with them as their miracle comes true.
This was a sweet story about finding love and becoming a family at Christmas. It had endearing characters including furr family. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I could visualize the scenery. This was a good story and I would recommend it.
This was a charming feel good story that would be good at Christmas of course. To be honest, it would be good at other times as well.
The people came across as real, the community and close friends did as well. The emotions were solid and things in the town and the Christmas holiday there were well written.
Both Rush and Tracy (the lady judge) and even Claire deserved a H.E.A. Keep watching, it’s coming. The twist towards the end I could see coming but still enjoyed it.
Epilogues are always welcome and this book had a good one.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
It’s A Christmas Thing by Janet Dailey is a small town holiday romance. Ms. Dailey has given readers a well-written story furnished with an outstanding cast of characters. Rush is the only vet in town and partners in a ranch while trying to adjust to being divorced and told his child wasn’t his. Tracy is a widow and a judge that takes in a homeless cat. Tracy and Rush’s story is loaded with drama, humor, spice and Chistmas fun. I enjoyed reading It’s A Christmas Thing and look forward to my next book by Janet Dailey. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I won from Goodreads. All thoughts and opinions are my own.