Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Federal park ranger Carter Williams dislikes kids almost as much as he dislikes Christmas. He chose his career to escape human contact, not embrace it. And no matter how much his husband Owen tries to sway his opinion, Carter is a grump who would rather ignore the holiday. Owen’s efforts are put on hold, however, when they get a call about six missing foster kids lost in the park.

 

Christmas Eve takes a turn for the worse when Owen injures himself rescuing the children. Stranded in a snowstorm until dawn, Carter has to keep Owen awake and healthy while simultaneously watching six runaways. What he thinks is a nightmare come to life is actually a beautiful gift in disguise—the kids transform the ranger station into a Christmas wonderland. And before it’s all said and done, they might transform Carter’s heart as well—if he can keep his bah humbug attitude in check.

 

 

 

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."

Book Review

I knew the instant I read the description for 'Ranger Station Haven' that this story was for me. I have tolerable patience levels with the children I am directly related to. All others? No. The parents might think their little angel is all of that and a bag of snacks, but I usually view them as noisy, messy intruders upon my space and time. I felt very in tune with Carter's attitude particularly seeing as I am a bit of a Bah Humbug at the holidays, too.

From the moment Carter and his partner, Owen, find four of the six lost foster kids and take them back to their station, I was in complete empathy with Carter. Owen has gone to look for the last two kids leaving Carter with a five-year-old and three teenagers. I was laughing a lot when Carter just randomly gave them names and the "rules". Of course when Owen gets hurt while out rescuing the girls, Carter is so scared but he gathers up the other four and they perform a rescue of their own.

When they return to the cabin, Carter is all about taking care of Owen, and the kids decide the least they can do is provide some Christmas entertainment for the nice ranger and his grumpy husband. Not to mention making dinner and baking cookies. Carter finally finds his spirit and the kids wake to an actual Christmas morning. I'm not embarrassed to admit my heart went all mushy.

A beautiful holiday story!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 42 pages/13966 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-December-2016
Price	$1.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/ranger-station-haven-by-sa-stovall-7986-b