Earl has loved Raylene most of his life. He was angry when he left her but had intended to return to her. He had gone to Raylene’s daughter, Shannon Dugan, and told her about her mother. Shannon had been told that Raylene was dead, so she was shocked. But to add to her dismay, this was just the second piece of news for her that day. She had also discovered that her husband was a con man who had absconded with three million dollars of her money. After leaving Shannon’s home, Earl had been in a bad accident, which disfigured him. So instead of returning to her, all he can do is sit back and keep an eye on the bar, dressed as Santa and hope to catch an occasional glimpse of the woman he loves. So he is surprised when he sees that Shannon has come to town and is now working for her. Seeing Raylene so sad upsets him, but he doesn’t want to see the look on her face when she sees his disfigured face.

Although she continues to run the tavern, Raylene misses Earl every day and wonders if he is still alive since she has heard nothing from him since he left a year ago. But when the local Santa reminds her of Earl, she begins to think she is losing it. In Twilight, there is a First Love Cookie Club, which puts emphasis on wedding your first love. Raylene is a member, and Earl is her first love. But they also have a saying; On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your own true love, he will be your destiny. Could this be the year that all of Raylene’s wishes come true?

A heartwarming tale, THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CHRONICLES: RAYLENE is a touching, feel-good contemporary romance with just the right amount of heat and sizzle. Although the title states Raylene, the majority of the story is about her daughter’s life. Still Earl and Raylene figure into a big part of the story. Her daughter came to town to confront her mother, but when she sees the sad, depressed Raylene, she decides to get to know her instead. In this novella, you get two love stories in one. Author Lori Wilde writes the kind of book you want to read during the holidays and all year long. Brimming with secrets, steamy situations, wit, heartbreak, sorrow, love, Santa, Christmas hopes and wishes, true-to-life characters with believable emotions, reunions, forgiveness and joy, this is an ideal holiday story. If you enjoy this story, you may also enjoy the first story in this series; THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CHRONICLES: CARRIE. The next story in this series has just been published and I look forward to reading it; THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CHRONICLES: CHRISTINE. Do not let these holidays go by without reading this beautiful heartfelt tale.

This book was reviewed using a digital galley via Netgalley.com. It’s free for professional readers! Check it out: www.Netgalley.com.

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Dottie Click here to Buy this Book Now!   Romance Junkies Content Editor: Wendy Romance Junkies Publishing Editor: Dottie   Top of Page