Mistletoe Miracles

Hope is the defining characteristic of Thomas’s eighth Ransom Canyon contemporary (after Mornings on Main), which loosely connects three couples who find holiday-season love in trying times. Griffin is a die-hard rancher trying to save his family’s legacy, Jaxson is a physically and emotionally compromised former firefighter, and Wyatt is an Army captain in search of a home. Each man needs a wife, and each woman is found in the small town of Crossroads, Tex., as Christmas approaches. Their meetings and courtships are memorable and meaningful—especially Wyatt and Jamie’s. They share a last name, and, thanks to a misunderstanding, the townspeople already believe Wyatt to be her husband. Pregnant Sunlan has the money Griffin needs, and he can help her avoid scandal. Mallory, carrying her own wounds of body and spirit thanks to a brutal ex-boyfriend, knows how to help Jaxson face his demons. Deeply poignant moments and artfully rendered characters create a rich story that transports readers to an idyllic place. Agent: Gail Fortune, Talbot Fortune. (Oct.)