Christmas in Winter Valley

In the eighth Texas-based Ransom Canyon contemporary (after Mistletoe Miracles), Thomas has too many plates spinnning and ends up dropping a few. As Christmas approaches, Elliot Holloway is brooding over his former girlfriend Jessica Brantley when she unexpectedly pops back into his life. Elliot’s brother, Cooper Holloway, is keeping an eye on a herd of horses when he meets veterinarian Hayley Westland, who steals his heart. Even ranch cook Dani is falling in love, with a busted-up ranch hand. The three romances intertwine throughout, and Thomas tosses in a passel of appealing secondary characters (especially nine-year-old runaway Tatum) who provide plenty of charm. However, the plot meanders a bit as it jumps from romance to romance along with details of everyone’s chaste love affairs. Christmas is mentioned here and there, but it isn’t the focus until the end, when happy endings (some surprising) are enjoyed by all. New readers may find emotional connections hard to make, but Thomas fans will gladly return to Ransom Canyon. (Oct.)