All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy

This Christmas contemporary is a glorious treat. Eli Pickett planned to spend his Christmas alone with his faithful dogs on Price Ranch: nothing more exciting than caking the cattle, feeding the chickens, and chasing after Houdini, his rebellious cow. Instead, he ends up nursing the beautiful Cassandra Horton after she crashes her car. Although Cass is a horrible cook, has trouble staying focused, and can’t remember much about her life, he finds her to be nice, sexy company. Cass was running from her dead-end job, her pampered boss, and her boss’s sleazy boyfriend. Although she has very few memories, she is happy to make new ones with the moody, gorgeous cowboy as they spend their days tending to the ranch and their nights focused on each other. When Cass’s memory comes back piece by piece, she’s horrified by what she recalls of her past behavior, and she must decide whether to return to her life or reveal her secrets to Eli and risk losing him altogether. There’s enough chemistry to melt snow, the story’s flow is as smooth as ice, and readers will have a jolly good time taking the journey with this adorable couple. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Nov.)