This was a very nice romance novella. A story about finding love again with interesting characters. It was not a light-hearted holiday story though, so if you are looking for a light holiday romp this is not the book for you. It's more on the heavy drama side, but was still very good and it had a HEA.

A very appealing novella with a charming reminder love isn’t unthinkable at any age and any combination of people. Recently started reading Ciara Knight, this and her other books will delight any reader. Ready for her next book.

I enjoyed the concept and detail behind His Holiday Promise. My problem came with Mary's insistence that no man would ever control her life again. I fully supported that idea, but every other page it seemed that Jeb was telling his own mother that she could not leave the house, or she could not do this or do that. Mary would always wait until Jeb left to do as she pleased. Jeb is her son. If she raised him to be nothing like his father, then why is he so controlling of his own mother? I know he says he's trying to keep her safe, but isolation is one of the first warnings of abuse. I applaud Mary for doing what she wanted, she is a grown woman after all. Once I was further into the book, I began to realize that Mary was mostly just using Jeb's possible reaction to her falling in love as an excuse to keep from facing her own pain.
His Holiday Promise was a good example of how our past shapes and molds us, but we can still find love, even after the darkest of times. Fredrick was the perfect gentleman, and exactly what Mary needed. The time they spent together was tender, with Fredrick always making sure Mary knew she could trust him.
The characters themselves were well-written and enjoyable. The story moved well, spanning over a good length of time for the relationship between Mary and Fredrick to develop without becoming boring or slow. You almost can't anticipate what Mary will do next. It really is remarkable as you begin to understand just how women were treated.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amazing short story about a heroine who learns to trust again. She learns to let go of and deal with her past whist beginning a relationship with her new neighbour. As a side bonus you get to see her work driven son also embark on a relationship as well. I really enjoyed the way it was written.

Mary Clayton is not in the first blush of love. In fact she is a widow woman with a grown son but she was once that starry eyed young woman who believed in love and all things good. Unfortunately she married a man who promised her love and became a drunkard who beat her and left her penniless after stealing her families fortune. A handsome German widower, Fredrick starts to court her and wants to marry quickly. She has a real distrust of men though and doesn't believe she deserves a second chance at love. But can Mary let go of her fear and learn to love again? A short clean, historical romance.
Pub Date 01 Nov 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of his book from Author Collective 20 through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love Christmas so reviewing this book was a delight.
The book was quaint with an easy flowing storyline.
The characters in the book were a little quirky at time and in true Hallmark style; the book was predictable.
A lovely easy read in the festive season

A very well written historical romance. Good plot and writing. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for for my arc. This is my unbiased review.

This is a first for me by this author... but not my last.

Mary Clayton believed in the promises made by her charming late husband. She believed he’d love, protect, honor and cherish her. Instead, he stole her fortune and repeatedly hurt her, leaving her in poverty when he died.

Mary spent years battling her way back into the life she inherited from her family and has made it a rule to trust no man. But sometimes the heart ignores the rules…especially in the case of handsome widower Fredrick Krause and his tempting holiday promise of a sweet happily ever after.

But can Mary let go of her fear and learn to love again? If she can’t, she may well lose the only man who has ever truly made her feel safe and loved.

Heart-warming holiday second chance at love novella.
Well written characters with a lovely storyline.
A quick-easy read that is perfect for a chilly night in front of a fire.

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more of this authors work.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

A sweet holiday read. Strong characters who overcome abuse and learn to trust and find love again. You'll enjoy watching their lives come alive.

Mary Clayton Had a abusive marriage. She believed him when he said he loved her and would protect her. Instead he took her fortune and abused her and left her penniless with a son to raise. She lost a daughter and blamed herself for it. She raised a son who worked hard and took care of her. He wanted a wife just to have sons to help him. Mary blamed herself for that also. When Mary met her new neighbors she started to feel life again. but was afraid of more broken promises. This was a beautiful story of forgiveness and that all promises made by others did not mean that they would be broken. This is my first book by this Author and it will not be my last. Thanks NetGalley for giving me this chance to introduce a new Author to me.

I received "His Holiday Promise" from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I like Hallmark Christmas movies so I thought this would be right up my alley.

It was good. It was a quick and easy read.

For the most part I liked the characters. They did get annoying at parts. Frederick, who never would hurt Mary, was basically forcing her into courtship and marriage from the start. The some vowed to never let anyone hurt his mom again, yet was almost abusive in some of his actions. I wish we had gotten to know Elizabeth better. I liked what we saw of her. But her story was definitely under developed.

The story is predictable, but it's a good read if you're looking for something light for Christmas.

His Holiday Promise is a charming novella about the difficult issue of physical and emotional abuse. Mary is still somewhat young with an adult son. They are now doing better financially, but still have emotional scars. She has met a neighbor, Fredrick, with whom she builds a sweet relationship. Mary's son, Jeb, is very protective of her. She is very protective of herself and shies away from men.

This novella builds love between Mary and Fredrick as she deals with the past, the abuse from her dead husband, the loss of her month old daughter and her son's issues surrounding his abusive father. Great secondary characters assist in making this a story that keeps your attention, Fredrick's daughter, Agatha, his sister, Helga, the ranch hand, Teddy and Jeb's mail order bride, Elizabeth.

This is not exactly a light-hearted book, but neither is is emotionally draining. You will appreciate the cleanness and innocence of Mary and Fredrick's love as she works through her own weaknesses. This was my first Ciara Knight book. I will be looking for more of her writings in the future.

HIS HOLIDAY PROMISE by Ciara Knight is a short clean historical romance. A widow whose deceased husband was abusive meets a German immigrant widower. Because of the abusive past she almost loses out on a second chance for love.