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.

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.

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

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.