October 14, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Home This Christmas By Sue Roberts

After leaving her childhood village heartbroken,chef Ruby hasn’t been home in years. But could a chance trip down memory lane be the secret ingredient for a magical holiday season?

Ruby hasn’t been back home since she made the heart-wrenching decision to leave her childhood sweetheart, Nathan, for a career in London. But when she’s invited to judge the charity gingerbread competition, she decides it’s time. And it seems there’s Christmas mischief at work. Because Nathan is joining her as a gingerbread judge.

But it’s clear he would rather she’d stayed away, from his icy silence when they are alone, to the snarky comments and his accusing glare as they prepare for the event with other members of the community. And all Ruby wants to do is get back to London.

Then bad weather leaves her snowed in the village until after Christmas, with nowhere to stay. And things go from bad to worse when she slips on the ice… And falls straight into the arms of Nathan.

The pain of her injured ankle is nothing when, her heart aflutter, Nathan surprises her. As he scoops her up and sweeps her off to the hospital, it seems like the frost between them is finally thawing. But could the magic of Christmas mean a second chance is possible? Or is it too little too late?

Deep in the heart of Texas, five generations of Kirklands built the sprawling Double K Ranch, battling fire and frost, outlaws and disease. It’s said the dirt flows through their veins as sure as Silverleaf Rapids flows through Ransom Canyon. But the canyon also had a way of becoming part of just about anyone who landed there . . .

19-year-old Staten Kirkland was studying at Texas Tech when he got the news that the grandfather who raised him, J.R. Kirkland, was fighting for his life. Now Staten would have to leave college behind, not to mention the girl he loved. And he’d have to grow up overnight. More than that, he’d have to become a boss—the boss—running thousands of acres of ranch. He’d always hated change. But change was barreling toward him . . .

Rootless and stuck in the dull routine that was her life, college professor Charlotte Lane escaped into fiction. But now she was restless for a change—in the form of being the new high school teacher at the small town bordering Ransom Canyon. Still, at this point in her life, what if she couldn’t change—or even remember how? Maybe she’d find others to show her the way . . .

The youngest of six, Peggy Warner came last in every way, not even worth sending to college. Now 27, she’s never left home and lives in service to her aging parents and her married siblings’ growing families. But she still has dreams—and under the big sky overlooking Ransom Canyon they may come true . . .

About The Author

My Review

This heartwarming novel weaves together three romantic stories set in a Texas ranching community.

Statin Kirkland returns home from college to take over his family’s ranch after his grandfather falls ill. As he adjusts to his new responsibilities, he struggles with the distance growing between him and his girlfriend, Amalah, who is still caught up in college life.

Peggy, the youngest of six siblings and often taken for granted, meets Duke while doing a chore no one else wanted—cleaning the cemetery. Their unexpected connection leads to a gentle, genuine romance.

Charlotte, a former college professor, and Wade, a former military man, both begin teaching at the local high school. Their friendship slowly deepens during a search for a historic cave on the Kirkland ranch, revealing a strong emotional bond.

Each story is filled with emotional growth, small-town charm, and second chances, making this book a touching and uplifting read.

My Rating