Christmas At Holly Hill by Martha Rogers

Can Clayton Barlow prove he has changed his ways in time for Christmas?

It is October 1898, and Clayton Barlow has just returned home after serving time in prison for his part in a bank robbery. His family welcomes him, but the townspeople are skeptical. Bored with life in the small town but determined to make a new start, he goes to work with his father, hoping to regain the town’s trust.

Clayton recognizes the schoolteacher at the Prairie Grove School as his childhood friend, Merry Lee Warner, and old feelings surface. Still, he doubts that he could ever get a woman like Merry to love him.

As the townspeople prepare for Christmas, their suspicions about Clayton lead to trouble. Will the trusting heart of an unlikely new friend be enough to restore Clayton’s relationships with his neighbors and reunite him with God and Merry?

About the Author

Martha Rogers’s novel Not on the Menu debuted on May 1, 2007, as a part of Sugar and Grits, a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. Her series Winds Across the Prairie debuted in 2010 with Becoming Lucy, Morning for Dove, Finding Becky, and Caroline’s Choice. Her other credits include stories in anthologies with Wayne Holmes, Karen Holmes, and Debra White Smith; several articles in Christian magazines; devotionals in six books of devotions; and eight Bible studies. Martha served as editor of a monthly newsletter for the writer’s organization Inspirational Writers Alive! for six years and is the state president. She is also the director for the annual Texas Christian Writer’s Conference and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, for whom she writes a weekly devotional. Martha and her husband are active members of First Baptist Church.

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My Review:

This story takes place back in Prairie Grove Kansas in the year 1898. Clay Barlow has just returned home to an uncertain future, he has just been released from prison, after serving 5 years for bank robbery.
It had been his Dad who had turned him in, but he is surprised that both he parents forgive him, and welcome him with open arms. There a few in the town who are not happy to see a jail bird...they will not forget or forgive.
When he reconnects with with Merry Warner, he finds old feelings returning. He ends up having to make some really tough decisions. When the gang he hung out with returns, you will wonder if he will take up with them again. When a young girl is held captive, and beaten, will he risk prison to help rescue her.
This is a sweet holiday read, filled with God loving people. We find some who are not as fortunate as others, and then those who are willing to give the Holiday Spirit and Christs love to others all year long.
Don't miss Christmas at Holly Hill, and find a good heartwarming read.

I received this book from the Publisher Realms, and was not required to give a positive review.