A Cowboy Family Christmas

By Judy Duarte

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a good girl. Well, mostly.

These days, I’m usually the one dishing out advice. But the readers of “Dear Debbie” don’t know that I’ve never been the love of anyone’s life. As soon as I landed at the Rocking Chair Ranch, though, my luck started to change…thanks to one special guest. Promoter Drew Madison wants to shine a spotlight on the ranch’s retired cowboys. But I’m the one who feels aglow every time he glances my way. And the electricity between us? It sure could light up every town in Texas! Still, after he discovers my secret, I’m afraid that I’ll be thrust back into darkness. Now I only want one thing for Christmas: for Drew to give me—no, us—a second chance…

—Lainie

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Release date: Nov 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781488014550

Judy Duarte

Judy always loved reading romances, but never thought of herself as a writer. "English was my least favorite subject in school, but I was always a storyteller," she admits. "Growing up, I was the kid in the neighborhood who decided what roles we would play and the pretend situation were in." As a single mom with four children, Judy returned to school and graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a degree in social ecology. The new direction helped her confidence grow, and when a hero she could believe in came into her real life, she was even more inspired. Determined to do something about her love of writing, Judy joined Romance Writers of America and met her two critique partners. The trio have worked together and encouraged each other ever since. Judy likes to take ordinary characters and put them in emotionally compelling situations that make them grow. "It takes some of the stubborn and hurting characters a while to learn there is always a way out," Judy maintains, "but when they realize their options, there's no stopping them." Her unpublished stories won not only the coveted Emily and Orange Rose Awards, but also earned her the status of a double Golden Heart finalist in 2001. Her first book, Cowboy Courage, sold to the Silhouette Special Edition line, where she seems to have found her niche. "I credit a large part of my success to my critique partners, Crystal Green and Sheri WhiteFeather, who also write for Silhouette," she says. On those days when a stubborn hero and a headstrong heroine claim her undivided attention, she and her family are thankful for fast food, pizza delivery, and video games. When she's not at the keyboard or in a Walter-Mitty-type world, she enjoys traveling, romantic evenings with her personal hero, and playing board games with her kids. Write to Judy at P.O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068.