Ranger Station Haven

Book 1: Ranger Station Haven
POV: 1st person, one character
Star rating - ★★★★★
Length: 42 pages

The cuteness of this story is just off the charts! I love a good Christmas story, but add in kids, a grump like Carter, and I'm in love.

Owen is the Christmas cheer of the story, but I'll admit that while I love Christmas, Carter is exactly me. Totally anti-social, not comfortable around kids, and just wants to get the work done. We're soul mates and I loved the turn around, the twists, and the slow progression of Scrooge to Santa. And, the best part was the mix of some of my all time favourite movies – Scrooge, Star Wars and Ghostbusters. Who'd have thunk it?

I loved the characterisation, which was really strong for such a short story. Tiny Tim and Seabiscuit were my favourites, along with Carter. The snark was strong with that one.

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Favourite Quote

““Carter,” he calls out. “You want a cup of hot chocolate?”
“We're rugged outdoorsmen,” I call back. “Rugged outdoorsmen drink coffee, not hot chocolate.””

Earlier this year I read this author’s work for the first time and I really enjoyed it- like couldn’t-put-it-down level of enjoyment. So when I saw she was releasing a Christmas short, I knew I’d be adding it to my to-be-read list. At first I hadn’t realized the new release is another part to Ranger Station Haven, a short story from Dreamspinner’s 2016 Advent collection. I decided I needed to read Ranger Station Haven first, and I’m so glad I did as this may very well be my favorite holiday short this year.

Carter and Owen are a couple who also work together as federal park rangers in Minnesota. There was a good amount of depth to both characters and I loved the back and forth offered over their contradictory personalities and views of the holidays. Miss Stovall certainly has a talent creating grumpy, anti-social characters who are still likable, balancing Carter’s biting commentary and thoughts with scenes that showcased his love for Owen as well as his compassion for the runaway children Owen and he rescued. I was quickly pulled into this story and really enjoyed seeing it unfold. The pacing of the plot was perfect- moving quickly, keeping me interested, but developing the conflict and resolution enough that I didn’t feel anything was lacking.

While I missed reading Ranger Station Haven last year, I’m very glad I read it before starting the newest part of the story and I’m eager to see what future awaits Carter and Owen.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

This is a very nice feel good Christmas story. You have a Christmas hater and his Christmas loving partner. You have lost children without a home. You have a snowstorm. How can you miss for a big batch of Christmas miracles.

This is a feel good story where despite injuries everyone comes out a winner.

I knew the instant I read the description for 'Ranger Station Haven' that this story was for me. I have tolerable patience levels with the children I am directly related to. All others? No. The parents might think their little angel is all of that and a bag of snacks, but I usually view them as noisy, messy intruders upon my space and time. I felt very in tune with Carter's attitude particularly seeing as I am a bit of a Bah Humbug at the holidays, too.

From the moment Carter and his partner, Owen, find four of the six lost foster kids and take them back to their station, I was in complete empathy with Carter. Owen has gone to look for the last two kids leaving Carter with a five-year-old and three teenagers. I was laughing a lot when Carter just randomly gave them names and the "rules". Of course when Owen gets hurt while out rescuing the girls, Carter is so scared but he gathers up the other four and they perform a rescue of their own.

When they return to the cabin, Carter is all about taking care of Owen, and the kids decide the least they can do is provide some Christmas entertainment for the nice ranger and his grumpy husband. Not to mention making dinner and baking cookies. Carter finally finds his spirit and the kids wake to an actual Christmas morning. I'm not embarrassed to admit my heart went all mushy.

A beautiful holiday story!

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

This story is the perfect quick escape from crazyness of the holiday season. It was a sweet, feel good, romantic Christmas tale.