Dear Reader,

I have often wondered what makes people happy at Christmas. For a young woman, it might be a proposal and a diamond ring. For a young man, a fancy new vehicle. For a newly married couple, the news that their first baby is on the way. But for parents of young kids, I think it is simply that their children have a merry Christmas holiday, full of love, and free from strife.

This is exactly what Alex McCabe has planned for his quadruplet kindergarten-age sons. They want a Shetland pony for their ranch? He has his eye on one. They love bugs? He knows about a fancy new insect catcher that will allow them to observe to their hearts’ content, and then set the insect free. The one thing they really need, however, is a mom to love and care for them. That is a little harder to arrange.

Until… Kate Taylor, shows up on his ranch. They haven’t seen each other since they worked together at a shelter during Hurricane Inga, eight years before. The fast friendship and fierce attraction they felt then went nowhere because both were pledged to others, and did not even learn each other’s last names. Now, she magically appears for a chef gig on his ranch. They quickly find out their chemistry is stronger than ever. His boys adore her, too and want her to be their bonus mom.

Can she marry without romantic love? Kate hadn’t thought so. Now that she is happier than ever, she wonders. Are hope and faith, love and giving enough to build a marriage—and happy family--on? Only time will tell.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Merry Christmas to all!
Cathy Gillen Thacker

Read an EXCERPT of A COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS GIFT and check out the other books in the MARRYING A MCCABE series.

For more information on my other books, please visit the Series Guide and Book List.

Dear Reader,

When my husband and I met for the first time we felt an instant connection. Right away, there was an ability to make each other laugh, an inability to stop looking into each other’s eyes, and an immediate, innate understanding of each other. And of course, lots and lots of chemistry… ?

Cardiologist Claire Lowell thought she had all that with her ex. Until the day he left. Now, a single mom of adorable triplets, her life revolves around work and family, and that is it.

Pediatrician Zach McCabe always thought he would have it all, an enviable career, a woman to love, and kids. Until he lost his fiancé in a tragic accident. These days, he focuses on work, and helping others. Marriage and kids are no longer in his plans.

And that is why for the first year that Claire and Zach work at the same hospital, they steer clear of each other as much as possible. It’s not that they don’t like each other. Or want to get to know each other. But because they sense that doing so would bring complications to their lives neither want.

Until a five-year-old patient with a mysterious heart malady brings them together. As they unite to diagnose the little girl’s ailment, Claire and Zach are stunned to find themselves in personal crisis as well. Suddenly the two of them are helping each other out, at home, as well as work. Claire’s kids adore Zach, and he them, and for the first time, Claire and Zach see what it would be like to be in love, and share a family they love, too. The question is, can either of them trust their relationship to last?

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Best wishes,
Cathy Gillen Thacker

Read an EXCERPT of STAND-IN TEXAS DAD and check out the other books in the MARRYING A MCCABE series.

For more information on my other books, please visit the Series Guide and Book List.

Dear Reader,

We all make deals with those we love. For instance, when my husband and I were first married, we made a pact to alternate nights cooking dinner. Whoever cooked did not have to clean up. That worked great until careers became demanding and we had kids. Then we had to come up with a new plan—one that was flexible enough to accommodate our busy lives. And more importantly…always meet the needs of our kids and honor our lasting commitment to each other.

Ellie Fitzgerald and Joe McCabe have also made a deal that has lasted well over a dozen years. After their botched elopement, at age 18, they knew certain things. They would always love each other. They still wanted to be together whenever possible, as intimately as possible. But for them, marriage was not really necessary. Especially when they could have all the benefits of a lasting relationship, without all the hassle of a legal union.

Ellie and Joe love having their freedom. She has her satisfying life in their hometown of Laramie, Texas, and is now the new owner manager of her family’s generations old Sugar Love bakery. Joe is a Special Forces soldier, who serves wherever in the world his missions take him. They see each other as frequently as they can. Doesn’t matter whether it is December or July. It feels like Christmas every time. They tell each other it is enough.

Until…a surprise happens. One that forces them to consider the fact that their current arrangement will no longer work. Neither wants to renege on their long-lasting deal. They also know their life is changing. And there are many more ‘Christmases’ ahead. Can they make a new pact with each other that will be just as satisfying? Without ruining everything? Only time will tell.

I hope you have a very merry holiday season and enjoy reading this book…the first of a brand new McCabe series.

Best wishes!
Cathy Gillen Thacker

Read an EXCERPT of A Double Christmas Surprise and check out the other books in the MARRYING A MCCABE series.

For more information on my other books, please visit the Series Guide and Book List.