Christmas Wishes, a novella by Carmen Peone, is related to the “Seven Tine Ranch Romance” series. The heart-warming contemporary story takes place in Eastern Washington on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Mandie Sellars, a single mom, dreams of becoming the Events Planner for the Seven Tine Ranch, a third-generation guest ranch. She is currently their head cook and is valued in that role. When her boss puts her in charge of a wedding, a last-minute Christmas Eve event, Mandie is elated to have the opportunity to prove herself worthy of the job. But there is a big problem—that’s when her own wedding was to take place.

Hudson Piccolo, Mandie’s fiancé, is everything Mandie wants…and needs. Her first husband left when he learned Mandie was pregnant with their daughter, Nona, now five years old. Hudson will be a wonderful husband to Mandie and a great, loving father to Nona.

But there is a hitch in their future plans. Hudson, an attorney, is dissatisfied with his current job of serving foreclosures. He has been offered a dream job at a lucrative environmental law firm in Seattle, a job that would deal with salmon protection in local lakes and streams. However, Mandie wants to live on the Reservation close to family. Living in a big city has no appeal to her; in fact, it frightens her.

Dealing with two weddings due to take place at the same time, and the possible change of jobs that would involve moving away from family and reservation life, has put a strain on Mandie and Hudson’s relationship.

Christmas Wishes is a fast-paced story about the value of faith and compromise, of having the courage to “let go and let God” guide their lives.