Novella November: Christmas Past

Christmas Past by Mary Burton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*I received a free kindle copy from the publisher via NetGalley
**Trigger warning of abusive relationships and brutality

The cover caught my eye and since it is Novella November I couldn't wait to dig in.
Christmas Past is a tale of romance and violence extending 3 days. David Ayden is absorbed by his attraction to Nicole. He wants to marry her. He's a good cop who lost his wife to cancer and is now a single dad to 2 teenage boys. Nicole is a struggling photographer and a single mom who is being tormented by her dead husband from beyond the grave. Her past is shaped by violence and abuse.
Can these two find a happily ever after? With a little help from their friends, they just might.

Because of her ex-husband, Nicole thinks she brings evil into everyone's life just like she did with Claire Carmichael, who was murdered for helping Nicole escape domestic violence. She doesn't want anyone else to die because of her. I got the impression Nicole was smart and capable though. When she reveals to Ayden a DVD she receives from her late husband, it appears Nicole was taking initiative and she needed to catch the one responsible. She was very strong and determined and a plan was formed which provided a very cozy romantic escape for the two of them BUT her life was still in danger and who better to have by your side than a 'warrior' sergeant?

About Mary Burton

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Burton’s latest tale of romance and suspense is Hide and Seek. The author of thirty-two published novels and five novellas, she’s also written five works of contemporary fiction as Mary Ellen Taylor. Find out more on her website