This is an included Audible Original and it was a very good one. Some are not, but I found the story well done as was the narration. Recommended especially for those who really enjoy Christmas.

FROM AMAZON: Riley Madigan escapes to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek after her relationship with an A-list actor ends badly. At least for a time, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will bring her the peace and quiet she is looking for. The last thing on her mind is love.

Mark Rivers was a firefighter until he got trapped in a wildfire and suffered third-degree burns on his face and body. After a year of recovering, Mark is trying to piece his life back together but struggles both emotionally and psychologically. He's been a recluse until he forces himself to attend his niece's school play and sees Riley, the school's art teacher. Immediately, Mark feels a connection to her. Maybe it's the kind way she greets his niece or the way the art she created for the school play is reminiscent of his late mom's artwork. Either way, Mark feels driven to get to know her, but first he'll need to build up the courage to talk to her.

When Mark asks Riley to work on a special nativity, he finds himself falling for her, particularly because Riley doesn't seem bothered by his scars. Is her affection for him real or is she simply overcompensating, pretending he's not different. One thing's for certain, in a small town that views Mark as a fragile hero, it's hard to pursue a relationship without everyone in his business. And although Riley has sincere feelings for Mark, is she really ready to risk her heart? ( )

Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen
Book starts out with Mark and he's just making his appearances in town, at bakery and events his niece is doing at a school play.
Others approach him as he tries to stay in the dark shadows ever since the fires. He is known as a hero but he has many nightmares of the fires and those he saved and those he could not save-his best fire fighter friend.
He lives with his dad at the vineyard/orchards and he wants his son to start living again. He wears many special things to help in his skin recovery.
Love hearing of the orchard and other neighboring vineyards and the maintenance they do throughout the year. It's almost the holidays in the late fall and there are many chores to do.
The new art teacher, Riley he had followed one night to ask her to paint a picture for the Christmas gift he wanted to give his dad, led to misunderstandings.
Like the area of the Cascade Mountains as we hope to visit there in several months so interesting to learn more about the area.
Riley has a lot of repairs to do to the house she lives in, from a relative.
Love hearing how he helps her out at her house to make it more secure with wind and cold and fires. Love hearing he lets his guard down along with his hoodie and she likes what she sees.
Priceless moment-his fingertips on her palm so he can feel her hand...misunderstandings and she's ready to just leave for a new job...
So many treasures in this book, it's the small things that grab my attention.
Received this review copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
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