Crystal Clear

Ena Chinen arrives at a Colorado Springs conference determined to prove herself capable of independence after a sheltered life on her family's island resort. When a man she trusted steals her car, purse, and laptop containing sensitive business data, she is left stranded and humiliated in a mountain town weeks before Christmas. Local contractor Noah Buzz, who has buried his heart under years of practical work after a painful rejection, cannot help but offer assistance to the stranger trying to put her situation right. As they track down the thief together, the Christmas season conspires against both their carefully constructed walls.

Carmen Shantz narrates this fifth Romance in the Rockies novel with warmth and good humor, giving Ena and Noah distinct emotional textures without overdoing the seasonal sentimentality. The Colorado setting comes through clearly, and Shantz handles the ensemble of supporting characters with easy naturalism. At just over seven hours, Crystal Clear is a pleasant holiday romance that works well as comfortable audiobook listening.