Mother Please!
Brenda Novak, Jill Shalvis, and Alison Kent
Harlequin, May 2004, $6.50, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0373836058

"Upstairs Downstairs" by Alison Kent. In Tatem, Texas, since her father passed away five years ago, Avery Rice is very protective of her mother, teacher Susannah. Seeking freedom to date, Susannah drafts Computer Science teacher David Marks to occupy her daughter. David has loved Susannah since high school and hopes Avery will see him the way he lovingly sees her. With her matchmaking mother on his side he believes can succeed.

"The Road Home" by Jill Shalvis. In Martis Hills, California author Jason Lawrence keeps visiting veterinarian Melissa Anders with different animals though he acts uncomfortable around his "pets". His incentive to visit the vet comes from her mother as he owes his life to her. As Mel and Jason fall in love he fears how she will react to the truth because she wants nothing to do with her mother, who gave her up at birth.

"What a Girl Wants" by Brenda Novak. Quantum physicist Abby Ashton is stunned that her parents are filing for a divorce. Her mom Claire is irate that her spouse for thirty-three years cheated on her and so she is out to have a good time. Meanwhile her dad Walt is thinking of selling the family automobile parts business to former NASCAR legend Gunner Stevens. Abby obtains Gunner's help to aid her in her attempt to reconcile her parents in exchange for her supporting his purchase of the business. Abby arranges for the foursome to go to Mexico where love flourishes.

These three novellas are fine contemporary romances starring two generations of women struggling with relationships with one another and especially with the men in their lives.

Harriet Klausner