Cindi Myers, The Birdman’s Daughter

The Birdman's Daughter

Cindi Myers

Harlequin Next, April 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 037388088X

In Texas, Sara Engel calls her married daughter Karen McBride to inform her that her father, bird watcher extraordinaire Martin suffered a stroke while in Brazil. Reluctantly Karen returns home for the first time in sixteen years to help her mom cope with her ailing father, whom she feels always loved his bird friends more than her.

Meanwhile her loyal steady husband Tom is angry with Karen for not showing to him or their teenage children that she cares about anyone. He insists if she loves them she will give more of her to them. Pondering what Tom says, Karen wonders if her estranged relationship with her dad has led to her holding back on the love she feels for her spouse and their children. She begins to feel that if somehow for the first time in their lives she can reach out to her father, perhaps when she returns to Denver she can do likewise with Tom and their kids.

Like Tom, readers will find it difficult to empathize with the somewhat aloof Karen, though at the same time the audience will want her to reconcile with her dad and show to her family how much she cherishes them. Martin is an intriguing support player whose global adventures as a bird watcher are fascinating, but his struggles and frustrations to recover from the stroke make him a memorable individual. Character driven, THE BIRDMAN'S DAUGHTER is a fine family drama.