Tanya Michaels, Motherhood Without Parole

Motherhood without Parole

Tanya Michaels

Harlequin Next, November 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373881150

In Richmond, Virginia, forty-two year old technical writer Kate married widower CEO Paul St. James, though she has concerns about the reactions of his two children, whom she has not met when they come home from boarding school. However, before the family can cement the relationship, Paul is imprisoned for corporate fraud on Valentine's Day.

Kate takes charge of someone else's offspring, though she has no idea how to deal with children. Neither Neve nor PJ wants a replacement mom, especially one as hopeless at domestic matters like Kate is. In fact, her outraged teenage stepdaughter Neve openly displays her hostility. As she tries to adapt and help the kids, she finds her life vanishing underneath the demands of Paul's kids, as soccer mom she is not, and the comparisons to her caring sister-in-law Lily make her feel even worse.

Kate is a fascinating protagonist who is not ready to raise children, but feels initially obligated to do so, though her preference is to let her in-laws in Florida or Lily who live nearby cope with her stepchildren. Her obligation more to Paul than his offspring begins to turn to mutual understanding and respect between the beleaguered stepmom and the kids and Lily, who in turn change from animosity to comprehension of Kate's sacrifice. Readers will appreciate this fine family drama starring a realistic cast.