Anna DeStefano, Because of a Boy

Because of a Boy

Anna DeStefano

Harlequin SuperRomance, Oct 2007, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373714490

Atlanta Nurse Kate Rhodes believes that Manny Digarro is abusing his ten years old son Dillon, whose latest "accident" was a fall down the stairs at the Midtown Shelter. Manny insists his son is clumsy, but Kate thinks otherwise as this is not the first incident. She informed the Atlanta Police Department and has legally restricted access to the father.

Manny's Legal Aid lawyer Stephen Creighton believes his client is innocent and loves his son. He takes exception to Kate's description of a barbarian insisting the homeless do not have easy access to medical care. He also fears her intervention will cause harm to this illegal immigrant father and son pair, trying to start over after a harrowing experience in Columbia. Now the IMS and a drug lord seek both as the Digarro duo go on the run even though Dillon needs medical attention as his injuries are from internal diminished bone density. Feeling she caused the trauma by her bias, Kate vows to help them; Stephen joins her quest.

Except for Kate's ex-husband Robert who is too perfect and caring in every way (at least he is not evil), BECAUSE OF A BOY is a fabulous look at health care for the homeless and for illegal immigrants as much as a contemporary romance. The story line is action-packed from the first encounter in the hospital between the lead couple and never slows down until the final altercation. Yet with all the non-stop action and the romantic sub-plot, Anne DeStefano provides a strong expos on the lack of any health care for the homeless and limited at best for illegal immigrants (Hippocrates must be turning in his grave with some of the Draconian solutions to outlaw help).

Harriet Klausner