Jacqueline Diamond The Police Chief’s Lady

The Police Chief's Lady

Jacqueline Diamond

Harlequin American, Dec 2006, $4.99

ISBN: 0373750986

The unsubstantiated scandal caused by the spouse of a patient sexually harassing her, but blaming her, sent the disgusted big city doctor fleeing Los Angeles to any place where she can start over, but not have her troubles follow her. Dr. Jenni Vine chooses Downhome, Tennessee; most of the residents are elated to have a physician live and practice in town so they could not care less what would send a glamorous beautiful blond from Southern California to hillbilly country.

The only exception to ignoring Jenni's past is suspicious widower Police Chief Ethan Forrest who refuses to accept the beach blond could want to remain in town; he quietly learns the details of the scandal that drove her away and assumes she is guilty or why run. As she becomes concerned over the welfare of a patient that could lead to a new scandal and is kind to Ethan's son, the cop realizes he loves the lady doctor, but doubts she will stay as he still believes she is big city.

The romance between on the surface apparent opposites (who actually share many common values) is well written, but it is the medical needs in a small-town that make this a fantastic contemporary tale. The fully developed lead couple, his son, and the townsfolk enable the audience to look closely at health issues facing this country, but do so inside a strong story line. THE POLICE CHIEF'S LADY is a 24K gem of a tale.

Harriet Klausner