Judy Christenberry, Vanessa’s Match

Vanessa's Match

Judy Christenberry

Harlequin American, Jun 2006, $4.99

ISBN: 0373751214

Her superior Dr. Cavanaugh at the university's Psychology Department asks Dr. Vanessa Shaw to help a fifteen year old girl, who tried to commit suicide following the death of her mother in a car accident. Lindy Austin is in the hospital and obviously needs professional assistance, which is enough to motivate Vanessa, but the Austin family has also donated millions to the university.

Over the next five days Vanessa treats Lindy with care and finally takes the teen into her mother's Dallas home. When Lindy's half brother and now guardian, Richard Austin returns from business in Japan, Vanessa makes it abundantly clear that he should have placed his sister's needs first. They argue over her care until she shakes him when she states Lindy tried to kill herself. They continue to battle over his neglect and subsequent rationalization, but he wants the best for the little half-sister he does not know. As Vanessa and Richard fall in love while nurturing Lindy, he realizes they have no future together because he remains a condemned man having failed family 101, something that his beloved cannot forgive as she only recently reconnected with her long lost siblings.

Though the "born again" fanaticism of Vanessa can become irritating, she is a realistic protagonist who feels strongly loved ones must come first. Thus Richard who knows he has met his soulmate realizes he has to climb Mounts Everest and K2 at the same time to persuade his beloved that she, his half-sister, her family, and their future family come first in his heart. Judy Christenberry provides a fascinating family drama focusing on what matters.

Harriet Klausner