Kara Lennox, Hometown Honey

Hometown Honey

Kara Lennox

Harlequin American, May 2005, $4.99, 249 pp.

ISBN: 0373750722

One year ago in Cottonwood, Texas her husband Jim died when his truck and a train collided leaving widow Cindy Lefler to raise their child Adam alone. However, the owner of the Miracle Caf is remarrying in a few days wealthy realtor Dex Shalimar. Most of her friends are happy for her, but Sheriff's Deputy Luke Rheems detested Dex from the start perhaps because he is in love with the widow or just instinctively thinks the outsider sells snake oil.

However, Luke proves right when Dex vanishes with all her money leaving Cindy with nothing not even a home to raise her baby. She and Adam move in with Luke. They begin a duel odyssey chasing the missing con artist while also chasing the elusive butterfly of love. The former seems easier to Luke as Cindy, still vulnerable from Jim's death, also hurts after her recent male betrayal.

The "Blind Justice" mini series starts off with a fun investigative romance starring two likable protagonists on the road chasing a con artist while hampered by the needs of the baby. The key to the road show prime plot is Adam as he could not care one iota what plans his mom and the kind sheriff's deputy make when he has biological needs. HOMETOWN HONEY is a fine contemporary second chance at love.

Harriet Klausner