Linda Barrett A Man of Honor

A Man of Honor

Linda Barrett

Harlequin SuperRomance, Aug 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373713665

Social worker Heather Marshall opens up a shelter in the middle of a nasty part of town. Police Officer Dave McCoy thinks she is a courageous lunatic, but wants to help her. She wants nothing to do with him, which Dave cannot understand why.

Heather grew up in abusive home with her father a cop taking out his anger on his family. She distrusts cops and her first time she met Dave he used force to keep two punks with knives in line. However, when she needs help to protect a woman from her husband, she turns to the real McCoy as she knows she cannot do it alone.

Though Dave is A MAN OF HONOR, Heather rejects the notion that she can "Count on a Cop" based on her childhood in which her dad the police officer was abusive. Most interesting is the surface parallels between Dave and her father as the first time she sees the younger man in action he courageously "bullies" a thug on her behalf, which instead of making him a hero she perceives he is just like dad. Adding to the fascination of this well writing psychological character driven romance is her father's efforts for a second chance with his daughter as Linda Barrett provides a deep contemporary romance.

Harriet Klausner