Pamela Browning The Mommy Wish

The Mommy Wish

Pamela Browning

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

ISBN: 0373750749

Only for Grandpa Emmett would Molly Kate McBryde board the Fiona in Coastal Carolina to deliver it to her relative in Fort Lauderdale. At the Tarheel Marina dock Molly trips and meets seven years old Phoebe, who is using an unplugged vacuum cleaner. The little girl mentions her dad and she lives on board the Fiona where he drinks beer. She cannot imagine why Grandpa Emmett would allow a drunk to live on his boat, but plans to find out. She quickly learns that Phoebe's dad is Captain Eric Norvald who will sail the ship to Florida.

On the coastal voyage south, Phoebe notices a change in her widower father from 24/7 Mr. Grumpy to nice and friendly; he even smiles. As she places messages in bottles that's he tosses into the Atlantic, she believes that Molly is the cause and prays that the career woman becomes her mommy; Molly would second that emotion as she falls in love with the Norvalds.

THE MOMMY WISH is a terrific relationship drama starring several realistic individuals besides the obvious lead couple and the precocious child. The storyline emphasizes the need to move on when confronted with the loss of a loved one, but to do so at your pace. In spite of the inane title and the overly intelligent and too mature child, readers will treasure this deep powerful family drama that will bring accolades to Pamela Browning.

Harriet Klausner