Carrie Alexander, A Ready-Made Family

A Ready-Made Family

Carrie Alexander

Harlequin SuperRomance, Mar 2007, $5.50

ISBN: 0373714084

Fearing for her kids and praying she is not late, Lia Howard Pogue runs off with her three children, teenage Samantha, ten-year-old Howie and four-year-old Kristen Rose so that they can escape the martinet control of their father Larry. Her destination if her dilapidated car makes it is a close friend in the Upper Peninsular of Michigan, but her buddy is not there.

Instead, her friend's brother, former Ranger Jake Robbin is there and offers sanctuary to the tired four travelers. She accepts his hospitality because she is desperate. She has no more money as she spent her last dime on fast food and the car on its last legs -- make that wheels -- she accepts his hospitality. The two adults are attracted to one another and Jake especially likes the idea of an instant family without the preliminary hassles so he proposes. Lia considers his proposal as she is falling in love until Larry arrives reminding her of how controlling a man can be when her soldier loses his cool.

This is a superb family drama as a wary mom screws up her courage to get her children into safe environs away from their martinet dad. The storyline is driven by the cast, but what makes the tale superior is there are no easy solutions when relationships are involved. Carrie Alexander writes a great character study starring real people who lose their temper when provoked.

Harriet Klausner