Carolyn McSparren, Over His Head

Over His Head

Carolyn McSparren

Harlequin SuperRomance, April 2006, $5.75

ISBN: 0373713436

Following the death of his wife Solange, and the interference of his mother-in-law, Chicago Vice principal Tim Wainwright decides to leave the big city to raise his three children in a small town. He accepts a teaching job in Williamston, Tennessee, population 123.

Tim and his next door neighbor, veterinary technician Nancy Mayfield are immediately attracted to one another at first sight. However, Nancy is not ready for a relationship, especially with a father of three, as she has failed once at marriage; Tim still reels from the violent death of his spouse, and he has doubts that becoming involved is good for his children at this time. Neither expected a serial killer will serve as matchmaker, as Nancy and Tim risk their lives to protect his children.

The romantic subplot between two willing but doubtful individuals is well written, gripping readers with a feel that this is the wrong time for the right people. However, the serial killer matchmaking mechanism seems over the top of the Himalayas with believability issues. Still, Tim and Nancy are a fine couple, and his three children, especially the teens feeling they are swimming in the wrong pond, make for a fine relationship tale inside a romantic suspense thriller.