Holly Jacobs, Unexpected Gifts

For fifteen years in George County, Pennsylvania family and consumer science (formerly home economics) teacher Elinore "Eli" Cartwright sponsored the teen parenting program; however, ironically at forty-four she finds herself frightened, pregnant and single. Her boyfriend Arthur makes it very clear, he enjoys their DINK status especially no kids.

Thus Eli has decisions to make, which she finds rather easy as she wants a child and this may be her last chance considering her age and male prospects. Store owner Zac Keller has been in love with Eli for seemingly forever, but hid his feelings from her as she had that college professor boyfriend. He makes his feelings obvious to her that he wants her and her unborn child.

This is a super relationship drama that makes a strong case that DNA does not make a family, nurturing and loving one another in spite of blood makes a family. Eli and Zac are strong lead characters while the support especially his adopted parents and sister and Arthur enhance the underlying premise as life happens in mysterious ways. Readers will enjoy Holly Jacobs' wonderful Pennsylvania contemporary romance.

Harriet Klausner