Pink Moon
Stef Ann Holm
Mira, Oct 2004,
ISBN: 0778320863

In Bella Luna, California renovation expert Nick DiMartino is pleased with the single life he has raising his six-year-old son Nicky Junior amongst his extended family. Although he wishes the best for Nicky's recently remarried mom, Debbie, living in Los Angeles, he will not forgive her for abandoning their child when Junior was one-year-old. Now Debbie wants Nicky permanently.

Newcomer Lauren Jessup knows she needs to find a permanent home for her son, six-year-old Billy, but travels from one low paying job to the next job. She came here because of a post card she saw while waitressing in a dump. She is a great cook, but has no diploma so no one takes a chance on her. Billy wears a red superhero cape that he says magically protects him. At the Wharf Diner, Verna Mae hires Lauren as a part-time waitress.

As Billy and Nicky become best friends, Lauren and Nick begin to fall in love. However, she trusts no one ever since her son's father deserted them the moment she mentioned she was pregnant and he has a custody suit that means he must not allow even a whiff of scandal.

The characters of PINK MOON are incredible as readers will feel the fiery attraction between the lead couple, enjoy the delightful antics of the matchmaking support cast, and even empathize with Debbie, who knows she blew it several years ago. Although the final solution to the complexity of child custody in extended families seems too convenient, fans will appreciate this charming contemporary romance once they taste the magic of Stef Ann Holm's whimsical (with serious undertones) romance.

Harriet Klausner