"A fine romance"

In Minnesota, though she would prefer to just give money, graphic designer Dena Bailey reluctantly agrees to donate something to an auction to raise funds for children. Her brother persuades Dena to visit her upstairs neighbor and ask local NHL hero Quinn Sterling for an autographed hockey stick.

When Dena and Quinn meet in the apartment building, he realizes she is the woman he found in the men's room at his best friend's wedding. Both are attracted to one another and Quinn gets Dena to start seeing him, not an easy task as the woman hides in her work to avoid relationships ever since her mom deserted her as a child. When Quinn becomes guardian to two preadolescent siblings whose parents just died, Dena cannot cope, fearing she will be a chip off the old block. Quinn's goal is to persuade the woman he loves that they and the two children belong together as a family. Though he knows this will prove harder than a defenseman scoring the hat trick, he also realizes the prize is greater than Lord Stanley's Cup.

THE MAN UPSTAIRS is an enjoyable sports romance that shows the positive side of a person who happens to be a headline making defenseman. Quinn saves the novel as he is a fabulous hunk on and off the ice even when Dena checks his heart. However, Dena starts off as a delight with demons, but readers will tire of her psychological baggage though she ironically will remain a sympathetic character. Category readers will feel Pamela Bauer scored the winning overtime goal with this pleasing tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 27, 2002

Summary

Dena Bailey is a woman with goals. And they're all about work. Dena Bailey knows what she wants. And that's to be left alone. Dena Bailey, meet Quinn Sterling. He's about to turn your world upside down.

When Dena moves to a new city, she is looking forward to the anonymity it offers. After all, that fits into her plan to concentrate on her career. Then she's introduced to the man upstairs.

Dena finds Quinn Sterling hard to resist. So much so that she almost changes her plans. But that's before Quinn suddenly becomes guardian to two children. Making room in her life for a handsome man is one thing. For a woman who never expected to be a mother, making room for a handsome man, a sad little boy and his rebellious older sister is quite another.