"An engaging contemporary romance"

In Bartonsville, Ohio, widow Faith Carson still mourns the death of her beloved husband and her unborn child in a car accident six months ago. Living alone on a farm, Faith sees a teen couple parked nearby. She goes to help them, only to find herself assisting the girl in giving birth to a girl. As a storm comes to the area, the male Jamie Sheldon bundles his girlfriend Beth Damon into his car, but leaves their child Caitlin with Faith, as he knows they cannot take care of her.

Over two years later, Hugh Damon arrives at the Painted Lady Butterfly Farm and Guest House to stay for a week. He believes that Caitlin is his niece though Faith claims her as her daughter. With Beth having lost much of her memory and Jamie dead, Hugh lacks information. Still, he needs to know if Caitlin is his niece and if she is being raised in a happy home. He quickly concludes Faith is a superb mom while falling in love with her and his niece. Hugh also realizes that Jamie's wealthy parents will stop at nothing to find and gain custody of their LITTLE GIRL LOST.

This engaging contemporary romance will delight readers as individuals compete to gain custody of Caitlin. Hugh and Faith are a charming lead couple while they learn the old adage of not to share billing with a precocious toddler. The subplot involving Jamie's parents adds tension and angst, but seems like overkill as deep conflict already exists between the lead couple. Still, fans of a powerful character driven novel will appreciate this tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 26, 2003

Summary

DID FAITH CARSON STEAL HIS SISTER'S BABY?

Hugh Damon is convinced that Faith's daughter is actually his sister Beth's missing baby. Just after Beth gave birth she was in a terrible car accident that caused her to lose her memory. Her newborn infant was never found.

Faith, widowed just before the birth, has told everyone she delivered her daughter at home during a devastating storm. Since she was alone, there's no one to confirm—or deny—her story. But there are too many coincidences to allow Hugh to believe her—as much as he finds himself wanting to.

He has to admit that Faith is a great mother and that his teenage sister is in no shape to care for a child, but he still wants to know the truth. It's the only thing that might save his sister's sanity...