"Readers will enjoy this Yuletide tale"

In Texas in her mid thirties with her biological clock ticking, Elise wanted a baby for a long time, but her beloved husband died ten years ago. The English Lit professor knows that was the prime reason she remarried six months ago. However, she has had no success with becoming pregnant though she and her second spouse Jake have tried. Jake feels Elise's pain and disappointment over their constant failure for he would do anything he could for his beloved, but is weary of her belief that he is a perpetual machine to feed her his sperm.

However, Jake is stunned to learn that before he met his cherished spouse, he sired a baby Ben, whose biological mother abandoned the three year old. Jake wants to raise his son, who has special needs that require extra parental involvement. Clock or not, Jake prays that Elise will help him raise this little boy in love whether she becomes pregnant or not, but so far she rejects the lad.

Though the child is too precociously wise for his age and lot in life, readers will enjoy this Yuletide tale of varying love. The story line contains the obvious adult love theme, but also includes a delightful relationship drama when Jake wants Ben with him, but Elise cannot cope with this image of her failures. Linda Warren provides a strong look at what is important in life in time for the holiday season.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 8, 2003

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Summary

Jake's wife, Elise, wants a baby more than anything. Then Jake discovers that a brief liaison more than three years ago—before he even met Elise—had an unexpected consequence. A baby. A child who's been abandoned by his birth mother and needs a home. And he's not just any little boy—he has some special needs and requires extra attention.

Jake knows he can be a father to his son and can put in the time and effort it will take to make Ben grow up to be a healthy boy. But can Elise become this little boy's mother? She'd hoped to be pregnant by Christmas. Can she accept another woman's child instead?