"fine contemporary romance"
After fifteen years as a marine, Walker Buchanan leaves
the service to come home to Seattle. When his beloved
died from breast cancer Walker vowed never to love again
as his loss wrenched his heart. To love is much more
difficult to deal with than fighting terrorists. When his neighbor single mom Elissa Towers needs her tire
changed, Walker's code of ethics makes him take over in
spite of her irritation that he does so. Elissa admits to
herself he is a hunk, but has pledged to never go out with
a man ever again. However, her five-year-old Zoe
desperately wants a daddy and believes the ex marine is
the perfect person to fulfill the mission. To their
mutual chagrin, each is attracted to the other, but both
swear to themselves to only fantasize about the others.
Neither factored in other stakeholders like a precocious
child, their families and their neighbors' matchmaking the
reluctant pair. This is a fine contemporary romance starring two likable
walking wounded souls who find more than just love with
one another; each obtains solace as they have someone
willing to listen. The support cast augments the
audience's understanding of what motivates the protagonist
to not fall in love. Sub-genre fans will appreciate this
fun throwback tale in which the stars do not wish to risk
their already burned heart. The second installment of Ms.
Mallery's Buchanan family is a DELICIOUS winner. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 4, 2006
SummaryWhen ex-marine Walker Buchanan stops to help Elissa Towers
change a tire, he tells himself it's just the neighborly
thing to do. And when Elissa finds herself baking him a
thank-you pie, she's just returning the favor...right?
Both of them have sworn off dating—Elissa's determined
to protect her little girl, and that means ditching her
taste for dangerous men...especially former marines with
dark secrets. Walker knows he's not cut out for hearth and
home...his own crazy family made sure of that. But the
sparks won't stop flying.
Now the two of them are struggling to keep their
relationship "just friends," but with every kiss, their
rules fly out the window.
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