"Love, loss, and new beginnings in a small town"

Once upon a time, John Sparks had a crush on pretty Darby Parker, but before he could act on his feelings, his best friend,Erick Conrad, made her his own and John had to replace his romantic feelings with ones of friendship. He was even happy for Erick and Darby, and loved their six-year-old twin daughters like an uncle would. Then a year ago Erick, a fireman, was killed fighting a fire. Even though Erick was dead, John continued to view Darby as off limits, until one day something happened between them and they turned to each other for comfort. Now, three months later Darby is faced with the results of their actions and she has to tell John she is pregnant.

John surprises Darby by asking her to marry him. She refuses, knowing that he is only asking because of the baby and the scandal it will cause in their small town. John refuses to take "No" for an answer and sets out to change her mind. Unfortunately he doesn't count on the unexpected opposition from the twins who used to love him, but now see him as a rival for their father, whom they are convinced will return some day. Meanwhile he has to deal with the hostility of Erick's brother Dusty, and as sheriff of Old Orchard, Ohio, he has to contend with the two felons he has locked up in his jail, waiting to be claimed by the feds.

I enjoyed reading WHAT A WOMAN WANTS, with its warm depiction of small town life, loss and love. It was at once both uplifting and sad. The girls missed their father, but I knew that with John's help they would get beyond their grief. Together as a family, John, Darby, the twins and the new baby were going to be just fine.

Reviewed by Janice Bennett
Posted November 13, 2002

Read an Excerpt

Summary

She's having a baby!

Darby Parker Conrad was the town widow--a sweet, single mother of twin girls. John Sparks was the town sheriff--a former bad boy and her late husband' best friend. And now, three months after one secret night of passion, they were the talk of the town.

John was going to be a father!

And a husband too, if only Darby would say yes. But the headstrong beauty was convinced he was only asking because she was carrying their baby. And though that might have been true at first, the confirmed bachelor soon realized he was falling for his best friend's widow....

Awarded 4 ½ stars and Top Pick by Romantic Times