Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Lorelei adopted the infant daughter of a woman with no known relatives who died in their town. Right after the adoption was final, she found a photograph that might be of the biological father. She has a sinking sensation that she knows who it is and goes to confront him.
Dax is a bull rider with a reputation for his romantic exploits. He's never made any question of his disinterest in relationships of any kind. He's understandably shocked when Lorelei tells him that he may be little Stellie's father.
I thought the impetus behind Lorelei's research into Stellie's birth mother was interesting. Every quarter, the town draws the name of someone buried in their cemetery to research and report on so that person isn't forgotten. Lorelei never anticipated the can of worms waiting when she started her project. Dana Smith turned out to be someone very different from the down-on-her-luck jewelry maker she portrayed herself as. Uncovering her identity opened Lorelei up to her worst nightmare - the possibility of someone taking her daughter away.
I liked Lorelei. She's a strong woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. She owns a successful business and has close relationships with her family and friends. The only thing she doesn't have is a man in her life. She has trust issues stemming back to an incident with her college boyfriend. She loves being a mother to Stellie and wants what is best for her.
I liked Dax, too. He has a reputation but has started moving past his reckless younger self. He is a successful bull rider who also raises bulls for rodeo work. After years of injuries, Dax realizes that it's time to retire before he does himself permanent damage. Dax has some secrets from his past that have convinced him that a family is not in his future.
Matters quickly become complicated when Dax remembers Stellie's mother, who used a different name. When they take that information to the sheriff, he discovers that Valerie Ford had parents and a husband. This is a blow to Lorelei, who could lose custody of Stellie to her grandparents or Valerie's husband if he turns out to be the father. I ached for Lorelei, who was devastated by the news. Though Dax is in no hurry to become a father, he hates to see Lorelei's distress and immediately does a paternity test. I loved how he showed up at her house that night to keep her company and provide moral support. That was especially important when Valerie's parents and husband showed up the next day. The parents were okay, but the husband, Aaron, was obnoxious and had all the hallmarks of an abuser.
I loved Dax's protectiveness toward Lorelei. Despite what he thinks of himself, he has a deep core of goodness, and watching out for Lorelei and Stellie is a no-brainer. What neither counts on is the strength of the attraction between them. Both try to fight it, but it isn't easy, especially with as much time as they spend together. I loved seeing them get to know each other, share the good and the bad in their lives, and grow closer. Neither wants to admit their feelings, though those around them can see them clearly.
There is a lot of stress as Dax and Lorelei join forces against Aaron. His methods stir up ghosts of the past, including using Lorelei's college boyfriend as his lawyer. I loved how Julian was so smug and condescending until he discovered that Lorelei wasn't the naïve college girl she used to be. There were several great scenes where either she or Dax got the better of him, which was fantastic. There were times when things looked dark for Lorelei, but an unexpected revelation brought the case to a very satisfying conclusion.
Meanwhile, the heat between Dax and Lorelei continues to burn. Just when it looks like their lives are settling down, Dax receives devastating news that brings back his old fears. I hurt for him and its effect on his belief in himself. I loved Lorelei's support and attempt to make him see the truth. I loved the ending and seeing Dax talk about his "epiphany." The rodeo at the end was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the pre- and post-bull ride scenes between Dax and Lorelei. The conclusion was terrific. I hope to see more of them in future books.
Dax is a bull rider with a reputation for his romantic exploits. He's never made any question of his disinterest in relationships of any kind. He's understandably shocked when Lorelei tells him that he may be little Stellie's father.
I thought the impetus behind Lorelei's research into Stellie's birth mother was interesting. Every quarter, the town draws the name of someone buried in their cemetery to research and report on so that person isn't forgotten. Lorelei never anticipated the can of worms waiting when she started her project. Dana Smith turned out to be someone very different from the down-on-her-luck jewelry maker she portrayed herself as. Uncovering her identity opened Lorelei up to her worst nightmare - the possibility of someone taking her daughter away.
I liked Lorelei. She's a strong woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. She owns a successful business and has close relationships with her family and friends. The only thing she doesn't have is a man in her life. She has trust issues stemming back to an incident with her college boyfriend. She loves being a mother to Stellie and wants what is best for her.
I liked Dax, too. He has a reputation but has started moving past his reckless younger self. He is a successful bull rider who also raises bulls for rodeo work. After years of injuries, Dax realizes that it's time to retire before he does himself permanent damage. Dax has some secrets from his past that have convinced him that a family is not in his future.
Matters quickly become complicated when Dax remembers Stellie's mother, who used a different name. When they take that information to the sheriff, he discovers that Valerie Ford had parents and a husband. This is a blow to Lorelei, who could lose custody of Stellie to her grandparents or Valerie's husband if he turns out to be the father. I ached for Lorelei, who was devastated by the news. Though Dax is in no hurry to become a father, he hates to see Lorelei's distress and immediately does a paternity test. I loved how he showed up at her house that night to keep her company and provide moral support. That was especially important when Valerie's parents and husband showed up the next day. The parents were okay, but the husband, Aaron, was obnoxious and had all the hallmarks of an abuser.
I loved Dax's protectiveness toward Lorelei. Despite what he thinks of himself, he has a deep core of goodness, and watching out for Lorelei and Stellie is a no-brainer. What neither counts on is the strength of the attraction between them. Both try to fight it, but it isn't easy, especially with as much time as they spend together. I loved seeing them get to know each other, share the good and the bad in their lives, and grow closer. Neither wants to admit their feelings, though those around them can see them clearly.
There is a lot of stress as Dax and Lorelei join forces against Aaron. His methods stir up ghosts of the past, including using Lorelei's college boyfriend as his lawyer. I loved how Julian was so smug and condescending until he discovered that Lorelei wasn't the naïve college girl she used to be. There were several great scenes where either she or Dax got the better of him, which was fantastic. There were times when things looked dark for Lorelei, but an unexpected revelation brought the case to a very satisfying conclusion.
Meanwhile, the heat between Dax and Lorelei continues to burn. Just when it looks like their lives are settling down, Dax receives devastating news that brings back his old fears. I hurt for him and its effect on his belief in himself. I loved Lorelei's support and attempt to make him see the truth. I loved the ending and seeing Dax talk about his "epiphany." The rodeo at the end was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the pre- and post-bull ride scenes between Dax and Lorelei. The conclusion was terrific. I hope to see more of them in future books.
