Marilyn Pappano
Pappano, Marilyn - FATHER TO BE (Bantam - 10/99) (4+)
Caleb Brown is in big trouble! He's been providing for his brothers and sister since their father deserted them six weeks ago and he's caught shoplifting at a local grocery store. Despite protesting that his father only left to find work and he will return, an uncooperative and belligerent Caleb is taken into protective custody, along with his siblings.
Psychiatrist Dr. J.D. Grayson moved from Chicago to the sleepy little town of Bethlehem, New York to begin a new life following a personal tragedy. After church one Sunday, he is approached by a woman named Noelle who claims to be from the Department of Family Assistance. She informs J.D. that he's been chosen to be the foster parent of the Brown children: Caleb, Jacob, Noah, and Gracie. As the doctor absorbs this bit of news, he reflects on all the reasons why he shouldn't be considered as a suitable father. Not only does he lack the inclination and the housing, his past history makes him an unlikely choice to have custody of the children. He can't seem to tell Noelle "no," however, so the reluctant J.D. takes the Brown family under his wing.
New York City social worker, Kelsey Malone, has arrived in Bethlehem, ready to start a new life in this small town. Her first case involves the abandoned Brown children; but to her surprise and consternation, she discovers that Dr. Grayson was given custody of them. The sparks begin to fly when she pays him a visit and J.D. explains how the children came to be in his care. Kelsey first points out how highly irregular it is for these kids to be placed with someone who isn't an approved foster parent. Secondly, there is no one in her office by the name of Noelle! But after looking at the official court papers and speaking with the police, all appears to be in order. What a puzzle! As the days go by, the children—with the exception of Caleb—begin to settle in, and Kelsey and J.D. spend more time in each other's company. The attraction between them blossoms, then begins to sizzle; but there are some bumpy roads ahead...
FATHER TO BE is the third installment in the Bethlehem series (following SEASON FOR MIRACLES and SOME ENCHANTED SEASON) and it heralds the third appearance of the angelic Noelle, who loves to bring lonely people together. J.D. and Kelsey are vividly defined and very likable, and I enjoyed the banter between them; but the character who stole my heart was Caleb, the contentious older brother. Marilyn Pappano creates characters that become your friends, and she proves once again that miracles can and do happen. FATHER TO BE is a heartwarming, heavenly romance that will leave you with a warm glow. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Pappano, Marilyn - HORSEMAN'S BRIDE, THE (SIM 957 - 10/99) (4+)
Easy Rafferty has wanted to return home for many years, but now he is a man broken in body and spirit. It's been five months since an accident left him crippled and scarred, ending his
rodeo career and his dream of running a horse ranch. He has no future and he believes no woman—especially Shay—would want him now. His ex-best friend, Guthrie Harris, won't ever speak to him again; but Easy can't blame him for that. A few
days before Guthrie and Shay were to have been married, Easy persuaded Shay to run off with him. They followed the rodeo circuit and lived and loved together for eight wonderful years...until Easy walked out on her. Although he had never stopped wanting Shay, the guilt building up over the years had finally forced him to realize he didn't deserve her.
Now Easy is home again and all he wants is to be left alone, but that's not to be. He's spotted by Olivia Harris, Guthrie's new wife, who informs Shay Stephens of his return. Shay, who owns the Heartbreak Cafe, is stunned by the news, but now she can finally take care of some unfinished business. Easy had left her without a word—no note, no good-bye—and for six years she has wondered why. When Shay confronts her ex-lover at his family's ranch, she is greeted by a surly and embittered man who sends her off with her ears ringing. But this lady is not going to give up! One way or another, she will find out what went wrong years ago and try to help Easy, whether he likes it or not!
Marilyn Pappano never disappoints her fans. THE HORSEMAN'S BRIDE, the second book in her Heartbreak Canyon series, is as heart wrenching and sizzling as the series opener, CATTLEMAN'S PROMISE. The tortured hero is superbly portrayed and perfectly matched with the gutsy heroine who rescues him through understanding and tough love. They are two lost and bitter souls, burdened with guilt and regrets, but it's easy to forgive their transgressions because of their great love for one another. I highly recommend this sensual page-turner and look forward to the next book in the series! ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Pappano, Marilyn - MURPHY'S LAW (SIM 901 - 1/99) (4+)
According to the New Orleans Police Department, Evie DesJardien is the best con artist in the business, but to her faithful customers and the tourists she is Evangelina the psychic.
On one hot July day, into her shop walks Jack Murphy—cop, "nonbeliever," and the first and last man she'd ever loved. A year ago they had carried on a torrid love affair that ended
with Jack arresting her and believing she had betrayed him.
One of Jack's informants had been murdered, and all the evidence pointed toward Evie's involvement. Money from the suspected murderer, William MacDougal, owner of a riverboat casino and comptroller of the biggest money-laundering operation in the State, had been deposited into her bank account. Phone calls
had also been made to MacDougal's house from Evie's phone just prior to the informant's disappearance.
Now a year later, another informant in the case has disappeared and Jack needs Evie's help. He wants her to get close to MacDougal by offering her psychic services to his wife, Irina, who is a believer. She refuses, but Jack forces her to help by threatening to shut down her business. His desire to bring MacDougal to justice has become an obsession. Although he says he will make sure Evie does not die in this operation, it is a promise he can't keep and they both know it. She now realizes how much Jack must hate her, and she also "knows" someone will die.
Marilyn Pappano has written a very sensual, emotional love story with an unexpected plot twist at the end. To Murphy, the law and evidence is everything—it's either black or white, with no gray in between. He's tortured by his belief that he and Evie caused the death of two informants. Evie is portrayed as a woman who has been unjustly wronged by her love, and she knows she will probably die trying to prove her innocence. MURPHY'S LAW is another page-turner by Ms. Pappano, and I highly recommend it. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Pappano, Marilyn - OLDER, WISER...PREGNANT (SSE 1200) (4+)
Laurel Cameron had been a rebellious teen—a sweet child
who turned into the "daughter from hell" overnight. Because she believed her family didn't understand her, she ran away with Buddy Jenkins. Now five years later, Buddy has deserted her and she is returning home to the family she left behind—alone, broke and pregnant.
Except for her sister Meg, all of Laurel's family welcomes her back, but she decides to wait until after Meg's wedding to break the news about the baby. Laurel meets up again with her first love, Beau, who was part of her rebellious past. Considering how much she hurt him long ago, they agree to avoid each other. However, Laurel and Beau are two lonely souls, and even though they think it's a mistake to give in to their feelings, they are invariably drawn to each other. But Beau isn't aware she is pregnant. How will he react when he discovers she is carrying the child of a man he detests?
Marilyn Pappano has written an absorbing, emotion-filled story—the sequel to ROOM AT THE INN—that is all about family, love, forgiveness and trust. Laurel and Beau are both realistic characters who need to learn to forgive each other and themselves before their love can bloom. OLDER, WISER...PREGNANT is a two-hanky read that will warm your heart and make you sigh with pleasure long after you've turned the last page. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Pappano, Marilyn - SEASON FOR MIRACLES (Warner - 1997) (4+)
Defying a court order, Emilie Dalton flees Boston during the Thanksgiving weekend and heads for Atlanta; but due to a broken-down car and blizzard conditions, she is stranded in Bethlehem, New York with her sister's three children. With a few mysterious interventions, she finds an abandoned house where they can stay. Emilie is mistaken for the owner's niece, which she doesn't deny; and before she knows it, she is falling for the lonely policeman who lives next door. Two elderly neighbors are delightful additions to the story as they practice a bit of matchmaking. Emilie and the children begin to feel like they belong in Bethlehem, but they have been living lie upon lie. When the truth finally comes out, a happy resolution doesn't seem possible. SEASON FOR MIRACLES is the perfect holiday romance. ~Anita S. (mysanita@juno.com)
Pappano, Marilyn - SOME ENCHANTED SEASON (Bantam - 1998) (4)
After fifteen years of marriage, Maggie and her husband Ross had grown apart. They agreed to divorce, and one disagreement led to another until that fateful Christmas Eve when Maggie decided to leave. She was crying when her car slipped on the roadway and went over an embankment, flipping over.
After spending almost a year in the hospital and in therapy, Maggie is ready to go home. She is still unable to remember many things, but she has made remarkable progress in that area. Although she doesn't recall the argument on Christmas Eve and the reason why she left in such a hurry, she does remember why she and Ross decided to get a divorce. He was a certified workaholic who always left her alone, with no children or life of her own. All the money in the world couldn't compensate for such a lonely existence.
On her release from the hospital, Ross agrees to stay with Maggie for two months in case she needs any help. He makes a commitment to not work during this time so he can be there for her. Before the accident, she had purchased a beautiful brick home in Bethlehem and furnished it to suit her tastes. She has made friends in the small town and knows she can be happy there. All she has to do is get through the grief of losing her husband. Ross, on the other hand, is eager to get back to Buffalo and his work, but the little town of Bethlehem begins to work its magic...
SOME ENCHANTED SEASON is an emotional tale about two people who had fallen in love with each other, but grown apart through the years. They had gone in opposite directions, each looking for happiness in a different way—unable to find their way back to each other. Marilyn Pappano gifts readers with an holiday story that shows how miracles can happen and how love will conquer all...if you believe in SOME ENCHANTED SEASON. ~Marilyn H. (mlyn@jps.net)
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