Tis
the season for second chances…and secrets!
Forget
the mistletoe maneuvers. Kelly Rasmussen isn't planning on having that reunion
kiss with Dr. Caleb Buchanan any time soon. Things had long ago gone south for
these former high school sweethearts. Except for that one night six years
ago—which resulted in an explosive secret Kelly's kept till this very day.
Now
career and family have brought them both back to Weaver, Wyoming. Their
unavoidable clashes—and instant chemistry—make them realize this town isn't big
enough for the two of them. Or three of them—counting Kelly's son. Because
there's something about that little boy… For one thing, he has Caleb's eyes…
There’s
nothing better than yummy cookie to nibble on while reading a good book so I
would like to thank Alison Leigh for this lovely recipe. I can’t wait to try
it.
Series: Return to the Double C Ranch| Publisher:
Harlequin Special Edition| Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: MLM Media| Rating: 3.5 Cups
Kelly
Rasmussen left her hometown six years with a secret and had no intentions of
returning. Although when her mother—whom she hadn’t spoken to since she left
town— suddenly dies, Kelly finds herself suddenly back in her mother’s house
and face-to-face with the man she would give anything to avoid. Caleb Buchanan
never expected to see his high school flame sitting in the exam room as the
mother of his patient. He’s even more surprised to find that those old feelings
are still there and stronger than ever. He knows he wants to start over with
Kelly, but the past has a way of haunting them both.
Okay,
so I rarely read a blurb before accepting a book to review. I normally just go
by the title, or the cover, or sometimes both. Well, it sort of bit me this
time. I’m not saying that this was a bad book—hey, I gave it a 3.5 Cup
rating—I’m just saying that if I had known this was a secret baby book, I would
have checked it out before accepting it because it’s not really a trope that
I’m wild about.
So,
Kelly’s life wasn’t the best when she was growing up. Her mother showed her no
love and constantly told her she ruined her life, then the man she was madly,
head-over-heels in love with—yep, that’s Caleb—broke her heart when he decided
he wanted to marry someone else. To get
even with him, she decides to have a night of wild truck sex, then walk away. Although
truck-sex night left her with a little parting gift in the form of her son,
When she discovers she’s pregnant, rather than telling Caleb, she decided to
flee town. When she does finally come in contact with Caleb again, she still
keeps the fact that Tyler is his son from him.
There’s
just something unredeemable about a woman that keeps a father in the dark about
his son. And I was really hoping that somewhere in the plot something would
come to light and give me a better understanding about why she did what she did
but the reason that she gave—that Caleb and his family would step up and take
care of her and her unborn child—just didn’t fly with me.
Okay,
so while I liked Caleb—he’s actually the reason I continued reading this
book—he wasn’t perfect either. I mean, he broke up with Kelly to propose to
another woman, who turned him down—yeah, I think that’s called karma. Anywho, I
never understood the reason behind this and, once again, nothing was explained
about why this happened. But there was just something about Caleb, I mean, he
goes into the hospital nursery at night and rocks babies that need a little
extra love and attention. Le sigh… He’s great with Tyler and, even though she
keeps snapping at him, he’s trying to make things right with Kelly.
The
romance was a little odd at times. These characters obviously have a history
that left them both weary and wounded and they’re both battle scarred because
of it. There’s still a chemistry and attraction between them and it’s obvious
that Caleb wants more but Kelly is constantly pushing him away. Even towards
the end when they are together as a couple I never really felt that Kelly
wanted to be there or let go of the hurt.
My
big problem with this book is that the vital events from the past and the
reasons behind them were never explained. Given what was going on between the
characters, a backstory really should have been added.
Overall,
while I had problems with the book and neither character was perfect, I still
enjoyed watching Caleb grow close to his son.
There’s nothing better than a yummy
cookie to nibble on while reading a good book, so I would like to thank Alison
Leigh for this lovely recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Fudge
Drop Cookies
1
¾ C sifted all-purpose flour
2
tsp baking powder
½
tsp salt
¼
C sifted unsweetened cocoa
2
eggs
2/3
C vegetable oil (Canola works well)
1
tsp vanilla extract
¼
tsp almond extract
1
C granulated sugar
Glaze
2
C sifted confectioner’s sugar
¼
C sifted unsweetened cocoa (can be omitted if you prefer a plain glaze)
2/3
TBSP milk
Dash
salt
Dash
almond extract
Sift
flour with baking powder, salt and cocoa and set aside. In medium bowl, beat
eggs slightly. Stir in oil, extracts and sugar until combined. Beat in flour
mixture until smooth, then refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Drop chilled dough
in slightly rounded teaspoons about 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in
400° preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool. Make glaze:
In medium bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until smooth. Spread tops of
cooled cookies with glaze and enjoy! Makes about 3 dozen
