Baby of Shame

Sure the story line at the beginning is a little over the top, but with a title like Baby of Shame what is one to expect? The reason this book is worth reading is that the characters react with feeling and dialog in ways that ring true. It is refreshing to have a female lead NOT melt at the hero's every touch - except the first time - like a spineless wonder; especially with the way he treats her on their second encounter. It is a fast and easy read that kept me interested in what would happen next and how misunderstandings would get cleared up. Mutual love of their son and the eventual discovery of one another's true character lead to a true and binding love.

Don't be put off by the title of this book. It does not do the story justice. It's really a good romance. Alpha- male and girl meet and have one night of great love. Next morning mis-understandings seperate them. Fast forward...she's destitute and has had his child. Social services threaten to take the child accusing her of being a drug addict ( which she is not, just an overdose of flu medication). She runs out in the rain with the child and gets hit by a car. Social services calls him as the father of the child while she is unconscious. He loves his son on sight but despises her and is furious she did not tell him about his child. He takes care of her but only for the sake of his son. She can't understand why he hates her so much and he doesn't believe anything she says. He whisks them away to his own private island for her to recouperate and him to get to know his son. This story and writing style reminds me of Julie McNaught. It's almost like a McNaught short story. Boy & girl meet. fall in love, are seperated, get back together and find out they really loved each other all along. It's on my keeper shelf.

This book was so intense it seemed real. No kidding, there were certain scenes where i felt my throat constrict. This appears to be Julia James' signature style. She knows exactly how to make her characters overflow with strong emotion. Rihanna and Alexis are perfect examples. They are like two fated bulls in a ring. Their hate for one another is as fierce as their love. An excellent read! I only regret that it had to end so quickly.

Now, "Baby of Shame" as a title was enough to make my friends burst into laughter (romance-hating infidels!) but I really enjoyed this story. it was typical Harlequin Presents, but I really felt these two characters as they sorted out their very tangled lives. Their emnity towards each other was so strong, I had to put the book down for a few moments and remind myself this wasn't real! And as they began to unfurl all the misunderstandings that had led them to the shouting, I saw an arc, development of character, and give and take on both sides. Plus, although there was a child central to the character, he never became a precocious little fount of platitiudes, over-run with cuteness. I liked this book, a lot.