Cherokee Baby

I have not read anything by this author before and usually avoid the Desire imprint like the plague for I have found too many of them to be ridiculous and unbelieveable with an unfortunate emphasis on "steamy" sex that's usually about as exciting as yesterday's newspaper. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by this story. For a start, the author writes in a prose style that is brief, spare and to the point. She moves her characters through a story that is multi-leveled, painful and sometimes sad but allows them, through self-discovery, to leave the past behind. I thought it was amusing that both the H/H have private erotic thoughts but behave, sometimes, like young rather than the middle-aged lovers they are. I particularly liked the hero's gradual coming to terms with impending fatherhood; he is amazed, disbelieving and ultimately enamoured of the idea. Bravo for that! Other reviewers have summed up the story and have written very thoughtful reviews of this story. Let me just say that I genuinely liked the H/H and found their story poignant and interesting. My only objection is that the poor author was restricted by the Desire imprint and unable to flesh out her story and characters to the level they deserved. The whole thing merited the opportunity for a longer and, ultimately, more satisfying read.

Story already explained ------ soHere we have our lady, Julianne just turning the big 4-0 and depressed because her husband of 20 years left her for a younger woman.Whoops! Bobby Elk became privy to her lacey bustier. Bet that started some rich imaginings.I liked the inclusion of Michael Elk, the nephew that Bobby has raised since his mother's death. That makes it clear that Bobby is certainly good daddy material, not that Julianne expects to get pregnant. [I definitely like those surprise pregnancies]Jul meets one sexy guy of 42 that appears to be laden with secrets and a genuine little boy shy attitude but definitely full of male hormones. She decides to follow her cousins advise to have one hot torrid night before going home.S. Whitefeather presents her characters with strength yet a tenderness that makes them so human that it is a joy to follow their story.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --M -- will probably prove to be a keeper for many.

Julianne McKenzie and her cousins travel to Elk Ridge Ranch in Texas to celebrate Julianne's 40th birthday in style. Julianne is pretty depressed about turning forty and her self-esteem is at a low, because her husband left her for a twenty-something. Sexy Bobby Elk is owner of Elk Ridge Ranch and has a ton of his own insecurities; he lost part of a leg in the accident that killed his wife three years ago. When Julianne and Bobby meet, the attraction is instantaneous but because of their insecurities, the two are slow to act upon it. After a week of flirting, Bobby and Julianne do take their relationship to the next level although both expect that it will only be a one-night stand because Julianne is leaving the ranch the next day.Surprise! A month after she gets home from her birthday vacation, Julianne discovers she's pregnant. Julianne tries to do the right thing and let Bobby know about the baby and hope he'll make room in his life to see the baby once and awhile. To her surprise, after the initial shock, Bobby wants Julianne to move to Texas and work on the ranch so he can be a very big part of the baby's life but because of his wounded soul, he cannot offer Julianne marriage. Julianne agrees to the move but soon finds she falling in love with Bobby. Sherri Whitefeather has again written a sexy as sin hero in Bobby Elk. The story of Julianne and Bobby trying to break through each others insecurities is sweet. If you've never read one of Sheri Whitefeather's books, start; they're great!

This book was somewhat of a surprise for me as I expected little in the way of story and characterization from a Harlequin Silhouette Desire. I was wrong; it was a very nice story, with believable and likeable characters.Julienne McKenzie will celebrate her 40th birthday in a few days, and her married cousins have persuaded her to join them for a week at a resort ranch in Texas. There she meets the owner, Bobby Elk. Julienne still has insecurities, having been left by her husband two years ago for a younger woman. Elk's insecurities lie in the fact that he feels responsible for the death of his young wife in a car accident three years ago in which he also lost his left leg. Julienne, who thought she was infertile, encourages Elk and they have a "one night stand" which, of course, results in her becoming pregnant.The good thing here is there is NO secret baby plot, and there is NO big misunderstanding. They like each other from the beginning, and the repartee between them is enjoyable. Julienne tells Bobby about the pregnancy, and he wants to accept responsibility. Neither feels ready for marriage, but both are caring people whose love for the baby and each other continues to grow throughout the book. Of course, it has a happy ending. The book is less than 200 pages and an easy read. I really liked these characters and their story.