The Doctor's Instant Family

Shotgun Ridge's unlikely matchmakers strike again in Mindy Neff's THE DOCTOR'S INSTANT FAMILY. Four geezers meddle and interfere in the love lives the town bachelors in an effort to prevent the small town from dying out. Llyod, Henry, Vern and Ozzie might be odd matchmakers, but they are successful. Their latest attempt to bring together Dr. Chance Hammond and Kelly Anderson seems to be paying off in spades when she goes to work for him. Unfortunately, Kelly's past may get in the way of their matchmaking plans.Kelly doesn't realize just how much she needs friends and community, but staying in Shotgun Ridge will prove to be just the anecdote for her wounds. Kelly's husband had been sleeping with her best friend; a fact she discovered during his funeral. Her youngest daughter has not spoken a word in six months -- not since she saw her father electrocuted. So not only has she lost her husband, but also her best friend and the sound of her daughter's voice. Despite Chaos obvious interest, Kelly has no desire to share her life with anyone except her daughters. Since she came to work in his clinic, Chase has made no secret of his attraction to Kelly. His persistence doesn't pay off, however, until a donkey kicks him in the head and he persuades Kelly to keep an eye on him overnight in case he has a concussion. When the family she rents her house from announces their immanent arrival for the holidays, Chase convinces Kelly to stay in his five bedroom home during the holidays. But it'll take a holiday miracle to keep Kelly and her beautiful daughters in his life permanently.Perfect to warm the heart not just during the holidays but through the New Year, THE DOCTOR'S INSTANT FAMILY weaves a spell of holiday magic, complete with an invisible angel, delightful children, and small town love. The interaction between Chance and the two girls is delightful, especially his awareness that he's falling not only for their mother, but the girls as well. His determination to pursue Kelly, without becoming pushy, likewise makes for delightful reading. A refreshening and honest novel filled with the challenges of betrayal, healing, and compromise, THE DOCTOR'S INSTANT FAMILY comes highly recommended.