Fathers and Other Strangers: The Men of Mayes County

Haven, Oklahoma -- present dayJenna Stanton has a secret, and it's a biggie. An entry in her late sister's diary reveals the name of the man who fathered Jenna's niece. Does Jenna have the nerve to meet and check out the man, and to inform him he has a daughter? On the pretense of researching her latest mystery novel, she checks herself and Blair into the motel he owns. Even though Jenna thinks that Hank Logan has the right to know about his daughter, can he be the father that Blair needs, or will he reject her the same way he did her mother -- as the diary implies. Jenna hopes their month long stay at the motel will give her a chance to find out.Former cop Hank Logan wants nothing more than to renovate and run his motel. Since the tragic death of his fiancée three years ago, he doesn't want any complications or commitments. When Jenna Stanton and her niece, Blair, check in, however, he gets just what he doesn't want -- complications by the bucketful. Jenna claims she's there to research a new mystery novel she's writing. After a while, Hank doesn't buy it, and neither does Blair, seeing as how Jenna doesn't travel too far away from the motel.Oh, what a tangled web we weave...Hank Logan is a tough nut to crack, one of Ms. Templeton's most "alpha" males to date, and she does a wonderful job with him. Jenna may have her own agenda, and Blair may not be her biological child, but Jenna is as protective as a mother bear with her cub where Blair's concerned. All three of these characters, as well as the well-developed secondary characters, create mischief and mayhem that combine to create a tender, poignant family tale. Hank Logan doesn't stand a chance against Jenna, Blair, and his family and friends as they try to break down the wall around his heart.Karen Templeton's talent and skill at writing family stories shines again in this tale about secrets and lies, misunderstandings and misconceptions. The second book of The Men of Mayes County, FATHERS AND OTHER STRANGERS begins where SAVING DR. RYAN ended. Next up is younger brother Cal's story, and I can't wait!