Jackson's Girls

JACKSON'S GIRLS by K.N. Casper November 28, 2004 JACKSON'S GIRLS by K.N. Casper is the third in the Harlequin Superromance trilogy "Raising Cane", in which each book takes place on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana owned by the Fontaine Family. In this third novel, Jackson Fontaine tries to get to the bottom of all the "bad luck" that has created havoc on the plantation and at their estate home, BelleFontaine. Leanna Cargill is the insurance investigator sent to the plantation to check out whether Jackson's insurance claims are legit or not. Jackson finds her "trespassing" on his land one day, not knowing who she is. They start off on the wrong foot, but they soon find they have some things in common. Both are single parents, whose significant others are people that are less than trustworthy. Leanna's ex-husband has a way of manipulating people to get what he wants, and she lives in fear that he will take away her daughter forever by lying and making her out to be the bad mother. Jackson's story is that he had a fleeting affair with a woman who is now in jail, and had only recently gotten custody of his daughter Megan, whom he loves dearly. While the two get to know each other better, they also try to solve the mystery as to who is sabotaging things on the plantation. It may be easy to narrow down the culprit, but as this is not a mystery novel but a romance, I felt that this part of the story line was not that important. What I felt was more important was how well the romance started off, and that the two main characters were well developed enough and believable enough to have a romance together at all. The romance developed at a reasonable pace, and so by the end of the book, I felt it was logical that they would end up together and have their happily ever after. While I felt the first two books in the series were not up to par, Casper's JACKSON'S GIRLS gave the series a boost with a 4-star novel that was worth the read. This isn't to say that the other two books were not enjoyable, but I felt that continuity books are probably very difficult to write, especially since the work is divided between more than one author. However, if a reader's first exposure to a Harlequin Superromance is to this "Raising Cane" series, I'd suggest reading a different book by any of these three authors (Eve Gaddy, Roz Denny Fox or K.N. Casper) and one should be rewarded with a much better written romance.

An explosion at the Fontaine sugar refinery brings together Jackson Fontaine and insurance investigator Leanna Cargill. The arson follows hard on the heels of two other business disasters, leaving the Fontaine fortune in jeopardy. Now an anonymous tip has brought Leanna to Jackson's doorstep only for her to witness the latest disaster. Soon Jackson strikes Leanna a deal. In return for helping in his investigations, Jackson will share his professional secrets with her. But it does not take long for his secrets to turn far more personal.Leanna and Jackson have daughters of approximately the same age. A nasty divorce has left Leanna solely responsible for her child. Jackson offers Leanna a place to live when her apartment is damaged to the point of becoming unlivable. However, anxious to preserve her independence, she does not make the move without reservations. Nevertheless, charmed by mint juleps and Southern manners, Leanna discovers old world grace and her own vulnerability with this Old South family. KN Casper characteristically tackles some of the most difficult of relationships. From alcoholism to ethical moral challenges, Casper's understanding of the human condition, complete with joy, sorrow, flaw and foible, makes his fiction some of the most insightful of series romance on the market. As his remarkable characters work their ways into reader's heart, they challenge reader's ideals of heroes and heroines, broadening our perceptions and strengthen our hope that love can indeed overcome any challenge. However, with JACKSON'S GIRLS, some readers may react negatively to Jackson's high handed machinations. Nevertheless, within the context of this powerfully rendered tale, Jackson becomes a understandable, if flawed hero. Certainly his overbearing nature meets its match in the independent Leanna, a woman of considerable independence and strength. The result of their mutual needs is a novel of complex motivation and believable relationships that have become the hallmark of Casper's work. JACKSON'S GIRLS comes highly recommended.

The gas explosion at the Fontaine sugar refinery will be the third major insurance claim in the past year from owner Jackson Fontaine and his family. Previously a fire almost destroyed the family Antebellum home and a cane harvester was stolen. Jackson is shook and worried that he and his company will become uninsured as no one will takes risks with his multi million dollar claims.The Sugar Coalition sends insurance investigator Leanna Cargill to find out what is going on. Jackson catches her trespassing and threatens to have her locked up, albeit temporary if she fails to cooperate and work with him. Knowing that he could put her away for a few days leaving her child with the parish, Leanna agrees. Very quickly the Yankee investigator and the southern CEO fall in love, but both are raising a child alone and each has a different agenda when it comes to the arson. Still the two adults and their two children gain a taste of what could be if everyone would take a chance on love.The children's fears disarm the reader and the heroine is a tough charmer. However, Jackson comes across as Machiavelli manipulating the investigation and his beloved to the point that readers will question why the independent feisty Leanna would want to live with him. Still readers will enjoy the final tale in the refine "Raising Cane" trilogy.Harriet Klausner

Return to Bellafontaine! After the devastating death of his father, Jackson Fontaine has carried on as the head of the family. He is a shrewd businessman, just as his father had been. After an explosion at the family's sugar refinery, following all the other mishaps and accidents that had plagued the Fontaine family for months, Jackson comes much closer to discovering who holds such a terrible grudge against his beloved family. Leanna Cargill is a "damnyankee", come to live in Louisiana from Ithaca, New York. She is an insurance investigator for the Sugar Coalition and when Jackson sneeks up on her while she is "on the job" outside the refinery after the explosion, he suspects she has something to do with it. Actually, Leanna is investigating the Fontaine's sugar holdings for illegal means. Jackson and Leanna butt heads quite aggressively but they come to an agreement that is beneficial to each of them. As they work together to clear Jackson of any business wrong doings, they come to really like each other and as both of them are single parents to daughters, they have something to bond them early in their relationship. As their young daughters become best friends, Jackson and Leanna's desire for each other blossoms. But still...someone is out to sabotage the Fontaine sugar plantation. Jackson now has three girls in his life, giving him much to fight for. What a satisfying ending to the "Raising Cane" saga. I have enjoyed these stories so much. Jackson and Leanna's story is warm and tender, their daughters were adorable, and the whole business of whom is out to destroy the Fontaine's is discovered, bringing an end to the hardships devouring such a fantastic family. This was a great book!