My Big Old Texas Heartache

MY BIG OLD TEXAS HEARTACHEGeralyn DawsonPocketAugust 2003When Kate Harmon is summoned back to Cedar Dell, Texas, for a family emergency, she does not hesitate one second. Kate's father has been in a car accident and will need someone to help take care of him for about three months while his injuries heal. Kate's two older siblings, Tom and Sarah, are unable to be responsible for him; Tom because he can't leave his job in Houston for that long, and Sarah because she is expecting her first child and is having complications. Kate can run her accounting business out of her father's home, and run into Dallas if a client needs her. Kate left Cedar Dell seventeen years ago after causing quite a scandal; she was pregnant and unwed. She and her father parted on bitter terms, and she is hoping that they can mend the rift that has caused her so much pain. Kate, her seventeen-year-old son, Ryan, and Adele, Kate's best friend and companion, make the temporary move to Cedar Dell.Max Cooper has also returned to Cedar Dell with his five-year-old daughter, Shannon. Ryan knows that Max is his father, but the young man wants nothing to do with him. Kate is upset that Max is back in town because one look at him and Ryan together, and the good folks of Cedar Dell will know that they are father and son, a fact that Kate has kept secret from everyone.This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed MY BIG OLD TEXAS HEARTACHE for several reasons, the prime one being that the book was extremely well written and moved smoothly and rapidly. Kate and Max share a history and a son; their "history" was only for one night, but they both love their son deeply. Geralyn Dawson does a magnificent job of weaving this story in a believable way that grabs your attention from the beginning. This is a very enjoyable visit to small town Cedar Dell, Texas, that will warm your heart, tickle your funny bone and leave you with a big old smile on your face. Betty Cox for readertoreader.com

North Dallas CPA Kate Harmon is excited about going out with legal hunk Nicholas Sutherland until she receives a cell phone call from her brother-in-law Alan. He informs her that her dad Jack is in the hospital due to a car accident and her pregnant sister Sarah is there too because of a fear of a miscarriage. Though estranged from her family, Kate rushes to her hometown where she is known as the "Cedar Dell Slut". Already at the hospital is her brother Tom who treats her like a pariah. When her siblings discuss who can stay with their elderly father while he heals, Alan says Kate and her teenage son Ryan. To the shock of Tom and Sarah, Kate agrees.Two weeks later, Kate, Ryan and her older friend Adele move into Jack's home to a rather icy reception. Next door is photographer Max Cooper and his five year old daughter. Max is the father of Ryan, who loathes him. Still Max wants Ryan in his life, but realizes he also needs Kate too. As they fall in love, both wonder if the second time around will work since her father remains nasty to her and her son remains nasty to his father.At times the level of angst can become overwhelming, but readers will agree that this is a puissant three generation contemporary family drama. The story line is loaded (perhaps overloaded) with relational conflict between characters who feel like family and friends. Kate, with her big Texas heartaches, serves as a great nucleus that makes Geralyn Dawson's tale a sure fan favorite.Harriet Klausner

Max Cooper. Yummy. Lucky, lucky Kate. This book was too good to put down. I read it in one sitting and it made me miss my psychology class. There's probably a message in that.

Read it in one sitting. Anyone out there with parents, kids, old boyfriends and dogs will love this read. Great stuff here. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

This is the kind of love story that stands above the crowd. Strong heroine, hero to die for, and a plot that is real and believeable. The reader CARES about the characters. Highly recommended.