My Sunshine (Coulter Family)

Last year I polled all my reading friends in November and had them email me the name of their favorite book for the year and their comments. I printed them all out and sent them with my Christmas cards to all my avid reader friends. They all loved the idea. When it came time to choose mine, I picked this one. I read it once and then a couple of months later read it again. I don't read weighty books, I read for light entertainment and so I don't ask a lot of a book. There have been some real disappointments even with my relaxed standards! And there have been some that I have really enjoyed, but this one stood out over all that I had gone through in 2005, probably close to 300 books. I have enjoyed all of Ms. Anderson's books, some more than others, but all were worth the read, and this brothers series has been totally enjoyable. I am sure that critics are right that there are probably MORE obstacles than are presented, but this is fiction and I know that not every heroine in real life is drop dead gorgeous and not every dream man is perfect like these guys, I know I am not reading about real life and enjoy the fantasy. Why can't this also be a world where handicapped is not as hard as in real life? I think the idea of addressing it and giving people an opportunity to think about it spreads a little more compassion and understanding than we have right now. Every time I write a review after reading the nay sayers who have written before me I just want to point out its fiction!!! Perhaps these people who find these books wanting ought to begin shopping in higher literary planes and leave the simple stuff to us more simple readers???

Ok... looks like a rather bizarre theme that Catherine Anderson has going on. Her heroines have huge impediments to overcome - blindness, spinal cord damage and now brain damage! But I love a good struggle and I loved Laura in this book. She sees life differently since a diving accident deprived her of some intellectual abilities. Her mind is sound; just the interpretation of it is skewed. Although her view of the world is rather naïve and childlike - it is so enjoyable to watch her bring happiness to those around her. How could Isaiah (her boss), a well educated man, be so taken by her? But he is. Like other Anderson heroes, it is love at first sight - but he fights the attraction! After all, there is a written code about fraternizing with co-workers. You will root for Laura in all the trials she endures. Getting the job in the veterinarian's office as a kennel worker was one big hurdle and keeping it another. She has made one mistake with the food; and yet another with leaving a kennel door open! But she insists to Isaiah that it wasn't her - and that she has an eerie feeling someone else is in the building when she works the night shift. Will he believe her? Is there someone sinister out to get Laura? The romance and intimacy which you know will eventually occur is wonderful and sweet. But Laura will walk away from it all because Isaiah needs someone accomplished and charming; not someone "stupid" like her. How will it all work out in the end? I was captivated by all the main and secondary characters and the warm Coulter family. Of course I am endeavoring to obtain and read the entire series. I am reading it out of order but they appear to standalone quite well. Highly recommend!

I started reading about the Coulter Family in late 04 because it was a romance involving horses (which is so rare to find.) As I read the story Bright Eyes I got so hooked that I had to continue reading the entire series. The one main thing I like about the series is that every woman in the story is not and I repeat NOT a barbie doll. Everytime I read a romance novel the woman is always a real life barbie doll. The women in this series all have something wrong, be it divorced with kids, a paraplegic, or have trouble speaking like myself, they're all average women. That in itself is hard to find. Another thing I love about Anderson's books is that she writes so well that it litterally pulls you into the story to the point that you stop to go do something and you're shocked to find out that hours have passed since you picked up the book, it's amazing, you really do feel like your right there with the characters. Reading Catherine's books have really reaffirmed my faith in love, being hurt everytime I've ever been in a relationship I can totally understand where her lady's are comming from. When I'm feeling down in that way all I have to do is pick up one of her books and when I'm done I realize I'm not alone. She's the perfect voice.

I read this book in one setting! As always Catherine Anderson writes a great story.

Catherine Anderson is one author you won't forget and fans of this gifted author will welcome the return of her favorite family - the Coulters. In MY SUNSHINE, Anderson delivers an incredibly poignant contemporary bursting with her usual flare. This is one author who continues to push the romance genre forward by blending sweetness with remarkable insight. Isaiah Coulter is the youngest Coulter -- successful, attractive, and very desirable. Isaiah has his life planned, and his planned life does not include a wife - at least not anytime soon! Veterinary medicine is a demanding field! Laura Townsend is attractive and very lonely. Once Laura Townsend was an environmental scientist, today she is happy to be a kennel keeper at the Coulter Animal Clinic. Laura Townsend refuses to dwell on life's `what ifs' and instead lives each day within a sunny outlook. Ms. Anderson develops a wonderful, warm romance for Isaiah and Laura. Isaiah realizes his life is empty and little Miss Sunshine is the antidote. Laura would love to be in Isaiah's life, but Laura is also a realist. She has aphasia, five years ago a diving accident damaged her brain's left lobe, and sadly Laura realizes she must deny Isaiah. What Isaiah needs is an accomplished woman, who can complete his potential, he must not settle for less. MY SUNSHINE is an admirable read. Catherine Anderson writes with respect and shrewdness for the aphasia condition. Again I discovered Anderson can bring her reader a new understanding for a perplexing condition. Anderson's books are always worthy of notice and MY SUNSHINE is very noticeable. Grade: A- This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy. Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.