One of a Kind Dad

The book I thought was well written, ALL of the characters were likeable and brought out enough that one doesn't feel as the character was just filler. Lilah Jamison's ex husband Bruce was being released from prison after he had been arrested and found guilty of swindling investors in a real estate scheme. Lilah had been the one who turned in her husband after having found out that he scammed the investors. Bruce was already an abusive husband and after finding out his wife turned him in beat her up AGAIN, this time pretty badly. Lilah had waited until Bruce was in jail when she went ahead and divorced him. Then she sold everything off to pay back the people Bruce had stolen from. This left her pretty much broke. She took a job as a nurse companion for an elderly lady for the past 3 years. Then she found out her husband was getting an early release for model behavior. This is where the book starts off at. Lilah and her son relocate to Serenity Valley, hoping to make a new start and to hide from Bruce. She and Jonathon have come up with a story that his father had passed away so they won't have a lot of questions. They are living out of a car while Lilah looks for work. As it is a small community to get a job you have to know people, be related to someone, etc.... So Lilah is starting to lose hope of finding a job and considering going elsewhere. Lilah is going without much food so her son can eat and be healthy. She obviously loves him and puts his needs before her own. Daniel Foster, is the local veterinarian who just so happens to be the foster parent to four boys. Daniel had been in foster care and knows his life changed for the better when he and his two foster brothers connected. They connected so much that they all changed their last names to Foster and vowed to make a difference. His tenant and friend is Jesse, a widower and retired Marine . Between the both of them they have given the boys a loving home although a MESSY loving home. Daniel advertises for a housekeeper and Lilah is desperate for job. Daniel was planning on only having a housekeeper come to clean the house and such but he obviously notices that the mother and son are homeless and suddenly changes his mind at that moment and informs Lilah that what he was looking for is a live in housekeeper since he is busy with his practice. Lilah realizes he knows her situation and takes offense. Daniel doesn't get the big deal, she can do the job and have a place to live. Lilah is a bit intimidated by Daniel which is understandable considering that her ex husband was abusive. Daniel is also in the middle of proposing to open foster care facility and Lilah found that her previous book keeping and graphic designing could help Daniel with his project. I'll leave it at that, this all happens in the start of the book but it does not feel rushed or anything like that. The book gets even better This books is a collaboration between Barbara Daly and Liz Jarrett (it has

Lilah Jameson accompanied by her young son Jonathan flees before her abusive ex spouse Bruce just released from prison, kills her as she turned him in for his fraudulent practices. In Serenity Valley, Vermont, they meet kindhearted veterinarian Daniel Foster who is a dedicated foster father to four needy boys. He wants to give them what he never found as a kid until in a Vermont Juvie hall he met and forged a family with his "brothers" Ian and Mike; like the Dean Martin song Everybody Needs Somebody so he will be there for frightened deserted kids like Nick. Daniel recognizes the signs of a troubled past for mom and son, but hires Lilah anyway as housekeeper to his boys. Although attracted to the frightened Lilah, Daniel is cautious as he does not want to frighten his nervous housekeeper as he senses not much would send Lilah over the edge. As he falls in love ands want his housekeeper and her son to be part of his family; she wants the same, but expects a life on the run instead of her new fantasy of being a soccer mom and wife but she will not allow harm to come to the vet or his kids that she now thinks of as their kids. This is a one of a kind psychological romantic suspense tale with the actual suspense coming late, yet readers will feel the tension throughout as Lilah knows he is coming. The story line is character driven as much by the kids especially her son who believes his dad is dead and Nick as it is the lead couple. All five youngsters seem real with deep differing fears though the older teens are adjusting to life. Daly Thompson provides a winner as the shadowy boogieman (Lilah's descriptions of her ex-husband) is coming for his wife and child. Harriet Klausner