Party of Three

This book, being the first that I've read from the author, was great in it's own sense. The author does very well with the storyline and the conflicts but I felt that maybe there could have been a tad more character development. I guess because this is a novel that is part of a series, and it is a MacAllister novel, she assumes that the reader has been introduced to everyone in the family. I have not and was a little confused with all of the family names. Maybe I should just go and read all of the novels concerning this family and it will all come together, I am sure of it. It was a nice read for me, being stuck overseas.

Attorney Jessica MacAllister has a busy life practicing law and helping run the Peaceful Dove's Woman Shelter in Ventura, California. Though her social life is zero, Jessica loves what she is doing. However, her time at the shelter is disturbed when abusive spouse Sonny comes around, carrying a gun and making threats demanding his wife and son leave with him or else. The cops arrive and arrest Sonny, but police Lieutenant Daniel Quinn yells at Jessica for not having any security. She tells him no money is available, but she is asking for a grant. He agrees to help her write out the application. When Daniel and Jessica meet at his home to fill out the grant request, she meets the seven month old baby girl living with him. He refuses to explain who the child is, but asks for her help in finding him a nanny. Both are attracted to one another, but she rejects his efforts until Sonny returns seeking to carry out his original threat. Joan Elliot Pickard starts a new generation of her popular "Baby Bet" series with a warm tale that has a serious undertone. PARTY OF THREE focuses on the relationship between the lead couple as well as with the infant, but also provides insight into the importance of shelters. Fans of the original miniseries will want to read this novel and newcomers will want to obtain the original stories, as all are entertaining and well written.Harriet Klausner

PARTY OF THREE launches the first of the new miniseries featuring the next generation of the MacAllisters. This book is Jessica's story, one of the Jillian and Forrest MacAllister's triplet girls. Those who have read the other MacAllister books will remember when Jillian was pregnant with the triplets, then met the three girls in a later book when they were about six years old. Now the triplets are thirty and are out on their own. I hope you enjoy PARTY OF THREE and getting to know Jessica and others as adults. Emily and Alice, the other two of the triplets, will each have their own story coming from Silhouette Special Edition and Desire. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful and loyal support. Joan Elliott Pickart