Quarterback Daddy

Linda Barrett has done it again... from heart wrenching to heart warming. This story throws two strangers together for the sake of a baby girl who they both love. Quarterback Daddy begins with a newspaper clipping of the shooting death of Sherri Brown, who was nine months pregnant. From this heart griping tragedy, we meet Alexis Brown, Sherri's sister and temporary guardian to Sherri's newborn, Michelle. Alexis, whose heart is completely captured by little Michelle, finds that with funds dwindling and foster care looming, her only option is to seek out Michelle`s birth father. Dan Delito is not only the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, but also a man still grieving the loss of his wife, a man who's enjoying his six-pack too much. Alexis has serious concerns: Will this "party loving sports figure" be a good father? Dan wonders if Alexis is setting him up for scandal, or extortion, or her 15 minutes of fame? Will this hurt his team, his career? Neither initially trusts the other. It doesn't take long, however, before Dan discovers his daughter owns Alexis's heart. Alexis cannot miss that Danny is immediately besotted by baby Michelle and will do whatever is necessary for her care and safety. As the two deal with Michelle's care, cracks appear in their wall of distrust. Slowly, a friendship develops and perhaps...just perhaps, the possibility of something more. First, however, there are big issues to confront. Will past traumas forever keep them apart or will they be able to reach the goal of true love and a happy family life? You'll be turning the pages quickly to find out how Alexis and Dan figure out the answers to these questions. Quarterback Daddy is a contemporary love story with fully developed characters, great conflict, and a rocky road to its HEA.

Attorney Alexis Brown has no time to mourn the death of her sister Sherri who was killed by her former boyfriend.. Sheri was nine months pregnant when the murder-suicide occurred but the baby was saved. Alexis has big debts due to college loans, mortgage and her sister's funeral, but also must take care of her infant niece Michelle. Alexis needs financial help so she decides to ask the baby's father New England Patriots starting quarterback Dan Delito for childcare funding. A widower Dan does not deny his relationship with Sherri, but as a celebrity distrusts lawyers and aunts so demands DNA testing. When the results prove he is the father, he informs Alexis he will raise his child Michelle. This breaks Alexis' heart as she loves her niece, but legally with no grounds to stand on, Alexis leaves. However, Dan and Michelle miss Alexis, as she has sacked both their hearts; but will he beg her to come home? This interesting New England romance stars two adults with issues as each has problems with their past; her with her parents and him with the death of he wife several years ago. The lead couple makes the contemporary tale work as the lawyer and the football star fall in love with each other and with Michelle, but unless they overcome their fears of trusting their respective hearts; their relationship is at fourth down and seconds to go with no more timeouts. Harriet Klausner

Alexis Brown has lost a sister to a murderer, but has gained custody of her baby niece. After a three-month leave of absence from work, she's running out of time and money and decides to contact the baby's father. Only problem is the man is a hard-drinking, party-hearty professional quarterback. How can she trust a big shot like that with her sister's precious baby? Dan Delito seems to be living the life of the privileged. He's rich, he's famous, and he's the star quarterback for the New England Patriots. But looks can be deceiving. Inside, he's battling demons and living a half-life after losing his beloved wife to cancer. Is it any wonder that he drowns his sorrows in the bottle? When Alexis shows up with the baby on Dan's doorstep, neither makes a good first impression on the other. Dan has been drinking, grieving for Kim and their wedding anniversary he must celebrate alone. Alexis doesn't tell him the baby is his, only hands him her business card and leaves. Dan calls Alexis and she gives him another chance. He's shocked that he has a daughter and plans to take full custody. Alexis is afraid she will not be included in the baby's life. Unable to find a suitable nanny, Dan hires Alexis to live with him and look after his daughter. Alexis is pleasantly surprised at how well Dan takes to fatherhood. She's envious of his supportive loving family, something she's never had with an alcoholic father and a mother who enables him. She slowly finds herself falling in love with Dan, but knows she can't compete with his wife's ghost. Even though Alexis could be Kim's identical twin, Dan grows to appreciate the characteristics that make her unique; he loves and desires her for her own sake. How can he convince her he's not like her father and loves her more than life itself? Linda Barrett has written a wonderful love story interwoven against the backdrop of the game of football. She makes us believe that a professional athlete is just like a regular guy who can indeed fall in love, enjoy a normal family life and live happily ever after.

Sherri had been nine months pregnant when she died in the back of an ambulance. Her sister, Alexis Brown, had been with Sherri at the time. With her last breath, Sherri revealed the identity of her baby's father. Little Michelle had been born shortly thereafter by emergency C-section in the ambulance. To care for her niece, Alexis took time off from her job as a prosecutor for the District Attorney's Office. However, Ally still owed a lot for student loans and Sherri's funeral. Michelle is now three months old and Ally has only a couple of weeks to solve her cash flow problem and find suitable day care or she will lose Michelle to the legal system. So Ally wraps her courage around herself like a shield and goes to introduce Michelle to her unsuspecting biological father. Dan Delito is the starting quarterback and captain for the New England Patriots. When he first sees Ally he thinks he is seeing the ghost of his deceased wife, Kim. Ally's resemblance is uncanny. As for Ally, she is immediately hit with the strong smell of alcohol. Seeing Dan totally drunk, Ally refuses to tell Dan about Michelle. Once Dan learns about the baby, he swears that not another drop of alcohol will enter his system. Dan and his family are thrilled about Michelle. Ally is happy to see the instant love bestowed upon her niece, but had hoped to share custody. So when Dan calls Ally and actually begs her to become Michelle's live-in nanny (the applicants were horrible), the decision to place her lawyer career on hold is easy. Then their uneasy friendship begins to bloom into a possible romance. Can Ally trust Dan to never touch alcohol? Does Dan really see Ally or a stand-in for Kim? Looks like the paparazzi will be the least of their problems. **** FOUR STARS! Ally is a strong character and it fast became clear to me that she would go to any lengths necessary to ensure Michelle receives the best of care. Even if that meant not getting partial custody of her. Like Ally, I am not a football fan; yet this story tackled my heartstrings from the beginning. An "abso-pos-a-tutely" warm romance that will leave you with a big smile upon your face and a spring in your steps. Linda Barrett pens pure pleasure. **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.