Seven Months and Counting...

Good God, she was pregnant!!That was the opener of Myrna Temte's SEVEN MONTHS AND COUNTING... The second part of the Stockwell of Texas' series. I haven't read the others - but I sure will - but I LOVED this one. Rafe Stockwell, Deputy US Marshall, found out that his ex-girlfriend, Caroline Carlyle, was heavily pregnant. She dumped him 4 months ago and mentally counting he figured that the baby was his. Caroline denied it of course but Rafe was so certain and he wouldn't let Caroline raised the baby alone. After all "a Stockwell took care of his own" I found out that I've been reading this book over and over. It was absolutely great and highly recommended. Rafe's determination to take care Caroline was genuine. He still deeply cared for her eventhough he didn't immediately realized it was love that he was feeling. Caroline's fear for loveless marriage was also real since she experienced it with her parents before. And nice to see other Stockwells appeared to show the family bond. I will surely buy the 1st and the rest of the series. I wanna know how it turned out anyway

The miniseries Stockwells of Texas continues with SEVEN MONTHS AND COUNTING... by Myrna Temte. When ex-girl friend Caroline Carlyle unexpectedly encounters Lawman Rafe Stockwell, he can do the math, realizing that she neglected to tell him the consequences of seven months ago. When Caroline finally agrees that Rafe can be her partner until the baby's born, then they go they separate ways, she underestimates his determination to convince her to marry.Caroline has been badly wounded by her experience with men who put their careers first. When she became pregnant, she ended her relationship with the baby's father because she doesn't believe that Rafe can put her ahead of his job as U.S. Marshall. She believes that eventually he won't be there when she really needs him despite his protestations to the contrary. Indeed, she's determined to protect her child from the hurts she suffered from having a father who put his work ahead of his family.Until his niece arrived at the Stockwell mansion, Rafe assumed that babies were "annoying little creatures who did nothing but poop. Spit up and squall in restaurants and movie theaters." Now his small niece has captured his heart and Rafe finds her irresistible. If the baby's his, Rafe will marry Caroline and fulfill his obligation, although he still has reservations about kind of husband and father will be. First, however, Caroline has to admit he's the father. Then she has to agree to marry. Rafe has his work cut out for him.The subplot of SEVEN MONTHS AND COUNTING... also continues the inquiry into the Stockwell's family history as well as the deterioration of the family patriarch, mirroring the loss of Caroline's own father. The ill health of Caroline's own father doesn't overshadow the narrative, but does lend Carolyn's story a convincing touch of depth and poignancy. SEVEN MONTHS AND COUNTING... provides delightful reading. Temte continues the Stockwell tale seamlessly, with a powerful narrative voice that keeps the pages turning. The strong characters clash with convincing passion, leading the reader through a maze of emotions, thereby weaving a convincing and energetic tale. Next month continues the Stockwell's miniseries with HER UNFORGETTABLE FIANCE by Allision Leigh. Highly recommended.

Myrna Temte's "Seven Months and Counting . . ." is emotionally rich and satisfying . . . it's the reason I keep coming back to romance. I fell in love with Rafe Stockwell's integrity and determination, and I could related to Caroline (Caro) Carlyle's struggles to do her best for her unborn child and her father with Alzheimer's. Myrna Temte doesn't short change the emotion in this book. I laughed at the antics of Caro's dog and cried over Caro and Rafe's problems. Treat yourself to Seven Month and Counting . . . You'll be glad you did!