The Baby Gift

Description from the book back cover: The fatherhood secret ... Alessandro Salvatore was stunned when a woman appeared on his doorstep carrying a baby - claiming he was the father. Alessandro wasn't looking for a wife and he wanted Lauren, whoever she was, off his property! Lauren Williams could understand Alessandro's surprise, but she was determined little Nick should have a family for Christmas. There was nothing else for it - she'd simply have to teach Alessandro to believe in love again ...

No, this is not the easiest story to follow. No, Alessandro is neither as charming nor as likeable as his brothers in general. But this story will grow on you; it's one of those books that can touch you more the second time around. Fleeing painful memories associated with both a traumatic childhood incident and a bitter divorce, Alessandro Salvatore holes up in his family's mountain cabin to escape Christmas hoopla. But he hasn't been there long before a woman shows up, a beautiful, exhausted woman with a child in tow. The woman informs Alessandro that her name is Lauren, and that the little boy was born as the result of a two-week affair that Alessandro had with Lauren's sister about a year before. Lauren has brought the child to his father because she needs help taking care of the little boy; her sister has died of a brain tumor. Now, unfortunately, comes the weak part of the plot: Alessandro was in a car wreck around the time Lauren says the affair took place, and he has suffered from limited amnesia. In other words, he really has no idea exactly what happened during that time in his life. But instead of just telling her that, he simply denies her version of events, and goes on denying it for quite some time, suspecting her of being a golddigger. All this denial goes on despite the fact that Alessandro is troubled by a recurring dream involving an intimate relationship with a woman whose appearance gradually changes to match that of a photo Lauren has shown him. Alessandro gradually begins to fall for Lauren and little Nicky, and eventually admits that he can't remember the time in question. But now he's also haunted by a new feeling of guilt: are his growing feelings for Lauren disloyal to the memory of her sister Meg? Gradually, too, Alessandro begins to realize that Lauren is harboring some painful secrets--secrets which his dreams and his returning memory hint at. He must figure them out in order to find her when she leaves at Christmas--in order to have a future with the woman who has been so much a part of his past. Amazing ending--Worth your time.

It was hard to keep all the emotions generated by this story under control.That is what makes a great story.The characters were intriqueing, their personalities complex enough to bring sympathy for their plights.Little Nick added the tug of love for each and helped bring Alessandro and Lauren together.Highly recommended but use very good concentration or you will miss the finer points of the story.

I flat out adored this book. It was one of the most moving books I've ever read. The passion between Alessandro and Lauren gave me the shivers and I loved the twist at the end. The last few pages brought tears to my eyes and having read about Ms. Leclaire's sister on her website, I think I know why the ending held so much heart. My mom put this book in my stocking for Christmas because she saw the Romantic Times review and that they gave this book a 4 1/2 gold. Well, it deserved it. I'm crazy about Day Leclaire's books and this one is a definite keeper.I also read on AOL that Ms. Leclaire is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. I wish her every success in her fight and want her to know that my prayers are with her for a full recovery. You can beat it!