The Christmas Wife You, Me & the Kids

A single father of two, Beau Julander finds the daily household tasks daunting while trying to fulfill outside obligations. Broken promises to his children have led to a rebellious daughter as he tries to serve as a member of the Serenity Homecoming Week Committee. Worse, an overly "helpful" ex-mother-in-law sabotages his efforts to establish his own routine and rules for his children. When former classmate Molly Shepherd returns to town, however, Beau finds himself torn between scars of the past and a desire for a different sort of future.Molly returns for the Homecoming hoping to discover answers to her past. Since her mother's fatal accident, her father refused to discuss her mother. He destroyed even the pictures saying he could not bear the reminders. But Molly's tentative inquires into the past lead to silence that forces her to only delve deeper. Moreover her former high school crush on Beau runs abated even after ten years. But his scars from the past threaten any possible future for the without a bit of a holiday miracle.A celebration of the holiday season, THE CHRISTMAS WIFE is a delightful holiday tale readers will treasure any time of year. Although Molly's coping skills with Beau's children seems a bit idealized, her need to create a new life and find answers to the past results in a well rounded character. Beau's foibles as his struggles with parenthood and priorities will strike just the right note of realism with the reader. Indeed, Sherry Lewis displays a knack for capturing the essence of the challenges of a single father in a small town. A delightful read, THE CHRISTMAS WIFE comes highly recommended.

In Serenity, Wyoming single father Beau Julander struggles between raising his two preadolescent children (Brianne and Nicky) and his career. Adding to his overworked schedule is his community volunteerism with this time serving as a member of the Serenity Homecoming Week Committee.Molly Shepherd has returned for the homecoming festivities. Beau and Molly are attracted to one another and she is so good at nurturing his two kids. However, he carries scars from his ex-wife's desertion of him and their kids. Worse he expects her to leave once the week is over and he refuses to allow any woman to hurt his children like their mother did even if he loves her and she seems to return the feeling for the Julander trio.This is an affectionate tender holiday fare about relationships. The lead male is a great overwrought character struggling between the right balance for his children, his work, and his community. Forget R & R for him. Molly is a bit too perfect though the audience will enjoy her Mary Poppins manner with the children she quickly loves. The unspiked eggnog crowd will be warmed with this delightfully serene tale.Harriet Klausner