The Colonel and the Kid

One of the few stories that really have some substance to it. A well laid out plot that moves you right along - most all of the characters has an intriguing part to play. Captain Natalie Wentworth is almost 35 years old, being reminded by her mother and is wasting her child bearing years [again according to her mother and I agree]. She and her collegues are shooting for the title of Major, yet their assignments are being messed with. Dang career women. Barbara Dwyer and Constance DiSanto are suspect. Natalia helped Colonel Viktor Baturnov thwart the theft of his computer on their very first meetinf at the airport. Something funny was going on. When Alexander, Viktor's son showed up, Natalia allowed them to stay at her apartment, after she ditched Frank, an old childhood friend. Yup! Frank was going to cause trouble along with U.S. Army, Retired General Roscoe P. Schwinn. Schwinn is trying to convince everyone that Viktor is a spy. Still the background of Viktor's Special Forces exploits is a bit restricted. Probably not in keeping with his loving father attitude now. Why can't he stand the sight of his own blood? This story is like having a fulfilling meal that doesn't leave you feeling empty inside when you are done. The substance of the plot and the wonderful characters make for a well rounded read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m -- this is definitely a keeper.

I really enjoyed this book. The heroine is Capt. Valerie Wentworth, an Army protocol officer stationed at the Pentagon. I was thrilled to see that Ms. Ashtree got all the pre-9/11 Pentagon details correct. The hero is Viktor Baturnov, a colonel in the Russian Army assigned to the Pentagon for a month of training in U.S. Army supply procedures. Col. Baturnov's ulterior motive, however, is to get his ailing son to the U.S. for much-needed heart surgery. He's planned everything carefully, but he's on a very tight schedule, and when one thing backs up, everything else gets knocked off course as well, and the pressure on him mounts throughout the book. Valerie knows she runs a real risk to her career if she helps him, but it's hard not to want to help him and his son. Viktor's a great dad, and this aspect of his character is very appealing. It makes it easy to see how Valerie could fall for him. His character and commitment to his son would translate to a good relationship for her, as well. He's handsome, caring, smart, and nice, and it doesn't take him long to figure out that Valerie is the one for him. This was a very pleasant story, that progressed believably from initial meeting to the HEA. It never felt strained. The author writes well, and the story was engaging and flowed nicely. I believed in the characters and their actions. I wish Ms. Ashtree much success, and I'll continue to look for future books from her.

Colonel Viktor Baturnov arrives in the United States prepared to spend a month learning supply movement techniques at the Pentagon. He doesn't share his hidden agenda, which involves flying his son into the United States for heart surgery. His superiors would not appreciate his manipulations that put him in the United States endeavoring to aid his son. He finds himself immediately drawn to the protocol officer acting as his escort, but Viktor cannot allow himself to be distracted. Perhaps if he keeps his actions professional and courteous, she'll aid him if he asks for help.Someone has been toying with Captain Natalie Wentworth's assignments, and, consequently, her career. She ordinarily deals with generals, ambassadors and heads of states, leaving assignments like this one to lesser officers. Instead, she's currently assigned to a Colonel with a secret, and she wants to know what that secret is. Sympathy, however, could easily compromise her career. Soon she finds herself choosing between love and duty, requiring that she reevaluate both her priorities and her goals. THE COLONEL AND THE KID by Elizabeth Ashtree will tug at readers' hearts. While a little slow in the beginning, the pace increases in relationship to the pressures on these dynamic characters from separate worlds. The pressure created by the child's illness, and the willingness to sacrifice anything to save him becomes a strong motivation to bring two military people from opposite sides of the world together. Secondary characters are also vividly realized, with a well meaning mother whose frequent phone calls seem timed to drive Natalie crazy. Another delightful secondary character nicknamed Angel will likewise capture readers' hearts. Indeed, she deserves her own book with her infectious personality and daring. Ashtree's resolution to the conflict doesn't disappoint, making THE COLONEL AND THE KID a terrific read. Very highly recommended.