We Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

A very exciting book. Novak really has a way with her characters. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

After all the counseling sessions, promises and confessions, Jaclyn thought she and her husband had a chance of healing of their marriage; that is, until she found Terry's truck parked in the dimly lit parking lot of one of Nevada's legalized houses of prostitution. With three young children in the car and a broken heart, Jaclyn left a clear message behind when she pulled out of the parking lot. Terry had four slashed tires.A year later and the divorce is at last final. But Terry's wealthy father and a legion of lawyers insured joint custody, lousy child support and no spousal maintenance. Since she married Terry straight out of high school, Jaclyn lacks education and experience, but not determination as she proves by long hours as a waitress. Then Cole Perrini shows up at the diner, reminding her of everything she'd like to forget. Too bad his sticking up for her results in unemployment.Cole likewise would like to forget the small town where he and Jaclyn attending high school. He'd like to forget the responsibility of raising his younger brothers in a trailer where his mother lay dying and his father was always at work. Years of hunger and sacrifice, and failed marriage, insured he never wanted a wife and children. So he's not sure what he's doing hiring her, or later having dinner with Jaclyn and her children. Once again the talented pen of Brenda Novak creates a heart-warming tale just in time for the holiday season in WE SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS. I can't help admiring a heroine with enough gumption to slice her husband's tires and work as waitress rather than keeping a comfortable life. With the characteristic painful situations of divorce and financial survival, Novak's tale is steeped in realism, yet balanced with hope. Cole's overwhelming responsibilities in his youth make him a likewise appealing character. Another terrific hit from this author, WE SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS comes highly recommended.

Everyone figured former Feld, Nevada high school prom queen Jaclyn had it made when she married Terry Wentworth just after graduation because his father Burt owned the town. Over the next twelve years they have three children, but Terry never grows up as daddy continues to take care of every misdeed his son does. Terry's numerous infidelities, including his latest trip to Maxine's whorehouse, leads Jaclyn to file for divorce. Burt hires the top lawyers around and gains joint custody of his grandchildren, no spousal payments, and a small stipend for child care. Jaclyn can barely make it, but is in real trouble when she loses her waitressing job in a Reno restaurant. She turns to former Feld resident Cole Perrini for a job. Though he does not need an unskilled employee, successful developer Cole hires Jaclyn as an office assistant. As Cole and Jaclyn begin to fall in love, Terry and Burt use the children to cause mischief. However the biggest barrier to a permanent relationship remains the demons left from Jaclyn and Cole's first marriages. WE SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS is a powerful and exciting relationship drama that stars an incredible female whose guts make the tale hum. Though the behavior of Burt and Terry towards the well being of their respective children/grandchildren seems fictitious, a social worker neighbor informs me that is the unbelievable reality. The three children and Cole's brothers add depth to Brenda Novak's Yuletide gift to fans of contemporary relationship dramas. These same readers will also demand the story of Cole's brother and the "too young" college coed comes soon.Harriet Klausner