Nurse Rikki Johansen and Dr. Dane Hendricks are from two entirely different worlds.  He's the epitome of wealth while Rikki is driving a car that doesn't always start right away.  They get off on the wrong foot instantly due to a misunderstanding but then the attraction begins to sizzle despite their very different backgrounds.  Will either be willing to open up their hearts to see the person underneath the labels?  And will Dane's private family issues derail any hope they have at all?

Lynne Marshall tackles some tough issues in SINGLE DAD, NURSE BRIDE.  Rikki is both a foster parent and a survivor of the foster care system herself.  Only too well did Lynne Marshall describe the emotional rollercoaster that both foster parents and foster children are put through.  As a former foster care case manager, I found it difficult to read this book as Rikki’s pain was all too real to me.  This is not a criticism of the author but rather highlights just how well she described the emotions experienced by those working or living in the foster care system.

Rikki is an interesting character.  Her need to give back, over and over to others, is almost compulsive.  I have to admit that it almost annoyed me until her past starts to be revealed.  Rikki provides an excellent lesson in how the surface doesn’t always show the pain that is inside a person.  Dane has his own inner turmoil and there is one scene in particular when Lynne Marshall does an excellent job at showing how different people respond to inner grief.

SINGLE DAD, NURSE BRIDE is a touching story of two people finding one another in the midst of their own pain.  Their friendship is at the core of their relationship as each learns to cope.  Fascinating, albeit emotional at times, SINGLE DAD, NURSE BRIDE is a hit!

Reviewed by Debbie

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Posted February 2008