Father of the Bride / Handsome as Sin

by Barbara Delinsky, Kelsey Roberts

Barbara Delinsky's
Father of the Bride
Russ Shaw was returning to St. Louis for the first time in twenty-five years — at the request of his daughter. Diane wanted him to give her away at her wedding, but Diane's mother strongly objected. When the bride's parents confronted each other, the problem was obvious: their love had burst into flame once more.

Kelsey Robert's
Handsome as Sin
Jake Devereaux was a lot more then just a sexy common thief...he was a wealthy one with a questionable M.O. Charisma clung to him — as did an airtight alibi, much to Ellie Tanner's dismay. A murder had been committed, and if Jake hadn't done it, then Ellie was the prime suspect!

Genres: Romance

328 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

I was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.

Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.

I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.

My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.

My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013.  Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015.  Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.

2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. My only complaint is that it was too short.

[Loreta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came with two stories by two different authors. The other book was "Handsome as Sin" by Kelsey Roberts and reviewed seperately. Barbara Delinsky usually writes a good book to pick up and read when you have a little time. As with most Harlequin books there was nothing deep and thought provoking. This was a quick read and although you hoped it would turn out right you were never sure until near the end.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick re-read for me as I was deciding whicg books to keep and which to put in the yard sale. This one didn't make the cut. Both books were enjoyable (as chick-lit) goes, but forgettable. If you want something to pass the time on vacation or while waiting at the doctor's office, this is fine. If you're looking for an epic romance, don't bother- you won't find it in either of these stories.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This duo was a sweet and fast slice of life romance story. Barbara Delinsky is always a good read. The new to me Kelsey Roberts was okay. I recommend this for romance lovers who love happily ever after.