What do you think?
Rate this book
A Family Bond #1
A Man Apart
HE WAS THE MOST MAGNIFICENT MAN SHE'D EVER ENCOUNTERED
Maude Ann knew she was in trouble when wounded detective Matthew Dolan was sent to Henley Haven to recuperate. The nurturing foster mom couldn't afford to fall for another man in blue, yet Matt's piercing eyes and gut-wrenching loneliness stirred something deep inside of her. Now it wasn't a question of IF she'd surrender to their electrifying passion but WHEN....
Maude Ann knew she was in trouble when wounded detective Matthew Dolan was sent to Henley Haven to recuperate. The nurturing foster mom couldn't afford to fall for another man in blue, yet Matt's piercing eyes and gut-wrenching loneliness stirred something deep inside of her. Now it wasn't a question of IF she'd surrender to their electrifying passion but WHEN....
- GenresRomance
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Ginna Gray
89 books46 followersGinna sold her first novel in 1983, after winning the Golden Heart Award, given by Romance Writers of America for the best unpublished novel in a category. She has been working as a full-time writer ever since. When she finishes her current contracts, Ginna will have written 33 books. She has also given many lectures and writing workshops, and judged in writing contests.
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 25, 2012
I loved this book, honestly it was in one word sweet. I know I tend to over-use that word quite a bit but I can't find any other word for it.
When the book opens the hero Matt, a police officer, has been shot and is critical. All his fellow cops are waiting outside since they respect him and his father, who was a cop as well. He pulls through but the doctors says he isn't sure he can go back to the streets & this attitude gets him down, so his commander dispatches him to his cabin, not telling him the real truth.
When Matt reaches there he finds the heroine, who he knew when she worked as the department shrink and quit when her cop husband died. He thinks she is there to talk to him but finds out she rents the place for herself and her damaged foster kids. At first he is grumpy, not talking to her and even the kids and then he gets into gear, exercising to make himself better.
From the start both Matt and Maude Ann are surprised at the chemistry between them, put she passes it off as her being celibate while she is not his type. He believes that his career and marriage don't mix.
It was great seeing Matt get involved with one troubled kid at first and then with all of them, joining into the activities. He wanted Maude Ann so tried to just be friends with her even when she told him she loved him and didn't want to.
Maude Ann was a fantastic heroine, caring, giving and strong and someone who had vowed not to fall for a cop again and she still fell knowing that Matt didn't do commitment. She didn't push him when he ignored her declaration and then a panicked Matt thinks why not pick off with an ex, but can't and acknowledges to himself he loves her and tells her that.
He is clear about the fact the he can't stay and will leave, leaving whatever comes next up to her. I loved seeing the progress to their intimate relationship, how they were comfortable around the kids, talked about Matt being adopted, his jealousy with the reported JT who turns out to be his brother.
I liked Matt coming to the realization that his career wasn't everything and liked the decision he made at the end.
All in all I enjoyed the book a lot and look forward to reading the other two in the series.
When the book opens the hero Matt, a police officer, has been shot and is critical. All his fellow cops are waiting outside since they respect him and his father, who was a cop as well. He pulls through but the doctors says he isn't sure he can go back to the streets & this attitude gets him down, so his commander dispatches him to his cabin, not telling him the real truth.
When Matt reaches there he finds the heroine, who he knew when she worked as the department shrink and quit when her cop husband died. He thinks she is there to talk to him but finds out she rents the place for herself and her damaged foster kids. At first he is grumpy, not talking to her and even the kids and then he gets into gear, exercising to make himself better.
From the start both Matt and Maude Ann are surprised at the chemistry between them, put she passes it off as her being celibate while she is not his type. He believes that his career and marriage don't mix.
It was great seeing Matt get involved with one troubled kid at first and then with all of them, joining into the activities. He wanted Maude Ann so tried to just be friends with her even when she told him she loved him and didn't want to.
Maude Ann was a fantastic heroine, caring, giving and strong and someone who had vowed not to fall for a cop again and she still fell knowing that Matt didn't do commitment. She didn't push him when he ignored her declaration and then a panicked Matt thinks why not pick off with an ex, but can't and acknowledges to himself he loves her and tells her that.
He is clear about the fact the he can't stay and will leave, leaving whatever comes next up to her. I loved seeing the progress to their intimate relationship, how they were comfortable around the kids, talked about Matt being adopted, his jealousy with the reported JT who turns out to be his brother.
I liked Matt coming to the realization that his career wasn't everything and liked the decision he made at the end.
All in all I enjoyed the book a lot and look forward to reading the other two in the series.
June 27, 2018
I enjoyed this book, though I will admit that I read it after reading #2 in the Family Bond series and I liked that one better. Not sure if that tainted my view of this one. Maude Ann is a former police dept. psychiatrist who has retired to start a foster home for troubled children full time. She is sweet and kind with hints of strength, but I don't feel like we really see that strength as much as Matt claims to. Matt is the hard-nosed policeman who is forced to Maudie's haven to recover from a bullet shot. Maude is a widow of a policeman and has no interest in being a cop's wife again. Matt has a very strong opinion that cops and marriage don't mix. But they can't help falling for one another, even if neither can see how to make it work. Add to the mix, Maudie's kids--who also steal Matt's heart--and it is a heartwarming, touching romance. I think I would have liked to see Maude a little more developed and the development of their romance a little less predictable.
June 9, 2024
"A Man Apart" is the story of Maude Ann and Matthew.
So the hero is an officer injured on duty, and he is sent to this remote cabin to recuperate. He soon realizes the place is also inhabited by the heroine, a widow/ psychiatrist/ foster mom with her seven rescued kids. He initially takes offense to all of them, but soon gets involved in all their lives.
Slow burn romance with loads of banter, drama and heartwarming moments.
My issue was .. didnt like that.
Anyways, there's a surprise reveal towards the end and cant wait to see what is next.
Unsafe
3.5/5
So the hero is an officer injured on duty, and he is sent to this remote cabin to recuperate. He soon realizes the place is also inhabited by the heroine, a widow/ psychiatrist/ foster mom with her seven rescued kids. He initially takes offense to all of them, but soon gets involved in all their lives.
Slow burn romance with loads of banter, drama and heartwarming moments.
My issue was .. didnt like that.
Anyways, there's a surprise reveal towards the end and cant wait to see what is next.
Unsafe
3.5/5
August 21, 2022
I couldn't finish it. I was bored and never wanted to pick it up again. I made it halfway through and I can already give an educated guess on the rest of the plot. I'm about to leave it in the laundry room of my apartment building.
Want to read
August 31, 2015its lovely piece
April 6, 2023
The H irritated me!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews