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43 Light Street #20
Amanda's Child
PREGNANT AND ALONE
When Amanda Barnwell was kidnapped from her Wyoming ranch, she feared for her unborn child. But her captor, sexy Matt Forester, swore he was saving her and her baby. He'd discovered the identity of the sperm-bank donor who fathered her child -- a man whose family would stop at nothing to claim the baby... and eliminate Amanda from the family tree.
With a would-be killer at their heels, Amanda had no choice but to trust Matt. But her abductor was more male than a virgin country girl like Amanda could ever handle. Was Matt telling the truth... ? And with her baby's life at stake, could Amanda take the chance?
When Amanda Barnwell was kidnapped from her Wyoming ranch, she feared for her unborn child. But her captor, sexy Matt Forester, swore he was saving her and her baby. He'd discovered the identity of the sperm-bank donor who fathered her child -- a man whose family would stop at nothing to claim the baby... and eliminate Amanda from the family tree.
With a would-be killer at their heels, Amanda had no choice but to trust Matt. But her abductor was more male than a virgin country girl like Amanda could ever handle. Was Matt telling the truth... ? And with her baby's life at stake, could Amanda take the chance?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca York
328 books451 followersRuth Glick (born 1942) is a best-selling author of healthy cookbooks and has also written dozens of romantic suspense romance novels under the pen name Rebecca York.
Ruth earned a B.A. in American Thought and Civilization from George Washington University and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Maryland. Although she always wanted to become a writer, Glick was convinced that her lack of spelling skills meant that her goal was unattainable. As a stay-at-home mother, she took a community college course to help her choose a career. The course made it very clear that writing was her primary interest. Glick began writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. Her first book, a kids' science fiction book, was finally purchased by Scholastic Inc..
Since then, Glick has become a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels. Many of her novels are published under the Harlequin Intrigue line, and in June 2003, she became one of the first authors published under Berkley's new Sensation imprint. Before 1997, she often collaborated with Eileen Buckholtz and Kathryn Jenson.
Glick also is a highly regarded author of cookbooks focusing on healthy eating. She sometimes hires trained chefs to test the recipes that she creates, and makes sure that every recipe is tested at least three times before it appears in one of her cookbooks.
Glick is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. She and her husband, Norman Glick, live in Columbia, Maryland, where Ruth collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas. They have two grown children, Elissa and Ethan, and two grandsons (Jesse and Leo).
Ruth earned a B.A. in American Thought and Civilization from George Washington University and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Maryland. Although she always wanted to become a writer, Glick was convinced that her lack of spelling skills meant that her goal was unattainable. As a stay-at-home mother, she took a community college course to help her choose a career. The course made it very clear that writing was her primary interest. Glick began writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. Her first book, a kids' science fiction book, was finally purchased by Scholastic Inc..
Since then, Glick has become a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels. Many of her novels are published under the Harlequin Intrigue line, and in June 2003, she became one of the first authors published under Berkley's new Sensation imprint. Before 1997, she often collaborated with Eileen Buckholtz and Kathryn Jenson.
Glick also is a highly regarded author of cookbooks focusing on healthy eating. She sometimes hires trained chefs to test the recipes that she creates, and makes sure that every recipe is tested at least three times before it appears in one of her cookbooks.
Glick is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. She and her husband, Norman Glick, live in Columbia, Maryland, where Ruth collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas. They have two grown children, Elissa and Ethan, and two grandsons (Jesse and Leo).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 17, 2018
April 25, 2001
Any series that has run for ten years can expect to have a weak entry once in a while. For the 43 Light Street series, that weak entry is "Amanda's Child." After such recent stunners as "Nowhere Man," "Midnight Caller," and "Never Too Late," this is a big disappointment. When Amanda Barnwell made the decision to get pregnant through artificial insemination, she didn't know it would put her in danger. A powerful man who believes his dead son was the sperm donor would do anything to get his hands on her baby. He doesn't count on Matthew Forester overhearing his plan. Matthew has been attracted to Amanda from the first time he saw her. Can he keep her and her baby safe?
"Amanda's Child" begins very well with a fast opening (everything explained above happens in the first ten pages) and taut suspense. A couple chapters into it I was thinking, "This is why I read Intrigues." It was that good. But starting with Chapter Four or Five, the story falls apart. By the end, I was very unsatisfied. A story that began with great promise fell into a muddled mess.
The weakest part of the story was the heroine. Amanda is constantly described as a strong person who took over her father's ranch after his illness. With one exception early on, we never see this part of her. Matthew completely takes over, telling her what she's going to do now, planning every part of their escape, not allowing her any input in her own fate. As a result, Amanda becomes a supporting character in her own story. Especially galling was one scene where she apologized to him for demanding to know what was going on. It's her life and her baby in danger. She shouldn't have to ask the "hero" not to keep things from her. For those who like men who take over women's lives, for their own good or otherwise, here's a hero for you. I was unimpressed by his high-handedness. It's a good thing the book wasn't called "Matthew's Child." We would have had no idea if it referred to the baby or Amanda.
There are also problems with the story. What seems like a clear plot with a tight focus eventually becomes unwieldy and all over the map. Glick has trouble maintaining the suspense for the entire book. Too often her characters seem to forget they're even in any danger. I was baffled more than once, wondering why Matthew and Amanda were doing things that could have waited until after they were out of danger. The romance is forced, happening too fast to be believed. The appearance by a character from another book in this series is welcome, although it only demonstrates how far this book is from that one, one of the best Light Street Books ever.
The beginning of this book is so good that I can't completely condemn it. Or it could be that my reaction wouldn't be as harsh if it wasn't as strong. I'm willing to allow the series one weak entry, since it's been years since I've had such a negative reaction to a Light Street book. Let's hope the next book finds the series back in good form.
Any series that has run for ten years can expect to have a weak entry once in a while. For the 43 Light Street series, that weak entry is "Amanda's Child." After such recent stunners as "Nowhere Man," "Midnight Caller," and "Never Too Late," this is a big disappointment. When Amanda Barnwell made the decision to get pregnant through artificial insemination, she didn't know it would put her in danger. A powerful man who believes his dead son was the sperm donor would do anything to get his hands on her baby. He doesn't count on Matthew Forester overhearing his plan. Matthew has been attracted to Amanda from the first time he saw her. Can he keep her and her baby safe?
"Amanda's Child" begins very well with a fast opening (everything explained above happens in the first ten pages) and taut suspense. A couple chapters into it I was thinking, "This is why I read Intrigues." It was that good. But starting with Chapter Four or Five, the story falls apart. By the end, I was very unsatisfied. A story that began with great promise fell into a muddled mess.
The weakest part of the story was the heroine. Amanda is constantly described as a strong person who took over her father's ranch after his illness. With one exception early on, we never see this part of her. Matthew completely takes over, telling her what she's going to do now, planning every part of their escape, not allowing her any input in her own fate. As a result, Amanda becomes a supporting character in her own story. Especially galling was one scene where she apologized to him for demanding to know what was going on. It's her life and her baby in danger. She shouldn't have to ask the "hero" not to keep things from her. For those who like men who take over women's lives, for their own good or otherwise, here's a hero for you. I was unimpressed by his high-handedness. It's a good thing the book wasn't called "Matthew's Child." We would have had no idea if it referred to the baby or Amanda.
There are also problems with the story. What seems like a clear plot with a tight focus eventually becomes unwieldy and all over the map. Glick has trouble maintaining the suspense for the entire book. Too often her characters seem to forget they're even in any danger. I was baffled more than once, wondering why Matthew and Amanda were doing things that could have waited until after they were out of danger. The romance is forced, happening too fast to be believed. The appearance by a character from another book in this series is welcome, although it only demonstrates how far this book is from that one, one of the best Light Street Books ever.
The beginning of this book is so good that I can't completely condemn it. Or it could be that my reaction wouldn't be as harsh if it wasn't as strong. I'm willing to allow the series one weak entry, since it's been years since I've had such a negative reaction to a Light Street book. Let's hope the next book finds the series back in good form.
December 21, 2021
Quick read, fun, typical romance with a twist. Genuinely enjoyed having this fun read.
February 3, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The suspense, and action was breathtaking. IF I was a nail biter, I'm sure I wouldn't have any finger nails left, after reading some of the parts of the story. Matt, and Amanda were the perfect H and H. I loved how well the two got along from the beginning. This story captured me from the first page, and I couldn't put it down till I was finished. So just a warning, don't start this book before bed, thinking you will only read a chapter or two. If you do, you may end up pulling a all nighter.
Roy Logan had hired Matt to install state of the art security system. While Matt was at his ranch, he overheard a conversation between Roy, and his Forman. Roy's son Collin had died. Roy was certain that Amanda was carrying Collins baby. He wanted to have Amanda kidnapped, and kept at the ranch until she had the baby. No matter what, he wanted his grandson. Matt knew he had to get to her, and protect her. Amanda and Matt found out Roy had a lot of people on his pay roll. Every time the two came out of hiding, the two were attacked. This book was full of action, suspense, and romance.
Here is a sample of the book taken from chapter 12
Starting to shake, she folded her arms across her chest and struggled with the sudden, sick feeling that she and matt would spend the rest of their lives like hunted animals. When she made a moaning sound in her throat, Matt was at her side. "Sweetheart?" She tried to speak, but her teeth were chattering too badly. Turning her, he pulled her into his arms, and she linked her trembling fingers behind him, his solid body a shelter against the storm raging around them. His hands soothed up and down her back until she was able to stop her jaw from trembling. "Oh, God, Matt, when I saw him coming after you, I didn't know what to do," she gasped. "I was afraid you were going to get hurt. Or the baby! "All I want is a normal life. Is that too much to ask?" She hated the pleading note she heard in her own voice. "No. It's not asking too much. It's what you deserve. And I'm going to make sure you get it." She clung to him, marveling at the strength of his commitment. Never in her most secret dreams had she dared to imagine a man who knew all the things she'd tried to hide, who understood her to depth of her soul, yet still wanted her. And she'd almost been foolish enough to let him go. Her arms tightened around him, binding him to her.
Roy Logan had hired Matt to install state of the art security system. While Matt was at his ranch, he overheard a conversation between Roy, and his Forman. Roy's son Collin had died. Roy was certain that Amanda was carrying Collins baby. He wanted to have Amanda kidnapped, and kept at the ranch until she had the baby. No matter what, he wanted his grandson. Matt knew he had to get to her, and protect her. Amanda and Matt found out Roy had a lot of people on his pay roll. Every time the two came out of hiding, the two were attacked. This book was full of action, suspense, and romance.
Here is a sample of the book taken from chapter 12
Starting to shake, she folded her arms across her chest and struggled with the sudden, sick feeling that she and matt would spend the rest of their lives like hunted animals. When she made a moaning sound in her throat, Matt was at her side. "Sweetheart?" She tried to speak, but her teeth were chattering too badly. Turning her, he pulled her into his arms, and she linked her trembling fingers behind him, his solid body a shelter against the storm raging around them. His hands soothed up and down her back until she was able to stop her jaw from trembling. "Oh, God, Matt, when I saw him coming after you, I didn't know what to do," she gasped. "I was afraid you were going to get hurt. Or the baby! "All I want is a normal life. Is that too much to ask?" She hated the pleading note she heard in her own voice. "No. It's not asking too much. It's what you deserve. And I'm going to make sure you get it." She clung to him, marveling at the strength of his commitment. Never in her most secret dreams had she dared to imagine a man who knew all the things she'd tried to hide, who understood her to depth of her soul, yet still wanted her. And she'd almost been foolish enough to let him go. Her arms tightened around him, binding him to her.
September 29, 2014
When Matt Forester hears plotting about Amanda Barnwell's child and how they were planning to kill her he kidnaps her from her ranch and goes on the run with her. The bodies start to mount behind them as their pursuer becomes more desperate.
It was entertaining, light read, better for me than Never too late, but still somehow wanting. The two leads were pretty believable as a romance.
It was entertaining, light read, better for me than Never too late, but still somehow wanting. The two leads were pretty believable as a romance.
September 21, 2007
Probably my favorite of York's (my mom's) romantic suspense novels without any supernatural elements, but I may be prejudiced since it's one of the few books of hers that I read all the way through before it was published.
May 4, 2009
2.5 stars
Quite good until the completely impossible blood type nonsense. GAH!
Quite good until the completely impossible blood type nonsense. GAH!
August 11, 2016
Really good
A good fast moving story,with lots of action and mystery and suspense..A sit on the edge of your seat and cheer for the good guys.
A good fast moving story,with lots of action and mystery and suspense..A sit on the edge of your seat and cheer for the good guys.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews