Designer Genes

by Jacqueline Diamond

There was a shocking mix-up at the sperm bank. Now blonde L.A. sophisticate Buffy Arden arrives in Nowhere Junction, Texas, to introduce her cute little girl to the infant’s unprepared father, auto mechanic Carter Murchison. Carter has only a vague memory of his experiences while attending a conference in the City of Angels. Thanks to the effects of spiked punch, he thought he was making a donation to benefit his favorite charity. A very strange donation… He’s not sure how to deal with this smart-mouthed lady who happens to have the same name as his cat and who quickly turns his life upside-down, opening a boutique in his garage and matchmaking for his reclusive widowed father. And what about this sweet baby daughter who lays claim to his heart? Worst of all, her mother appears to be doing the same. USA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Diamond is known for her romantic comedies, medical romances, Regency romances and mysteries—more than one hundred titles. You’ll love this fast-paced tale of opposites drawn together by a very unexpected baby. Romantic Times calls it “a comical tale with witty dialogue, humorous scenes and fun characters.”

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Diamond has more than 100 novels to her name! A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jackie is best known for her Safe Harbor Medical romances and mysteries, as well as her traditional Regency romances.

Her newest exciting venture is the Forgotten Village Magical Mystery series, beginning with A Cat's Garden of Secrets. Other recent works include the Sisters, Lovers & Second Chances series, featuring couples over age 50.

Jackie has been honored with a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She and her husband, who have two grown sons, live in Southern California. You can learn more about her books at www.jacquelinediamond.net or at JacquelineDiamondAuthor on Facebook.

Reviews

[Jo-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months after giving birth to Allie, Buffy's husband wants a divorce and asks for a paternity test to prove Allie is his. That's how they found out the clinic mistakenly switched sperm donations and her husband is not actually Allie's father. After the divorce, Buffy thinks Carter (Allie's biological father) should know he has a daughter, so she leaves LA for Texas to tell him.

Buffy was used to her husband paying for the best of everything for her. Living in Los Angeles was a completely different world than where Carter lived in Nowhere, TX. She didn't know what to make of the small town where everyone knew everybody else. How does she tell him that he's a father? While she is trying to figure that out, she organizes the women in Nowhere to sew her designs and sells them in Carter's garage. He doesn't know what to make of this woman but is enamoured with the little girl. He can't get Buffy out of his mind either.

This story has wonderful characters. Carter was an exceptionally good man. I loved the way he was so good with the little girl. I didn't like Buffy at first because she was a bit snooty. After she got to Nowhere Junction and became a nicer person, I liked her a lot. Even the secondary characters were good and I would like to hear more about them. But I couldn't stand Buffy's husband and was hoping he would get a taste of his own medicine.

I have been a fan of Jacqueline Diamond for years so I was thrilled when I won this book. You have to read this unpredictable romance.

[Siggy Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!
Only pick up 'Designer Genes' when you have the time to read it. It will suck you in and you'll want to finish it in one go. The author has such a great way with words! It made me smile and laugh out loud at times. Very entertaining till the end.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book discounted on Amazon via The Fussy Librarian; this is my honest review.
-I have to say that I did LOL a few times when I was reading the book.
-You have to love small towns' sense of humor with their nose everywhere and their no-nonsense names for their stores.
-I loved Carter and Buffy's story. But sometimes their characters changed completely. At one point you think Carter is a really smart guy, at other times you want to smack him. Buffy's a wanna-be independent business woman but at other times she's a liar, insecure, and not really the best mommy ever.
-I thought both Carter & Buffy could have used some hints about communication. It started off with retaining information but at the end you're still not sure everyone is okay.
-I liked Finella's ingenuity with food and other people with the clothing business. Sardines and raspberry jam? I might try it. I like both.
-I wish to see other stories from the people of Nowhere and even some glimpses at where no-good Roger is or his glamorous mother. I thought Louise - the MIL - was smart enough to listen to both sides before making decisions or blaming the whole fiasco on Buffy.

[Andra Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obtained a copy of Designer Genes from the author, Jacqueline Diamond, through Goodreads - a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - thank you.
This was a light hearted story about finding the “biological” dad for her Buffy’s daughter. Buffy’s husband, during their divorce proceedings, requested a paternity test (even though they both thought that his biological donations were used at the clinic). Much to their surprise, a mix up had occurred at the clinic. Thus, Buffy’s quest to meet and introduce her daughter with her bio dad.
Once I discovered this was a what I like to call, a fluffy book, I relaxed from trying to equate the book to my own journey of parenthood through DI. My reading demeanor changed to entertainment mode and I REALLY enjoyed the story. The character development was good and the flow was excellent.
I giggled when reading about Buffy’s impression of Carter’s office - “Buffy felt as if she’d fallen into a citrus spritzer and drowned.” I could SO visualize the office, and this is just one example of being able to actually see / feel what was written.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. A delightful, light hearted story with all the crucial elements…..suspense, love, unrequited love (or so perceived) and then requited love. 

[T.R. Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

First let me say that I enjoyed this story because it had some pretty funny parts and I loved Mazeppa and Louise best of all. It seems that the supporting characters were more interesting than the two main characters! Buffy came across as superficial and contradictory (one minute a tough girl the next she's torn because a man doesn't ask her hand in marriage when she's already married to someone else and lying about it?) Carter comes across as a slow, country bumpkin auto mechanic that has no real life experience at 33. I loved the way he cared for his daughter instantly and made her a priority. That alone made me love his character. I couldn't really get comfortable with Buffy and her whole personality disorder but Carter, Mazeppa and Louise held it together. I appreciate the author explaining Mazeppa's backstory and the school building outcome in the author notes section. I was wondering about that and wished I could've read more about it. Overall, I liked the book. I laughed twice out loud and found the authors style of writing to be easy to read. I'd read this author again but with a different, more believable storyline.

- T.R. Horne, author of Breaking Möbius and Crazy Dirty Love

[Rosalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buffy used to be part of the PR group encouraging males to make 'donations' to a sperm bank in return for a donation to their favorite charity. Carter, while attending a meeting at a hotel drinks punch intended for a frat party, and Buffy recruits him. She leaves a lasting impression on him but he really is embarrassed about his 'donation'. Buffy's husband also makes a donation and since she is keen on getting pregnant and he is in Japan, he suggests she use his sperm form the clinic. Some months after giving birth to an adorable little girl, Allie, unfortunately for Buffy, her husband decides he wants a divorce and requests a DNA sample to prove that the little girl is his. Well, the clinic mistakenly inseminated her with Carter's sperm, and with this information in hand, Buff leaves LA and the jetset and drives to Nowhere Junction TX to tell Carter he's a father. The back and forth between Buffy and Carter draws in the reader as she tries to figure out how to tell him he's Allie's father and how to reconcile her attraction for him and her dreams with Nowhere Junction TX. Quirky characters like Zeppa, Carter's dad, and Finella, spice up the story. Good story, good writing. A great choice for a chilly night in front of the fire!

[Abby Vandiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started off kind of slow for me, only the first few pages, which was probably a good thing because once I got into the book, I couldn't stop smiling and too much smiling causes wrinkles (which I try to avoid at all costs). Certainly, not the typical formula romance story, although, you knew it would have the happy ending. But this book was so much more. It's a modern day fairytale in reverse - find that sometimes love and happiness outweighs all the glitter and gold.

The characters were real, they were fun and you ended up loving them. Often times the story or characters were predictable, but the writing and story was so engaging and interesting that it didn't matter. Not one little bit!

Ms Diamond is a wonderful and talented author. It is my first time reading her book, but I understand she has been entertaining readers for quite some time. Well, now she has a new, dedicated fan. I will search out her books and read all I can find. Great book. Great author. Wish I could give more stars.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

For me this book started out a little slow, I did really enjoy it. I loved the little town of Nowhere Junction, Texas. I love the people of this small town, the characters you have got to love them. Just good old country people. They truly make this book. Buffy is a good mom in a bad situation finding out the sperm bank didn't give her, her husband sperm but a stranger. She decides he needs to know and maybe become apart of his daughters life. Carter took it better then most men would, in fact better then I thought he would. You have the bad husband who hides his money and Carter comes in a saves the day. I did think the end came to fast, it was nice but missing more. All in all it was a nice cute read.

There is a little humor not laugh out loud but lots of smiles. It was a good read. I am sure you will enjoy this book.

[Cunningham Sandra Chamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Here is a highlight....Carter poured two plastic tumblers of wine and handed her one. “Pretend this is champagne.” She held up her glass. From the loose ring on her finger dangled a tag that read, We Insure A Happy Future. “To freedom,” she said. “May mine last about twenty-four hours after the divorce becomes final.” “Less, if we can arrange it with Pastor O’Rourke,” he said, and took a sip. Buffy sank back with a sense of profound contentment. Outside, the clouds parted to reveal the Texas landscape fleeting beneath them. For a woman who loved the glamour of big city life, she was heading for Nowhere, fast. And she couldn’t have been happier about it.[Not one of her best books.]

[Marla Bradeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Designer Genes is a cute, easy romance. Mostly set in a small town, it's filled with quirky, likeable characters. The characters combined with Diamond's humorous storytelling makes this an enjoyable light read.

The romance aspect is fairly simple and straightforward. There were a few unresolved secondary events by the end of the novel, but the author addresses these nicely in an afterward summarizing what transpired in related books originally released in conjunction with this one.

Review disclosure: I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Sweet & Funny!

I really enjoyed this book. It's been quite a while since I've read a book that wasn't filled with cussing and all sex. Nothing wrong with those books either, but Jacqueline Diamond shows us in Designer Genes that you can still enjoy a great story without it. I love the laughter I got, and it's really just a feel good book! We all need one of those once in a while.

[Carolina]

I tried. I really did, but I can't keep on reading this book anymore. It bored me to tears. I wanted to stop at 30%, but I gave it a chance. At 50% I did the same, but it didn't improve. I stopped at 62%. I guess it's just not my cup of tea. It wasn't what I expected at all.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this idea behind this story, For the most part this story had good flow others seemed somewhat choppy to me. But I did enjoy this book overall. I enjoyed the elements of the towns people even if they were a little unbelievable, but again did enjoy the basic story.

[Gina Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant remember where I got this book but I read it all in one day. I loved the story it was so sweet and romantic. A well written fast moving love story.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is a cool book, I have read several of her books and have enjoyed them

[Yasmin Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

I found this to be a cute story I fell I love with the town Nowhere Texas and all its crazy residents.

[Big Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute love story.