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Safe Harbor Medical #15
The Baby Bonanza
ANOTHER MAN'S FAMILY
Safe Harbor ultrasound technician Zora Raditch has made some big mistakes, but sleeping with a man just before divorcing him takes the cake. And then she discovers she's pregnant—with twins. Struggling to deal with an unplanned pregnancy and accept that her ex wants nothing to do with her, Zora finds that the only man she can count on is her handsome and headstrong housemate, Lucky.
Luke "Lucky" Mendez wants to protect Zora and her babies—he knows her ex won't suddenly turn into the husband she needs. But being a friend is a lot different than stepping in as a father. Can Lucky prove to Zora that he's the family man she and her babies deserve?
- GenresRomance
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2015
16 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Diamond
248 books172 followersUSA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 1, 2020
I have been dreading this book since Lucky, the hero, has been an annoying prick of a side character for quite some time now.
Zora is pregnant with her evil ex-husband's twins. She lives in a house with Lucky (and three other people). Lucky is extremely critical of her and her life choices and badgers her about them constantly. He sees this as 'helping.'
The book doesn't really make bones about it.
The man was a self-righteous pain in the neck, no matter how good he looked. pg. 9
Zora hated to depend on others, especially someone so controlling and critical and arrogant and judgmental. pg. 28
"I'll share it on one condition." She might as well benefit from this.
"Which is?"
"You stop nagging me about my personal choices, however stupid you may consider them." pg. 37
When they make this deal he stops criticizing her (out loud) for a while, then decides this ONLY applies to criticizing her interactions with her ex-husband, and feels free to criticize and boss her about all other aspects of her life.
He goes to discuss his 'problem' with another man, who tells him to back off.
"It's important to respect her choices," Edmond said.
"Even if you disagree with them?"
"Especially if you disagree with them." Thoughtfully, the lawyer added, "And especially when she's the person who has to deal with the consequences."
"But Zora keeps repeating the same boneheaded mistakes," Lucky protested. pg. 46
He pretty much thinks Zora is a moron and he has to make all her decisions for her, 'for her own good' and 'to protect her.'
He has no problem putting her down in front of other people.
"The auto club could take half an hour," Keely responded tartly to Zora. "Meanwhile you're breathing auto fumes. It's bad for the baby."
"She doesn't always exercise the best judgment," Lucky agreed. pg. 87
Eventually Zora stops talking to him about anything, which hurts his feelings.
"You never talk to me anymore."....
"Why should I? So you can critique my behavior and complain about how stupid I am?" she demanded.
"Of course not... I'd merely advise and counsel you."
"Same difference." pg. 147
So I give up. Why on earth you would marry a man like this is beyond me. Prepare yourself for a life of misery, being judged and criticized, Zora! Sounds like fun! Woo-hoo!
Diamond throws in a little bit of At-Least-He-Doesn't-Beat-Her trope here, which you should be familiar with if you read my reviews. It's common in romance, when pairing a heroine with an asshole, to make the asshole seem more palatable by making all other males in the book abusive pieces of shit. That way, when the heroine ends up with the asshole, the reader is (allegedly) relieved that at least she didn't end up with a man who beats her. It's lame, it's a last resort, and it's a horrible attempt to make an asshole-hero seem more appealing.
For instance, Zora's ex-husband is a lying, manipulative sack of shit who did stuff like ground up birth control pills and put them in her food, cheated on her, manipulated her into having unprotected sex with him a day before the divorce went through, etc. etc. And then there's Vince, a hulking millionaire who sexually harasses and sexually assaults Zora (no rape: groping). So, I guess, compared to these vile men, Lucky is supposed to look appealing.
Well, newsflash, he doesn't. He's not appealing. I'm sad Zora ends up with this guy. And that's the litmus test for a hero. If you're unhappy that the heroine ended up with him, and think it's sad, and that she's going to have a sad life, the author has failed. It's not a romance. Because that's not romantic.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex in this book.
Oh, and can I just mention... these two not only have zero chemistry together, but they seem not to even been sexual beings. They have all the sexual urges of a rock and a bag of grass clippings. Even if Diamond could convince me that they were FRIENDS by the end of the novel, she could never convince me that they have any urge to fuck each other or even kiss. Fail.
TL;DR Unappealing hero. I would have been very surprised if Diamond had been able to turn Lucky around - turn him into someone I would like and be cheering for. It was technically possible, but unlikely. And my fears were confirmed: Diamond is not talented enough to pull this off. And the dislike of Lucky has been fed by books and books of him being an obnoxious side character.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Lucky is latino, Zora is white
STEM Heroine - Ultrasound technician
Non-Virgin Heroine
Pregnant Heroine
He's a Registered Nurse; She's an Ultrasound Technician
Takes Place in: California, U.S.A.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
Zora is pregnant with her evil ex-husband's twins. She lives in a house with Lucky (and three other people). Lucky is extremely critical of her and her life choices and badgers her about them constantly. He sees this as 'helping.'
The book doesn't really make bones about it.
The man was a self-righteous pain in the neck, no matter how good he looked. pg. 9
Zora hated to depend on others, especially someone so controlling and critical and arrogant and judgmental. pg. 28
"I'll share it on one condition." She might as well benefit from this.
"Which is?"
"You stop nagging me about my personal choices, however stupid you may consider them." pg. 37
When they make this deal he stops criticizing her (out loud) for a while, then decides this ONLY applies to criticizing her interactions with her ex-husband, and feels free to criticize and boss her about all other aspects of her life.
He goes to discuss his 'problem' with another man, who tells him to back off.
"It's important to respect her choices," Edmond said.
"Even if you disagree with them?"
"Especially if you disagree with them." Thoughtfully, the lawyer added, "And especially when she's the person who has to deal with the consequences."
"But Zora keeps repeating the same boneheaded mistakes," Lucky protested. pg. 46
He pretty much thinks Zora is a moron and he has to make all her decisions for her, 'for her own good' and 'to protect her.'
He has no problem putting her down in front of other people.
"The auto club could take half an hour," Keely responded tartly to Zora. "Meanwhile you're breathing auto fumes. It's bad for the baby."
"She doesn't always exercise the best judgment," Lucky agreed. pg. 87
Eventually Zora stops talking to him about anything, which hurts his feelings.
"You never talk to me anymore."....
"Why should I? So you can critique my behavior and complain about how stupid I am?" she demanded.
"Of course not... I'd merely advise and counsel you."
"Same difference." pg. 147
So I give up. Why on earth you would marry a man like this is beyond me. Prepare yourself for a life of misery, being judged and criticized, Zora! Sounds like fun! Woo-hoo!
Diamond throws in a little bit of At-Least-He-Doesn't-Beat-Her trope here, which you should be familiar with if you read my reviews. It's common in romance, when pairing a heroine with an asshole, to make the asshole seem more palatable by making all other males in the book abusive pieces of shit. That way, when the heroine ends up with the asshole, the reader is (allegedly) relieved that at least she didn't end up with a man who beats her. It's lame, it's a last resort, and it's a horrible attempt to make an asshole-hero seem more appealing.
For instance, Zora's ex-husband is a lying, manipulative sack of shit who did stuff like ground up birth control pills and put them in her food, cheated on her, manipulated her into having unprotected sex with him a day before the divorce went through, etc. etc. And then there's Vince, a hulking millionaire who sexually harasses and sexually assaults Zora (no rape: groping). So, I guess, compared to these vile men, Lucky is supposed to look appealing.
Well, newsflash, he doesn't. He's not appealing. I'm sad Zora ends up with this guy. And that's the litmus test for a hero. If you're unhappy that the heroine ended up with him, and think it's sad, and that she's going to have a sad life, the author has failed. It's not a romance. Because that's not romantic.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex in this book.
Oh, and can I just mention... these two not only have zero chemistry together, but they seem not to even been sexual beings. They have all the sexual urges of a rock and a bag of grass clippings. Even if Diamond could convince me that they were FRIENDS by the end of the novel, she could never convince me that they have any urge to fuck each other or even kiss. Fail.
TL;DR Unappealing hero. I would have been very surprised if Diamond had been able to turn Lucky around - turn him into someone I would like and be cheering for. It was technically possible, but unlikely. And my fears were confirmed: Diamond is not talented enough to pull this off. And the dislike of Lucky has been fed by books and books of him being an obnoxious side character.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Lucky is latino, Zora is white
STEM Heroine - Ultrasound technician
Non-Virgin Heroine
Pregnant Heroine
He's a Registered Nurse; She's an Ultrasound Technician
Takes Place in: California, U.S.A.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
February 17, 2015
My review will post in the MARCH issue of Rt Book Reviews Magazine.
April 7, 2018
Great Read and I would read it again. Here is a highlight from the book...
“What’s this?” Their landlady lifted the little vehicle to inspect it. “It’s the first part of my surprise.” Rod stood next to her, bouncing with anticipation. “That’s a stand-in for the van I’m buying. I’ll be taking delivery of it next week. It carries eight, so we can drive the girls and their friends. Helen, I made sure it was accessible for you to get in and out of.” “That’s lovely.” She sounded puzzled, though, and Zora suspected they all were. Why display this in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner? “The doors and hood open,” Rod prompted. “It would be hard to drive it otherwise.” Beside Zora, Lucky smirked at the other man. Instead of riposting as he usually would, Rod cleared his throat. “I mean the miniature. Open the hood.” With a bemused expression, their landlady tipped it open and gasped. “Oh, Rod!” “What is it? What is it?” The girls crowded around. Karen held up a diamond engagement ring. “My gosh.” Rod dipped, suggestive of lowering himself to one knee, although he never quite touched the floor. “Will you make an honest man of me?” Karen’s mouth hung open. Then she gathered her wits. “Of course I will, you crazy man!” To the girls’ cheers, she kissed him. Zora could have sworn Helen’s smile revealed a hint of relief. This meant the girls could move in with their father and new stepmother, while living only a few miles from their grandma. “Congratulations.” Betsy seemed as thrilled as the rest of them. A soft sob on Zora’s far side riveted her gaze to Keely. The woman appeared to be fighting tears. “What’s wrong?” Surely the nurse hadn’t fallen in love with Rod. Zora had seen no sign of it. “I don’t mean to spoil the happy occasion.” She sucked in air. “Calm down and share what’s bothering you,” Zora urged. “Please.” Glumly, Keely answered. “You’re all families now. Of course your sister should live here, too.” “Why?” Zady asked. Keely didn’t have to answer, because Zora understood. “You’ve been expecting us to ask you to leave?” The older nurse nodded. “No way,” Lucky said. “You belong here,” Karen chimed in. “She’s your twin,” Keely said doggedly. “It’s only right.” Zora wished she’d addressed this issue long ago. It simply hadn’t occurred to her. “You saved my life. The twins’ lives, too.” Zady spoke up, too. “Keely, my sister and I have been feuding for years. Yeah, we love each other and we’re friends again, but share a house? We’d be at each other’s throats in five seconds.” “Blood on the floor,” Lucky said calmly. “No, you wouldn’t.” Keely refused to be comforted. “You’re a member of her family, and I’m not.” “I can fix that,” Zora said. “I hereby dub you the babies’ honorary aunt. You are therefore a relative. And we love you.” There was a chorus of agreement. “Including me,” Rod put in. “Don’t tell anybody at work.” Keely joined in the ripple of laughter that greeted this remark. “Really?” “Really,” Zora said. “Will you help me plan my wedding?” Karen asked. “Since my mother died last year, I’ve been wishing I had more family.” “You have?” Keely sniffled. Their landlady gazed dreamily around the table. “Growing up, I wished I had a houseful of brothers and sisters, and other relatives to celebrate holidays. My wish has come true. Keely, you have a home here as long as you want it.” The nurse appeared too choked up to speak. “Can we eat dessert now?” Amber asked. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” Lucky said. “Aside from Rod and Karen getting married, and Keely becoming an honorary aunt to our children.” Zora couldn’t have agreed more.
“What’s this?” Their landlady lifted the little vehicle to inspect it. “It’s the first part of my surprise.” Rod stood next to her, bouncing with anticipation. “That’s a stand-in for the van I’m buying. I’ll be taking delivery of it next week. It carries eight, so we can drive the girls and their friends. Helen, I made sure it was accessible for you to get in and out of.” “That’s lovely.” She sounded puzzled, though, and Zora suspected they all were. Why display this in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner? “The doors and hood open,” Rod prompted. “It would be hard to drive it otherwise.” Beside Zora, Lucky smirked at the other man. Instead of riposting as he usually would, Rod cleared his throat. “I mean the miniature. Open the hood.” With a bemused expression, their landlady tipped it open and gasped. “Oh, Rod!” “What is it? What is it?” The girls crowded around. Karen held up a diamond engagement ring. “My gosh.” Rod dipped, suggestive of lowering himself to one knee, although he never quite touched the floor. “Will you make an honest man of me?” Karen’s mouth hung open. Then she gathered her wits. “Of course I will, you crazy man!” To the girls’ cheers, she kissed him. Zora could have sworn Helen’s smile revealed a hint of relief. This meant the girls could move in with their father and new stepmother, while living only a few miles from their grandma. “Congratulations.” Betsy seemed as thrilled as the rest of them. A soft sob on Zora’s far side riveted her gaze to Keely. The woman appeared to be fighting tears. “What’s wrong?” Surely the nurse hadn’t fallen in love with Rod. Zora had seen no sign of it. “I don’t mean to spoil the happy occasion.” She sucked in air. “Calm down and share what’s bothering you,” Zora urged. “Please.” Glumly, Keely answered. “You’re all families now. Of course your sister should live here, too.” “Why?” Zady asked. Keely didn’t have to answer, because Zora understood. “You’ve been expecting us to ask you to leave?” The older nurse nodded. “No way,” Lucky said. “You belong here,” Karen chimed in. “She’s your twin,” Keely said doggedly. “It’s only right.” Zora wished she’d addressed this issue long ago. It simply hadn’t occurred to her. “You saved my life. The twins’ lives, too.” Zady spoke up, too. “Keely, my sister and I have been feuding for years. Yeah, we love each other and we’re friends again, but share a house? We’d be at each other’s throats in five seconds.” “Blood on the floor,” Lucky said calmly. “No, you wouldn’t.” Keely refused to be comforted. “You’re a member of her family, and I’m not.” “I can fix that,” Zora said. “I hereby dub you the babies’ honorary aunt. You are therefore a relative. And we love you.” There was a chorus of agreement. “Including me,” Rod put in. “Don’t tell anybody at work.” Keely joined in the ripple of laughter that greeted this remark. “Really?” “Really,” Zora said. “Will you help me plan my wedding?” Karen asked. “Since my mother died last year, I’ve been wishing I had more family.” “You have?” Keely sniffled. Their landlady gazed dreamily around the table. “Growing up, I wished I had a houseful of brothers and sisters, and other relatives to celebrate holidays. My wish has come true. Keely, you have a home here as long as you want it.” The nurse appeared too choked up to speak. “Can we eat dessert now?” Amber asked. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” Lucky said. “Aside from Rod and Karen getting married, and Keely becoming an honorary aunt to our children.” Zora couldn’t have agreed more.
June 18, 2018
What would possess Zora to sleep with her husband just before their divorce was final? Love is funny that way. It just makes you see the best in a person – even if it’s not there to see. As mistakes go, this was a whopper. She got pregnant. With twins! She was sure he would be happy about the babies and come back to her. She was wrong. Luckily her housemates helped her through her pregnancy. One in particular, Lucky Mendez, was always there for her. When they fall for each other they don’t know how to deal with it. Lucky has a “love em and leave em” reputation so Zora is sure he would never be interested in her. Especially with the babies. Lucky doesn’t know how to make Zora understand that he wants more from her than he did any other woman.
I really liked these two. They both had their faults but bring the best out in each other. Just the way a good match should. It was sad that her ex was such a jerk. And even sadder that she didn’t want to believe he would act the way he did. Lucky, on the other hand, was terrific. Big, good-looking and dependable. Perfect.
This was a captivating, enjoyable novel that was a joy to read. You can always count on Jacqueline Diamond to give you a good story. Her romances will keep you entertained and leave you smiling.
I really liked these two. They both had their faults but bring the best out in each other. Just the way a good match should. It was sad that her ex was such a jerk. And even sadder that she didn’t want to believe he would act the way he did. Lucky, on the other hand, was terrific. Big, good-looking and dependable. Perfect.
This was a captivating, enjoyable novel that was a joy to read. You can always count on Jacqueline Diamond to give you a good story. Her romances will keep you entertained and leave you smiling.
February 12, 2017
Excellent addition to an awesome series
I really enjoyed this book and loved how it fits into the series and continues to develop the character's from the rest of the series
I love the series and look forward to reading more of the series and see what the people of Safe Harbor are doing now
I really enjoyed this book and loved how it fits into the series and continues to develop the character's from the rest of the series
I love the series and look forward to reading more of the series and see what the people of Safe Harbor are doing now
June 16, 2015
In The Baby Bonanza by Jacqueline Diamond, Zora Raditch made some big mistakes in her life, most of them related to her now ex-husband whom she had an affair with while he was married to one of the favorite doctor’s at Safe Harbor, making her into an outcast there. Only to have him cheat on her and leave her for another woman the same way he left his ex-wife for her.
Unfortunately, that’s not where her mistakes ended, no, she slept with him just before the divorce was final thinking that he did love her, only to have him walk away and leave her pregnant with twins. Now Zora has to deal with an unplanned pregnancy and finally accept that her ex doesn’t want to get back together with her. And the only people she can rely on are her housemates, especially Luke “Lucky" Mendez. Read More...
Unfortunately, that’s not where her mistakes ended, no, she slept with him just before the divorce was final thinking that he did love her, only to have him walk away and leave her pregnant with twins. Now Zora has to deal with an unplanned pregnancy and finally accept that her ex doesn’t want to get back together with her. And the only people she can rely on are her housemates, especially Luke “Lucky" Mendez. Read More...
March 24, 2015
Another book with two babies on the cover and the babies aren't born until the end of the story. The Baby Bonanza by Jacqueline Diamond was a good book. Six or seven adults live in a big house together and all work at Safe Haven Hospital. Three are pregnant. Two move out to get married. Other people move in. They all care about each other and help each other with any problems that arises. A lot goes on in this book. A must read.
March 19, 2015
This was such a sweet story. zora and lucky belonged together her ex was a jerk and so was Vince. forgiveness comes into play to. and two sweet babies. of course others in the book wasnt so lucky.
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June 30, 2016Miniseries: Safe Harbor Medical
June 28, 2016
Love the safe Harbor Medical books.I was waiting for Lucky to have a story it was worth the wait.Cant wait for more about all my favorite characters .I hope Keely has a story soon.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews