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A Mother's Heart #1
Keeping Katie
Maura Anderson was out of options.
Her adopted daughter, three-year-old Katie, is her entire world, and no heartless legal system was going to take her baby away. She did what any mother would do. She grabs Katie and runs.
Sheriff Alan Parks believes in the law, following it and enforcing it to the letter. Then Maura Anderson shows up in his small, quiet town, and he knows she’s running from something. At first, he assumes she’s running from someone – an ex-husband or boyfriend – but when she won’t confide in him he starts wondering. Who is this woman who’s captured his heart, and what or who is she afraid of? When he finds the answers, however, a part of him wishes he’d never asked the question. Because how can he help her when he represents what she’s fleeing . . . the law.
Enjoy my collection of heart-warming small town romances in A Mother's Heart Series.
Keeping Katie - Book #1
Once A Wife - Book #2
Where The Heart Is - Book #3
Her adopted daughter, three-year-old Katie, is her entire world, and no heartless legal system was going to take her baby away. She did what any mother would do. She grabs Katie and runs.
Sheriff Alan Parks believes in the law, following it and enforcing it to the letter. Then Maura Anderson shows up in his small, quiet town, and he knows she’s running from something. At first, he assumes she’s running from someone – an ex-husband or boyfriend – but when she won’t confide in him he starts wondering. Who is this woman who’s captured his heart, and what or who is she afraid of? When he finds the answers, however, a part of him wishes he’d never asked the question. Because how can he help her when he represents what she’s fleeing . . . the law.
Enjoy my collection of heart-warming small town romances in A Mother's Heart Series.
Keeping Katie - Book #1
Once A Wife - Book #2
Where The Heart Is - Book #3
296 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 1994
678 people are currently reading
991 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Keelyn
14 books59 followersThis author is also published under Patricia Lewin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 7, 2016
"Keeping Katie" is the first book of A Mother's Heart Series but can be read as a stand-alone novel (an excerpt from the second book is at the end of this one). Upon further research, I've discovered the book was originally released in 1994 as a Harlequin Romance. It doesn't matter. I just thought I would throw that out there.
Katie is the adopted daughter of Maura Anderson and her husband who was killed, leaving Maura a single mom. They adopted Katie when she was just a few weeks old and at the time of this story, Katie was three.
Maura is notified that Katie's biological family wants her back, devastating Maura. Feeling she has no options, she quits her job as a nurse in Miami, changes her name and appearance and she and Katie take a Greyhound bus. She wasn't counting on staying in the small town of Wyattville, Washington for so long but she was running short on money and didn't have enough to start over in Seattle. The plan was to work long enough to get some cash and keep going.
Alan Parks is the sheriff in Wyattsville. Since it is such a small town, a stranger showing up when it isn't tourist season and working at the diner piques his interest. She's a pretty woman, not overly friendly but tries to avoid him. She is a fugitive, after all. But as he gets to know her, he realizes that there is something not quite right about her. He's not sure what it is but he wants to find out.
What neither of them was counting on was falling in love. Maura wasn't too keen on Alan swooping Katie off her feet or Katie having a "pretend" grandma in Rita, Alan's aunt. It made things much more difficult when she knew she had to move on.
The story was engaging, the characters believable, and the steady pace of the plot kept me turning the pages. The writing was very good, although I found the word "fitted" to be a bit awkward at times. Considering, Ms. Keelyn's credentials, I don't think I have a right to question it.
I loved the book and happily give it five stars!
(I downloaded this book free from Story Cartel in return for an honest review)
Katie is the adopted daughter of Maura Anderson and her husband who was killed, leaving Maura a single mom. They adopted Katie when she was just a few weeks old and at the time of this story, Katie was three.
Maura is notified that Katie's biological family wants her back, devastating Maura. Feeling she has no options, she quits her job as a nurse in Miami, changes her name and appearance and she and Katie take a Greyhound bus. She wasn't counting on staying in the small town of Wyattville, Washington for so long but she was running short on money and didn't have enough to start over in Seattle. The plan was to work long enough to get some cash and keep going.
Alan Parks is the sheriff in Wyattsville. Since it is such a small town, a stranger showing up when it isn't tourist season and working at the diner piques his interest. She's a pretty woman, not overly friendly but tries to avoid him. She is a fugitive, after all. But as he gets to know her, he realizes that there is something not quite right about her. He's not sure what it is but he wants to find out.
What neither of them was counting on was falling in love. Maura wasn't too keen on Alan swooping Katie off her feet or Katie having a "pretend" grandma in Rita, Alan's aunt. It made things much more difficult when she knew she had to move on.
The story was engaging, the characters believable, and the steady pace of the plot kept me turning the pages. The writing was very good, although I found the word "fitted" to be a bit awkward at times. Considering, Ms. Keelyn's credentials, I don't think I have a right to question it.
I loved the book and happily give it five stars!
(I downloaded this book free from Story Cartel in return for an honest review)
December 11, 2021
When is a wrong right? This is a question I asked myself throughout this novel and came to the realization that sometimes in life, there are no correct answers. This well-written and suspenseful story kept me engrossed from the opening lines through to the conclusion, which fortunately brought resolution for almost everyone. My heart went out to Maura as she puts herself in jeopardy to keep the child of her heart safe. Having sacrificed everything, she is on the run because the one person she should have been able to trust had turned away from her. Meeting Alan, small-town sheriff, puts her at further risk, especially when he adamantly states that he is determined to uphold the law. As Maura finally gives herself away, albeit for a good reason, Alan is devastated and feels betrayed, and yet he too has to eat his words in order to avert a crisis. The attraction between Alan and Maura is fraught with emotional turmoil as Alan battles with the knowledge that Maura is keeping secrets and she has to choose between keeping Katie safe or appeasing the longings of her heart. I previously purchased and read this novel, but have also received a copy from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
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May 2, 2016
"I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review."
Maura Anderson is on the run with her daughter Katie. Her husband died in a car accident earlier that year and people want to take away her daughter. She leaves her job as a nurse in a Miami hospital one night and takes her daughter on a months-long escape from the law.
After several months, Maura (now using the name Maureen Adams) finds herself in a sleepy little town in Washington state. Aiming for Seattle, but short of money, she finds a job, room and a helpful landlady who adores Katie, who's three years old.
Not realizing that the town's Sheriff is her landlady's nephew, Maureen is terrified that Alan Parks will find out that she's wanted for kidnapping her adopted daughter and taking her out of state. Alan is a straight-shooter. Life is black and white to him, while Maureen lives in a world with tones of gray.
Drawn to Alan, but not able to trust him not to turn her in, Maureen holds herself distant from him. Maura's father, a wealthy and powerful lawyer, wanted her to be a lawyer like him. She defied him, and when she needed his help, he refused her.
Now he's hired a private detective to find his daughter so that he can help her beat the kidnapping charge. He's repented of his stiff-necked rejection of his daughter's refusing to follow his plan for her life. He wants his daughter back.
Lies and truths unspoken keep Alan and Maureen's love from saving and healing them both.
Can love triumph? Will Maureen get to keep her daughter? Who is trying to take Katie from her?
Keeping Katie is an emotional roller-coaster. Loss, pain, regret, lies, fear and love combine to make this a memorable read.
Maura Anderson is on the run with her daughter Katie. Her husband died in a car accident earlier that year and people want to take away her daughter. She leaves her job as a nurse in a Miami hospital one night and takes her daughter on a months-long escape from the law.
After several months, Maura (now using the name Maureen Adams) finds herself in a sleepy little town in Washington state. Aiming for Seattle, but short of money, she finds a job, room and a helpful landlady who adores Katie, who's three years old.
Not realizing that the town's Sheriff is her landlady's nephew, Maureen is terrified that Alan Parks will find out that she's wanted for kidnapping her adopted daughter and taking her out of state. Alan is a straight-shooter. Life is black and white to him, while Maureen lives in a world with tones of gray.
Drawn to Alan, but not able to trust him not to turn her in, Maureen holds herself distant from him. Maura's father, a wealthy and powerful lawyer, wanted her to be a lawyer like him. She defied him, and when she needed his help, he refused her.
Now he's hired a private detective to find his daughter so that he can help her beat the kidnapping charge. He's repented of his stiff-necked rejection of his daughter's refusing to follow his plan for her life. He wants his daughter back.
Lies and truths unspoken keep Alan and Maureen's love from saving and healing them both.
Can love triumph? Will Maureen get to keep her daughter? Who is trying to take Katie from her?
Keeping Katie is an emotional roller-coaster. Loss, pain, regret, lies, fear and love combine to make this a memorable read.
June 15, 2016
Didn't finish after page 33. Why bother. I don't like the way this book was written for one reason. We know everything! Dual point of view writing gets so tedious unless done very well and creatively. But in this book you have Maureen. She tells her side of a situation, then the next chapter, Alan tells his side of that same situation. Maureen begins "stirring in places she thought were long forgotten" after seeing Alan once. Alan is equally intrigued by Maureen. (Unoriginal insta love) They both explain in detail just what they like about eachother in every chapter. (That's where the tedious part comes in.) Alan also keeps saying that Maureen is such a mystery to him, yet he somehow knows everything she is thinking just by looking at her face and watching how she moves. Such as when he says something like, "I could tell by the way she walked that she wasn't just a drifter". Really? You could tell by her walk?? And then he tries to kiss her after only like two short conversations but stops because, according to him, 'he could see desire in her eyes but also fear. Fear of her desire for him.' Okay for real!!? He could see that in her eyes? Fear is easy to see, but how does he know what she's afraid of exactly? But those are only two of the many examples of him "figuring her out" after the two times they've met. So basically I, as a reader, know everything she is thinking, I know everything he is thinking, I know what he thinks she is thinking, I know what they both think of eachother and of each situation, etc. so why bother continuing. There's no mystery or intrigue whatsoever except the mystery of the details of why exactly she's on the run but I'm sure Alan will figure it out in the next conversation after looking at her face.
July 28, 2018
This is the second book I've read by this author and I don't intend to read anymore. Have not like the storyline on both books I've read.
Sorry I can't recommend this book. This author just doesn't do it for me.
Sorry I can't recommend this book. This author just doesn't do it for me.
January 1, 2020
Wellll, just with a bit slow pace in the beginning. But it turn out a very enjoyable story, sweet and emotional.
Finnishing the year with a smile ☺️and lite heart 💓
Finnishing the year with a smile ☺️and lite heart 💓
April 22, 2016
DID SHE OR DIDN'T SHE? THAT IS THE QUESTION!!!!
I've never read one of Patricia Keelyn's books before but I have to say "Keeping Katie" was a very good book. It wasn't my normal genre of book and wasn't sure if I would like it or not. Have to say it actually surprised me. The story line was a based on a subject that many people deal with on a daily basis and the is adoption and the birth mother wanting the baby back. Or you could say it deals with infertility. I felt the book started somewhat slowly, and I almost quit reading it. But the more I read, the more I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I loved the way the two main characters are working against other. She is trying to keep barriers up and not give in to him, and he is working to get past her defenses. The supporting characters did a lot to make the book work. I recommend this book to mature readers.
Maura Anderson (aka Maureen Adams) had run out of of options when the legal system that gave her Katie, her adopted daughter, was trying to take Katie away from her. Not getting help from her dad and wanting to protect her daughter, she did what any good mother would do. She takes Katie and goes on the run. Staying in towns till she felt threatened and then she would pack Katie up and move again. She winds up in a small town and in the eye sight of the local Sheriff, Alan Parks. Should she continue to fight her feelings for him and not let her daughter get attached to him? Or should she run again?
Alan Parks is sheriff of Wyattville and believes in the law, and he enforces it to the letter. Then Maureen Adams shows up in Wyattville and there are things that he notices about her that tells him she is running from something. He suspects she is running from someone, yet he can't get her to open up to him. This woman has captured is heart, but yet he wonders who she is and what she is so scared of. When he finds the answers he is looking for he begins to wish he had never asked the questions. Now he doesn't know how he can help her since she is running from the law and he believes in the law. What is a Sheriff to do when his heart is in risk of being hurt?
No Spoilers. I received a copy of this book from eBook in exchange for my honest review.
I've never read one of Patricia Keelyn's books before but I have to say "Keeping Katie" was a very good book. It wasn't my normal genre of book and wasn't sure if I would like it or not. Have to say it actually surprised me. The story line was a based on a subject that many people deal with on a daily basis and the is adoption and the birth mother wanting the baby back. Or you could say it deals with infertility. I felt the book started somewhat slowly, and I almost quit reading it. But the more I read, the more I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I loved the way the two main characters are working against other. She is trying to keep barriers up and not give in to him, and he is working to get past her defenses. The supporting characters did a lot to make the book work. I recommend this book to mature readers.
Maura Anderson (aka Maureen Adams) had run out of of options when the legal system that gave her Katie, her adopted daughter, was trying to take Katie away from her. Not getting help from her dad and wanting to protect her daughter, she did what any good mother would do. She takes Katie and goes on the run. Staying in towns till she felt threatened and then she would pack Katie up and move again. She winds up in a small town and in the eye sight of the local Sheriff, Alan Parks. Should she continue to fight her feelings for him and not let her daughter get attached to him? Or should she run again?
Alan Parks is sheriff of Wyattville and believes in the law, and he enforces it to the letter. Then Maureen Adams shows up in Wyattville and there are things that he notices about her that tells him she is running from something. He suspects she is running from someone, yet he can't get her to open up to him. This woman has captured is heart, but yet he wonders who she is and what she is so scared of. When he finds the answers he is looking for he begins to wish he had never asked the questions. Now he doesn't know how he can help her since she is running from the law and he believes in the law. What is a Sheriff to do when his heart is in risk of being hurt?
No Spoilers. I received a copy of this book from eBook in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2016
Can two independent, strong-willed people over the odds to create a family?
Maura, strong-willed daughter raised by her single father Jacob (more so by nannies and governesses), a lawyer who wanted her to one day become his partner. Instead she trains as a nurse and marries a man her father disapproves of. In return he disinherits her. Unable to conceive, Maura and David adopt an infant girl, Katie. Marital troubles ensue when David spends too little time with his family. After a serious argument, he has a fatal auto accident. Shortly afterwards, Katie's birth mother and affluent, influential grandparents sue for custody. Maura, now a single Mom fears losing her child disappears with Katie, now three. After months of running, they settle in the small town of Wyattsville, three hours outside of Seattle. Maura loves the town and its friendly if nosy people. Their handsome sheriff, Alan, takes an interest in the attractive newcomer, scaring Maura, but she has no funds to move. Will Alan put the puzzle pieces together regarding their true identities? He seems to have no mercy for the smallest infraction of the law. Even though he seems to care deeply for Maura and Katie, will that stop him from turning the adoptive mother into the authorities? Meanwhile Jacob hires a PI to find his daughter. Once Maura is found out, what will the men in her life do? How can she stand to give up her daughter to strangers? Although angsty the book has moments of highlighting the joys of life, and though not what I'd call a sweet romance, the sexual scenes are passionate and vaguely descriptive but not graphic. Foul language or violence isn't used. It should be okay for most young adults and older. The premise seems to be that the law should not be enforced by the letter by more by the spirit or intent to protect the innocent, but neither should the governed take it into their own hands to dispense at will. I enjoyed reading this well written novel filled with empathetic, aptly drawn, empathetic characters, maintaining a steady pace that kept my interest throughout.
Maura, strong-willed daughter raised by her single father Jacob (more so by nannies and governesses), a lawyer who wanted her to one day become his partner. Instead she trains as a nurse and marries a man her father disapproves of. In return he disinherits her. Unable to conceive, Maura and David adopt an infant girl, Katie. Marital troubles ensue when David spends too little time with his family. After a serious argument, he has a fatal auto accident. Shortly afterwards, Katie's birth mother and affluent, influential grandparents sue for custody. Maura, now a single Mom fears losing her child disappears with Katie, now three. After months of running, they settle in the small town of Wyattsville, three hours outside of Seattle. Maura loves the town and its friendly if nosy people. Their handsome sheriff, Alan, takes an interest in the attractive newcomer, scaring Maura, but she has no funds to move. Will Alan put the puzzle pieces together regarding their true identities? He seems to have no mercy for the smallest infraction of the law. Even though he seems to care deeply for Maura and Katie, will that stop him from turning the adoptive mother into the authorities? Meanwhile Jacob hires a PI to find his daughter. Once Maura is found out, what will the men in her life do? How can she stand to give up her daughter to strangers? Although angsty the book has moments of highlighting the joys of life, and though not what I'd call a sweet romance, the sexual scenes are passionate and vaguely descriptive but not graphic. Foul language or violence isn't used. It should be okay for most young adults and older. The premise seems to be that the law should not be enforced by the letter by more by the spirit or intent to protect the innocent, but neither should the governed take it into their own hands to dispense at will. I enjoyed reading this well written novel filled with empathetic, aptly drawn, empathetic characters, maintaining a steady pace that kept my interest throughout.
January 31, 2016
I was given a gifted copy by Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
A beautiful story about what a woman can do to protect her daughter.
Maura is a nurse who runs away with her adopted daughter Katie due to the claiming of the little girl’s biological mother. Maura and Katie end up in a small town where they meet Alan, the sheriff of the town, a person who is dedicated to the law. From the very first time Alan sets his eyes on Maura, he knows something is wrong with her, and of course, he is going to find out what it is. Apart from that, they are attracted to each other and this is terrible for Maura because she has to fight between the feelings she has for Alan and the need to protect little Katie.
The book is well written and you can feel Maura’s pain breaking your heart and hoping for a miracle. You can’t stop turning pages to see what is going to happen.
A beautiful story about what a woman can do to protect her daughter.
Maura is a nurse who runs away with her adopted daughter Katie due to the claiming of the little girl’s biological mother. Maura and Katie end up in a small town where they meet Alan, the sheriff of the town, a person who is dedicated to the law. From the very first time Alan sets his eyes on Maura, he knows something is wrong with her, and of course, he is going to find out what it is. Apart from that, they are attracted to each other and this is terrible for Maura because she has to fight between the feelings she has for Alan and the need to protect little Katie.
The book is well written and you can feel Maura’s pain breaking your heart and hoping for a miracle. You can’t stop turning pages to see what is going to happen.
June 15, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery for an honest review. This story revolves around the actions of an adoptive mother who fears the loss of her rights to her daughter, Katie. Maura is a woman, who has been let down time and again by the men in her life, and thinking she has no one to turn to, flees her current lifestyle and job, when she's threatened with the overturn of Katie's adoption. I thoroughly enjoyed Maura and Katie's journey, especially their interaction with certain people in Wyattville, WA, including the town sheriff that finds himself falling for both Maura and Katie. This story captures the emotions from the beginning and is thoroughly entertaining to the last page. I will certainly be looking for more titles by this author.
June 30, 2016
KEEPING KATIE 6/24 4*stars PATRICIA KEELYN CO/RO
MAUREEN AND HER DAUGHTER ARE ON THE RUN, FROM WHAT IS NOT REVEALED RIGHT AWAY. THE STORYLINE IS INTERESTING BUT KINDA SLOW & BORING AT TIMES, A LITTLE PREDICTABLE. AROUND 91% I HAD A TEARFUL MOMEMENT, THAT SCENE WAS UNEXPECTED, I DIDN’T SEE THAT ONE COMING. SWEET & HEARTWARMING. ;D
MAUREEN AND HER DAUGHTER ARE ON THE RUN, FROM WHAT IS NOT REVEALED RIGHT AWAY. THE STORYLINE IS INTERESTING BUT KINDA SLOW & BORING AT TIMES, A LITTLE PREDICTABLE. AROUND 91% I HAD A TEARFUL MOMEMENT, THAT SCENE WAS UNEXPECTED, I DIDN’T SEE THAT ONE COMING. SWEET & HEARTWARMING. ;D
March 24, 2019
Maura is a widow and the mother to her 3year old adoptive daughter Katie. She is involved in a bitter custody battle with the birth mother and her wealthy grandparents. Things do not look good and Maura panics and takes Katie and runs leaving Miami behind. They end up in a small town in Oregon and things seem to be going well until Maura comes under the scrutiny of the town's Sheriff Alan Parks.
February 5, 2017
The romance part of the story was same old, same old, very predictable. However, I really enjoyed the suspense parts and the way the author brought out the characters. It made you like the characters and feel you could get to know and understand them.
August 13, 2018
A good vacation read, somewhat repetitive, could have used more unique volume, less filler.
December 9, 2015
It was a good book, there were a couple spots that didn't flow, but overall a good read.
June 19, 2025
In Keeping Katie ~ A Mother's Heart ~ Book 1 is the story of an adoptive mother and the threat of loosing her child. Katie is three, a happy child that Maura and her late husband had adopted at two weeks. Her husband had died in a car accident so she was alone and Katie's biological grandparents wanted her back. She made the decision to run with Katie and ended up in the small town of Wyattville, Washington after months of traveling across the country.
Wyattville is a small town on the Eastern side of the central valley of Washington and a nice small town. She found a home with Rita, a job at the local dinner and caught the interest of the local Sheriff, Alan. She developed a place in the community, the interest of Alan grew with his questions about her past; she lived in fear he would find out she was on the run to keep her child.
Alan's view of the world was black and white, while she looked at the world with compassion in shades of gray. Despite their differences, she kept her secrets as the relationship developed. It all came to a head when a young boy she had helped, was in a shooting accident and she used her nursing skills to save his life and his leg until they could get him to the hospital.
Secrets revealed, a trip to Florida, a court hearing with the help of her father she kept her little girl and found her happy ending with her new husband.
I found the strong love of a strong woman to be admired while she still made mistakes and in the end faced the situation as a mature adult. The strong help of the Sheriff and the bending of his attitude showed how committed he was to their developing relationship and the happy ending as a family. GREAT PLOT based on a group of people facing real problems with maturity. Katie was a delightful little girl full of giggles and love.
Wyattville is a small town on the Eastern side of the central valley of Washington and a nice small town. She found a home with Rita, a job at the local dinner and caught the interest of the local Sheriff, Alan. She developed a place in the community, the interest of Alan grew with his questions about her past; she lived in fear he would find out she was on the run to keep her child.
Alan's view of the world was black and white, while she looked at the world with compassion in shades of gray. Despite their differences, she kept her secrets as the relationship developed. It all came to a head when a young boy she had helped, was in a shooting accident and she used her nursing skills to save his life and his leg until they could get him to the hospital.
Secrets revealed, a trip to Florida, a court hearing with the help of her father she kept her little girl and found her happy ending with her new husband.
I found the strong love of a strong woman to be admired while she still made mistakes and in the end faced the situation as a mature adult. The strong help of the Sheriff and the bending of his attitude showed how committed he was to their developing relationship and the happy ending as a family. GREAT PLOT based on a group of people facing real problems with maturity. Katie was a delightful little girl full of giggles and love.
August 4, 2018
This is a story about a mother who will do what is necessary to keep her daughter! This is a story where Maura is forced to go on the run with her 3 year old adopted daughter, Katie from birth. Maura has had a difficult life, losing her relationship with her father and her husband passes away and being threatened that she needs to give her daughter back to the woman who gave her up. Maura runs away from Miami in the middle of the night, changes her hair and name and slowly makes her way to a small town in Washington State. She finds work in a dinner and a lovely woman to rent her a room. She starts to make a life for them and one day the sheriff, Alan decides to have lunch at the diner and starts asking questions. Maura knows she needs to stay away and he sees more than she is telling and Maura finds is difficult to keep her story close to her heart. Alan is one very attractive man and he lets her know he is interested in her. The attraction between them puts her and Katie in danger as she knows she is breaking the law and Alan has no leeway for someone who does. Once they sleep together things get a bit crazy and Maura stops it but Alan does not give up that easy. They develop a relationship as friends and Alan does what he can to get Maura to trust him and give him more. Can Maura and her secrets destroy any chance they may have. Maura’s father will surprise you by his actions and hopefully they help heal some of the pain from her past. Will Alan do what a lawman should do when the he learns the truth? I look forward to reading book 2 in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
December 1, 2021
Maura Anderson is shattered by the lack of support from her father and decides to run in order to keep what’s dearest to her. With her three year old daughter she provisionally settles down in a little town. For once faith seems to be on her side and she finds a job, housing and friends. However she doesn’t dare to be optimistic, especially because the town’s sheriff seems to be interested in her and wants to find out more about her. Maura gives in and lets her feelings loose but soon her past catches up and endangers everything.
Maura was a great female lead and I could very well relate to her reasoning and actions. Alan, on the other hand, was a worthy male counterpart. Although his thinking and his reactions were mostly limited to “yes or no” or “black and white”, I absolutely loved that he wasn’t stubborn until the bitter end and that he sometimes even admitted his one-dimensional thinking.
Well, yes, the plot was predictable, which, in any case, didn’t diminish the reading pleasure! This book wasn’t about plot elaboration but more about the depth of the emotions and how they were described and communicated to the reader. This was absolutely wonderful!
A very nice and entertaining book, full of emotions and second chances.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Maura was a great female lead and I could very well relate to her reasoning and actions. Alan, on the other hand, was a worthy male counterpart. Although his thinking and his reactions were mostly limited to “yes or no” or “black and white”, I absolutely loved that he wasn’t stubborn until the bitter end and that he sometimes even admitted his one-dimensional thinking.
Well, yes, the plot was predictable, which, in any case, didn’t diminish the reading pleasure! This book wasn’t about plot elaboration but more about the depth of the emotions and how they were described and communicated to the reader. This was absolutely wonderful!
A very nice and entertaining book, full of emotions and second chances.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
July 30, 2017
Cute, quick, and sweet. Those words pretty much sum up this book. The story moves at a fast pace with engaging characters. Katie is the star of the show, naturally, and this whole book revolves around her.
Maura had to leave Miami in the dead of night to keep Katie. She gave up everything and is not about to lose Katie, too. She and Katie land in a small the Washington town of Wyattville, just a few hours from Seattle. Seattle was their final destination, but Wyattville seems right.
Alan Parks is the sheriff in Wyattville. He sees the law as black and white. Either you follow it by the book or you're in violation of the law. There are no gray areas. Maura is definitely in a gray area. Alan must eventually face his beliefs and decide if there is room for compromise.
The story takes place over a matter of weeks. Maura must face her past in order to find her future. A child's life and well-being are the heart of the story. It's not an easy decision and it's definitely not a black and white matter.
Maura had to leave Miami in the dead of night to keep Katie. She gave up everything and is not about to lose Katie, too. She and Katie land in a small the Washington town of Wyattville, just a few hours from Seattle. Seattle was their final destination, but Wyattville seems right.
Alan Parks is the sheriff in Wyattville. He sees the law as black and white. Either you follow it by the book or you're in violation of the law. There are no gray areas. Maura is definitely in a gray area. Alan must eventually face his beliefs and decide if there is room for compromise.
The story takes place over a matter of weeks. Maura must face her past in order to find her future. A child's life and well-being are the heart of the story. It's not an easy decision and it's definitely not a black and white matter.
June 16, 2018
Sheriff Alan didn’t like puzzles, and the new waitress Maurine was one.
Why would a successful trial lawyer be after her and Katie her three year old. Her husband was dead, and she fled in the middle of the night, choosing this small town. Maybe that was a mistake, curiosity makes these people want your life history. A search at the library revealed her worse fears, she wouldn’t give up. A story that shows the love of a child, and how far, she would go to protect her, and give her a life. Very well done, emotion, and tense, as the story unfolds.
Why would a successful trial lawyer be after her and Katie her three year old. Her husband was dead, and she fled in the middle of the night, choosing this small town. Maybe that was a mistake, curiosity makes these people want your life history. A search at the library revealed her worse fears, she wouldn’t give up. A story that shows the love of a child, and how far, she would go to protect her, and give her a life. Very well done, emotion, and tense, as the story unfolds.
September 19, 2018
This was quite an enjoyable read. I liked the main characters, Sheriff Alan Parks, Maura Anderson, and Katie. It had quite a lot of twists and turns. There was plenty of emotion in this book. I also like the other characters in the book that helped to make this such a good read such as Aunt Rita, Tommy, and all the others helped to make this so enjoyable. The book came to a satisfying conclusion. At no time did the story feel rushed. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 1, 2021
This book shows the strong bonds of love that exist between a mother and her adopted daughter. It brings out a fear that I think all adoptive parents have -- that the birth mother would change her mind and want the child back. The characters are well developed and I could easily put myself in Maura's shoes. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
December 28, 2017
Beautiful
This story is really moving. Maura\Maureen decides to take her little girl, Katie, and run. She leaves Miami & ends up in Wyattsville, WA. He is being charged with taking her adopted daughter. Alan is the town sheriff and is attracted to her. But she is scared. Can she do the right thing & keep Katie.
This story is really moving. Maura\Maureen decides to take her little girl, Katie, and run. She leaves Miami & ends up in Wyattsville, WA. He is being charged with taking her adopted daughter. Alan is the town sheriff and is attracted to her. But she is scared. Can she do the right thing & keep Katie.
September 3, 2018
Review for keeping katie
I loved this book by Patricia keelyn
I loved the characters the story line and couldn't stop reading it was enjoyable to experience such a good heartwarming book and it kept me wondering how this would end to be able to keep katie after so many things that went against Maura I can't wait to read the next book I can by this awesome author. Great book
I loved this book by Patricia keelyn
I loved the characters the story line and couldn't stop reading it was enjoyable to experience such a good heartwarming book and it kept me wondering how this would end to be able to keep katie after so many things that went against Maura I can't wait to read the next book I can by this awesome author. Great book
August 21, 2019
Great motivations, realistic growth
I like books that ring true, and this one did. The good characterizations and motivations appealed to me, and I am a sucker for stories with kids. For me, the weak point was a lot of general words about the location--charming, majestic--but no vivid description.
I like books that ring true, and this one did. The good characterizations and motivations appealed to me, and I am a sucker for stories with kids. For me, the weak point was a lot of general words about the location--charming, majestic--but no vivid description.
March 14, 2021
Heartwarming.
So much of Maura’s life is falling apart except the desperate love she has for her adoptive daughter. Packing up in the middle of the night her and Katie travel as far from Miami as they can. Eventually they find solace and love in Wyattsville.
But Maura will still have to face her past and the consequences of her actions.
So much of Maura’s life is falling apart except the desperate love she has for her adoptive daughter. Packing up in the middle of the night her and Katie travel as far from Miami as they can. Eventually they find solace and love in Wyattsville.
But Maura will still have to face her past and the consequences of her actions.
September 2, 2024
A Good Read But a Very Tough Position
Kidnapping is never acceptable so knowing that Keeping Katie is about the “heroine’s” decision to do just that, is difficult. The story is well written and all but the justification still isn’t good enough. I’m glad that she has her going back and finally seeking a judicial route to let it have a happy ending.
Kidnapping is never acceptable so knowing that Keeping Katie is about the “heroine’s” decision to do just that, is difficult. The story is well written and all but the justification still isn’t good enough. I’m glad that she has her going back and finally seeking a judicial route to let it have a happy ending.
June 26, 2025
A very emotional story, with just enough action to feel that people are real and present. some spicy moments become overly cheesy and a bit gross, and there are very big differences from a book written in 1994 to 30 years later, some expressions and phrases sounding extremely sexist. Otherwise, lightweight and nicely written, great for trains and commutes.
August 24, 2018
A mothers story
Very good read it was so hard to not know if Katie was going to get to stay with the only mom she had ever known. There was both heartbreak and joy overall I really enjoyed the story.
Very good read it was so hard to not know if Katie was going to get to stay with the only mom she had ever known. There was both heartbreak and joy overall I really enjoyed the story.
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