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Spencer-Nyle Co #2.5
Bluebird Winter
Instantly Kathleen drew herself up. There was nothing to gain by letting herself panic. She had to
clear her mind and concentrate on nothing but driving, because her baby's life depended on it. The
baby was all she had left. Everything else was gone: her parents; her marriage; her self-confidence;
her faith and trust in people. Only the baby was left, and herself. She still had herself. The two of
them had each other, and they didn't need anyone else. She would do anything to protect her baby.
Breathing deeply, she forced herself to be calm. With deliberate movements, she inserted the key
in the ignition and turned it. The starter turned slowly, and a new fear intruded. Was the battery
too cold to generate enough power to start the old motor? But then the motor roared into life, and
the truck vibrated beneath her. She sighed in relief and turned on the wipers to clear the snow
from the windshield. They beat back and forth, laboring under the icy weight of the packed snow.
It was so cold! Her breath fogged the air, and she was shivering despite the layers of clothing
she wore. Her face felt numb. She reached up to touch it and found that she was still covered
with snow. Slowly she wiped her face and dusted the flakes from her hair.
The increasing pressure in her lower body made it difficult for her to hold in the clutch, but she
wrestled the stubborn gearshift into the proper position and ground her teeth against the pressure
as she let out the clutch. The truck moved forward.
Visibility was even worse than she had expected. She could barely make out the fence that ran
alongside the road. How easy it would be to run off the road, or to become completely lost in the
white nightmare! Creeping along at a snail's pace, Kathleen concentrated on the fence line and
tried not to think about the things that could happen.
She was barely a quarter of a mile down the road when another contraction laced her stomach in
iron bands. She gasped, jerking in spite of herself, and the sudden wrench of the steering wheel
sent the old truck into a skid. "No!" she groaned, bracing herself as the truck began going
sideways toward the shallow ditch alongside the road. The two right wheels landed in the ditch
with an impact that rattled her teeth and loosened her grip from the steering wheel. She cried out
again as she was flung to the right, her body slamming into the door on the passenger side.
The contraction eased a moment later. Panting, Kathleen crawled up the slanting seat and wedged
herself behind the steering wheel. The motor had died, and anxiously she put in the clutch and slid
the shift into neutral, praying she could get the engine started again. She turned the key, and once
again the truck coughed into life.
But the wheels spun uselessly in the icy ditch, unable to find traction. She tried rocking the truck
back and forth, putting it first in reverse, then in low gear, but it didn't work. She was stuck.
Tiredly, she leaned her head on the steering wheel. She was only a quarter of a mile from the house,
but it might as well have been twenty miles in this weather. The wind was stronger, visibility almost
zero. Her situation had gone from bad to worse. She should have stayed at the house. In trying to save
her baby, she had almost certainly taken away its only chance for survival.
clear her mind and concentrate on nothing but driving, because her baby's life depended on it. The
baby was all she had left. Everything else was gone: her parents; her marriage; her self-confidence;
her faith and trust in people. Only the baby was left, and herself. She still had herself. The two of
them had each other, and they didn't need anyone else. She would do anything to protect her baby.
Breathing deeply, she forced herself to be calm. With deliberate movements, she inserted the key
in the ignition and turned it. The starter turned slowly, and a new fear intruded. Was the battery
too cold to generate enough power to start the old motor? But then the motor roared into life, and
the truck vibrated beneath her. She sighed in relief and turned on the wipers to clear the snow
from the windshield. They beat back and forth, laboring under the icy weight of the packed snow.
It was so cold! Her breath fogged the air, and she was shivering despite the layers of clothing
she wore. Her face felt numb. She reached up to touch it and found that she was still covered
with snow. Slowly she wiped her face and dusted the flakes from her hair.
The increasing pressure in her lower body made it difficult for her to hold in the clutch, but she
wrestled the stubborn gearshift into the proper position and ground her teeth against the pressure
as she let out the clutch. The truck moved forward.
Visibility was even worse than she had expected. She could barely make out the fence that ran
alongside the road. How easy it would be to run off the road, or to become completely lost in the
white nightmare! Creeping along at a snail's pace, Kathleen concentrated on the fence line and
tried not to think about the things that could happen.
She was barely a quarter of a mile down the road when another contraction laced her stomach in
iron bands. She gasped, jerking in spite of herself, and the sudden wrench of the steering wheel
sent the old truck into a skid. "No!" she groaned, bracing herself as the truck began going
sideways toward the shallow ditch alongside the road. The two right wheels landed in the ditch
with an impact that rattled her teeth and loosened her grip from the steering wheel. She cried out
again as she was flung to the right, her body slamming into the door on the passenger side.
The contraction eased a moment later. Panting, Kathleen crawled up the slanting seat and wedged
herself behind the steering wheel. The motor had died, and anxiously she put in the clutch and slid
the shift into neutral, praying she could get the engine started again. She turned the key, and once
again the truck coughed into life.
But the wheels spun uselessly in the icy ditch, unable to find traction. She tried rocking the truck
back and forth, putting it first in reverse, then in low gear, but it didn't work. She was stuck.
Tiredly, she leaned her head on the steering wheel. She was only a quarter of a mile from the house,
but it might as well have been twenty miles in this weather. The wind was stronger, visibility almost
zero. Her situation had gone from bad to worse. She should have stayed at the house. In trying to save
her baby, she had almost certainly taken away its only chance for survival.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1987
176 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Linda Howard
224 books7,221 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 5, 2020
Such a sweet novella. It was great to read about Rome and Sara, Max and Claire and their kids.
Derek Tallifero is just as angelic as when he was a teenager. The heroine wasn't lousy either. LH and instant love have a way of making my day.. Throw in an adorable baby to the mix and I won't ask for anything!
Derek Tallifero is just as angelic as when he was a teenager. The heroine wasn't lousy either. LH and instant love have a way of making my day.. Throw in an adorable baby to the mix and I won't ask for anything!
February 24, 2013
This is the third and last book in the Spenser/Nyle series.
1) Sarah’s Child 1985
2) Almost Forever 1986
3) Bluebird Winter 1987
It’s really more of a short story at only 125 pages. It also appears in “Under the Mistletoe”.
SYNOPSIS:
Kathleen is stranded and abandoned in a Christmas day blizzard. Dr. Derek (who was a teenager in the previous two books now all grown up and hot hot hot), rescues Kathleen and delivers her baby and by his careful and steady training, manages to keep the pre-mature infant alive in primitive surroundings.
This is the weird part. Derek believes in love at first sight. He falls in love with Kathleen, and up and proposes marriage. Doesn’t use his brain. Doesn’t even check to see if she really was divorced. Doesn’t ask her questions. I think the thing the other reviewers complain about is that he acts totally out of character. He’s a smart thinking man. He doesn’t let lust dictate life decisions.
During the course of the short story, Derek ‘gentles’ Kathleen into believing in love and truly becoming his love, not just his wife. It’s a nice way to wrap up the series, but requires a big jump in reality for the reader.
1) Sarah’s Child 1985
2) Almost Forever 1986
3) Bluebird Winter 1987
It’s really more of a short story at only 125 pages. It also appears in “Under the Mistletoe”.
SYNOPSIS:
Kathleen is stranded and abandoned in a Christmas day blizzard. Dr. Derek (who was a teenager in the previous two books now all grown up and hot hot hot), rescues Kathleen and delivers her baby and by his careful and steady training, manages to keep the pre-mature infant alive in primitive surroundings.
This is the weird part. Derek believes in love at first sight. He falls in love with Kathleen, and up and proposes marriage. Doesn’t use his brain. Doesn’t even check to see if she really was divorced. Doesn’t ask her questions. I think the thing the other reviewers complain about is that he acts totally out of character. He’s a smart thinking man. He doesn’t let lust dictate life decisions.
During the course of the short story, Derek ‘gentles’ Kathleen into believing in love and truly becoming his love, not just his wife. It’s a nice way to wrap up the series, but requires a big jump in reality for the reader.
March 26, 2023
Meh.
H finds h stranded on the side of road during a blizzard about to give birth.
It's pretty much insta love as he helps her give birth. Her husband divorced her and left for greener pastures. She's kind of a sad sack with no faith in people actually caring for her.
He talks her into marrying him for his medical insurance, but really he's realized he loves her and wants time to persuade her to love him too.
It's dull but sweet, predictable but uninspired.
I felt like LH phoned this one in.
safety is fine.
H finds h stranded on the side of road during a blizzard about to give birth.
It's pretty much insta love as he helps her give birth. Her husband divorced her and left for greener pastures. She's kind of a sad sack with no faith in people actually caring for her.
He talks her into marrying him for his medical insurance, but really he's realized he loves her and wants time to persuade her to love him too.
It's dull but sweet, predictable but uninspired.
I felt like LH phoned this one in.
safety is fine.
August 17, 2018
I don't like novellas but I loved this one because it was about Derek! Plus, I'm happy to read his story!!!!
April 7, 2023
5 stars
An absolute cuteness in Linda's typical form.
I loooove this woman and everything she writes.
Because seriously, how could I not?
Yeah, that's not possible.
An absolute cuteness in Linda's typical form.
I loooove this woman and everything she writes.
Because seriously, how could I not?
Yeah, that's not possible.
July 16, 2017
I only read Bluebird Winter, the final book in the Spencer-Nyle series by Linda Howard. This was Derek Taliferro's story, having finished college and medical school and practicing at a Dallas hospital. He's a neonatal specialist who, on his way home from visiting his mother for the Christmas holidays, comes upon Kathleen Fields stranded in her car during a blizzard and in the throes of premature labor. Derek delivers the baby at her home and, lovestruck with both Kathleen and the baby, takes them with him to Dallas.
This was a sweet, improbable story but a nice wrap-up of the series with one of my most favorite characters at the forefront. I don't believe in love at first sight romances so the premise was off for me. With that said, it was a quick, easy read I enjoyed.
(Note: My library only carried this story as part of an anthology called [b]Under the Mistletoe.)
This was a sweet, improbable story but a nice wrap-up of the series with one of my most favorite characters at the forefront. I don't believe in love at first sight romances so the premise was off for me. With that said, it was a quick, easy read I enjoyed.
(Note: My library only carried this story as part of an anthology called [b]Under the Mistletoe.)
July 8, 2013
Spencer-Nyle Co 3/3
Sarah’s Child 03
Primavera no Coração
Linda Howard
2002
Ainda estou sobre o efeito da leitura, o que posso dizer?
Derek não existe, homens como ele não existem. O mundo seria perfeito se ele existisse. E se realmente existe homens assim, têm no máximo uns dois no planeta todo.
Já o achei fora do comum, maravilhoso e perfeito. Quando tinha 15 anos, no livro Segundas Oportunidades. Mas agora ele supera qualquer um, para não ser por demais exagerada, ele empata com papai Wolf Mackenzie.
Esses homens da Linda Howard me tiram o fôlego literalmente.
Imagine esse homem encontrando uma mulher, Kathleen, que não sabe o que é o amor. Que nunca foi tratada com carinho e que desconfia de todo homem...
emocionei-me muito durante a leitura... (suspirando)
Recomendadíssimo!!!
ADORO!!!
Sarah’s Child 03
Primavera no Coração
Linda Howard
2002
Ainda estou sobre o efeito da leitura, o que posso dizer?
Derek não existe, homens como ele não existem. O mundo seria perfeito se ele existisse. E se realmente existe homens assim, têm no máximo uns dois no planeta todo.
Já o achei fora do comum, maravilhoso e perfeito. Quando tinha 15 anos, no livro Segundas Oportunidades. Mas agora ele supera qualquer um, para não ser por demais exagerada, ele empata com papai Wolf Mackenzie.
Esses homens da Linda Howard me tiram o fôlego literalmente.
Imagine esse homem encontrando uma mulher, Kathleen, que não sabe o que é o amor. Que nunca foi tratada com carinho e que desconfia de todo homem...
emocionei-me muito durante a leitura... (suspirando)
Recomendadíssimo!!!
ADORO!!!
September 22, 2010
Short, sweet Christmas story, but not what I was hoping for.
The character Derek was introduced in the book Sarah's Child. He was interesting, intriguing, different and wonderful. I was eager to learn more about him and see him in action in this book, but I was disappointed. This story was about a Doctor falling in love at first sight. Derek was the doctor, but this book didn't go into anything special about him. The story was ok, but because I wanted more character development about Derek and didn't get it, I rated it lower.
DATA:
This is a short story, only 93 pages long. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one. Copyright: 1987. Genre: contemporary romance.
The character Derek was introduced in the book Sarah's Child. He was interesting, intriguing, different and wonderful. I was eager to learn more about him and see him in action in this book, but I was disappointed. This story was about a Doctor falling in love at first sight. Derek was the doctor, but this book didn't go into anything special about him. The story was ok, but because I wanted more character development about Derek and didn't get it, I rated it lower.
DATA:
This is a short story, only 93 pages long. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one. Copyright: 1987. Genre: contemporary romance.
February 15, 2017
The story of Kathleen, a pregnant woman on Christmas day stranded during a blizzard on her way to the hospital, who is rescued by Derek, an infant surgeon to her extreme luck.
Derek is at a point in his life where he wants a family, and Kathleen and her newborn daughter, who obviously need someone to care for them, seem like his best option, since he apparently fell in love with them at first sight.
I didn't buy most of it, but it did have the expected happily ever after so it wasn't a complete loss.
Derek is at a point in his life where he wants a family, and Kathleen and her newborn daughter, who obviously need someone to care for them, seem like his best option, since he apparently fell in love with them at first sight.
I didn't buy most of it, but it did have the expected happily ever after so it wasn't a complete loss.
December 10, 2023
That was unfortunate…a red flag alert disguised as “love at first sight.” Maybe if the story would have been a full length novel the author could have made the attraction more believable and less creepy.
July 22, 2018
This is actually fucked up. should've calmed down with the insta possessiveness.
February 13, 2019
Ehh
Read the first two stories of this series and loved them was excited about Derek's story since saw him grow up in other two books but felt as if it left something to be desired.
Read the first two stories of this series and loved them was excited about Derek's story since saw him grow up in other two books but felt as if it left something to be desired.
February 4, 2022
Това беше черешката на тортата. Потекоха реки от мед и масло. Добре , че не се удавих.
May 2, 2017
An early short story by Linda Howard, Bluebird Winter uses a plot device this author played in often- but takes it to a ridiculous level.
Kathleen Fields is heavily pregnant and going into premature labor in the middle of a wicked snowstorm on Christmas Day. She is alone and a half an hour away from the free clinic, the only hospital she can afford since her deadbeat husband walked out on her. She makes it a ¼ kilometer before her truck slides into a ditch.
Leaving his mother's house after holiday dinner, Derrek Tallifero knew he should have left a day earlier to avoid the storm of the season. But he had a hard time saying no to his mother he doesn't get to see often because of his full work schedule. Before he gets far, he comes across a stranded truck…
Fortunate for Kathleen the knight in shining armor who comes to her rescue is a doctor- and not just any doctor, a doctor from the neo natal unit.
Derrick falls instantly for Kathleen and baby who begins her life by slipping into his hands and he arranges things to keep them in his life forever.
And here we have the ridiculous part of the whole thing. I liked the beginning; Kathleen fighting the elements to save her baby, it all felt very real despite the contrived set up.
The fact that Derrick, the exact person she needed at the exact moment AND he happens to fall in insta-love with her? Wehhlll, that was a bit harder to swallow.
I think my issue with this one- despite the short length- is that it was obviously LH working out a plot that she would later do to much better affect. I’ve seen the "me-n- y0u against a storm" theme often in her novels and novellas, I really liked it in Duncan's Bride and another anthology story "White out" (Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out). this one? Yeah okay, I liked the weathering the storm in the midst of a trial thing again, but the character development didn’t add up.
Derrick falling for Kathleen and instantly proposing marriage- (and her agreeing to it without freaking out because the guy who delivered her baby must be a total whackjob!!) is also just like a recent re-read I did Mackenzie's Magic. But hey, it's LH, she will always get a pass from me.
This one follows her other novels- Sarah's Child and Almost Forever
They’re from the 80’s so they are dated, and it’s been awhile since I read them (I don’t think I liked the first so much with Rome and Sarah who do show up in this story)- but I have them on my re-read list so I can get reviews up.
Kathleen Fields is heavily pregnant and going into premature labor in the middle of a wicked snowstorm on Christmas Day. She is alone and a half an hour away from the free clinic, the only hospital she can afford since her deadbeat husband walked out on her. She makes it a ¼ kilometer before her truck slides into a ditch.
Leaving his mother's house after holiday dinner, Derrek Tallifero knew he should have left a day earlier to avoid the storm of the season. But he had a hard time saying no to his mother he doesn't get to see often because of his full work schedule. Before he gets far, he comes across a stranded truck…
Fortunate for Kathleen the knight in shining armor who comes to her rescue is a doctor- and not just any doctor, a doctor from the neo natal unit.
Derrick falls instantly for Kathleen and baby who begins her life by slipping into his hands and he arranges things to keep them in his life forever.
And here we have the ridiculous part of the whole thing. I liked the beginning; Kathleen fighting the elements to save her baby, it all felt very real despite the contrived set up.
The fact that Derrick, the exact person she needed at the exact moment AND he happens to fall in insta-love with her? Wehhlll, that was a bit harder to swallow.
I think my issue with this one- despite the short length- is that it was obviously LH working out a plot that she would later do to much better affect. I’ve seen the "me-n- y0u against a storm" theme often in her novels and novellas, I really liked it in Duncan's Bride and another anthology story "White out" (Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out). this one? Yeah okay, I liked the weathering the storm in the midst of a trial thing again, but the character development didn’t add up.
Derrick falling for Kathleen and instantly proposing marriage- (and her agreeing to it without freaking out because the guy who delivered her baby must be a total whackjob!!) is also just like a recent re-read I did Mackenzie's Magic. But hey, it's LH, she will always get a pass from me.
This one follows her other novels- Sarah's Child and Almost Forever
They’re from the 80’s so they are dated, and it’s been awhile since I read them (I don’t think I liked the first so much with Rome and Sarah who do show up in this story)- but I have them on my re-read list so I can get reviews up.
November 10, 2010
AN EXQUISITELY SWEETTTT TREAT!
A READ that's destine to be READ again& again from begining to end!
A Holiday Gift Written from the very Heart of a TRUE ROMANTIC'S Friend!
**** IMMORTALLY Delicious, a SENSUOUS SAMPLER or Have you ever heard of a BLUE BIRD WINTER Holiday treat...?!!
In which every True Romantic hungrily craves &forever seeks....A READ that plants a Romantic seed that makes my heart flutter & shutter with talks of LOVE...one for all and all for one a nother...liken to a lovely Dove(LINDA HOWARD because of your WORK... you I could just squeeze & hug!:)oooh my oooh my I feel faint.. from reading the words of a Romantic Saint theirs no wonder Why ..absents (of a TRUE LOVE) makes the Heart grow fonder... . such READS like these always succeed in making passion, fires &desires within me quiver also shake...should least I forget to say ...or Convey to (((you)))... DELIVERED BY CHRISTMAS is.. a Royal feast.
FOOD FOR A TRUE ROMANCE GODDESS I CAN SINK MY TEETH INTO & EAT...!
A READ that's sure to please with the greatest of ease short & sweet.(even though I NEVER wanted the Book to end my friend!) A complete love story about Love at first sight(dashing hero takes a baby& wife)...which is for me cool, I liked very much, a soft touch that feels ever sooo sexy & right.
Even so, though Conflicts of day to day life stains with
past hurts &pains. Subconsciously or consciously remain...Ya know, Letting go can be ever so slow but loves healing powers has a sweet healing flow, like spring time rain showers.
Tis' True in my Heart**LOVE** YOU..**Rule*** what an Exqsuite Jewel...are (((you)))...oooh how I crave you for the time...now is far spent... I' am due!!!
A True Fan
NOTE: I totally flipped over Derek's Heart spoken words to Kathleen in DELIVERED BY CHRISTMAS on pg.,115 when he said, "MY Heart wouldn't beat without you"...Hmmmm ..nice! :O)
A READ that's destine to be READ again& again from begining to end!
A Holiday Gift Written from the very Heart of a TRUE ROMANTIC'S Friend!
**** IMMORTALLY Delicious, a SENSUOUS SAMPLER or Have you ever heard of a BLUE BIRD WINTER Holiday treat...?!!
In which every True Romantic hungrily craves &forever seeks....A READ that plants a Romantic seed that makes my heart flutter & shutter with talks of LOVE...one for all and all for one a nother...liken to a lovely Dove(LINDA HOWARD because of your WORK... you I could just squeeze & hug!:)oooh my oooh my I feel faint.. from reading the words of a Romantic Saint theirs no wonder Why ..absents (of a TRUE LOVE) makes the Heart grow fonder... . such READS like these always succeed in making passion, fires &desires within me quiver also shake...should least I forget to say ...or Convey to (((you)))... DELIVERED BY CHRISTMAS is.. a Royal feast.
FOOD FOR A TRUE ROMANCE GODDESS I CAN SINK MY TEETH INTO & EAT...!
A READ that's sure to please with the greatest of ease short & sweet.(even though I NEVER wanted the Book to end my friend!) A complete love story about Love at first sight(dashing hero takes a baby& wife)...which is for me cool, I liked very much, a soft touch that feels ever sooo sexy & right.
Even so, though Conflicts of day to day life stains with
past hurts &pains. Subconsciously or consciously remain...Ya know, Letting go can be ever so slow but loves healing powers has a sweet healing flow, like spring time rain showers.
Tis' True in my Heart**LOVE** YOU..**Rule*** what an Exqsuite Jewel...are (((you)))...oooh how I crave you for the time...now is far spent... I' am due!!!
A True Fan
NOTE: I totally flipped over Derek's Heart spoken words to Kathleen in DELIVERED BY CHRISTMAS on pg.,115 when he said, "MY Heart wouldn't beat without you"...Hmmmm ..nice! :O)
September 15, 2015
What if you're about to give birth in the middle of the road during a snow storm?
What if your baby is premature?
What if you've got no money to go to the hospital?
What would you do? Whaaaaaat?!
Well that has certainly happened to Kathleen. It's a good thing a certain doctor is also stranded in the middle of the storm....
What if your baby is premature?
What if you've got no money to go to the hospital?
What would you do? Whaaaaaat?!
Well that has certainly happened to Kathleen. It's a good thing a certain doctor is also stranded in the middle of the storm....
May 16, 2013
Derek and Kathy are unreal. for me they were pure fictional characters that dont exist in real life. its too idealistic is what i felt.
But i still enjoyed reading it ;)
But i still enjoyed reading it ;)
December 21, 2018
"Закъсняла Коледа" на български. Подредено, сладникаво, чак леко глупаво.
November 23, 2020
Lo más rescatable de todo el libro es la referencia final al título.
Una historia que no me gustó para nada y que terminó siendo de las más flojas del 2020.
Una historia que no me gustó para nada y que terminó siendo de las más flojas del 2020.
July 21, 2025
short but sweet
February 16, 2025
A sweet escapism story.
While in real like this would be entirely problematic, in fiction its great. Who doesn't want some handsome man to sweep in and solve all of your problems. All he wants in return is your love and a family. Done.
While in real like this would be entirely problematic, in fiction its great. Who doesn't want some handsome man to sweep in and solve all of your problems. All he wants in return is your love and a family. Done.
August 9, 2010
Derek, ah Derek. The golden boy. I thought his love story would be neat but somehow, to me, it turns out to be quite flat and mediocre. I think I like Max & Claire's romance best.
November 23, 2019
Too short for the story it wanted to tell. Really unbelievable
August 17, 2021
When I found out there is a book about Derek (a secondary character from the first book in this short series), I was soo excited. Then I read the novella and I was very very VERY didsappointed!
This seris always has had the problem that the MMC are very problematic, asshole-type kind of character, but I really hoped Derek wouldn't be. And to be fair, he isn't really, but still kinda...?
We meet the FMC who was abused, mentally and physically for a long time, whilst she is giving birth in her car. Luckily she meets Derek, who is a doctor, specifically for premie babies, so yay universe! He delivers the baby, sees how much Kathleen loves her, decides he wants that for himself as well and just... decides to marry her! That is almost literally how that internal monologue worked. Then, he pusher her to all her decisions, even though she tells him she was abused and wasn't able to make her own decisions her whole life, doesn't open up about his own feelings, just arranges everything to be like he wants it to be and gets impatient when she doesn't reciprocate his feelings in the way he wants immediately. Like what the hell?? You build a teenager into a practically perfect man and then you do his story like this?
No. Just NO.
This seris always has had the problem that the MMC are very problematic, asshole-type kind of character, but I really hoped Derek wouldn't be. And to be fair, he isn't really, but still kinda...?
We meet the FMC who was abused, mentally and physically for a long time, whilst she is giving birth in her car. Luckily she meets Derek, who is a doctor, specifically for premie babies, so yay universe! He delivers the baby, sees how much Kathleen loves her, decides he wants that for himself as well and just... decides to marry her! That is almost literally how that internal monologue worked. Then, he pusher her to all her decisions, even though she tells him she was abused and wasn't able to make her own decisions her whole life, doesn't open up about his own feelings, just arranges everything to be like he wants it to be and gets impatient when she doesn't reciprocate his feelings in the way he wants immediately. Like what the hell?? You build a teenager into a practically perfect man and then you do his story like this?
No. Just NO.
January 12, 2023
This is a short fast read, the final book in this series.
Derek Taliferro, the man who was befriended was he was younger by the couples in the first two books in this series, is now the doctor he had planned on being. He has just spent Christmas with his mother and her new husband, he should have left earlier due to the weather, but his mother had wanted him to stay. He passes a truck in the ditch and instinct has him pull over.
Kathleen Fields had been abandoned by her husband, now she's in labor, a month early, the power is out and regardless, there is no local medical care, so she gets into her truck and promptly slides off the road.
Derek is surprised to find Kathleen in the truck and in labor. They're able to get back to her house, where Derek delivers the premature baby, now to keep the baby safe, warm and alive until they can get her to a hospital. Kathleen has no idea how she'll pay for her daughter, Risa's, hospital stay. Derek offers her marriage, Kathleen is resistance, but he talks her into it. Derek has fallen in love with Kathleen and Risa, but how to convince Kathleen that it isn't charity, and he doesn't want her gratitude. Can Kathleen let go of her past and let love into her life?
Derek Taliferro, the man who was befriended was he was younger by the couples in the first two books in this series, is now the doctor he had planned on being. He has just spent Christmas with his mother and her new husband, he should have left earlier due to the weather, but his mother had wanted him to stay. He passes a truck in the ditch and instinct has him pull over.
Kathleen Fields had been abandoned by her husband, now she's in labor, a month early, the power is out and regardless, there is no local medical care, so she gets into her truck and promptly slides off the road.
Derek is surprised to find Kathleen in the truck and in labor. They're able to get back to her house, where Derek delivers the premature baby, now to keep the baby safe, warm and alive until they can get her to a hospital. Kathleen has no idea how she'll pay for her daughter, Risa's, hospital stay. Derek offers her marriage, Kathleen is resistance, but he talks her into it. Derek has fallen in love with Kathleen and Risa, but how to convince Kathleen that it isn't charity, and he doesn't want her gratitude. Can Kathleen let go of her past and let love into her life?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2025
It saddens me that I have to give this novel two stars, because I am a huge of Linda Howard, but it simply did not do it for me. I was looking forward to more of the Derek I read about in Sarah's child, the intelligent, calm, and extraordinary guy. Instead, I got an impulsive borderline creepy guy. I mean you meet someone for a few and instantly you decide that you will marry them and be a parent to their child?! Shouldn't you get to know someone before you fall in love with them and decide to marry them? And what gives you the right to decide to be some child's father before even knowing anything about them?
I felt that Derek gave Kathleen no choice but to marry him, since she was at a disadvantage. I did not like her either. I mean how do you agree to marry a guy you know nothing about? What if he were a killer? What if he abused children? What if he were mentally unstable? How do you just go with someone you know nothing about?
I expected so much for Derek's standalone. It had some much potential, but I was sorely disappointed.
I felt that Derek gave Kathleen no choice but to marry him, since she was at a disadvantage. I did not like her either. I mean how do you agree to marry a guy you know nothing about? What if he were a killer? What if he abused children? What if he were mentally unstable? How do you just go with someone you know nothing about?
I expected so much for Derek's standalone. It had some much potential, but I was sorely disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
My last book for 2021.
It took me to finish Chapter 1 to recognize who our hero really is. He is I have mixed feelings whether it is justifiable that this installment is a novella or if the MCs deserve such a short love story (which also reminds me of a good 'ol classic novel from one of my favorite authors), but either way, it is refreshing to get to visit this series again and I think I should remind myself to read the sequel as soon as I could get.
But yeah, final answer. This was too short for a love story.
It took me to finish Chapter 1 to recognize who our hero really is. He is I have mixed feelings whether it is justifiable that this installment is a novella or if the MCs deserve such a short love story (which also reminds me of a good 'ol classic novel from one of my favorite authors), but either way, it is refreshing to get to visit this series again and I think I should remind myself to read the sequel as soon as I could get.
But yeah, final answer. This was too short for a love story.
November 18, 2022
2.5 Stars
This one shows its age. Those who read it after the first two in the series no doubt enjoyed it more and rated it higher than I did. I read it as a standalone....and it doesn't very well. Derek comes across as either a control freak or too good to be true. If one had read the earlier books, one would remember his character and enjoy revisiting the couples who now have children of their own.
Derek may indeed be too good to be true but the story is so improbable that I found it hard to enjoy. Our heroine in hard labor during a blizzard is so fortunate as to have a neonatal specialist be the one to find her in her wrecked truck, deliver the baby, and fall in love with her forever.
Linda Howard is a favorite of mine but somehow I missed this series the first time around.
This one shows its age. Those who read it after the first two in the series no doubt enjoyed it more and rated it higher than I did. I read it as a standalone....and it doesn't very well. Derek comes across as either a control freak or too good to be true. If one had read the earlier books, one would remember his character and enjoy revisiting the couples who now have children of their own.
Derek may indeed be too good to be true but the story is so improbable that I found it hard to enjoy. Our heroine in hard labor during a blizzard is so fortunate as to have a neonatal specialist be the one to find her in her wrecked truck, deliver the baby, and fall in love with her forever.
Linda Howard is a favorite of mine but somehow I missed this series the first time around.
July 11, 2018
This is a short story and I really liked the way it was written. For one the hero isn't being forceful. This is a book from 1987 and it continues with Derek's story. I loved how Derek falls in love in one night with Kathleen and her baby Risa. It's a sweet story with all of Kathleen's fears voiced. A coming of age of a woman battered by her abusive husband and the man who fixes everything and makes it right. For a short story the characters are very well developed.
March 3, 2025
Vintage for me !
I was a young widow in my early 30s When I 1st discovered Linda Howard. Her characters & Stories Helped heal, encourage And have hope For for better times. Ms. Howard and a handful of contemporary writers sustained me! Times have really changed and For me it is such a pleasure To go back, To remember Where I came from What it was like, this culture between men and women portrayed by Ms. Howard. Thank you Linda.
I was a young widow in my early 30s When I 1st discovered Linda Howard. Her characters & Stories Helped heal, encourage And have hope For for better times. Ms. Howard and a handful of contemporary writers sustained me! Times have really changed and For me it is such a pleasure To go back, To remember Where I came from What it was like, this culture between men and women portrayed by Ms. Howard. Thank you Linda.
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