Daddy for Keeps

by Pamela Tracy

The moment Lucas "Lucky" Welch sees the black-haired, green-eyed boy at the rodeo, he knows. The child is his late brother's son. But why was little Robby kept a secret? He demands answers from the woman claiming to be Robby's mother, Natalie Crosby. But the pretty, protective woman isn't forthcoming. And once Lucky learns the truth behind Robby's birth, he understands. Especially when some family matters get more than complicated. As a bull rider, Lucky knows he just has to hang on tight and keep showing Natalie that his wish is to be a daddy—and husband—for keeps.

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian, Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Pamela Tracy is a USA Today award-winning author who lives with her husband (He claims to be the inspiration for most of her heroes) and son (He claims to be the interference for most of her writing time.) She was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and started writing at a very young age (a series of romances, all with David Cassidy as the hero. Sometimes Bobby Sherman would interfere). Then, while earning a BA in Journalism at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, she picked up the pen again only this time, it was an electric typewriter on which she wrote a very bad science fiction novel.)
First published in 1999 , Pamela has since published more than twenty books. Her suspense novels have garnered her an American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol award and a RITA finalist. You can find out more about Pamela by visiting her website: http://pamelatracy.com

Reviews

[Anna Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I *would* have given this book FIVE stars. I would have.
And I'm not one to give out five stars.

But the author BLEW IT entirely.
And I'm *A.N.G.R.Y* with her for what she did.

Lucky is a bull rider. His brother was a bull rider with him, but while Marcus was impulsive, wayward, alcoholic, promiscuous, and carnal, Lucky was 'the preacher' - always having a Bible in his hands, praying over all things, holding 'cowboy church' at the rodeos for people who wanted prayer or needed a listening ear.

And I *LOVED* him for it.

He's approached by Natalie at a rodeo, who claims her son is his (now deceased) brother's child, and that she needs help from him, financially. Except then the author chickens out and has the heroine find a safe deposit box full of bonds so - *la-ti-da, nevermind!* Because everyone finds lots of cash in happy chrischun world. (This is par for the course, with 'Love, Inspired', so no surprise there.)

But it's too late - now Lucky knows about his brother's little boy. What he *DOESN'T* know is that she's not the mother. Her cousin was a wild child who disappeared after dropping off an infant for Natalie to babysit three years ago (and she never came back). Natalie and her father loved the baby and kept it as their own... but she has no legal claim to the child, and is terrified that if Lucky finds out she's not Robbie's mom, he'll claim legal rights and take him away. Her father has passed away, and that's why she thought she needed financial help - until she didn't.

Lucky is enamored by the lovely Natalie and tickled by the sweet little boy, and he's been about ready to leave the rodeo for a while, so the idea of being a part of their lives. But 1) she's not a believer, and 2) she's not exactly his brother's type, and 3) he knows she's hiding something from him.
I was a *little* irritated that the author kept saying Lucky admired her for being straightforward and brave, hitting things head on... when the ENTIRE BOOK she's *NOT* telling him about her cousin and his brother, and the fact that she's a virgin (which, OF COURSE she is, this is 'Love, Inspired' - both of them are in their late twenties and never hooked up, ever.).

Don't worry - everything works out marvelously: Lucky wins his last ride, his relationship with his dad is healed, he falls in love, he's offered a small church to pastor in his hometown that was sitting vacant *just for him!* , and he has a little boy to love! Yay!

Except NATALIE IS NOT A BELIEVER.
AND SHE NEVER BECOMES ONE IN THIS BOOK.

She never accepts Messiah as her Savior, never comes to a living faith of her own, never makes a commitment to the Lord at all. What. THE. *HELL*?!?!?! My *gawsh*, this is supposed to be a "Love, INSPIRED" novel, and you're unequally yoking darkness with light??? SERIOUSLY!??!? NO!!! Absolutely not. Especially if Lucky is so very close to the Lord and deeply in the Word as the author suggests. NOT. A. Chance!!!!

Worse, the author twists scripture. "Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free" is not about lies vs. honesty - it's about knowing GOD'S truth, hello. I was so aggravated by the antics of this author, not only hooking up a man of faith with a lost soul but also taking scripture out of context and using it to further personal agendas... SHAME ON YOU. You had a beautiful story with more faith, more verses, more prayer, and more spiritual LIVING in it than any other book I've read since Grace Livingston Hill... and you went and SCREWED it.

I wish there were a way to rip something out and FIX this, but... there's just NOT. And I'm so disappointed. I mean, most 'Love Inspired' are so shallow and barely-there in anything having to do with faith, I just expect BS... but THIS. To bring me SO CLOSE to something real and inspiring, and then turn it around to show how rotten it really is?

I'm disgusted.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky is a bull rider and he sees a woman he thinks he knows with a boy that looks just like his late brother. He finds out that the boy is his brother’s and the woman isn’t his brother’s girlfriend. While trying to get closer to the boy, he falls in love with the woman, Natalie. She is afraid to tell him that the boy is her cousins and not hers. Lucky has a bad relationship with his parents but wants them to know the boy. Lucky plans on being a pastor and church plays a large part of the story. -

[Julie Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved e

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried and they have to write a number two to this book so we know what’s going on or if they got married, etc.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

While certainly not the classic of epic proportions of The Sound and the Fury, which I also finished today, this was a delightful, fairy-tale story, complete with the happily ever after ending. A delightful, if predictable, reading experience. Just the kind I need after tackling something totally unenjoyable!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucky Welch finds a nephew no one knew about along with a wonderful woman who is raising him. Natalie Crosby's cousin dumped her 2 week old son 3 years ago. Robby is so much Natalie's now, she doesn't know what she would do without him.

[Raini]

VERY HEARTWARMING

[joyce lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

good twist in the book, BUT ... the writer left a few too many loose ends in it for me, or i MIGHT have given it one more star

quick, easy, lite read especially if you need a pick-me-up

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

another excellent story by Pamela.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, but not the best read. I enjoyed that it was a clean Christian romance.

[Ratforce]

I believe this book may appeal to you based on your enjoyment of Missy Tippens. It has the same gentle romantic tone, and the same family focus.

[Dorel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read a lot of great Love Inspired books. This is the first book I read by Pamela Tracy. I stopped reading this book at chapter 5 because it didn't hold my interest & I wasn't into it.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story - a little too much faith for me. Nice closure but would love to meet up with Natalie and Lucky again. An epilogue would have tied it up nicely.

[Lilkadykitty :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written. I liked how Pamela brought in the faith aspect and used it as a based to her story. I liked how everything fell together at the end of the book. Must read!!!