A Family Forever

Brenda Coulter's wonderful novel A Family Forever arrived in my mailbox exactly a month ago. I devoured it in one sitting, then it made the rounds through four of my sisters and my mom, all of whom loved it. It is now one of my favorite romance novels of all time.

You may think I'm a little prejudiced, since I'm a regular visitor to Brenda's always witty blog. And I may be. But my family loved it, and now they're begging me to let their friends borrow my already well-worn copy.

As for me, several months ago I read an excerpt from A Family Forever online. And I knew I had to read the book when it came out.

From the back cover:

A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

When her fiance was killed just three weeks before their wedding, violinist Shelby Franklin's "happily ever after" dreams were shattered. The discovery of her unplanned pregnancy guaranteed those dreams would never be rebuilt.

A KNIGHT IN A BIKE HELMET

Tall, husky cyclist Tucker Sharpe promised his dying brother he'd look after Shelby. When he learned there was a baby on the way, a marriage of convenience seemed his only option. But would love for the unborn child be enough to bring them - and keep them - together?

Most short inspirational romances bore me. I'd pretty much given up on Steeple Hill books. Then they publish a novel so wonderful I wonder how their other books can measure up.

If you've avoided Christian romance in the past, this is one of the best books to change your opinion. Go on, read the first chapter. I dare ya.

If you read mass-market inspirational romance by the boatload, a word of caution. Reading A Family Forever may cause you to give up those mediocre wannabees forever.