The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a charming, feel-good sort of story with an intrigue twist, don't hesitate.
It's a rare book that holds my attention enough to get me to read it in one day. Granted, I read this book over several hours on a cross-country plane trip, but I wasn't forced. I had other things to read. I could have put it down.
I didn't.
Let me start by saying that I'm not entirely sure of where Cinderella comes in to play in this story. Maggie Rice, our heroine, didn't strike me as a Cinderella-type, just a woman who was in a relatively realistic situation: pregnant, working in a restaurant to pay the bills, and ready to pop at any moment.
The secret agent bit I get: our hero is Del Rogers, who is a member of the top secret SPEAR agency. A charming, handsome knight of a man, a fact that's pointed up more than once in the book. You know, it didn't bother me, though. The repeated fairy tale reminders were cute, and inoffensive, at least in my opinion.
And without spoiling things, the story is this: Del is on a stakeout with partner Bill, looking for the elusive mastermind of several attacks on the agency, known only as Simon. He's been nearly caught several times and always slipped away. Del's been assigned this time, because he's the agency sharpshooter, and he never misses his mark.
Del has been spending time in the diner where Maggie works, more for the company than the food. It's the diner where he gets more involved with her than perhaps he ought to or might like when she goes into labor much earlier than she expected. Del's on hand to coach her through the contractions, and to deliver happy, healthy baby Delilah.
Del's recruited as a surrogate uncle, and falls into the 'father' role rather easily. He's great with the baby, and a lifesaver for Maggie, whether she wants to admit it or not. It's a natural that the two of them will end up together. I did say I wouldn't spoil things, right?
My main hesitation about the book is that, as stated, it's part of a twelve-book series, or mini-series, called 'A Year of Loving Dangerously'. I wasn't left in the dark, really, as the whole premise, agency, and characters are explained well. I do wonder just how much I missed by coming in at the very end, as I did. I guess I'll either have to be satisfied with wondering, or cave, and complete the set.
My bookshelf may not survive.
Recommended:
