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First Things First
Chelsea Ross is renowned for her success at locating missing children. But when a wealthy Boston socialite asks her to track down her 40-year-old son, Chelsea is thrown for a loop. The runaway “child” in question, Samuel Prescott London, is a powerful executive who’s apparently gone AWOL south of the border. Posing as a tourist, Chelsea manages to find Sam in the outskirts of Cancun—hot, handsome, and happy to be far from the corporate rat race. Chelsea promised Sam’s mother she’d bring him back home. But after a few days of playing tourist by his side—and spending nights in his arms—she’s not so sure she’s ready to give him up…
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1985
169 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
301 books4,340 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 23, 2018
Sometime you just need a happy ending. This was an enjoyable story. Not much plot and characters were a little shallow, but I liked it anyway.
June 28, 2013
Chelsea Ross was devoted to finding missing children. When she is hired by wealthy socialite Beatrice London to locate Beatrice's son, she is initially very surprised. Samuel Prescott London is not Chelsea's typical runaway, he is a forty-year-old business executive!
Discovering Samuel's hideaway outside Cancun, Mexico, was easy for Chelsea. Dealing with love at first sight was not. Samuel's tanned and muscular physique, his easy-going manner, his unmistakable virility instantly captivates Chelsea. And when he touches her, Chelsea knows she has finally found what she has been looking for all her life. But love is easy...when you're in paradise.
I have to say that I usually like Barbara Delinsky as an author. She is perhaps one of my favorite authors. However, I found that First Things First by Barbara Delinsky was not really my cup of tea.
I realize that this book was perhaps one of Barbara Delinsky's earlier books, and that it was written under the Harlequin Temptation Series as well - however, the plot was definitely more romantic than I expected. I'm not generally a 'strictly romance' reader - and I've never read any Harlequin romances before - however, I will give First Things First by Barbara Delinsky a strong B+! I will certainly read more by this author in the future, but perhaps not right away.
Discovering Samuel's hideaway outside Cancun, Mexico, was easy for Chelsea. Dealing with love at first sight was not. Samuel's tanned and muscular physique, his easy-going manner, his unmistakable virility instantly captivates Chelsea. And when he touches her, Chelsea knows she has finally found what she has been looking for all her life. But love is easy...when you're in paradise.
I have to say that I usually like Barbara Delinsky as an author. She is perhaps one of my favorite authors. However, I found that First Things First by Barbara Delinsky was not really my cup of tea.
I realize that this book was perhaps one of Barbara Delinsky's earlier books, and that it was written under the Harlequin Temptation Series as well - however, the plot was definitely more romantic than I expected. I'm not generally a 'strictly romance' reader - and I've never read any Harlequin romances before - however, I will give First Things First by Barbara Delinsky a strong B+! I will certainly read more by this author in the future, but perhaps not right away.
May 1, 2022
I actually put this romance first published in the 1980s at 2.5 stars.
Sam, a wealthy successful, upper class Bostonian, went to Cancun for a short vacation, yet has refused to return, choosing instead to disappear inland. That was 7 months ago. His formidable mother hires Chelsea to find Sam and do whatever necessary, seduce him even, to lure him back to Boston. Chelsea has been very successful finding missing children, but the 'child' here is 40 years old.
On the brink of refusing the job, Chelsea is offered all the money she needs to fulfill her dream of a PhD in psychology. Accepting the job, off Chelsea goes Cancun, ultimately finding him in a pueblito on road to Vallodolid. There, in the simplicity of modern Mayan village life, not only love finds them...and some pretty steamy sex ... but also the importance of work life balance. The characters are relatable as are the beneficial effects on those characters experienced being thrust into a more primitive, calmer world for a period of time.
Bonus: some wonderful detail of the Mayan culture and Mexico outside the Cancun resort vacation destinations.
Sam, a wealthy successful, upper class Bostonian, went to Cancun for a short vacation, yet has refused to return, choosing instead to disappear inland. That was 7 months ago. His formidable mother hires Chelsea to find Sam and do whatever necessary, seduce him even, to lure him back to Boston. Chelsea has been very successful finding missing children, but the 'child' here is 40 years old.
On the brink of refusing the job, Chelsea is offered all the money she needs to fulfill her dream of a PhD in psychology. Accepting the job, off Chelsea goes Cancun, ultimately finding him in a pueblito on road to Vallodolid. There, in the simplicity of modern Mayan village life, not only love finds them...and some pretty steamy sex ... but also the importance of work life balance. The characters are relatable as are the beneficial effects on those characters experienced being thrust into a more primitive, calmer world for a period of time.
Bonus: some wonderful detail of the Mayan culture and Mexico outside the Cancun resort vacation destinations.
January 1, 2020
I love most of what BarbaraDelinsky writes and this was no exception, the background was very clear and the emotions were right on. It kept me involved all the way through and the ending was so right.
Thank you, Ms. Delinsky, for books that are so realist
Jane Stratton Comer age 83 who is a lover of your books.
janestrattonc@gmail.com
Thank you, Ms. Delinsky, for books that are so realist
Jane Stratton Comer age 83 who is a lover of your books.
janestrattonc@gmail.com
June 27, 2019
Interesting Topic
I enjoy Barbara's books and this one didn't disappoint! She picked interesting characters and exotic locations for her story! Highly recommended!
I enjoy Barbara's books and this one didn't disappoint! She picked interesting characters and exotic locations for her story! Highly recommended!
April 16, 2022
Great Read
I just love how Barbara Delinsky spins her stories with believable characters, great settings and heart warming details. Enjoyed this book.
I just love how Barbara Delinsky spins her stories with believable characters, great settings and heart warming details. Enjoyed this book.
August 12, 2012
I am a fan of Barbara Delinsky's books, and this was a good one. I have to admit I have liked some of her other books much more but this one was a good before bed read. I had very little in comma with the characters, so I had a hard time connecting with any of them. However, as always the writing style is easy read, and makes for a nice escape from crazy reality or stupid reality television. :)
February 11, 2016
Why do I do this to myself? I think this was another Kindle free download, and, having already read a bunch of Barbara Delinsky's books, I figured, why not? I read lots of heavy stuff for work and it's nice to have a distraction.....
......but this? This was just silly. Predictable. Not even well written, and there were copy errors galore! I like fluff now and again, but...argh. Need to look into these Kindle downloads before I actually download.
......but this? This was just silly. Predictable. Not even well written, and there were copy errors galore! I like fluff now and again, but...argh. Need to look into these Kindle downloads before I actually download.
May 2, 2013
not my cup of tea! But read it cause I wanted to see what her early books where like. Was good but just not what I enjoyed reading even when these came out. Start romance was never my thing. I love her work now - stories with romance but always with meaning and morals behind it all. Cannot wait till her new one comes out!!
September 25, 2016
I love the way barber writes it is always a can't put down book. Always needing to see what I'd next. I am true to read all her books. They hold my interest an I can't go to sleep before I finish the book. The characters seem to come alive in your mind
So true to life as it should be. A dreAm of a story. The silver fox keeps you guessing if he is really a good guy.
So true to life as it should be. A dreAm of a story. The silver fox keeps you guessing if he is really a good guy.
May 26, 2014
A typical Harlequin romance story line. As the author mentioned in the forward section, it was an earlier manuscript that she now decided to have published. Therefore, the book has an aura of being dated.
June 16, 2012
It was ok...
November 23, 2012
A tidy little love story, predictable yet sweet.
January 13, 2013
Really enjoyed the storyline, though the timing is rushed. Loved the emotion displayed throughout. First book by this author, but not my last.
February 22, 2013
Fast read and not bad for a cheap book. I'm not normally a romance reader, but this one wasn't bad. I thought the writing was good and not corny.
March 1, 2013
An ok adventure-romance. Liked it.
Read
June 24, 2013I very rarely not complete a book, but this isn't the genre I was going for. I'm not going to offer a review because if you're a fan of Harlequin, you'll like it. Lol
July 6, 2013
Loved it. This is one of the very best "books of summer" I've read to date.
February 23, 2014
I've read other books by Barbara Delinsky and liked them, but I was not fond of this plot and even less fond of the dialogue. I actually chose not to finish reading it.
Read
July 8, 2015This is definitely not a good sample of what this author is capable of writing. I only stuck with it because I had hoped it would improve based on other books of hers that I have enjoyed.
February 17, 2016
Good book, disappointed with the ending
July 11, 2012
Great love story. Enjoyed this book and could not put it down.
February 9, 2016
it was a good story and loved parts of it but the chapters were too long.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews