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Rescue River #2
His Secret Child
A Surprise Father
Snowed in at the dog rescue farm where she's housesitting, Fern Easton can't turn away the handsome stranger who appears during the blizzard. Who is this mysterious man who's as capable with stray dogs as he is with her four-year-old foster child? Carlo Camden's returned to Rescue River to be a father to a daughter he never knew existed. But he doesn't expect to stumble upon little Mercedes right away. Let alone to start caring about the devoted beauty who desperately wants to be her mom. Carlo's surprise homecoming is all about making amends. But he might just have found the woman of his dreams, too…
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2016
96 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Lee Tobin McClain
176 books530 followersNew York Times bestselling author of emotional, heartwarming romances. Visit http://www.leetobinmcclain.com to join newsletter, get book release details, and find out more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 22, 2025
I did not care for Fern at all.
January 24, 2016
I loved this sweet romance between introvert,Fern and extrovert Carlo.
The characters were endearing, especially Mercedes.
Being an introvert,I can relate to Fern and totally understand her feelings.
We find that faith in God helps overcome all problems.
I was honored to receive an autographed copy of this book and I'm honored to leave a review.
The characters were endearing, especially Mercedes.
Being an introvert,I can relate to Fern and totally understand her feelings.
We find that faith in God helps overcome all problems.
I was honored to receive an autographed copy of this book and I'm honored to leave a review.
February 8, 2016
Lee Tobin McClain and Love Inspired have released a touching story about a shy, young woman trying to find a family.
Fern Eaton, librarian and aspiring author of children's books, has her life all planned out, but as we all know things don't always go as planned. When her friend, Kath, passes away Fern finds herself as foster mother to Mercedes, Kath's daughter, and hopefully her adopted mother. While house sitting a stranger, Carlo, arrives at the door seeking shelter. As a snowstorm sweeps in Fern, Mercedes and Carlo settle into a family-like routine which causes sparks to fly between Carlo and Fern. Unfortunately when the roads are finally cleared Fern learns that Carlo is there to shred all her plans and could possibly break her fragile heart.
This is a sweet story with a complicated romance between two flawed characters. Fern grew up in foster care which lead her to become very shy. She's haunted by always being an outsider. She steps out of her comfort zone to help a stranger and finds that maybe there's hope after all. Carlo grew up in a less than desirable home life which has shaped him into the man he has become. He joined the military trying to escape the memories, but while in South America was led to God. He has returned home to right a wrong he committed without knowing.
This is a story that quickly pulled me in. The story has good pace and flow that kept my attention. I like how the author shows the raw feelings and turmoil over what is best for Mercedes.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
Fern Eaton, librarian and aspiring author of children's books, has her life all planned out, but as we all know things don't always go as planned. When her friend, Kath, passes away Fern finds herself as foster mother to Mercedes, Kath's daughter, and hopefully her adopted mother. While house sitting a stranger, Carlo, arrives at the door seeking shelter. As a snowstorm sweeps in Fern, Mercedes and Carlo settle into a family-like routine which causes sparks to fly between Carlo and Fern. Unfortunately when the roads are finally cleared Fern learns that Carlo is there to shred all her plans and could possibly break her fragile heart.
This is a sweet story with a complicated romance between two flawed characters. Fern grew up in foster care which lead her to become very shy. She's haunted by always being an outsider. She steps out of her comfort zone to help a stranger and finds that maybe there's hope after all. Carlo grew up in a less than desirable home life which has shaped him into the man he has become. He joined the military trying to escape the memories, but while in South America was led to God. He has returned home to right a wrong he committed without knowing.
This is a story that quickly pulled me in. The story has good pace and flow that kept my attention. I like how the author shows the raw feelings and turmoil over what is best for Mercedes.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
February 1, 2016
Spoiler alert: This review gives away some facts in the story.
The book was a lot of fun to read. It is a good story combined with a blizzard, an extra-large snowman, and a handsome stranger … how can you go wrong with that combination?
What I liked: I especially loved the beginning of the story: It begins with a blinding blizzard while our main character, Fern, and her daughter Mercedes welcome a beguiling stranger who ends up being a blessing in disguise into the home they are caring for. The time they spend together blossoms into a sweet, tender love story. And of course, the writer and artist in me loved the fact that she is an author and illustrator. I could totally empathize with her emotional need of being a “home body” and her love for staying away from the crowds that make her nervous.
What I didn’t like: Carlo was so sick when he knocked on her door that he almost passed out and could hardly stand. Yet after he was there for a short time, his miraculous recovery allowed him to take on all the responsibilities of caring for a huge dog kennel by himself. This was a minor flaw, but his instant recovery from such a debilitating disease seemed a bit unrealistic.
Over all, I give this story five stars and recommend it to anyone loving a wonderful, sweet love story.
The book was a lot of fun to read. It is a good story combined with a blizzard, an extra-large snowman, and a handsome stranger … how can you go wrong with that combination?
What I liked: I especially loved the beginning of the story: It begins with a blinding blizzard while our main character, Fern, and her daughter Mercedes welcome a beguiling stranger who ends up being a blessing in disguise into the home they are caring for. The time they spend together blossoms into a sweet, tender love story. And of course, the writer and artist in me loved the fact that she is an author and illustrator. I could totally empathize with her emotional need of being a “home body” and her love for staying away from the crowds that make her nervous.
What I didn’t like: Carlo was so sick when he knocked on her door that he almost passed out and could hardly stand. Yet after he was there for a short time, his miraculous recovery allowed him to take on all the responsibilities of caring for a huge dog kennel by himself. This was a minor flaw, but his instant recovery from such a debilitating disease seemed a bit unrealistic.
Over all, I give this story five stars and recommend it to anyone loving a wonderful, sweet love story.
January 29, 2016
I loved this book. Very well written and engaging from the first sentence. Introvert and extrovert meet during a heavy snow storm. Good character development with intense situations. Very clean and uplifting. Story line flows nicely. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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February 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Rescue River
Miniseries: Rescue River
December 30, 2018
Fern Easton is a librarian with ambitions to be a children's author and artist. Right now she's dog-sitting and house-sitting for her friend Angelica and her husband, who are on a second honeymoon in Europe with their two children. They run a dog rescue, so Fern is caring for not only their own three-legged dog named Bull, but also all the dogs currently in their rescue, housed in what used to be the barn on their property. She's also caring for her foster daughter Mercedes, just four years old, orphaned daughter of her friend, Kath.
Carlo Camden is a former soldier, former mercenary, now a missionary. A few years ago, he was married, very unwisely, to a woman who threw him out, while spiraling down into an ever more misspent life. He's also Angelica's brother.
He has just recently received a latter from his ex-wife, written as she was dying, telling him that she was pregnant when she kicked him out the last time, and asking him to come home to Rescue River to care for their daughter, Mercedes.
Of course he shows up at the door of his sister's home as a major snowstorm is closing in. He's sick, still suffering from Dengue fever and about to push himself into a full relapse if he doesn't get rest and care. Fern is naturally cautious about letting a strange man into the house where she's alone with her little girl, but it's also not acceptable to kick him out into the storm. Fern manages to reach Angelica in France, and after a conversation in which she never hands Carlo the phone for Angelica to talk to and which objectively does nothing to confirm that he really is Carlo, agrees to let him stay.
What follows is in many ways a sweet and charming story, of good people who have personal history to overcome and don't always see their own strengths--and Fern in particular has some well-earned problems with trusting other people.
I like the characters. I like the story. However, this is a "Christian" book in which it's all too clear that the author defines "Christian" very narrowly. These are sweet, kind, decent people who think being saved is a discrete, transcendent experience, that you can know for sure whether you're saved or not, and, push comes to shove, believe that most Christians in this world need to convert in order to be Christians.
There's a lot of Christian romance out there where the author either doesn't share those particular attitudes, or even if they do, doesn't ladle them on so heavy in their books. They've got room in their worldview for good people who don't share their exact beliefs and aren't just waiting to be "saved" in this one particular way.
So--a mixed bag. I like these characters and their story. I just wish the author had a lighter touch with attitudes and assumptions only some of which I share with her.
So perhaps--recommended with extreme caution?
I received this book free from Harlequin as part of a promotion, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Carlo Camden is a former soldier, former mercenary, now a missionary. A few years ago, he was married, very unwisely, to a woman who threw him out, while spiraling down into an ever more misspent life. He's also Angelica's brother.
He has just recently received a latter from his ex-wife, written as she was dying, telling him that she was pregnant when she kicked him out the last time, and asking him to come home to Rescue River to care for their daughter, Mercedes.
Of course he shows up at the door of his sister's home as a major snowstorm is closing in. He's sick, still suffering from Dengue fever and about to push himself into a full relapse if he doesn't get rest and care. Fern is naturally cautious about letting a strange man into the house where she's alone with her little girl, but it's also not acceptable to kick him out into the storm. Fern manages to reach Angelica in France, and after a conversation in which she never hands Carlo the phone for Angelica to talk to and which objectively does nothing to confirm that he really is Carlo, agrees to let him stay.
What follows is in many ways a sweet and charming story, of good people who have personal history to overcome and don't always see their own strengths--and Fern in particular has some well-earned problems with trusting other people.
I like the characters. I like the story. However, this is a "Christian" book in which it's all too clear that the author defines "Christian" very narrowly. These are sweet, kind, decent people who think being saved is a discrete, transcendent experience, that you can know for sure whether you're saved or not, and, push comes to shove, believe that most Christians in this world need to convert in order to be Christians.
There's a lot of Christian romance out there where the author either doesn't share those particular attitudes, or even if they do, doesn't ladle them on so heavy in their books. They've got room in their worldview for good people who don't share their exact beliefs and aren't just waiting to be "saved" in this one particular way.
So--a mixed bag. I like these characters and their story. I just wish the author had a lighter touch with attitudes and assumptions only some of which I share with her.
So perhaps--recommended with extreme caution?
I received this book free from Harlequin as part of a promotion, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
March 6, 2022
A friend sent me this book in a box of books. I know I've read this author before and the "man who has a child he has to come back to claim" theme is common to at least 2 of the books--which means it wouldn't earn more than an average rating from me unless it was so exceptional.
I related to Fern feeling she was awkward around others and perhaps not meant to have a marriage relationship. It was nice to see that perhaps there are men who like that type of woman.
I can understand feeling that you relate better to kids and animals--but does Fern not realize that the 4 year old she plans to adopt will eventually become older, become an adult? Because the way she's portrayed made her sound clueless to me.
I did like that eventually both Fern and Carlo wanted to do what was right or best for Mercy rather than clinging to what they wanted.
I related to Fern feeling she was awkward around others and perhaps not meant to have a marriage relationship. It was nice to see that perhaps there are men who like that type of woman.
I can understand feeling that you relate better to kids and animals--but does Fern not realize that the 4 year old she plans to adopt will eventually become older, become an adult? Because the way she's portrayed made her sound clueless to me.
I did like that eventually both Fern and Carlo wanted to do what was right or best for Mercy rather than clinging to what they wanted.
December 22, 2025
Fern is a librarian who now is trying to adopt Mercedes, her friend Kath's child. Kath requested before passing that Fern be the one to raise Mercedes. But as it happened, Fern's friend Angelica had written her brother Carlo to tell him that after Kath kicked him out, she found out she was expecting and she had a daughter, Mercedes. Carlo never knew he was a father and came home from overseas to find his daughter. He arrives at Angelica's and her Dog Rescue that Fern and Mercedes are taking care of while Angelica is on her honeymoon. Carlo is ill with some tropical fever and with the snow storm he has no where to go. Fern allows him to stay. When Carlo meets Mercedes who is now 4 years old, he is almost positive that she is his daughter. But he does not tell Fern his suspicions. After the storm things get ugly as both Fern and Carlo want to rise Mercedes. What will happen next?
February 9, 2020
Sweet story. Totally predictable but also charming and inspiring. Wonderful characters with strengths and weaknesses that a lot of readers can relate to.
I loved the author's message of how turning to God, when we are beyond knowing how to resolve a situation, will bring us peace and comfort even before He shows His perfect way.
I loved the author's message of how turning to God, when we are beyond knowing how to resolve a situation, will bring us peace and comfort even before He shows His perfect way.
November 16, 2024
The plot of this novel involves a women who wants to adopt a little girl and a man who is returning home so he can take care of the little girl he didn't know about until his ex-wife died. Unfortunately, they both want custody of the same child. Complicating matters is the fact that the couple is attracted to one another and must decide what is best for the child. This was an interesting read.
August 17, 2019
Ms McClain did an amazing job on this story. She admits that Fern is based on herself. She could have been writing about me, or other people who feel the same about themselves. It hit home big time, and I’m sure it will hit home for others too!
August 18, 2020
Good story - I enjoyed the pull between foster parent wanting to adopt and natural parent finding out they have a child. Wasn't written in a "same old" way that I'm finding with a lot of what I'm reading lately.
November 17, 2024
Caring to love.
Things can be worked out with God's help. I would suggest this book for someone who wanted some adventure and love. I would take the Carlo character and do another book about his new job. Great reading.
Things can be worked out with God's help. I would suggest this book for someone who wanted some adventure and love. I would take the Carlo character and do another book about his new job. Great reading.
November 24, 2024
Wonderful novel!
Lee Tobin McClain did a great job in writing this great book. Fern Easton was with her four year old foster child, Mercedes, in Angerlica’s home when a man showed up at the door who was sick. It get’s better! Jeanette Stracner
Lee Tobin McClain did a great job in writing this great book. Fern Easton was with her four year old foster child, Mercedes, in Angerlica’s home when a man showed up at the door who was sick. It get’s better! Jeanette Stracner
November 24, 2024
This book by Lee Tobin McClain was a great book. Fern Easton was with her four year old foster child doin house sitting. A man showed up at the door who was Angelina’s brother who was sick in the snowstorm. Very interesting book! Jeanette Stracner
January 2, 2019
This books had been very enjoyable. Kind of typical Harlequin style romance and that’s what I was in the mood for.
February 17, 2019
Loved this sweet story!
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July 27, 2019A love story about a man who came back from South American. He discover that he had a daughter and a lady Fern had the daughter. They fell in love with each other.
January 1, 2020
Another amazing book by Lee Tobin McClain!
April 7, 2020
Sweet, predictable love story. However, McClain needs to research children's authors before writing them for all the world to see. Ezra JACK Keats wrote The Snowy Day not Ezra Scott Keats!
June 15, 2022
Foster children need stability and this book shows a way to accomplish it
July 9, 2024
2.5 Stars
October 26, 2024
Loved it!
November 15, 2024
Great read. I enjoyed this one
February 4, 2025
Why
Great Christian book about foster mom and child's father realizing he was the child's father. I hope the rest of series is like this book
Great Christian book about foster mom and child's father realizing he was the child's father. I hope the rest of series is like this book
March 7, 2017
A great book
Loved the book, loved the characters, loved the setting, loved the storyline, loved the writing, loved the editing, and especially loved the HEA. Love this author's books.
Loved the book, loved the characters, loved the setting, loved the storyline, loved the writing, loved the editing, and especially loved the HEA. Love this author's books.
February 21, 2019
A big coincidence is revealed early on (so it’s not a spoiler) when Carlo comes home to his sister’s place after years away, and discovers that the four year old daughter he’s only just learned about happens to be house-sitting along with her potential adoptive mom.
It’s the kind of too convenient scenario that in many instances likely would have earned an eye-roll from me, and maybe even hindered my ability to get into the story when it starts off on such a manipulative note, but the author did such a winning job with the characters and their emotions, that happily I was able to shake off the unlikeliness of the situation almost immediately and just settle in for good storytelling.
I love that the heroine Fern is an introvert and how it’s handled with love and respect throughout the story, at no point is another character expecting her or pushing her to be something other than this person who sometimes needs time apart, needs quiet, instead both the hero, Carlo, and the little girl, Mercy, treat it with great understanding that the world could use more of.
As for Carlo, while I would have liked to learn a bit more about his past in the military and his missionary work (he has a pretty violent response to being startled early on that maybe could have been explored), I get that the book does have a limited word count and needed to prioritize the relationships with Fern and his daughter instead.
Along with a strong sense of community, I think where this one really worked for me was in the conflict, sure it’s a romance so the happily ever after was guaranteed, but with such a high-stakes conflict in the custody of this child (who has a believable emotional arc of her own), the journey to get to the happily ever after remained tense and page-turning throughout.
It’s the kind of too convenient scenario that in many instances likely would have earned an eye-roll from me, and maybe even hindered my ability to get into the story when it starts off on such a manipulative note, but the author did such a winning job with the characters and their emotions, that happily I was able to shake off the unlikeliness of the situation almost immediately and just settle in for good storytelling.
I love that the heroine Fern is an introvert and how it’s handled with love and respect throughout the story, at no point is another character expecting her or pushing her to be something other than this person who sometimes needs time apart, needs quiet, instead both the hero, Carlo, and the little girl, Mercy, treat it with great understanding that the world could use more of.
As for Carlo, while I would have liked to learn a bit more about his past in the military and his missionary work (he has a pretty violent response to being startled early on that maybe could have been explored), I get that the book does have a limited word count and needed to prioritize the relationships with Fern and his daughter instead.
Along with a strong sense of community, I think where this one really worked for me was in the conflict, sure it’s a romance so the happily ever after was guaranteed, but with such a high-stakes conflict in the custody of this child (who has a believable emotional arc of her own), the journey to get to the happily ever after remained tense and page-turning throughout.
January 15, 2019
Offered for free one day by Harlequin.com - unfortunately, Harlequin has now started to use a new app, BookShout. This app download states specifically that BookShout will have access to all my privacy, including taking pictures & videos, reading my contacts, modifying or deleting contents and full network access, modifying system settings, and prevent my Fire from sleeping, among other access.
I contacted Harlequin to ask why they are now using an app that grants this unacceptable access to my device, and their answer was that I could "turn the app off when not using it." What?? I would love to read this book, but people who get books online through Harlequin.com should pay attention to what they are allowing the reading app access to on their devices.
I'm sure I would love this book, the two stars are for Harlequin.com, NOT the book - but if I could not leave a review without a star rating.
I contacted Harlequin to ask why they are now using an app that grants this unacceptable access to my device, and their answer was that I could "turn the app off when not using it." What?? I would love to read this book, but people who get books online through Harlequin.com should pay attention to what they are allowing the reading app access to on their devices.
I'm sure I would love this book, the two stars are for Harlequin.com, NOT the book - but if I could not leave a review without a star rating.
June 20, 2016
This was another great book by this author! In the second book, we meet Carlo (the brother of the heroine in the first book). Carlo arrives in Rescue River after learning his a father from his brief marriage. The woman never bothered telling him he had a daughter, and Carlo was out of the country doing missionary work a lot. He's not your ordinary missionary - he's more like a soldier who sweeps in to help people. Carlo comes to visit his sister and ends up staying several days at his cabin with Fern and her almost-adopted daughter. At first, neither realize that the little girl is his daughter. Then when he figures it out he keeps the news from Fern. They half fall in love before it's suddenly revealed.
The second half of the book takes place after Carlo leaves the cabin. It's sweet and sad and wonderful all at the same time!
The second half of the book takes place after Carlo leaves the cabin. It's sweet and sad and wonderful all at the same time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews