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Noah's Crossing #1

Instant Daddy

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A grateful mother...
Jessie Chandler is used to heartbreak. But she’s also used to blessings. Before her sister died, she gave Jessie the gift of a lifetime, her baby son, and Jessie is joyfully dedicating her life to raising little Jake. It isn’t until she meets Dr. Peter Sheridan, her sister’s colleague, that Jessie begins to fear heartbreak might win out.

An overwhelmed father...
Dr. Peter Sheridan never wanted to be a father. Finding a cure for neurological disease demands his full focus, and he has no room in his life for anything else. But when he sees Jake’s little face, the spitting image of his own, Peter realizes he can’t turn his back on his responsibility to his child even when he has no earthly idea how to be the daddy his son needs.

The gift of love…
Wanting the best for Jake, Jessie agrees to help Peter learn to take care of his son, even though losing the toddler she loves will destroy her. But in the shadow of her sacrifice, can Jessie and Peter discover another of God’s blessings… that through sharing comes the greatest love?

Instant Daddy is the first book in Carol Voss' Noah’s Crossing series. This inspirational story of family and love is approximately 57,000 words.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

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494 people want to read

About the author

Carol Voss

14 books30 followers
Carol Voss has received two Golden Heart nominations and two Maggie Award nominations. She has won the Heart of the Rockies contest, the Four Seasons Award, the Golden Pen, the Silver Quill, and the Published Beacon. She has published four books with Harlequin, three of which are Love Inspired inspirational romances.
A BABY FOR SARAH is Carol’s fourth inspirational romance. The book received third place in the Short Contemporary Category in the 2015 Inspirational Readers' Choice Award and launched Ms. Voss into the world of self-publishing.

After the Wedding is her fifth inspirational romance but slips into No 2 in the Noah's Crossing series, thereby bumping each novel a notch. She blames her muse for any confusion that might ensue.

In January, 2020, Leah's Hope rounded the series to six books. Book seven, Rachel's Song, will release May 22, 2025.

Please sign up at www.carolvoss.com to receive book announcements and to be included in occasional sales or drawings for free books

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5 stars
989 (59%)
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447 (26%)
3 stars
181 (10%)
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35 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
Profile Image for Julia Griffis - The Romance Bibliophile.
1,104 reviews87 followers
September 21, 2014
I loved the storyline and characters, and I thought "Instant Daddy" was a wonderful Christian romance. Peter and Jessie were amazing characters, among many others. The only thing I would have liked to have seen was an epilogue a little bit in the future, but other than that I loved it and I can't wait to read the next book by Carol Voss!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
53 reviews16 followers
April 12, 2012
I received this book from ACFW to review for the Carol Awards, and I am so glad I did! It was a great read with engaging characters that I rooted for throughout the book and a hero that I fell in love with :)
Profile Image for Annie.
11 reviews
November 12, 2016
Instead Daddy: Inspirational Romance(Noah's Crossing Book 1)

I would recommend this story to anyone who doesn't think they deserve to be happy and in this wonderful story you will understand why. Also coming to believe in God can bring you what you didn't think you could ever have. It's a good clean book. Thanks Carol Voss.
Profile Image for Melinda Taylor.
35 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2017
Very Strong Story

Absolutely loved the characters! Wonderful, considerate man and a strong woman. Usually, or rather sometimes, that can present a problem, but in this case, they understood each others feelings. In other words they respected, loved, and helped one another through the difficult times. Great story!
Profile Image for Love.
1,747 reviews5 followers
December 10, 2016
Amazing Love Story

This is an amazing love story with amazing characters that touch your heart and beautiful heartwarming storyline that will make you want to read it again and again.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,298 reviews
April 23, 2017
Excellent novel, this was a new author for me and I enjoyed her work.
Thoroughly developed characters, story line was unique and well thought out. Sometimes when the story is complex as this one, the ending is rushed and left unfinished; however, Ms. Voss made sure to satisfy her readers from the very beginning until the very end.
I completed this novel in one day, could not put it down!
Profile Image for Debby.
1,947 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2026
Very disappointing. Rounded up from 2.5 stars. This author may think she has addressed the issue of not being able to have children, but this is a clumsy representation if that’s what she was going for. I found the MFC to be very immature and selfish. Not a good example of what a mature Christian believer is in any of the circumstances of this story.
There are millions of woman unable to bear children. Millions.
Not sure I will bother with any other books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books90 followers
February 8, 2018
Instant Daddy was deeply emotional with characters that were giving and cared for one another on a level that made the story reach the heart of the reader. Jessica and Peter found answers to their problems and disappointments by turning to God and family for support.

Jake, Peter and Jessie's twin sister's son was a delightful toddler full of energy, personality and ready to enjoy life to the fullest as only a toddler can do to drive the adults in his life crazy keeping them safe and happy and filling their world with love. Jessie accepted her twins son the day he was born only to lose her twin in an accident a few months later.

Dr. Peter Sheridan came to give a memorial scholarship in Clarissa's name and saw Jake and realized he was a father. Jessie had no idea who the father of the baby was because her sister just said the father had no time or desire to be a father and was out of the picture. This started the relationship between father and son and Jessie too.
704 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2017
Fatherhood

Emotional story about a man finding out about a son he never knew about. It is the story of a sister who !Ives and is raising this child. It is about giving up personal/selfish wants for the good of the child.
Favorite part is when the dad tries to bathe the active 18 month old.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews101 followers
April 22, 2017
Great

Jessie was in a car accident and because of it is unable to have kids. Right after that she lost her fiancée because couldn't deal with it, and she didn't tell anyone else but her twin. Her sister was pregnant with Jake and was more interested in her research. So Jessie adopted him. Her sister died in a fire at her lab. At the one year anniversary they gave a scholarship to a student from their high school. Peter came as the representative to give it. Little did he know he would be meeting his son. Its a beautiful story.
341 reviews
April 26, 2017
Beautiful story

This is a beautiful story of two people who are complete opposites finding common ground with the son they share. There are twists and turns in their journey and only when they are fully honest with each other will they find what God's plan is for them.
2,291 reviews7 followers
November 9, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it all the more because the romance wasn't the focal point of the story all the time. The set up is odd to be sure--a set of identical twins--one of whom was injured in an auto accident and the other who ended up pregnant after a one-night stand. The pregnant sister arranges for her twin to adopt the baby and raise him. (She later dies but the plan was for her sister to raise the child anyway.) The baby's father (who didn't know about the pregnancy) discovers that he has a child during a scholarship presentation and wants to be part of the boy's life. The two eventually learn to work together to do what's best for the child--and they fall in love at the same time. But can they trust each other?
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,352 reviews38 followers
May 18, 2017
This is the 1st book I read by Carol Voss. I loved this book's cover. I loved this book's story line. This book's story line was sad. I loved Peter's character. My heart broke for Peter. I loved Jessie's character. My heart broke for Jessie. I loved Jake, he was so cute & adorable. I loved the ending. I loved the God message of this story. Awesome job Ms. Voss.
Profile Image for Helen.
327 reviews5 followers
February 14, 2018
E-Reader. Romance

Jessie Chandler was in a very bad auto accident & was hurt, was in the hospital for a long & P/T.  Only thing people noticed is she walks with a limp due her hip having been damaged.  The driver Neil was her fiancee & he left feeling so guilty he caused the accident.

While she's recovering her twin Clarrissa comes home & she's pregnant. She told her the father didn't want anything to with a child.

Jessie adopted Jake.  And not long after Clarrissa left for NYC, she was in her lab trying to work on her project that might help cure people.  The lab caught on fire and she died trying to save her notes.

Jake is now 3 yrs. old.  In honor of Clarrissa a scholarship was set up.  They asked Dr. Peter Sheridan, former colleague, to come to speak and announce who won, at the high school graduation.

Once he stepped up on to the stage, Jessie lower jaw dropped as she felt he looked so much like Jake.  They both have a cleft chin with a birth mark.

Jessie speaks with her lawyer who handled the adoption papers.  He felt it would be better for her work with Peter rather then go to court.

Peter didn't know he had a son, Clarrissa never told him she was pregnant.  After a DNA test confirmed he is Jake's father, Jessie tries help teach him how to be a parent.  Jake calls him Pedo an he's a very active toddler.

There is so much more to this story you need to read this book.

Will Jessie ever admit & realize she loves Peter?

It will not take long to read this book.  Enjoy!

Profile Image for Leya.
578 reviews23 followers
September 22, 2023
I read faith-based books and would not put this book in that category. As the characters barely acknowledge God and I never saw the name Jesus once in the book, well I may stand to be corrected on that one since it has taken me 2 years to complete this book so my memory could be shaky.

So the main character Peter discovers he has a son that no one bothers to tell him about because the biological mother said he didn’t want to be a father. But the family that has his son Jake don’t even give him a chance with the truth. For people of faith I would assume Truth to be paramount. Peter eventually meets his son and while spending time with him Jake nearly falls out of his high chair and those are ground to label Peter an unfit father, that threw me off. That is when I took an 18 months break from the book. Peter is basically begging for time to spend with his son, and the woman holding his son hostage Jesse dictates as and when Peter can see his son. He should have gone through with the 50% custody in my opinion.

The author did Peter wrong. This was not an easy ready.
61 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2017
For love of Jake

Jesse is the legal mother of Jake, but surprisingly Dr Shepherd appears in their small town and thinks he is the father. Jessie's peaceful life is shaken! What are Peter Shepherd's legal rights? Will he demand joint custody?
Carol Voss has written a charming story which is somewhat suspenseful. I really enjoyed it, but a couple things were a bit odd. At the opening Jessie is holding toddler Jake while awarding a scholarship at a graduation Is this to show us that Jessie is very possessive? Odd. Is this supposed to be a Christian novel? Sex outside of marriage seems fine. Jake was the result of a one night stand. Even for no apparent reason, Jessie 'a parents mention that Jessie and her twin were conceived out of wedlock. This is quite common in today's society but not in Christian standards. I was disappointed to see it in what I thought was aChristian story.
Profile Image for Sue.
Author 1 book40 followers
August 17, 2022
This was a free download for my Kindle, read while on holiday... pleasant enough reading that was easy to put down at a moment's notice.

The idea is unusual and I thought it held a lot of promise: a woman who is raising her sister's toddler son meets a man who is almost certainly his father. He had no idea that he had a son and is focussed on his career, but decides he wants a part in his son's life.

But I found the writing a bit repetitive, and the outcome predictable. The Christian element was well done, I thought, without being pushy or preachy, and the ending satisfying even if I could see it coming. However I don't plan on looking for others in this series.

If you want something light and undemanding with a Christian theme (and, as a consequence, entirely free of anything remotely 'adult') then if you can find it free or inexpensive on Kindle, it's not a bad read.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Anna Marie.
1,407 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2023
A lovely story about a man obsessed with science until he finds out that a one night stand made him a daddy. Where it gets crazy is that the mother gave his child to her barren sister to raise, since she's also obsessed with science. Or was, until she died in a lab accident.

When he goes to present a memorial scholarship in the mother's name, he sees his son and the sister, and knows that his life is changed forever. But due to a previous rejection (and her inability to have more children), Jessie doesn't feel that she could have a relationship with him.

Can he convince her otherwise?

This is one of the older 'Love, Inspired' novels that doesn't feel as pat as the newer ones. It's rich with emotion and romance, and the characters actually pray and grow closer to Ha'Shem as they go along, which is always a plus for me.

Definitely worth reading.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,628 reviews69 followers
September 9, 2018

.

Instant Daddy: Inspirational Romance: Noah’s Crossing Book 1 is by Carol Voss. This is a cute book with no graphic details. It is just good plain fun.
Jessie Chandler had been in an accident which left her with a limp and unable to have children. Her fiancé, who was driving the car, left her and married another. Jessie’s twin sister, Clarissa, had a baby boy which she gave to her sister. When she signed the adoption papers, Jessie assumed every thing was legal. Then she finds out that Dr. Peter Sheridan, a colleague of Clarissa’s is the baby’s father and he wants to exercise his legal rights as a father. Clarissa has not told him about his having a son.
What will Jessie do? What lengths will she go to to keep Jake?

2,115 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2020
Jessie Chandler suffered significant injuries in a car crash, including the inability to bear children, which caused her fiance to bail. When her dedicated scientist twin sister gets pregnant, she lets Jessie adopt him before she's killed in a lab fire. Life is going fine until Dr. Peter Sheridan arrives in Jessie's small town to award a scholarship in her sister's name and he sees the boy - obviously his son. Peter is also a dedicated scientist who had a one night stand and had no knowledge of the pregnancy. When he realizes he has a son however, he wants to be involved. Jessie takes pity on him, and starts teaching him how to interact with Jake. The two finally work through their multitude of issues for the happy ending they deserve.
1,288 reviews3 followers
August 25, 2021
Good Christian romance. Jessie had a hard life with a broken engagement and a car accident that left her in the hospital for three months. Now she has her sister's baby to raise. Jake is everything to her. Then Peter shows up and through DNA tests, he is Jake's father. The author did a good job in showing the interesting up and downs with being a single mom but now having to share Jake with a stranger. What a hard situation for everyone. Peter wants to be a part of Jake's life. Jake is only 18 months so it isn't like he can go stay at Peter's house without ramifications. Jessie and Peter find the right balance and with God's help, they work through their issues for a happily ever after ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rebekah Morris.
Author 119 books268 followers
May 8, 2017
I ended up skimming most of this book not because the content was bad, but because I really wasn't all that interested in the characters and it felt like the Christian parts were weak when the story line could have shown a powerful message. There was church going, some prayers and the guy just started "talking to God" as though that was all that was needed.
The author did include the fight to find cures for debilitating illnesses which I thought was good.

Others might enjoy the book more than I did.
479 reviews3 followers
March 25, 2020
Praise always to our Lord!

Thank you so much for this story. My heart was blessed by this story. My husband of almost 53 years past away October 29, 2018. He had been really sick most of the year after our youngest son and my brother-in-law passed in January. My husband was diagnosed with advanced ALS about three weeks before he passed. This story re-encouraged me of God's blessing and grace in everything in our life...The good and sorrow of loss. God bless your talent and Faith in God and Christ Jesus.
Profile Image for Catarina Águas.
2,366 reviews210 followers
October 17, 2021
It was a good enough book but I just couldn't like Jessie. Her attitude towards Peter for more than half of the book was so unfair. He deserved to meet and spend time with his son and she was making it so damn hard. He never once thought about going to court but still she was always hovering nearby conviced he would Jake from her. And hurting more than once when he told her how he felt. I understood completely why she did and my heart went to her but she hurt him without any reason to. In my opinion, she didn't deserve
Profile Image for Debra.
3,467 reviews13 followers
November 1, 2021
Instant Daddy

This was a good story about handling what life has given you. In this case the H finds out that he is a father. His one night stand ended up pregnant. She had moved away and had the baby. He finds out after she had died. Her sister, the h, is raising the child. There is much more to the story. Much is about letting go, not keeping sadness to bear alone. But allowing those who love you share the good and the bad. This is also a good story about becoming more like what Christ has planned.
77 reviews
November 13, 2021
Instant Daddy: Inspirational Romance (Noah's Crossing Book 1)

Enjoyed the story and the characters. The struggle of the main characters in dealing with issues of unexpectedly becoming a father and learning how to adjust to being part of a loving family. Also the realization that no one has a perfect life. There are always problems and adjustments one has to make. The knowledge that God is there if you trust him to carry your burden and give you the strength to move forward and accept what is and what could be. I did find this story inspirational.
Profile Image for Dana Winright.
36 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2019
Didn’t love it, but I liked it.

I was super confused in the beginning. The description said he was an overwhelmed father. Turns out he didn’t know he was a father and then when he met the baby he instantly knew it was his, because of a birthmark. I can see how you could put two and two together..... after awhile, but not on stage in front of an audience presenting a scholarship.

Once the story got rolling, I enjoyed it. Not sure I’ll read the series.... we’ll see.
140 reviews1 follower
Read
February 14, 2020
Love is Enough

This is a good book on acceptance, forgiveness, friendship, family, small-town life, and finding love. The main characters have to overcome things in their pasts in order to be able to move forward. Taking a good, honest look at ourselves is necessary for growth to take place. I have already downloaded the second book in this series wanting to know about the people of Noah's Crossing.
138 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2020
Nice and Understanding Love

This was a sweet love story well written. There was a lot of forgiveness and love. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the ending. The story was cut short it needed an epilogue show how Jessie and Peter's life ended. If they settled just for Jake or if they adopted a couple children. I surprise twist that the doctors were wrong and she had a set of twins herself. Whatever the ending this one was cut short.
122 reviews
March 3, 2020
Wow!

Jessie is getting on with her new life, after a devastating accident, her role as a mother to her adopted son and the tragic death of her twin sister. What else could happen to further test her faith and endurance? Perhaps the arrival of a handsome man who bears an undeniable resemblance to her son. It just gets better from there! A must read if you like an inspiring, clean romance.



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