How could the sensible daughter of Trinity Harbor's self-proclaimed patriarch have taken in the boy caught hot-wiring her car? Whether the boy is a modern-day Huck Finn or not, Trinity Harbor is in an uproar. But for Daisy, guiding the orphaned ten-year-old is easy, an escape from her own tragic past. She can ignore the town's nay-saying. The only real obstacle is...that man.
That man is the boy's uncle, Walker Ames, a tough D.C. cop who sees his unexpected nephew as his last chance at redemption. Soon he's commuting to the charming fishbowl of a town, where everyone assumes he's seduced Daisy--their best Sunday-school teacher! But to Walker, Daisy is a disconcerting mix of charming innocence and smart-mouthed excitement in a town that's not as sleepy as it looks.
With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
This is my first Sherryl Woods book. When Daisy Spencer catches 10-year-old Tommy Flanagan trying to hotwire her car she instantly falls in love with him. Daisy sees this as a cry for love and attention and decides to take him into her home, much to the outrage of everyone in the town of Trinity Harbor.
Walker Ames is an overworked, burned out D.C. cop, he is stunned when the news of a nephew he never knew he had is delivered to him in the form of a phone call from social worker Frances Jackson. In order to get to know his long lost nephew, Walker agrees to a weekend visit to Trinity Harbor. The two have fun with an old scrappy boat that Tommy has found and is trying to fix up. Gives them some bonding time, and Daisy and Walker kind of hit it off too. It's a pleasant plot and enjoyable to read.
This is my first read by Sherryl Woods and I can honestly say she has made me a fan, I enjoy my romances light and sweet and this had elements of both.
I have to thank this book. It solved my insomnia problem. I would wake up in the middle of the night, wide awake, plug in my earbuds, listen for 10 mins and voilà, I'm asleep.
Sorry Sherryl, I do like some of your books but this wasn't one of them.
I'll listen to the other two books in this series, because I've already downloaded then and hopefully they might hold my interest more.
It would have been one star but I really liked and enjoyed Daisy's wit and sass.
It had the potential of a pretty good storyline, after all, the description lent me to believe it was a deeper story than it turned out to be. But, after I got to chapter 11, I had enough. Maybe its just because its not my type of book? I like books about life and overcoming, and don't mind the occasional romance, but the story seems to take a backseat to the ridiculous romance.
Daisy is a single woman in a small town who will never have children of her own. Jilted because of this revelation, she continues her daily life surrounding herself with children as a schoolteacher, Sunday School teacher, etc. Until one day she finds an orphaned boy in her garage and decides to take him in. That is until the local social worked finds family--a DC cop. Meanwhile her proud, bullheaded father is more concerned about reputation than people's lives tries to meddle and get the kid away from Daisy.
From the first page I thought I would like the story. In fact, I probably would have, except for the juvenile-harlequin"esque" immediate introduction of a lusty romance. Its one thing to build up a storyline and see a romance develop. Its quite another to see upon the first introduction they would share an unexpected kiss while they searched for the missing kid. HUH? And of course like a bad soap opera, every time they are in the same room, there is more description than reality allows about their lustful tension and attraction. You can hear the soap opera music building up when the man comes back to spend a get-to-know-my-nephew weekend at the house and they end up in a make-out session when she shows him to his room. And of course this is while the dramatic music plays noting the arrogant patriarch is in the kitchen wondering what is taking so long.
That's where I stopped. Normally I try to plow through a book, but this is silliness to me. The obsession is a bit too sudden and completely unrealistic to me. It doesn't help that the key players of course are gorgeous--like reality would allow that. So, I'm finished with the book and will assume it all works out in the end as these cheesy romance things usually do.
This book was ok. It was a little hard to get into and some of the characters were a little over-written, i.e. the interfering father was a little too interfering, etc. It was more interesting by the end. Her newer books are much better.
I loved this book. Loved the characters (well, most of them), the story and the way certain sensitive issues are dealt with. There is a lot happening in this book, but the author manages to make it all fit in a convincing way. Still, I had a few issues, which are the main reason I'm rating About That Man with four stars instead of five. I have to admit I was a bit troubled by the way King Spencer (Daisy's father) tries to control the lives and decisions of everyone around him. Not coming from a small town myself, maybe I just can't grasp the situation correctly, but the whole thing strikes me as unrealistic. Bottom line, King Spencer comes across as a bully and just don't like bullies. Also, everyone's concern with the yankees is a bit odd. Again, maybe it's my European mentality, but that war was fought over 150 years ago, isn't it time to let it go? How can anyone say that Walker isn't good enough for Daisy because he's a yankee? And then they discover he was born in Richmond and suddenly he's totally Ok. Really? Do people still live by those rules? And finally, it also seemed strange that at this day and age a woman would get in trouble at work because she's living under the same roof with a man out of wedlock. Granted, she's a highschool teacher, but if there are drug issues at school shouldn't the principal be more concerned about those instead of meddling in private aspects of her life? Nevertheless, and personal rants aside, these are details that should not detract from the fact that About That Man is still a wonderful romance novel, and I recommend it. This was the first book I read by Sherryl Woods and I will certainly go back for more.
i rarely write reviews and i almost never just STOP reading a book-i have read quite a few by Sherryl Woods that i enjoyed but the guy in this book named Walker-everything about him made me cringe-there was nothing attractive about him (to me) the ONE star is for that-not the author
After reading quite a few heavy, deep books, I picked this book up at a local free box to pass the time while my car AC was being repaired. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this light romance as a change of pace. It’s a light, feel-good, beach, page turner.
I enjoyed this. The characters were pretty vivid and likeable, and the situation was compelling. I particularly liked the hero and heroine, and I related to both of them well. The kid was okay, if a bit surly. The writing was fine, and the dialogue was realistic and occasionally quite charming. It held my attention, and made me glad to read it.
However, I can honestly say I hated, hated, hated this frigging town. This book could not have a full HEA, in my opinion, unless it ended with them driving off, and possibly tossing a match behind them. Why we're supposed to see this place as idyllic is beyond me. Perhaps if you thought old Bomont in Footloose was an ideal place to settle down, you might dig this place. As for me, that's a big no.
One caveat for possible readers: This book was rather churchy; it didn't put me off too badly, as the spirituality is fairly liberal and personal, but it did surprise me, seeing as how this is not an "inspirational romance," nor does the cover/back copy really give you much indication it's a Christian novel, aside from a slight mention of the heroine teaching Sunday School. Still, this is balanced quite nicely with an honest, non-preachy romance, and even a good element of heat, so I was able to roll with it. Your experience may vary, of course, but I still liked it a good deal, and found this to be a pretty realistic portrayal of love alongside religious views. It was actually kind of nice to see spiritual, yet not saintly, people.
One criticism I can give is that the minor "crime story" feels very tacked on, and inconsequential - a dope panic gripping Mayberry, and not a major part of the story. This didn't bother me too much, though, since I was only focusing on the romance, and didn't really notice the brief mentions of the crime "B plot".
Further, there was some mild, typical anti-women stuff, largely regarding the common romance novel upset over the potential sissification of boys that characters often express about women playing too large a role in the raising of male children. It's irksome here, but not constant, and not too over the top. It's mostly confined to pretty conventional "I don't understand women" and "women are silly/panicky/emotional idiots" stuff, which is pretty hard to avoid when reading in this genre. Still the hero tends to come out looking fairly rational about gender, and often took an admirable stance against the heroine's antique father.
This book was pretty great! The emotions ran high and the suspense was high as well! You never knew what was going to happen during many different scenes in the book. It wasn't a tell-tale romance book and that is what I loved most about it! I've moved onto book 2 of this 3 book series. I hope it gets even better.
Oh my heart broke for Daisy and little Tommy. She wants children more than anything but is told she can't have them and he never knew his dead beat dad and his Mom literally worked herself to death trying to make a better life for him. Daisy finds him in her garage trying to steal her car ( he is only 10) and she takes him in against her Father's wishes. Her Dad runs the whole town and tries to stop her getting him because it may make a black mark on their family name! His uncle is found and comes to town to meet him but does not seem to want him but who can resist that sweet little boy or Daisy for that matter.
Walker is Cop in DC and transfers to Trinity Harbor to be near Tommy and falls in love with Daisy and together with her brothers manage to shut down a drug ring. Once they are married Daisy's dad tries to take credit for getting them together and has plans to get his sons married next. Can't wait to read theit story.
I really enjoyed this story of a young woman trying to move ahead in her life. She had a domineering father & 2 overprotective brothers & she loves them all deeply. Daisy has a very loving, loyal & protective side to her that becomes even bigger when she takes in an orphaned boy. She does the right things for this boy even though she knows her heart can and probably will be broken at any minute. When the boys uncle shows up, her world is thrown to turmoil.
I found this story to be very realistic and funny. It satisfied my need for humor, love & believability. I found the characters to be real & very much like real life. This story could happen to anyone of us whether we live in a big or small town. I enjoyed it mostly because it was a kind of laid back story with some mystery but mostly an underlying love of family & friends.
I did not like Daisy's father, King. The story was ok but left me wondering about some things. As much as I love stories which continue on into sequel's, I don't think I will be reading book 2 and Bobby's story. I didn't care Walker in the beginning, when he was deciding whether or not to return the following weekend to spend time with his nephew again...I mean come on, it's you blood...you didn't know about him, but he is a lost child and you are the bond to his deceased mother. I didn't care for Walker's toss away words to Daisy about children, even though he realized as soon as he said it, it was unkind and thoughtless. This book, will be passed on. Perhaps, the next reader will get more enjoyment from it.
This was such a sweet story. Daisy is a high school and Sunday school teacher in her small town. She fosters Bobby, a young boy who has recently lost his mother due to illness and has been causing some trouble. She won't stand for it and shows him love and compassion. The town social worker, Frances, finds a long lost relative who doesn't know that Bobby exists. She convinces him to come meet Bobby. The sparks that fly between Walker, the uncle, and Daisy are sweet to watch as they grow in love for one another and the boy that brought them together. Daisy's family is fun to get to know especially her stubborn, set in his ways father, King!
I do like this authors work, so know I'm likely to enjoy the book anyway, and this book didn't disappoint; in fact I think I'm going to really enjoy reading the whole trilogy.
Daisy Spencer is the local school teacher and unmarried daughter of King Spencer (local big shot in the town, successful cattle rancher and part of the founding family). When her Mum died very young, even though she was just a teenager herself, she took over her Mum'as role for her 2 older brothers, Tucker (local Sheriff) and Bobby (local chef and successful business owner).
She longs for a family, so when she finds Tommy, local ragamuffin and recently orphaned, in her garage, she takes him in, despite her Fathers' and Brothers' (well, Tucker's) misgivings. She persuades Frances, the local social worker to let her foster him until a family member can be found or a permanent solution can be found, even though that would would break her heart.
Walker is divorced and his Ex Wife looks after their 2 Sons, so he thinks he's not exactly good Father material, but he owes it to his Sister to try and find a way to raise Tommy. When he meets Daisy, he realises that, not only must he work out a way of looking after Tommy but could he possibly have a family too?
I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading the 2nd in the series.
I took this book from a friend's bookcase because I'd forgotten to load my basket of books when I left home. It's the first of the author's Trinity Harbor series and looked liked something I could read quickly. My assumptions were correct; the characters were likable and believable, if not a bit predictable, and their conflicts were equally believable without being stressful.
Note: Although I gave it three stars for adequate plot and character development, this novel deserves five stars for being what I wanted at the moment.
In the small town of Trinity Harbor, Virginia, Daisy Kings catches a ten-year-old boy hot wiring her car. She believes this boy needs a home and love and she needs a child to love. So, she goes about making her home a legal home for him. Then along comes a long lost Uncle to the boy, and she's scared she'll loose him to the Uncle. But as luck would have it the Uncle finds Daisy charming and very desirable. As this is a love story you can imagine there will be a happy ending. But the road to that end is interesting and it is a good read.
This was an easy-breezy audiobook that was just right for this time of the year. It takes place in Trinity Harbor, VA which is a small town on a river but has some big time problems. I enjoyed the style of writing along with the character development. There was a good underlining story of drugs infiltrating small towns. I look forward to reading about the two brothers in the trilogy.
About That Man is a pretty standard trope-filled romance novel. Sherryl Woods definitely knows how to tell a story, although I wish she'd managed it without infantilizing a grown ass woman quite as much as she did to Daisy. Also, the only reason I'm overlooking the whole "marijuana is a gateway drug" thing is because this book was written in the early 2000's. It irritated me anyway, but I'll give it a pass because overall this wasn't an awful book.
Small town, orphaned boy, infertile teacher with meddling family, and an uncle who didn't know he had a nephew. What better premise for a romance novel. Once again, Sherryl Woods has demonstrated her ability to bring her readers into a small town with wonderful characters, realistic problems and a sense of wonder at the tangles and expectations of the town and it's people. A thoroughly enjoyable book with the problems finally resolved. For now!
Walker Ames, a D.C. cop who is blind-sided to learn that he has an orphaned 10-yr-old nephew, Tommy, the mouthy nephew, and Daisy Spencer, the high school history teacher who found Tommy in her garage trying to hotwire her car, was immediately taken by him, and fought to give him s home. All Woods books are good. This is just one of her earlier ones.
Maybe more of a 3.5, but I have a soft spot for redemption by love.
After having her fiance leave her when they find out she is barren, Daisy has been living her life in limbo. Then she discovers a troubled orphan trying to steal her car and decides that she can love where she can make a difference. However, the social worker, finds a divorced uncle, that is a DC cop.
Cute, but so unbelievable. The way 'custody' of an orphan in this book is arranged is not based in reality. I think the author or someone should have done more research. Both main characters are likable enough, the kid is charming. It's good enough to read more in the series, but it's not memorable.
As always, a feel good story that makes any woman, and possibly man, read and get a warm feeling. Of course we also wish just once it would happen to us. Well, if you can't have it in real life, it's nice to have an author who can bring it to our imagination.
I really liked this book. There were a couple different things going on, and really excellent character development which is what I’m all about. I will definitely read the rest of the Trinity Harbour series.