Monday, September 17, 2007

For the Children-Marin Thomas

For the Children
Marin Thomas
Harlequin American, Oct 2007, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373751884

In the Kentucky hills schoolteacher Johanna “Jo” Macpherson meets Seattle reporter and obvious flatlander Sullivan Mooreland when his once shiny red Corvette runs out of gas. Her chaperone during this encounter is her shotgun. In spite of his fears she will pull the trigger, Sullivan is attracted to the hillbilly, but knows his investigative assignment is to expose Lighting Jack, the renowned moonshiner.

His fancy vehicle, modern equipment, and demeanor denote city slicker to Jo; to her chagrin she is attracted to the outsider. However, she refuses to give up her mission to educate the children of Heather’s Hollow and fears his story will cause trouble for her clan. Thus she knows what she must do, which is forcing him to leave even as she realizes when he does he takes her heart with him.

Marin Thomas’s first Hearts of Appalachia tale is an amusing romance starring two opposites, but also provides a deep look at the subculture opening the minds of the audience and the reporter. The story line is fast-paced and filled with wonderful eccentric secondary characters. However, though much of what Jo does is FOR THE CHILDREN, readers will appreciate the romance between her and Sullivan as the hills are alive with the sound of laughter and love.

Harriet Klausner

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