Made to Order Family

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN

MADE TO ORDER FAMILY

Three kids, a shameful past and a mess of troubles.

Single mom Rita Slocum wants to get her life back on track. Taking things one day at a time seems doable -- especially with Brooks Harriman at her side. Brooks has been there for her through good times and bad. But she's always been leery of getting too close to the broad-shouldered woodworker who keeps his past locked away. Now that Rita's opening her own bakery, she needs him more than ever. If only Brooks would open up his life -- and his heart -- to Rita.

MADE TO ORDER FAMILY IS A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH FOUND THROUGH FORGIVENESS AND LOVE. HERNE HAS CREATED AN UPLIFTING AND INSPIRING ROMANCE IN SPITE OF (OR MAYBE BECAUSE OF) THE SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER IN HER BOOK. DID I REALLY WANT TO READ A LOVE STORY ABOUT TWO RECOVERING ALCOHOLICS? I WASN'T SURE, BUT SINCE I ADMIRE AND TRUST THE AUTHOR, I DID AND SHE CERTAINLY DIDN'T DISAPPOINT.

RUTH LOGAN HERNE HAS A FRESH, DEFINITIVE VOICE AND IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO LOSE MYSELF IN THE PAGES OF ONE OF HER BOOKS. HER ABILITY TO BLEND REALITY WITH FICTION ALWAYS ENSURES A SATISFYING READ THAT LEAVES ME RELUCTANT TO COME TO THE END. MADE TO ORDER FAMILY IS JUST SUCH A BOOK.

RITA STRUGGLES WITH THE AFTERMATH OF POOR DECISIONS. HER ALCOHOLISM HAS AFFECTED HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE SHE LOVES MOST -- HER CHILDREN. BUT IT HAS ALSO BROUGHT A NEW LOVE INTO HER LIFE.

BROOKS HARRIMAN UNDERSTANDS EXACTLY WHAT RITA'S GOING THROUGH BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN THERE. NOW HE HEADS THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF AA AND HELPS OTHERS BATTLE THE SAME DISEASE. HE HAS BEEN RITA'S ROCK AND A VERY DEAR AND UNDERSTANDING FRIEND FOR OVER A YEAR BUT HAS RITA'S RECOVERY PROGRESSES, SO DOES THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

HERNE WEAVES AN INCREDIBLE LOVE STORY BETWEEN THE PAGES OF THIS BOOK. IT'S FRAUGHT WITH OBSTACLES, RIFE WITH COMPLICATIONS, BUT THAT JUST MAKES IT ALL THE MORE COMPELLING A READ. FROM A TRAUMATIZED CHILD ACTING OUT TO RITA'S BATTLE WITH HER OWN FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH TO BROOKS' RELUCTANCE TO FACE HIS PAST, THERE'S ENOUGH ANGST TO KEEP A READER'S ATTENTION. BUT MADE TO ORDER FAMILY IS PEPPERED WITH HUMOUR AND ROMANCE AND ENDEARING HEARTWARMING MOMENTS AS WELL