Maggie's Dad by Diana Palmer, SSE, #991, November 1995 (related to Man of Ice)
Antonia Hayes's friend told lies about her to get her hooks in Antonia's fiancée, Powell Long. Powell believed the lies and the result was that he got drunk, slept with the friend, married her and went on to have a child and Antonia left town to try and lessen the scandal for her parents. Powell never loved his wife because she caused him to lose Antonia. And he ignored his daughter. There was also the fact his daughter was born prematurely, at 7 months, making Antonia believe that Powell was sleeping with her friend while they were engaged. After a serious health diagnosis, she comes home. It's been 9 years but the hurts Powell inflicted are still there. She has no problem securing employment as a teacher. Only problem, Maggie Long, Powell's daughter is in her class. Maggie runs to Powell with a bunch of lies and Powell immediately rants to Antonia that she is treating his daughter unfairly, without getting the full story. It's like 9 years ago again, only this time Powell believes his daughter over her. Finally Maggie's lies cause her to quit and go back to Arizona. When Powell finds out she has gone back to Arizona and why she came back to Bighorn, he goes after her. Now he has to convince her he wants to marry her.
This story was enjoyable but I had a few problems. Antonia agreed to marry Powell without him uttering that he loved her. She slept with him without words of love and he called their love making "insurance" that she would marry him. He basically said Maggie will accept you or else. I thought Antonia forgave Powell too easily, the relationship between Powell and his daughter resolved to easily and the relationship between Maggie and Antonia resolved itself too easily. There is so much more to this book but if I was to include more in the book, I think it would give too much of the story away.
Excellence Rating- Good+ ~ Steaminess Rating- Sensual (*)
Personal total- 59 ~ harl/sil- 51 ~ other- 8
Ratio of TBR/ new- Totals since Jan 1= 24/35 ~ Apr= 2/0
Bought/acquired- total= 122 ~ Apr= 4 ~ Read= total= 59- Apr= 2
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
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I remember....
reading this years ago, I think what got to me the most was when Maggie said she had no other clothes. What a sad situation for a little girl feeling unloved and unwanted by her father....
Kate
TBR--The Born Readers
yes that was
sad and to not have anyone notice. I was glad to see Antonia finally "got her" and had a feel good feeling about her turn around
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
Wow .... sounds like there's alot of heartbreak in this one ...
With all you describe of Powell, I wonder if there's a way he can redeem himself ...... taking out his mistakes on his daughter or any child regardless of paternity, doesn't bode well with me ....
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
did redeem
in my opinion he did redeem himself when he saw the error of his ways. I don't feel any ill feelings should be held against them (no matter the age)for the sins of the parents. Antonia had to re-examine if she was treating Maggie unfairly in class because of her feelings toward the mother
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
redeem
I think he did redeem himself as well. It just took him along time to see the error of his ways.
Kate
TBR--The Born Readers
oh good ....
then I may seek this one out ..... the premise sounds intriguing
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog