The Barnes & Noble Review
In Nora Roberts's beloved holiday classic, resissued in a special gift edition, two lonely people running from the hurts of the past find each other by chance -- and eventually decide to take a chance on love.
Portrait painter Gabe Bradley has isolated himself in a mountain cabin, trying to recover from the pain of his brother's death. He meets Laura Malone, who is eight months pregnant, when her car nearly skids into him on a snowy, deserted Colorado road. Laura, a well-known model, is on the run, trying to protect her unborn child from her wealthy in-laws, the Eagletons. It was bad enough they tried to cover up the death of her abusive, alcoholic husband, but now they hope to seize custody of the baby. By the time the storm is over, Gabe and Laura have reached a level of understanding and agree to a marriage of protection and need. Their wedding day turns into the baby's birth day, and by the time the Eagletons make their move, both Gabe and Laura are ready to take a stand for the future.
As always, Roberts's characters are tremendously appealing. The progression of their awkward marriage rings true, as does Laura's developing relationship with her new mother-in-law, and Laura and Gabe's experiences as new parents. Ginger Curwen
