Desiree Prescott, a savvy investment manager, is engaged
to Paul but finds herself attracted to another when
circumstances throw her and the other man together.
Gerard Kingsley, a star pitcher for a professional
baseball team, won't involve himself with a woman who
doesn't respect his chosen profession.
Both Desiree and Gerard, although instantly attracted to
one another, hold back their feelings based upon childhood
hurts. For Desiree, Paul is a safe option that she can
depend on, unlike her father. Gerard battles the hurt
stemming from his mother's disapproval and her desire for
him to follow in the family's footsteps.
Desiree and Gerard unite to care for four orphaned
children, three of whom are Desiree's nieces and nephew.
Their partnership sizzles above and beyond what is
required for the care of the children and has a hint of
promise until a crazed fan shows up. Will Desiree and
Gerard resolve their childhood pain, not to mention
uncover the fanatic who is stalking him, in order to have
the family they both desire?
I recently read another title by Ms. Poarch, my first of
her many works. I enjoyed it and placed her on my list of
preferred authors so I was pleased to have the opportunity
to read her latest release. BITTERSWEET did not
disappoint. The characters were smart, attractive, and
very likeable with believable issues. It was a quick,
engrossing read, especially given the suspense subplot. I
was especially impressed with the sympathetic handling of
Desiree's father, a Vietnam veteran still recovering from
the horrors of war. Thirty years later, even as America
sends men and women to Iraq, I'm not sure our nation is
prepared nor adequately deals with the condition of our
soldiers when they return. BITTERSWEET is much more sweet
than bitter. Quite satisfying.
New York account executive Desiree Prescott receives a
shocking phone call in the middle of the night that suddenly
sends her to take care of three children in Atlanta... who
live right next door to pro baseball player Gerard Kingsley.
When her fiance back home says he doesn't want the
responsibility of her new family, Desiree can't help but
notice how Gerard is so caring and unselfish with the
kids... and with her. Now that her fiance is no longer in
the picture, she finds that she has feelings for the man
next door. However, as a financial manager who has dealt
with sports celebrities in the past, she is determined not
to get involved with a man who probably prefers groupies to
settling down with one woman. She has no intention of being
his "flavor of the month."
But just as she starts getting to know Gerard and realizes
how different he is from other athletes she has known, a
deranged fan starts sending him "gifts" after each game. No
one knows who the stalker is, but it's clear that now even
the children are at risk. With time running out, will a
dangerous confrontation and a twist of fate lead to a new
beginning... or a dead end?