Ellie Hilliard, mother of one year old, Pia, was
widowed a year ago when her husband Tom was killed in
action with the Navy Seals. The secret that taunts her is
that
Pia's biological father is in fact Tom's best friend,
Deacon Murphy, a criminally handsome Seal. Guilt finally
winning, Ellie is forced to reveal the truth to Deacon that
their one night stand prior to her meeting Tom resulted in
a daughter.
Guilt ridden, Deacon strives to keep his promise to Tom
to care for his wife and daughter. Little did Tom
perceive what this secret would cost him in hiding the
truth. Ellie bulks at openly revealing the situation as it
may cost her the love and support of Tom's parents, who
have been Like real parents to her. Her own mother is a
less than desirable influence. Deacon's over enthusiasm to
reveal his parentage causes Ellie distress and creates
friction with Tom's parents. When Deacon is finally
faced with new understanding, it may be too late to
receive Ellie's forgiveness in possessing the family and
love that he so desires.
I found A SEAL'S SECRET BABY to be an absolutely delightful
read. A young
woman struggling with the loss of her beloved husband is
rendered with guilt at her attraction to her dead husband's
closest friend. The story is well written and peaks the
interest with all the ups and downs between the main
characters. I would definitely recommend Laura Marie
Altom's work.
Navy SEAL Deacon Murphy's tryst with Ellie Hilliard was
white-hot, but quickly forgotten when she met her husband,
his best friend, Tom. That was fine by Deacon. As a rule, he
avoided making commitments, at least to anything other than
the navy.
But when Tom died, Deacon promised that he'd watch over
Ellie and her daughter, Pia—not knowing that Pia was
actually his, and never expecting that he'd fall for them
both in the process.
Ellie is terrified of getting too close to Deacon, and not
just because of his high-risk career. Losing Tom was hard
enough. If Tom's parents knew the truth about Pia, she could
lose them, too—and they're the only family she has left.