HAPPY NEW YEAR, BABY FORTUNE is the first book in a series of four revolving around the Fortune family in Horseback Hollow. LEANNE BANKS authored this first story which reintroduces the Jones family and their neighbors from this very small town. Horseback Hollow is basically an area comprised mostly of ranches built around a very small strip of stores that passes for the town center of sorts. As in most of the Fortune family type books there are references to people that appear in previous stories but since this is a very distinct series we are concentrating on the Jones' who have recently discovered that they are indeed part of the illustrious international Fortune family.

But that's not really central to the story told in HAPPY NEW YEAR, BABY FORTUNE which is a story about growing up and facing responsibilities. For some this is a foregone conclusion that occurs as one gets older. For others it's in their makeup but for others life conspires against them and they have to grow up quicker than they anticipated.

Having a baby does that -- it makes you take stock of your life and plans. Then reality sets in and you realize your options have been severely curtailed. This is true for Stacey Fortune Jones but unfortunately not the case of her fiancé Joe. Joe basically bails on Stacey leaving her pregnant and single facing a future very different than the one she had pictured.

Luckily Stacey has a remarkable support group of her close family and friends from Horseback Hollow. But living in this small town has its shortcomings. Small towns are notorious for gossip and it's almost impossible to hide anything from its folks.

Stacey didn't hide the fact that she was a single mother living with her parents. She was grateful for their acceptance of both her situation and for her baby Piper.

But having your entire life revolve around a baby leaves much room for discontent and loneliness especially for a lovely young woman. Stacey finds herself very much attracted to her best friend's older brother Colton. The fact that the two ranches are neighboring kept bringing these two people together, at first accidentally and then not so.

At first it seems to be just a mutually beneficial friendship that gives Stacey a needed outlet for socializing with people her own age. But both Colton and Stacey can't come to grips with the fact that they are beginning to need to be together.

The burning question is how to do that without stirring up gossip. This probably isn't going to become a permanent relationship but in a small town people are known to come to their own conclusions. Even though Stacey and Colton do their best to avoid being seen together in public -- like a couple -- someone is already spreading less than complimentary rumors.

Kind of damn if they do and damned if they don't. What this young couple needs is time. Time to see if it is more than just a mutual attraction. Time to see if it's love. Actually, HAPPY NEW YEAR, BABY FORTUNE is a cute story about finding your true soul mate. Sometimes it's just not as obvious to the world or to the two people involved. But Leanne Banks did a really entertaining job of working out the kinks in this seemingly ill-fated relationship.