I'd read the first in this Carolina series and enjoyed it. This latest instalment focuses on the same people but can be taken as a standalone. The CAROLINA MAN of the title is a soldier serving overseas in heat and dust. Luke Fletcher is surprised when a lawyer contacts him. She's a family law specialist and she tells Luke that a girl he dated at school, but lost touch with ten years ago, has died. She leaves a daughter who she says is Luke's.

After the paternity tests and debates, the matter comes down to leaving young Taylor with her grandparents while Luke is serving. Once he's home in his folks' island guesthouse in Carolina though, Taylor's late mother's parents make applications to have the girl returned to their care. They go as far as to accuse him of neglect. This brings the family lawyer Kate Dolan, who was a good friend of the dead woman, to speak with Luke again. She's sure he's being a good father but family issues can become fraught, and the children are the losers.

Getting to know each other, as Kate is the executor of the estate, means the two single people start to feel an attraction. Ever conscious of her status though, Kate decides that a relationship would be unprofessional. What a shame... he seems a very nice man. As an officer's daughter though, she's had enough of army life to last a lifetime.

Cats and dogs come into this story, including a dog adopted by the troops. I was surprised to see that this dog could be shipped back to America; in Ireland the dog would spend six months in quarantine for rabies. The fact that young Taylor's maternal grandparents and uncle had abandoned her pet cat warns that these might not be ideally kind, responsible guardians. By contrast the Fletchers are a friendly, family-oriented group of people, ready to welcome a child. From the other cases Kate handles, we get a glimpse of how tense some situations can become, making this a well-rounded book and showing a strong side of this legal lady.

As an adult relationship this story works well and Virginia Kantra again brings her settings to life with great character. CAROLINA MAN is worth a read whether you are new to her books or a fan. Her next tale will be called 'Carolina Blues'. I recommend a visit.