Book Review: Party of Three

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Party of Three     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Joan Elliott Pickart
Class/Genre:   Romance
Silhouette, Aug 2001, $5.99, 304 pp.

Attorney Jessica MacAllister has a busy life practicing law and helping run the Peaceful Dove’s Woman Shelter in Ventura, California. Though her social life is zero, Jessica loves what she is doing. However, her time at the shelter is disturbed when abusive spouse Sonny comes around, carrying a gun and making threats demanding his wife and son leave with him or else. The cops arrive and arrest Sonny, but police Lieutenant Daniel Quinn yells at Jessica for not having any security. She tells him no money is available, but she is asking for a grant. He agrees to help her write out the application.

When Daniel and Jessica meet at his home to fill out the grant request, she meets the seven month old baby girl living with him. He refuses to explain who the child is, but asks for her help in finding him a nanny. Both are attracted to one another, but she rejects his efforts until Sonny returns seeking to carry out his original threat.

Joan Elliot Pickard starts a new generation of her popular "Baby Bet" series with a warm tale that has a serious undertone. PARTY OF THREE focuses on the relationship between the lead couple as well as with the infant, but also provides insight into the importance of shelters. Fans of the original miniseries will want to read this novel and newcomers will want to obtain the original stories, as all are entertaining and well written.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner