Rancher Rafe Kendrick has left all he knows behind following a devastating accident that took the lives of his wife and children and has taken to riding the rails as an alcoholic bum whose own family would have a hard time recognizing.  Desperate Maggie Stanley has hopped onto the boxcar with her baby in a bid to escape the horror that has been her life.  When the other bums on the boxcar attack Maggie, Rafe gallantly comes to her rescue, gives her his coat and sells some jewelry to provide Maggie with a warm place to sleep.  Soon it becomes obvious that Maggie is seriously ill, and Rafe assumes the care of baby Jaimie.  When Maggie is threatened by her past demons, Rafe gallantly offers to marry her and claim Jaimie for his own.  Left with little choice, Maggie agrees, not only for herself, but also for the safety of Jaimie and her little sister Heidi, never knowing that she has come under the protection of a powerful millionaire.  Once home with Rafe, Maggie discovers a world she had only dreamed about, and as for Rafe, he sees a chance to have the new family that he desires.  Can these two tortured souls form a life long connection through their mutual BABY LOVE? 

BABY LOVE is the reissue of a touchingly sweet story first published by Ms. Anderson in 1999 as part of her Kendrick/Coulter series.  Plucky Maggie is as brave a heroine that one could wish for and her determination to have a better life for her son by any means necessary is one that this reviewer found inspiring.  This story does focus on the redemptive power of love, but is neither preachy nor saccharine in the telling.  It manages to capture the reader’s heart and never lets go until the last page is turned, and truly will resonate long after story’s end.  Rafe is a flawed hero who learns to accept his failings and use the lessons learned by past mistakes to improve his future.  His family is featured as secondary characters that add depth and warmth to the tale Ms. Anderson definitely has a grand way with fleshing out her characters and making them believable and appealing.  There is a suspense element that adds excitement as well and its resolution was most satisfying.  This is one of the most heartwarming books that this reviewer has read in recent memory because it shows how two flawed individuals can come together and make one beautiful whole.  This is the first story this reviewer has read by Ms. Anderson after hearing great things about this author for quite some time.  It won’t be the last.  Highly recommended.

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