Baby by Chance [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Carter is a young widow how had a one night stand with a man she does not know, infact the only thing she does know about him is his name-Todd. One day on the way to work she stops at the office of White Knight Investigation to see if they can track Todd down-because she is pregnant.

At first David Knight does not want to help Susan, but then thinks better of it. With the help of his brother he finds out who Todd is and gets wrapped up the the mysterious death of Todd's mother and explosion of the office Todd works in. Then something else goes wrong-the person after Todd and his mother is also after Susan. David feels compeled to keep Susan from harm because he is starting to love her. Who the person is that is after Todd and his family , and why they they want to harm three innocent people is explained in the very end, and keeps you guessing.

Baffled as to why a woman as forthright as Susan would come for help wearing a wedding band but not saying anything about being married, David turns down her case. It takes a bit of investigation to discover she is a widow and the knowledge changes David's opinion regarding taking her case. Indeed, everything about Susan is one uncomfortable surprise after another. Young widows whose husbands have been dead three years do not usually wear their wedding bands. David sees her as vulnerable, pregnant woman who needs his help, but refuses to take advantage of her by pursuing anything personal. Normally a man who follows his own rules, he may find it impossible, however, when it comes to Susan.

Author M.J. Rogers pens a delightful romance in BABY BY CHANCE. Weaving a pregnancy from a one night stand into a convincing storyline that leads the heroine to someone's else bed is challenging feat, but one Rogers meets with grace and verve. Susan's normally controlled world spirals out of control with her pregnancy, yet she handles the challenges with style. David's equally controlled world spirals out of control with her appearance in his office. As they seek the father of the baby, their unexpected romance cannot help but charm readers. Rogers demonstrates a remarkable ability to turn an impossible situation into a compelling tale of love. BABY BY CHANCE comes very highly recommended.

David is unable to forget Susan so he checks into her only to learn that the ring she wore was from her deceased husband of several years. He finds her while she is on assignment; and when she faints, he carries her and her pack to his vehicle. As he works her case, they fall in love, but she doubts that he can love someone else's baby even when David risks his life to keep Susan safe when the inquiries lead to danger.

The story line is at its best when David displays his sleuthing skills. While desperately seeking Todd, Susan hooks the audience with her calm caring constitution except when her heart heats up for her hero. Though the intrigue subplot adds tension, it feels contrived and reduces one side of a potentially angst equilateral triangle. Still fans of contemporary romance will relish BABY BY CHANCE, as the pleasant primary pair provide a strong tale and set the stage for more White Knight Investigations.

Harriet Klausner