Public Displays of Affection [Mass Market Paperback]

Charlotte Tasker is a young widowed mother of two. She does it all, little league, ballet, working, and cooks healthy homecooked dinners, but has a secret love for cheez whiz and erotic poetry. She also has a memory that keeps her warm at night and that is the memory of the only man she's ever felt connected to. She relives that one incredible afternoon together thirteen years earlier. The things he said, how he made her feel alive and she never knew his name.

Joe Bellacera is a DEA agent that has had to go into hiding. His partner and best friend was gunned down in front of his very eyes. His testimony is key in puting away one of the worst drug lords ever. So where do the power that be send him? To Minton, Ohio of course. He figures that he will die of bordom before he has to testify, that is until he gets a look at his neighbor. No one is more shocked then Joe when he sees his mystery lady laughing in the yard. Joe has not been able to get Charlotte out of his mind nor his heart. He looked for her for years but was never able to find her. Now when he needs to lay low he finds the one woman he has measured all others to. No matter how hard he tries he just can't stay away.

Charlotte can't believe her eyes when she sees Joe. He is her fantasy man and now he's right next door. Can she put aside all of her misgivings and allow herself the one thing that she needs? Together Charlotte and Joe learn everything they missed out on over the past thirteen years and find that their attraction is still as hot as ever. Will they be able to find a "happily ever after"?

This was a wonderful story. Granted Charlotte and Joe do not really have a face to face meeting until almost 90 pages into the book. You still are able to see their attraction via flashbacks and memories. This is more of an emotional read which touches on all the things you can think of when it comes to finding your one true love after living a lifetime without them. Each come to the relationship with their fair share of baggage and Ms. Donovan is fair to this situation.

Ms. Donovan's trademark wit is not as apperant in this story but it would have been out of place. Still there are plenty of quirky characters, and yes Hoover the dog adds his two cents worth of humor. This is truly one read that you won't want to miss out on. I highly recommend this title as well as any of the other's this talented lady has penned!

Charlotte Tasker is a widow of eighteen months trying to keep her little family together without their much-loved dad. Her two children, Matt and Henrietta ("Hank") are dealing with their dad's death in very different ways. Charlotte loved her husband, but their sex life was never "all that". Charlotte has never forgotten the man she had an anonymous tryst with 13 years ago before marrying and it was the best sex of her life. In her loneliness, she still fantasizes about her dark stranger all these years later.

Joe Bellacera never forgot the sweet and passionate redhead he foolishly let walk away from him 13 years ago. He searched for her in vain and life moved on. Now he is a DEA agent with a price on his head. Until he can testify against a dangerous drug lord who has offered one million dollars for Joe's head, he will have to lay low in middle America under an assumed name and pretending to be a mystery writer. He finds himself in suburban Minton, Ohio but when he gets a good look at the woman living right next door he is stunned to see "the one that got away"!

Joe tries desperately to stay away from her and her kids fearing that getting involved with them will endanger them - he's still haunted by the murders of his partner and his partner's wife and young son. But staying away is easier said than done and Joe is unable resist seeking out Charlotte and enjoying spending time with her kids. They're everything he wants in his life and he decides to take a chance and grab for happiness. But will they be safe with Joe in their life?

I just adored Joe! He was so sweet and funny and kind. Ms Donovan really has a flair for creating characters that are believable and that you can imagine coming across in real life. The kids were also terrific characters, especially the adorably irrepressible Hank. The only thing I did not care for was her "erotic poetry" - I found it awful, cringe inducing and after the first one or two I stopped reading them - ugh! But Charlotte and Joe are a really great couple and, add in the kids and you get a really sweet family. Another recommended read from Susan Donovan. Can't wait for the next one!