The Misconception (Love Spell Contemporary Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

The exact terms of Harold's proposed encounter with Marietta were not made clear before Jax boarded the D.C. bound plane. Nor does he appreciate Marietta's conviction that sexuality is a biological function and never one truly of the heart. Events sweep him along and he finds himself spending an extraordinary afternoon in Marietta's arms, leaving them both stunned by their connection. Business interrupts Jax, and before he can return to the hotel, Marietta slips away. Jax hires a private investigator, and two months later learns he is about to be a father. Unfortunately, he is under the misconception that Marietta might want him to be a father. And she is under the misconception that he might give up. Indeed, Jax will challenge every concept Marietta believes regarding marriage, relationships, and fatherhood.

Be aware of your surroundings when you read THE MISCONCEPTION. I am not one to laugh out loud while reading very often, but not only did author Darlene Gardner have me giggling and chortling, but by the end of THE MISCONCEPTION I was howling! Gardner captures the heroine's stuffy attitudes of academia and the dialogue of an intellectual with pizzazz, and then contrasts it with a wonderfully sexy, down to earth hero who supports his mother and puts his brothers through college. These characters achieve a remarkable depth even as their secrets and fears keep the plot moving quickly. The secondary plot, of an attempt at reuniting a couple of the verge of divorce, adds a touch of spice that will keep the pages turning. As one outrageous event follows quickly on the heels of the next, readers will find themselves wondering what could happen to top this one, and the laughing at the hilarity of the next. A wonderfully entertaining read that belongs on the keeper shelf, THE MISCONCEPTION wins the WordWeaving Award of Excellence.

Cash Jackson (Jax) meets up with an old classmate at the airport. The classmate asks Jax to do him a favor. Would Jax let Marietta Dalrymple know he's not coming. And, as Marietta and Jax meet, there's confusion, and consumation...

With the help of a private eye, Jax locates the pregnant Marietta. He then trys to convince Marietta to allow him to be a father to her baby, and her husband. Sceptical scientist, Marietta, wants no part of his plans.

Ms. Gardner does a wonderful job of making the sparks fly between Jax and Marietta. And, she has a very interesting subplot about a secondary couple, which is almost as tantalizing. While, there are light touches of humor, for me, touches of tears, too.

THE MISCONCEPTION could have used a more sensuality, and I wish the book had been longer. I really enjoyed the secondary couple. Finally, the ending was a bit over-the-top, for me.