Trouble in Paradise (Historical) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ellie Fitzsimmons thought she was in love with her employer's son, so against her better judgment, she allowed herself to be seduced by him. When she discovered she was pregnant, not only did the father of her baby refuse to acknowledge the child as his, but she also found herself out of a job. Wanting to get as far away from New York as possible to begin anew with her unborn child, Ellie sets off for Paradise, Nebraska where Parker McMillan, her penpal of a few years, lives.

When Ellie meets Parker, he turns out to be both handsome and sweet. Parker opens up his home to her and their longtime camaraderie through letter writing evolves into a wonderful platonic friendship. Although they get along well together as friends, Ellie knows she isn't in love with Parker and vice versa. Parker may be as sweet as they come, but the man she can't get out of her mind is his cranky, brooding brother Roy.

Roy McMillan doesn't like the fact that a stranger from New York is coming to Paradise to stay with his family for an undetermined amount of time. His brother Parker is too softhearted to Roy's way of thinking. Parker not only falls in love too easily, but worse yet, he becomes a melodramatic, romantic milksop each time he gets caught by Cupid's bow. Not wanting to endure the torture of having to listen to Parker moan around the house if and when he falls in love with Ellie and subsequently loses her like he did the last one, Roy decides to keep an eye on one Ellie Fitzsimmons. Roy's problem now is that he is the one who feels like doing a little milksop moaning around the house, for he's falling fast and furiously for Ellie.

The strength of "Trouble in Paradise" comes from the colorful and humorous characters, both primary and secondary. The protagonists are perfect romantic leads: Ellie is independent and feisty, yet knows she loves Roy and doesn't bother to fight that fact, and Roy is the most adorably surly hero I've ever had the pleasure to read about. Roy reminds me of a younger, cuter Archie Bunker and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that cranky men can be wonderfully sexy heroes too.

-full review originally published in The Romance Reader

And Clara Trilby was another matter. Such a spoiled brat. But Parker would have her. Yuck!
Loved Ike, he was an all around wonderful character.

Well written and enjoyable story to read - recommended