It Had to Be You (Palisades Pure Romance) [Paperback]

Linda Windsor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2001

Trust is not high on straight-talking rancher Dan Jarrett's list. He doesn't believe there are many people worthy of it. Case-in-point: his new stepfather. His widowed mother says it was love at first sight, but Dan is convinced the man is a con artist spending his mother's nest egg. And the only reason Dan's going on the family holiday cruise is to gain time to prove his suspicions. After losing both of her parents to cancer, E.R. nurse Sunny Elders cherishes any time she can spend with the loved ones she has left-her sister's family. Relaxing together on a cruise filled with love and laughter sounds like the perfect prescription for healing. And Sunny's unsinkable spirit and her maddening penchant for zany disasters provide an ample dose of both.

Collision Course. Troubles Waters Ahead!

Rancher Dan Jarrett, a true stickler for tradition, doesn't believe in the love-at-first sight bug that bit his widowed mom. In fact, he's sure the man she met and married on a seniors' cruise is a fraud, out to break her bankbook and her heart. Dan's mission? Endure a family holiday cruise till he gets enough proof to expose his stepfather for the scoundrel he is. But will his plans go aground when he bumps headlong into a "walking accident-waiting-to-happen" with an infectious smile?

Nurse Fix-It to the Rescue!

Sunny Elders is determined. True, being paired with Dan Jarrett-time after time after time-might result in disaster, but it's no coincidnece. The recent loss of her parents and her nurse's training make it impossible to ignore the obvious: This bull-headed cowpoke and his folks need help. Enter Sunny, a woman with a mission. But can she set Dan's Stetson on straight without tripping over her heart?

One thing is certain: Before this hilarious high-sea adventure is over, these two stubborn hearts will hit the unfamiliar waters of trust - trust in each other and in the One who orders our steps, who knows better than we ever could exactly what - and who - we need to be whole.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Windsor's protagonists, Sunny and Dan, are two gorgeous, eligible Texans with high moral standards and no romantic baggage, although they are both pushing 30. They meet on a Thanksgiving cruise on which each has booked passage for purely family-centered, self-sacrificial reasons and screwball romantic comedy ensues. While the soon-to-be lovebirds are both dealing with the loss of parents, this grief and other negative emotions add little weight to the light-as-air atmosphere and candy-sweet tone of Windsor's fourth novel. Even the familiar convert-him-then-marry-him Christian romance trope is barely in play here; though Dan has strayed from the church a bit since his father's death, he is still far too devout to be described as lapsed. Moreover, Windsor seems unable to think of more than one argument for Sunny and Dan to have, so they simply repeat the same one three times. Despite the lack of any genuine obstacles to love, or perhaps because of it, the novel swims along genially from wacky day-trip hijinks and late night Lido deck heart-to-hearts to only slightly heated disagreements and finally, of course, to declarations of love. Except for occasional bouts of clich‚d language and ideas, Windsor's style is fresh and pleasing. Not for those who tire easily of gender stereotypes or bland, G-rated situation comedy, this novel is, however, perfect for Christians who seek simple entertainment that reflects and celebrates their values.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Linda Windsor is an award-winning author of nineteen historical and five contemporary novels who lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A former professional singer, musician, and ABA writer, Linda gave her music and writing over to God with initial protest but without regret. She believes laughter is God's prescription for the tears of life, and the icing on the cake of faith.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Publishers (June 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576737659
• ISBN-13: 978-1576737651
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,483,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linda Windsor is the author of twenty-nine contemporary and historical novels. Her first sixteen were secular historical romance for Zebra/Kensington Publishing, NY as Linda Windsor and Linda Covington. In 1999, she switched to the inspirational market, once she was assured that Christian characters were not only flawed, but did indeed have hormones. Her late husband used to tease that there was a little of Linda in each of her heroines. Windsor contends he must have been referring to her sense of humor, resourcefulness and stubborness. NOT the figure.

Her inspirational historicals have placed in the secular historical category of some RWA contests and Affaire De Coeur polls. Both her inpirational historicals and romantic comedies, dashed with suspense, have won a few National Reader's Choice Awards, Aspen Golds, Barclay Golds, and numerous other RWA contests as well as the CBA Christy Award for the Irish Celtic RIONA, #2 of the Fires of Gleannmara series.

Windsor resides in a "painfully" restored (as in never do that again!) historic home on the Eastern Shore of MD. She still enjoys singing and playing music (keyboard and guitar) after a ten year stint in an 80's professional band. Today she plays the organ in her church and frequently does special music with guitar at church and for various charities.

Then there are home improvements. She can paper, paint, refinish furniture, and renovate, but... Let's suffice it to say, this Red Hat Lady and AARP member doesn't enjoy them as much as she used to.

Windsor is currently contracted for a three book historical trilogy titled Brides of Alba. HEALER, book one, will hit the shelves this June.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure delight!, July 22, 2001

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Had to Be You (Palisades Pure Romance) (Paperback)

Rancher Dan Jarrett did not believe in love-at-first-sight. So he had been appalled when his widowed mother, Esther, fell in love during a cruise and married Charlie Meyers. Dan was positive Charlie was a fraud after his mother's money. Esther and Charlie took Dan, his sister, and his brother-in-law on a family Caribbean cruise to show them the magic.

Nurse Sunny Elders was in her element in an Emergency Room, but a trouble magnet outside the hospital walls. Her depressed sister had been in dire need of a vacation with her husband. So off on a cruise they went! Sunny took charge of her niece and nephew on board the Love Ahoy and trouble took charge of Sunny, as usual. And a few "Crazy Aunt Sunny mishaps" was what brought Dan and Sunny together. Sometimes God works in mysterious, and often hilarious, ways!

This book is pure delight! A sassy and funny romantic story that had me laughing (UN-lady like) out loud! This is DEFINITELY one for the Keeper Shelf, Readers! Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favs, August 20, 2004

By 

grl4christ "bookworm" (Woodland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Had to Be You (Palisades Pure Romance) (Paperback)

This book is one of my alltime favorites.
I loved Sunny's possitive, zanny out-look on life.
I absolutely adored Dan and his overprotectiveness of his fam.
I would recommend it whoever is reading this review.
Windsor will have you laughing at Sunny's predicaments from the beginning to the very end.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It had to be for me!!, March 22, 2004

By 

Elizabeth Summers (Gilbert, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It Had to Be You (Palisades Pure Romance) (Paperback)

This has got to be one of my favorite books! Though it is predictable (the endings to most romance novels are), the humor in it makes up for any downfalls this novel may have.
Sunny Elders fits her name perfectly, or at least appears to. She is happy and funny, but is really breaking up inside because of grief.
Dan is the opposite. He shows exactly what he is feeling, and consequently, at times, acts like a jerk.
The story is a good one. It teaches that in order to be really happy we sometimes just have to jump out there and have a little faith! You'll laugh all the way through it, I PROMISE!!