And Then Came You: Sam's Story [Mass Market Paperback]

Maureen Child (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2004

Nine years ago, Samantha Marconi was swept away in a whirlwind wedding...even though she'd only known her new husband for a month. When Jeff left her just weeks after the wedding-she found out she was pregnant and had nowhere to turn. So Sam did the only thing she thought she could do. She placed her daughter up for adoption and tried to forget the past-until her past came knocking on her door...

Jeff never received Sam's letters, nor did he know she had their child-until after the little girl was put up for adoption. Jeff managed to find their daughter, Emma, and lovingly raised her on his own. He's about to remarry-but his divorce from Sam never went through. Jeff needs Sam's help to get "unmarried," and quick. Yet when Jeff shows up on Sam's doorstep, he's shocked to find the sparks that once flew between them are still burning strong. Can he let Sam go again? Especially when the truth about what really happened nine years ago is finally revealed...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Child launches a new trilogy set in Chandler, California, home of the Candellanos, who were featured in a previous series. Samantha is the middle Marconi daughter, the sensible one, yet she marries wealthy, impulsive, and sexy Jeff Hendricks during her first year of college over the loudly voiced objections of her family and his. Just a few months later, her marriage falls apart, and she returns home heartbroken, and pregnant. Stunned to discover nine years later that her divorce had never been finalized, and that Jeff had raised the child she gave up for adoption, she eagerly seizes the opportunity afforded by Jeff's intention to remarry in order to negotiate for joint custody of Emma. This engaging second-chance-at-love story displays Child's trademark tenderness toward children, her belief in the importance of family through good times and bad, and the sort of engagingly quirky supporting characters she portrays so well, all set in a familiar, warm, and comforting hometown atmosphere. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Extraordinary Praise For Maureen Child And Her Novels
"Maureen Child infuses her writing with the perfect blend of laughter, tears and romance. Her well-crafted characters, humor, and understanding of what it means to be part of a family makes each of her novels a treat to be savored." -Jill Marie Landis, author of Magnolia Creek

"Maureen Child is one of the stars in the ascendant...poised for the next big step." -Publishers Weekly

Loving You
"The boisterous Candellanos are back...in this latest heartwarmer." -Romantic Times

"Packed with very strong characters and lots of emotion...an unforgettable story, and a romance to treasure." -A Romance Review

"Maureen Child always writes a guaranteed winner, and this is no exception. Heartwarming, sexy, and impossible to put down."-Susan Mallery, bestselling author of The Sparkling One

Finding You/ Knowing You
"An absolutely wonderful contemporary romance. A delightful blend of humor and emotion, this sexy love story will definitely keep readers turning the pages."-Kristin Hannah, author of Distant Shores

"The Candellano family is warm and wonderful...you'll get swept up in the lives and loves of these passionate and fascinating individuals."-Romantic Times

"Delightful romances involving colorful and yet realistic characters make these two stories by Maureen Child, a veritable feast for the eyes. The large Italian family of the Candellanos is very convincing and the characterizations are so mature and honest that the author is to be applauded for such skillful crafting and accurate portrayal...the heartfelt emotions leap from the pages, and the delicately blended humor and pathos render these stories memorable...after the exhilarating first story, readers will feel compelled to read the other one too, and neither disappoints. Maureen Child is an author to watch out for."
-The Road to Romance

"A fresh tale of family, conflict, and love...the characters are endearing."-Old Book Barn Gazette

"Both of these novels are engaging contemporary romances with a warm ensemble that feels like the kitchen of many readers. The story lines will hook readers because the characters seem genuine and friendly."-Harriet's Book Review

"Fall in love with this delightful family with these two tales, and prepare yourself for the next installment."--TheRomanceReader.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312997523
• ISBN-13: 978-0312997526
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,067,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today best selling author Maureen Child is the author of more than ninety romance novels and novellas. Maureen is a five time nominee for the prestigious Rita award from Romance Writers of America.

One of her novels, A POCKETFUL OF PARADISE, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.

Maureen was not only on the Texas set to watch her characters come to life in front of the cameras, she was also tossed into the last scene by her husband and the producer, who both thought this would be a fun way to humiliate an author!

When her kids were small, Maureen started writing as not only a way to stay sane, but in the hopes of finding a job she could do and stay at home with them. Sanity is still an issue, but she did manage to write her way into a career she wouldn't trade for anything.

Over the years, she's written under lots of different names and she prefers the term 'pseudonym' to 'alias'. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.

Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire--books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.

Life is busy but when she isn't writing you can find Maureen sitting under her 'thinking tree', coming up with new ideas for even more stories. When she isn't dreaming up a new book or writing a current one, Maureen loves to travel. Her favorite vacation spot is Ireland, with Scotland coming in a very close second. She and her husband love a good road trip and Maureen's looking forward to the day when she can actually drive to Ireland. Talk about the best of both worlds!

Maureen lives with her family in Southern California and loves to hear from her readers. Visit her online at www.maureenchild.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fine contemporary tale, June 30, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: And Then Came You: Sam's Story (Mass Market Paperback)

When Samantha Marconi was eighteen she met and fell in love with upper crust Jeff Hendricks. The couple married over the objections of their family. He left for London on business and she became pregnant. He never returned to her, contacted her or answered her letters except to provide her with the divorce papers. She gave up the child for adoption.

Nine years, Jeff visits Sam to ask her to sign new divorce papers as the ones they signed were never filed by the government clerk. He is going to remarry. However, when she goes to see him at his hotel, she sees a miniature Marconi as he as raised the child she left behind. They share angry notes and soon realize his deceased mother orchestrated the split. Sam insists she has time with Emma or else; Jeff agrees. As Emma plays matchmaker, the spark between Jeff and Sam reignites, but can they overcome their history even if they are in love and love the same third person.

Why Sam gave up her newborn with the loving family she had seems odd though it apparently has to do with her mom's death just before the birth. Fans will enjoy this fine contemporary tale. The Marconi mob is a tough crowd that any male would think twice of defying. Jeff is a solid protagonist, Emma is a precocious child (too accepting of her mom in her life), and his deceased mom was a maestro manipulator who made Machiavelli look like an amateur. The interplay between everyone makes for a fine tale.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Wonderful!, October 22, 2004

By 

Book lover (Brecksville, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: And Then Came You: Sam's Story (Mass Market Paperback)

Another great story from author Maureen Child whose books never disappoint. It's witty, it's clever. It will touch your heartstrings. Thank you, Maureen Child, for bringing me so many hours of reading pleasure.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, witty and sexy, October 22, 2004

By 

A. Fetzer (SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: And Then Came You: Sam's Story (Mass Market Paperback)

I can always count on Maureen Child to give me a great read. Her characters snag you by the heart strings and yank on them to the very last page. And this author tackles some delicate issues with witty prose and snappy dialogue. A wonderful curl-by-the-fire feel good read!