The Prodigal Father: Daddy's Home - to Stay

Beth is faced with the decision of a lifetime when her estranged husband Scott suddenly returns and asks her to give their marriage a second chance.  She thinks he will change his mind once she tells him they have a daughter, and that their daughter has Down syndrome.  Instead, Scott convinces her to come to the resort he owns in northern Wisconsin and along with their daughter, Risa, take a chance on becoming a real family.  He does his best to adapt to his new role as father, learn about his daughter’s disability and show Beth that they all belong together.  Beth realizes she still loves Scott and wants to stay with him.  She is torn between her desire to create a family, the fear of failure and guilt over past mistakes.   

This book is available in regular and large print


I'm very proud of The Prodigal Father, published by Five Star Expressions. (Hint: this publisher markets to libraries.) As the mother of a child who has Down syndrome, I wanted to share a little of the experience of parenting a child with special needs. Several reviewers praised this aspect of The Prodigal Father. But more than that, I wanted this book be a sign of my appreciation for the Birth to Three Program.

The Birth to Three Program exists to help young children (from infants up to age 3) who show significant developmental delays. My own daughter was born 6 weeks early, two weeks before we were scheduled to move from Illinois to Wisconsin. So there we were, in a totally new town with three kids and a brand new baby that had some very scary health problems. It's not an understatement to say that we were lost.


Fortunately, the neonatal doctor refused to let us take my daughter home until we had a pediatrician lined up in our new town and until my daughter was enrolled in the Birth to Three program.


Theresa, our Birth to Three service coordinator was our lifeline. She went above and beyond the call of duty for my family - helping us get settled, giving us tips on where to shop, getting my daughter into speech, physical and occupational therapy, and even by going with me to our daughter's pediatric cardiologist (a two hour drive) when my husband couldn't. 

Next week is my daughter's 16th birthday. She has grown from a tiny baby struggling to survive into a happy, healthy teen. I can never thank Theresa enough for all she did on my daughter's behalf. The Prodigal Father is dedicated to her and to all the caring professionals who work in Birth to Three programs around the country.

Fake Engagement - Real Attraction

Hi! My name is Kara Lynn Russell and I've written a series of lighthearted contemporary romances set in the fictional small town of Orchard Hill, Wisconsin. The plot of the series centers around a contest between to matchmakers to see who can make the most matches in one year's time. Each story is a bout a couple that one of the matchmakers brings together. You can find out more about the series here.

When Goddess Fish asked for a "first kiss" excerpt I thought of David and Sarah from Accepting Charity. Sarah has agreed to a fake engagement to help David keep unsuitable relatives from gaining custody of his orphaned niece Charity. Along the way they discover the perils of a pretend romance. 

David knew he was treading on dangerous ground, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “Maybe we should practice?”

“Practice?”

“Yeah. I think we should try a practice kiss, so the first time we have to kiss in public, it won’t be so awkward.”

“Why would we have to kiss in public?”

“Because that’s what people who are in love do, Sarah.  I’m not saying we have to put on an exhibition, but we should at least kiss each other hello and good-bye.”

Sarah looked doubtful. “I suppose.”

“So I think we should practice.”

“When?”

“How about right here, right now.”

“Are you serious?”

“Totally. Trust me, this is the best thing to do. We’ll just get it over with and then the next time won’t be so awkward.”

Sarah considered. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I am. He reached across the seat and took Sarah in his arms.

She giggled nervously. “This is ridiculous.”

“Usually I get to kiss a girl before she laughs at me.”

“I’m not laughing at you. Just the situation.”

“Enough talk. How about some action?” he teased. 

David’s only intention had been to steal a simple kiss, but the moment his lips touched hers, he knew nothing would ever be simple between them. Instead of letting go, he pulled her even closer. She felt perfect in his arms.

The world faded away, and he was aware of nothing but Sarah. He felt her heart beating against his chest, her form filling his arms, her lips moving against his. The word ‘home’ drifted into his mind.

From what seemed like a long way away, there was a sharp knocking sound. Suddenly Sarah shoved him away. Confused by the abrupt shift back to reality, David blinked and the world swam back into focus. Sarah’s  friend Hope was knocking at the window.

“Come on, you two,” she shouted. “You’ll have plenty of time for that later. I’m starving.  Let’s go eat.”

Sarah opened the door a crack and said  “We’ll be right there.”

No way,” Hope insisted. “If we leave, you’ll just go back to what you were doing.”

Oliver stepped in and pulled Hope away. “We’ll be inside,” he called back.

Sarah turned back to David and speared him with a sizzling glare. “Got any more bright ideas?”

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt and will consider a future visit to Orchard Hill, where no heart is safe.