Cold Tea On A Hot Day
In her latest inspirational charmer (following Driving Lessons), Matlock revisits the gentle town of Valentine, Okla. Everything's pretty much the same in the tiny berg, except the local newspaper. Muriel Porter, publisher of the Valentine Voice, has run off to tour the world with her new husband, and she has left the newspaper in the capable hands of her cousin, Tate Holloway, a big-city editor who intends to stir things up with his controversial editorials. When Tate arrives at his new home, he's shocked to find a small boy, a dog and a big orange cat asleep on his porch swing, but he soon learns that the boy is Willie Lee James, the learning-disabled son of his neighbor and star reporter, Marilee James. If Marilee weren't "almost engaged" to Parker Lindsey, the town vet, Tate would take measures to get to know the beautiful reporter better. Marilee has more than her share of burdens, however, and single moms will relate as she struggles to raise her son and 11-year-old niece and tries to decide whether to take the easy way out by marrying Parker. But just when she reaches a decision, Tate arrives with a frosty pitcher of iced tea and a winning smile. This is a delicious read for a lazy summer day. It's not overly sweet, and it has enough zing to satisfy readers thirsting for an uplifting, relaxing read.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.