The First Daughter (Harlequin Superromance, No. 1006)

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely remarkable! Very highly recommended
Review: Kerry served her term in hell for choosing the wrong man and drinking too much. The family black sheep, she sold her share of the family ranch, thereby destroying 170 years of a family heritage. Now a recovering alcoholic, Kerry plans to open a shelter to serve others in abusive relationships. She never expected her new project to bring Craig Robeson back in her life. She'd ditched him at their high school prom to ride off on the back of a motorcycle with the town bad boy.

Nineteen years later, Craig is one of the wealthiest men in the country. Despite his success, his strained relationship with his mother still haunts him. She's never forgiven him for his role in his alcoholic father's death. He believes that he would never willing date an alcoholic, even one in recovery; but then, he never thought Kerry would reenter his life. Now Craig finds himself facing some of the most challenging decisions of his life.

The author's obvious knowledge of the steps of recovery, the ugly side of an alcoholic in her cups, and of family abuse gives THE FIRST DAUGHTER an amazing depth. This is not a perfect heroine. Her flaws her big, realistic, and believable. In fact, when Kerry drinks, she is an ugly heroine. And K.N. Casper also creates remarkably strong hero who breaks all stereotypes. Rather than becoming her knight in shining armor, something we all know never works anyway, this hero subscribes to tough love -- walking away from the woman he loves when her disease dictates the necessity of such an action. He won't allow the woman he loves to drive drunk, or push his own buttons.

Some of the most painful of life's challenges are presented in THE FIRST DAUGHTER, yet it's also a fun, exciting read. Casper is master of reflecting the shifts of characterization with her authorial voice, reflecting the social grace of sobriety and the ugliness of drunkenness with equal skill. With its rich characterization and multi-layered plot, THE FIRST DAUGHTER comes very highly recommended.