Mother To His Children (The First Family Of Texas) (Harlequin Superromance, No. 1041)

Rating:
Summary: Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Review: When forced to choose between a traditional role as a homemaker and the role of a career woman, Julie First had no doubts she wanted a career. Not that she isn't maternal, or wouldn't like to have a family, but a woman doesn't earn her master's degree just to become a cookie mom. So when Julie lands the challenging position as a curriculum writer for the Coyote Springs schools, she is ecstatic. But she has serious misgivings with an ultimatum to either sign an oath of loyalty that promises she will not criticize the administration or walk away from this opportunity. Soon her misgivings give way to suspicion when she begins to suspect the current administration of misdeeds.

When Julie approaches school board member Rolf Murdock with her concerns, he initially believes her to be over reacting. Soon, however, circumstances likewise lead him to suspicion when his questions are met with open hostility. Rolf and Julie join forces to quietly investigate the practices of the current superintendent and school administration even as they grow closer together personally. But Julie's very concerned that Rolf's divorce was motivated by his wife's desire for a career. Even as she gives her heart to his four children, she doesn't want to likewise relinquish her dreams for the future.

Once again KN Casper's deft pen creates a world that challenges the status quo in A MOTHER TO HIS CHILDREN. Casper has a gift for capturing the inner turmoil that motivates not only his main characters, but also his secondary characters. As a result, his novels reach a level of depth seldom matched within the genre, as demonstrated by A MOTHER TO HIS CHILDREN. In addition to the plot of irregularity among the school district's administration, the choice between family and career also becomes a strong matter of concern for this heroine even as she falls in love with four delightful youngsters. The age difference between herself and the hero likewise comes into play since she's not that much older than Rolf's oldest child. Yet Julie demonstrates with grace that motherhood and maturity are not contingent upon years. A remarkable balance of motives, concerns, and hearts, A MOTHER TO HIS CHILDREN comes very highly recommended.