Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Forgotten Child by Lorhainne Eckhart



Product Details

  • Paperback: 216 pages
  • Publisher: Orangeberry Publishing (December 31, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0987822632
  • ISBN-13: 978-0987822635


He wasn’t looking to love again. But what he got was a woman who shook his lonely bitter world upside down, and touched him in a way no other woman could.

Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something’s seriously wrong with his boy. And the reclusive difficult man that hired her, can’t see the behavior and how delayed his son is. So Emily researches, until she stumbles across what she suspects is the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him. Give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder—to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs. 

As their lives become intertwined, it’s unavoidable the attraction—the connection that sparks between them. And just as they’re getting close, Brad's estranged wife Crystal returns after abandoning them two years earlier. In amongst the shock and confusion there’s one disturbing fact Brad can’t shake. How does she know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch and Emily's relationship with his son? 

Crystal must’ve had a plan as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths Crystal will go—the lies—the greed, just to keep what’s hers are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily’s forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy—to protect what’s his. And struggles over his greatest sacrifice—Emily, and the haunting question—has he ultimately lost her forever?

My take on this book:
Emily Nelson, is a thirty-five year old woman who has been married to her husband Bob for twelve years, thing is for the last ten years the marriage hasn't worked and it worries her that all the fighting might affect her two year old daughter Katy so she decides to end the marriage. Needing a job she answers  an ad for a caregiver, cook position at a local ranch. She soon learns that the job is for a live in position on a ranch owned by Brad Friessen, cooking and taking care of his three year old son named Trevor. As Emily settles into her job, she quickly realizes something isn't right with Trevor,and becomes determined to find him the help he needs. Feelings also start to develop between her and Brad, but when his estranged wife comes back home things change in a hurry. Will Emily find the new beginning she is hoping for, and will she be able to help Trevor?

"The Forgotten Child" opens  up with a dramatic beginning that pulled me right in.Written with very well developed characters, it was easy to become invested in the story. Emily was putting an end to a loveless marriage, and as the author  allows us to glimpse the true problems between her and her husband Bob it's easy to see why she wanted to end it. Many women will see bits of themselves in Emily, from the self doubt to the fear of not being able to make it on their own, to taking that leap of faith anyway because wanting something better for themselves and their child propels them forward. Brad was also someone that was also very realistic, handsome, but hurt by his estranged wife, he guards his heart, but knows he needs help with his son Trevor. 
Plenty of twists and turns along with mystery, suspense, and romance really made this book a real page turner, and while there were a few sexual situations they were tastefully done. This story also taught me quite a bit about Autism, something I knew very little about. Overall, a  real page turner with realistically drawn characters, a fast moving plot and a very satisfying ending makes "The Forgotten Child" a must read!

Reviewed for ReadersFavorite.com

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this Brenda, I dont know this author but the story sounds terrific and I will be looking for this one to read.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brenda, Thank you for a terrific review.
    Lorhainne Eckhart

    ReplyDelete

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