Winter Fire

January 17, 2005
In this contemporary romance from Nunes, the author of 19 books for the LDS market, sweet scenes, good characterizations and an agreeable story line help overcome predictable moments. Likable fourth-grade teacher Amanda Huntington is recovering from a failed romance and feels her biological clock ticking. She finds new love literally knocking at her door in the form of the "ruggedly handsome" stove repairman Blake Simmons. He comes with a ready-made family of four-year-old Kevin and baby Mara, whose mother is in prison. When the mother is released and tries to claim the children, Nunes explores important issues of family, addiction and true love as Blake and Amanda seek to find what is best for the kids—and for themselves. Kevin is well portrayed as a little boy who cares about his mother, fiercely protects his sister and longs for stability. However, Nunes succumbs to cliché, with Amanda watching Blake "surreptitiously through lowered lashes" and with lines like "if he reached out and touched her, a fire would burst into existence and burn down the whole house." Blake's stubborn refusal to share simple information about his schooling with Amanda also becomes frustrating. Mormon readers will appreciate the emphasis on family values and the absence of sexual situations beyond some chaste kissing.