Very highly recommended
Professional ballet dancer Kate Stanislaski returns home to open the dance studio of which she's always dreamed. Tired of the harsh pace of dancing in New York, she's ready for the quite life. She didn't expect, however, to meet sexy Brody O'Connell in her mother's toy store almost as soon as she set foot in town. Nor did she expect to find their mutual attraction so powerful. Most men have taken a look at her delicate form and assumed romanticism and fragility. Seldom could they cope with what they really find—steel. Brody, however, is up to the challenge.
A widower, Brody's one priority for the last six years has been his son Jack. Fatherhood had "kicked the stuffing out of the arrogant, careless and often reckless boy. And it had made a man out of him." Soon he finds himself contracted to do the renovation on Kate's studio, and when he goes to the building, he sees Kate dancing inside. She absolutely dazzles him. Kate ignores Brody's protests that he's not interested in getting involved, intuiting where his real concerns lie. Brody might protest all he wants, but Kate gets what she wants. And she wants Brody has her husband and Jack as her son.
Rather than being put off by Brody's moods, Kate finds herself invigorated by the way he gets scowly and turned on at the same time—she believes it is both challenging and sexy. Kate gives as good as she takes, never hesitating to tell the director that he look like a pig, in the Ukrainian language, or Brody where to stuff it. She's accustomed to hard work, and doesn't shy away from darkened basements or the bottom line of a very expensive renovation, always keeping her eye on the goal. Indeed, Kate's fierce determination makes her character extraordinary and appealing. No self doubt for this powerful woman.
I'm blushing to admit this, but Considering Kate is the first novel I've read by Nora Roberts. Yes, I know she's one of the queens of romance, but this reviewer seldom reads by choice, instead I read what lands on my desk by request. After reading Considering Kate, however, I hereby consider myself an ardent fan and intend to spend more time on books by Nora Roberts! Roberts' independent and spirited characters, the wonderful Stanislaski family, and her sparkling narrative voice make this book a keeper. Very highly recommended.
