A father lost Nina Delacruz, age ten, refuses to believe that her father's never coming back. Even though her mother, Mercedes, says it's the truth. Even though, in her heart of hearts, Nina knows it's the truth. April Montgomery, age eleven, hasn't got a mother, and now she's withdrawing from her father, too. April's been keeping a secret from her dad, Cass, one she knows will hurt him deeply. If she tells him, maybe he won't love her anymore... A father found The Delacruz and Montgomery families are brought together by a dog - a dog they both claim. When they take their dispute to court, the judge orders them to spend time in each other's homes so the dog can choose. This turns out to be the best thing that could possible have happened. Because now, with Mercedes' help, Cass will become the father both girls need. And the lover, friend and husband Mercedes needs.
Author
The granddaughter of two coal miners, Anne Marie Duquette was raised all over the nation, including Alaska and Hawaii, with a healthy appreciation for the richness of the land, wildlife, and its beauty. Her love of the earth’s treasures grew during her many travels as the daughter of a U.S. Air force pilot and Air Force nurse, the wife of a career Navy Chief Petty Officer, and as a Navy veteran herself. Different landscapes and people sparked her interest in the arts, especially writing and photography, as a way of keeping track of her varied experiences as a “military brat.” She obtained a degree in Mass Communications (Journalism, TV, Film) from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and set out for Hollywood. But apart from an un-produced treatment sale to Paramount Studios for Star Trek – The Next Generation, her fate seemed to lie in the books she so loved to read. In 1987 she made her first sale to Harlequin Romances, her primary publisher of 25 books, and has ventured into the self-publishing world of non-fiction as well. She has an adult education teaching certificate in writing from the state of California, and has taught religious education for fifteen years at her church. An animal lover, a partner to a retired black German shepherd service dog, and owner of a rescued dachshund, she tries to bring together all the varied experiences of her life to her stories for her readers and family. Anne Marie is married with two children and two grandchildren, all residing in Southern California.
