Rating: 
Summary: Great basics, but the details suffer
Review: About That Man (and I have no idea what the title is supposed to mean!!!) is basically a flawed novel. But interestingly so. The primary and secondary characters are really fine, and start out promisingly (although the name "Daisy" for our heroine is too cutesy and doesn't fit her). At times, the dialog is fresh and funny. And, at times the secondary plots (Daisy's family, an orphaned boy, and drug dealing in a sleepy little town) are also promising, teasing the reader with the beginnings of a complex story that weaves suspense and wonderful romance (think Jennifer Crusie, Julie Garwood). But on all fronts, the story just falls flat. For every strong dialog exchange, there's another that's insipid and colorless. Daisy's family are just caricatures of blustering, "protective" men. All three (Dad and two brothers) have the makings of really funny and sweet protagonists (and we're promised the brothers stories, so we'll see)but they just pass in and out of scenes, making noise. The crime subplot NEVER takes off and doesn't make sense - it's almost an afterthought. I can't believe that there is a town in America (except in very strict religious communes, and this is supposed to take place in an East Coast resort town) where an unmarried woman of 30 would be in danger of losing any job because she MIGHT be having an affair with a 35-year-old single man. Perhaps Ms Woods is writing for an older audience than me (I'm 43)? Finally, I don't think she does enough of a job to convince me that Walker (our hero, who really does have all the makings of a wonderful hero - I'd love to see him in the hands of either of the aforementioned authors) has "seen the light". This is a man who has basically let his own flesh and blood sons leave his life (except 2 weeks a year)and he's going to take in his nephew? Aside from one passing reference late in the book, we get very little perspective on why his love for Daisy might be different than the love he felt for his ex-wife. I kept reading because I wanted to see how the book came out (hey, I paid good money and it wasn't total trash). Now here's the weird part - I do plan to buy the next book, to find out how Daisy's brother Bobby meets his match. See - I told you the characters had the makings of fine heros, let's hope that the rest of the story tightens up, or I may not make it to brother Tucker. (And he seems to be the most interesting of the entire group!!!)
Rating: 
Summary: Summer Romance Fun
Review: Beautiful, intelligent Daisy Spencer completely redefines the term "spinster" in Sherryl Woods latest romp, ABOUT THAT MAN. Unable to conceive, Daisy despairs of ever having a family of her own except for her lovable but domineering father, whom she skillfully keeps from running her life, and her two loyally overprotective brothers. Things change, however, when recently-orphaned Tommy Flannigan steals her heart while trying to steal her car. Instinctively, Daisy knows that she and the troubled ten-year-old need each other. Daisy's father, King Spencer, and her brother Tucker, the local sheriff, aren't so sure.Daisy withstands pressure from King and Tucker, but she meets her match in Walker Ames, hot-shot detective from the big city and Tommy's uncle. Losing track of his runaway sister years ago, Walker doesn't even know his nephew exists until a social worker calls to give him the news. Walker doubts he would make a good surrogate father for Tommy, but in spite of himself, Tommy--and Daisy--win his heart. The novel has everything for a light summer read: sizzling romance, main characters who overcome obstacles with wit and determination, family with all of its strengths and foibles, and friends--including the surprising Anna-Louise Walton, a minister whose sense of humor is as well-honed as her compassion. Not to be outdone by the human characters is the town in which they live. Trinity Harbor provides the perfect setting. It is a place where people know one another, meddle in each other's lives, take offense and sit in judgment, and--most wondrous of all--rally around one another in the best sense of community.
Rating:
Summary: Summer Romance Fun
Review: Beautiful, intelligent Daisy Spencer completely redefines the term "spinster" in Sherryl Woods latest romp, ABOUT THAT MAN. Unable to conceive, Daisy despairs of ever having a family of her own except for her lovable but domineering father, whom she skillfully keeps from running her life, and her two loyally overprotective brothers. Things change, however, when recently-orphaned Tommy Flannigan steals her heart while trying to steal her car. Instinctively, Daisy knows that she and the troubled ten-year-old need each other. Daisy's father, King Spencer, and her brother Tucker, the local sheriff, aren't so sure. Daisy withstands pressure from King and Tucker, but she meets her match in Walker Ames, hot-shot detective from the big city and Tommy's uncle. Losing track of his runaway sister years ago, Walker doesn't even know his nephew exists until a social worker calls to give him the news. Walker doubts he would make a good surrogate father for Tommy, but in spite of himself, Tommy--and Daisy--win his heart. The novel has everything for a light summer read: sizzling romance, main characters who overcome obstacles with wit and determination, family with all of its strengths and foibles, and friends--including the surprising Anna-Louise Walton, a minister whose sense of humor is as well-honed as her compassion. Not to be outdone by the human characters is the town in which they live. Trinity Harbor provides the perfect setting. It is a place where people know one another, meddle in each other's lives, take offense and sit in judgment, and--most wondrous of all--rally around one another in the best sense of community.
Rating: 
Summary: A little off on the characterization.
Review: Daisy adopts Tommy, a boy who had been in and out of foster care since he could remember. She has a lot of love to give the boy, but it seems the whole town is against him until the boy's uncle shows up. Tommy's uncle is Walker Ames, a former Washington cop who was more concerned with career than family. Walker wants to prove himself once again as a family man, but can he redeem himself in Daisy's eyes, or, more importantly, Tommy's? Though the family relationships are important in this book, they're slow to develop here. We don't get to see enough of the conflict between Daisy and Walker which should to be crucial to this book. Instead, we see more of the supporting characters, which give us more to be concerned with appearances rather than family relationships.
Rating:
Summary: A little off on the characterization.
Review: Daisy adopts Tommy, a boy who had been in and out of foster care since he could remember. She has a lot of love to give the boy, but it seems the whole town is against him until the boy's uncle shows up. Tommy's uncle is Walker Ames, a former Washington cop who was more concerned with career than family. Walker wants to prove himself once again as a family man, but can he redeem himself in Daisy's eyes, or, more importantly, Tommy's? Though the family relationships are important in this book, they're slow to develop here. We don't get to see enough of the conflict between Daisy and Walker which should to be crucial to this book. Instead, we see more of the supporting characters, which give us more to be concerned with appearances rather than family relationships.
Rating: 
Summary: A fast paced read...
Review: Daisy Spencer nurtures children the only way she is able, through her teaching at the high school. When she finds Tommy Flanagan trying to hot-wire her car, she doesn't see a thief, she sees a ten year old boy who needs someone to love him. Without a thought to the consequences, Daisy takes steps to be a foster parent to Tommy. More happy than she has ever been, Daisy is devestated to learn that Tommy has an uncle who may or may not want to take Tommy. Happy for Tommy, but sad for herself, Daisy does everything she can to show everyone in the community and Tommy's uncle that she could be a good mother for the boy. She didn't count on her attraction to Walker Ames however. Walker Ames has seen everything in his job as a detective in Washingtion, D.C. When he gets a call from a social worker in a small town in Virginia, Walker is shocked to learn that he has a nephew, and that his sister is dead. Not knowing what to expect, Walker takes the trip to the picturesque town. About That Man is the story of Daisy, who can't have children of her own and reaches out to Tommy even at the risk of heartbreak. It is of Walker, who screwed up his own marriage, letting his own sons down in the process. Together, Daisy and Tucker make a family for a boy who has known too much sorrow in his young life, while finding humor in the smallest things. A good read!
Rating:
Summary: A fast paced read...
Review: Daisy Spencer nurtures children the only way she is able, through her teaching at the high school. When she finds Tommy Flanagan trying to hot-wire her car, she doesn't see a thief, she sees a ten year old boy who needs someone to love him. Without a thought to the consequences, Daisy takes steps to be a foster parent to Tommy. More happy than she has ever been, Daisy is devestated to learn that Tommy has an uncle who may or may not want to take Tommy. Happy for Tommy, but sad for herself, Daisy does everything she can to show everyone in the community and Tommy's uncle that she could be a good mother for the boy. She didn't count on her attraction to Walker Ames however. Walker Ames has seen everything in his job as a detective in Washingtion, D.C. When he gets a call from a social worker in a small town in Virginia, Walker is shocked to learn that he has a nephew, and that his sister is dead. Not knowing what to expect, Walker takes the trip to the picturesque town. About That Man is the story of Daisy, who can't have children of her own and reaches out to Tommy even at the risk of heartbreak. It is of Walker, who screwed up his own marriage, letting his own sons down in the process. Together, Daisy and Tucker make a family for a boy who has known too much sorrow in his young life, while finding humor in the smallest things. A good read!
Rating:
Summary: Small town adventures full of tenderness and fun!
Review: Daisy Spencer, the repressed 30-year-old daughter of the richest man in Trinity Cove, Virginia, fears that the most important things in life have passed her by--a husband and family. Then she catches a scared, defiant, runaway orphan hot-wiring her car, and it seems like a sign from heaven. Finally someone really needs her, and she is determined to take troubled, young Tommy into her heart and home. Her family vociferously disagrees with her decision, and her brothers track down Tommy's only relative, an uncle. They believe Walker Ames, a tough D.C. cop, is a far better choice for dealing with a juvenile delinquent than their naïve sister, and they strongly hope the policeman will take his nephew away quickly, before the boy breaks Daisy's heart. In the beginning, Walker is more than willing to fall in with the plans of Daisy's brothers, but after he meets the woman herself, all bets are off, and nothing will ever be the same for him again. As a Northern Virginia resident, I really enjoyed this lively contemporary romance set in my own back yard. The Virginia small-town life is done accurately and well, and the hero is a very authentic D.C. policeman. In addition, while redemption stories like this one are usually unremittingly grim, this book is refreshingly written in a wonderful, light tone which makes the emotion of the story line even more deeply felt. All of the characters are unique, with distinctive voices, and their strong needs lead to vigorous antagonisms that keep the plot briskly rolling along. I have previously read several of Ms. Woods' short contemporary romances and enjoyed them very much, so it was a real pleasure to be able to bask in one of her longer books and hear, even more happily, that this book is the start of a series. I am eager to get my hands on the next installment!
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: I am impressed by Sherryl's ability to engage humor, emotion and traditional values into a compassionate milkshake of caring, love, infatuation and passion.
Looks like a candidate for TV's "Hallmark Hall of Fame!"
Rating:
Summary: Quick, Fun Read!
Review: I read this book in one afternoon! I just love stories that have saucy women and knuckle-headed guys and this book fits the bill. Throw in a couple of brothers and a meddling father and I'm sure you'll enjoy the read as much as I did. Oh yeah; there's some neckin' in there if you like that, too. Four thumbs up!
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