The Birth Mother Book

I liked:
The setting (South Dakota), the information (endangered animals, especially big cats), most of the characters (but not the hero).

I didn't like:
The plot (psychopathic killer stalks our heroine; shades of Montana Sky), the hero (my way or else, my way or else, my way or else; if that's his idea of love, no thanks), the heroine (for letting him have his way).

Roberts does her usual trademark workmanlike stuff, so the book is readable. However, the "love" story kept pissing me off so much that the suspense was diluted. And the secondary "love" story, while meant to be interesting for its socially progressive messages, was both skimmed over and almost undermined because of the man's attitude of sureness that he wanted this and so it would be.

I'm trying not to add spoilers but I didn't find much in this novel that would be surprising to anyone. I've always liked Roberts for the humor her characters displayed. I've been known to laugh out loud. But not this time. As I said, workmanlike, but certainly not one of her best. Overall, a disappointment.

Update June 2011: having forgotten I'd read it before, I tried to read it again. This time, I disliked it so much I put it down about a third of the way through an said, "ick." Changed the stars to two. Thinking about rating it one star. One of NR's biggest disappointments so far.