THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT – Catherine Mann
Alaskan Oil Barons , Book 4
Harlequin Desire #2589
ISBN: 978-1-335-97149-4
May 2018
Contemporary Series Romance

Alaska – Present Day

Naomi Steele and Royce Miller first fell in love in THE DOUBLE DEAL (Harlequin Desire #2577) and then we saw them break up as part of the secondary story in THE LOVE CHILD (Harlequin Desire #2584). Now they're back with THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT. Will they reunite and get their love right this time? (Note: I would suggest reading the books in order so as to best understand what happened)

Naomi is pregnant with twins—but Royce is not the father as she was artificially inseminated before they even met. They survived being stranded out in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness, though most people probably wouldn't mind “surviving” in his glass igloo that is as luxurious as any house. Royce and Naomi fell in love despite her pregnancy and he vowed to raise the babies as if they were his own flesh and blood. But once they returned to civilization, reality set in. They're different as night and day. She is sociable and part of a boisterous family. Royce is an only child and prefers solitude. After one too many arguments, they separated, but he vowed to help her through her pregnancy. That soon turns prophetic as THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT opens when he has to deliver her babies after they get stuck in a snowstorm while out driving. Yes, they have a “thing” about getting stranded together.

Once they're rescued and the babies declared healthy enough to go home, Royce assumes the role of caring for the babies while Naomi recovers from the birth. She is hesitant at first because the feelings between them haven't completely died. Will her heart ache once more when he leaves? As the days pass, Royce realizes that he can't just stop caring for Naomi and her twin girls, but can they get past the problems that drove them apart in the first place?

 It's unusual to see couples get their romance told in two different tales (outside of serial type stories), so this makes THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT intriguing. Naomi's family is in the process of combining with the Mikkelson family after the marriage of Naomi's father to Jeannie Mikkelson. Things haven't been easy, and after her breakup from Royce, she feels out of sorts. The babies provide light into her life and watching Royce help take care of them has her rethinking their breakup. But they still haven't resolved what led them to fight and break up. Royce truly cares for the babies, but it also brings back memories of another relationship he had that ended with the deaths of two people he loved. He can't give all of his heart to someone without dealing with the past. Will he succeed?

There is more than the rekindling romance for Royce and Naomi going on in THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT. Readers will be introduced to a new character, Milla Jones, who has ulterior motives in seeing that the partnership between the families doesn't happen. Milla also offers a stunning pronouncement near the end of this tale that has Naomi and her family reeling.

Falling in love once more just might lead to a reunion that readers hope will stick this time for Naomi and Royce in THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT. Their tale is emotional and real and is one that I highly recommend you pick up and read.

Patti Fischer