The Marriage Badge

by Sharon de Vita

The Marriage Badge by Sharon De Vita released on Mar 24, 2000 is available now for purchase. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373194439
• ISBN13: 9780373194438
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Silhouette Books
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Warm, Wonderful Story - Not To Be Missed !!!

I must admit that I picked up this book to read because I was curious to find out why an earlier review had been so negative. From the very first page, however, I was drawn into this lovely story and could NOT put the book down!Although this book is the last chapter in Sharon De Vita's saga about the Blackwell family, the story is strong enough to stand on its own. In the prologue to the book, 8 year old Colt, who was adopted by Justin and Emma Blackwell, has run away from home at Christmas time because the holiday is too hard for him to bear. Justin knows just where to look and finds Colt at the grave of his 3-year old brother, Cade, who died in a fire the previous Christmas. Because Colt was unable to save his baby brother, he holds himself responsible for his death. Christmas only serves to remind him of this terrible heartache, and in the years to come he refuses to celebrate the holiday.Twenty-five years later we find Colt is the sheriff of Blackwell. He is approached on the telephone by the new director of the Home for Children who at his mother's behest asks him to play Santa Claus at their Christmas celebration. Colt adamantly refuses, but later feels guilty for letting his mother down and offers to pay for a "hired" Santa. He visits the Home and meets the director, Dr. Brenna Baxter, a lovely young woman with a PhD. in Social Services and a precocious 5 year old daughter named Charlie. She refuses to accept his money, and storms off thinking that Colt is a rude and cold person who doesn't like Christmas or children.Brenna soon finds out how wrong she is about Colt when he and his brothers save her, Charlie and five other children in the Home from a devastating fire. With nowhere to go, Colt and his family take Brenna and the children into their home. Brenna has her own history to work through, and as she and Colt learn more about each other they find healing through trust and the power of love.The best part of the story are the delightful children each of whom has a disability of some sort. As with all of the characters in this book, they are well drawn and tug at your heart. They have the strength, wonder and optimism that is so amazing in children and their personalities are endearing. The story also shows that with a little attention and love, children can heal a person's heart and bring him redemption.This was a most enjoyable read - a real keeper! I highly recommend this little jewel of a book to everyone.