The Brother Quest

by Lori Handeland

Book Overview

If anything ever happens to me, go to 445 Briar Lane, Wind Lake, Minnesota . . .Foreign correspondent Colin Luchetti receives this cryptic note from his missing brother, Bobby, an Army Special Forces... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037371193X
• ISBN13: 9780373711932
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Lori Handeland continues her Luchetti family story in The Brother Quest

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques Lori Handeland continues her Luchetti family story in The Brother Quest, with Colin's story. Bobby Luchetti has been missing for quite some time when Colin receives a short message that makes no sense. Off he goes to Wind Lake, Minnesota to get to the bottom of things. He finds no answers when he arrives, but he does find a surprise. Marlie Anderson runs the daycare center in her hometown, never having desired to go anywhere else. For several months she had been writing to Bobby Luchetti, a soldier in the US Army. Although his letters had suddenly ceased, Colin shows up on her doorstep and tells her Bobby sent him. Colin is bored out of his mind, eager to move on to more exciting places, but he is convinced that this is where word will come of Bobby's whereabouts. The longer he stays, the more he comes to admire, and love Marlie. But she is Bobby's girl so how can he ever claim her for himself? Ms. Handeland once again demonstrates her skill at weaving emotional stories that tug at the heartstrings. This reviewer found herself laughing out loud over the antics of the children, as well as getting tears in her eyes over some powerfully emotional scenes. One will feel everything along with Marlie, Colin, and company. Everyone is so realistic in this book, adding to the character-driven plotline. Colin has his irrational fear of Houdini the guinea pig, and Marlie is insecure about her appearance as a glasses-wearing slightly overweight young woman, and finds it hard to believe someone like Colin could love her. Even the secondary characters show their weaknesses and strengths. Marlie's mother loses herself in game shows to forget that her late husband and the love of her life is never coming home again. Then too, how can anyone remain unmoved at Garth, Marlie's best friend, and his precocious son Jake's heartbreak over losing Garth's beloved wife? Readers will be drawn into the story from the beginning, riding the waves of all the emotional rises and dips found in this book. One can not help but feel some emotion when reading this book. © Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2005. All rights reserved.

From the ?The Luchetti Brothers ? series

Colin Luchetti never stays in one place long, believing he does not belong anywhere. Staying on the move keeps him from feeling out of place. As a photojournalist the only thing he wants he can have; that is, seeing the world and then writing about it. So two months after Army Special Forces brother disappears, Colin receives a note and goes to Wind Lake, Minnesota to investigate the only clue he has - an address that leads to a day care center. Marlie Anderson had been his brother's pen pal but knows nothing about his disappearance. With no other leads, Collin sticks around for a while hoping something will lead to his brother. Twenty-five year old Marlie named her daycare Chasing Rainbows. In a town where everyone knows everyone, and with dreams that do not lead beyond the city limits, Marlie fails to recognize her own beauty, both outward and inward. Her generous curves more than capture the imagination of Colin, and her passion for living touches his heart. But Colin worries that his brother's interest predates his own, and a brother should never poach on another brother's territory. Yet this rolling stone finds a life that is strangely compelling in this tiny town, discovering that even a rolling stone occasionally must come to rest. Author Lori Handeland pens an endearing tale in THE BROTHER QUEST. The disappearing hamster, dalmations, and children lend the story charm and humor. That a letter would lead Colin to Wind Lake seems reasonable, but the tenuous hope that lingering might lead to a clue to his brother's disappearance seems to stretch believability a bit. Nevertheless, the changes that Marlie and her children inflict upon him make for an absolutely delightful read. Marlie's game show junkie mother likewise lends a provocative yet humorous note. This walk on the lighter side will keep readers amused as to the twists love can take, making THE BROTHER QUEST come highly recommended.

A good book! But should I have read the Daddy Quest first?

I haven't read "The Daddy Quest" which is the book that preceeds this one, but I found this one to be pretty good. All Harlequin romances are formulaic, and predictible, but I was hooked onto reading this. According to the back of the book the premise is:"Colin Luchetti's brother Bobby is missing and the only clue is a cryptic not sending Colin to Wind Lake. What he finds when he gets there is unexpected - a day care center complete with kids, a runaway guinea pig, and Marlie Anderson, the owner. With all his options gone, Colin decides to wait in Wind Lake for word on Bobby. Even though he itches to get out into the "real world", the more time he spends with Marlie, the more he admires her. But for his family's sake Colin needs to focus on solving the mystery of his brothers disappearance. Can he do it without falling for the woman his brother loves?"Of course the answer to that question is No. The book is part Black Hawk Down, part Daddy Day Care, and part Runaway Bride. The characters are well developed, and the ending is good enough not to be guessed at too quickly. I would recommend this highly for fans of the romance genre.