The Misconception

by Darlene Gardner

The sperm donor she hired has gone AWOL, so who's this man in her bed? A misunderstanding of biological proportions. A man is good for only one thing.Dr. Marietta Dalrymple wants a baby, but all she... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0505524813
• ISBN13: 9780505524812
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Love Spell
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.5" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Delightful!

I wasn't sure about this book. I've never read this author but, if this is any example, I look forward to her future work. I laughed out loud in more than one place.Other reviewers have already given the synopsis so I won't bother. Let me just say I'm in love with Jax. What a very differnt hero he is. As opposed to stubborn cowboys, brooding heros, and other anti-commitment guys. His occupation is wonderful (even tho I'm not a fan) and I won't give it away here. Get the book and find out for yourself. I don't think you'll be sorry. One reviewer said the book needed more sensuality. I disagree. It's perfect just as it is. There's plenty of books around with all the sensuality anyone could want. I like that but I love a sense of humor also. Ms. Gardiner done good!

Laughter and tears...

Scientist Marietta Dalrymple wanted to be a mother. But, as a scientist (and a woman), she did not believe in monogamous males or marriage. So, she makes a contract with an unseen man, who meets all the requirements for the fathering of her future child. Cash Jackson (Jax) meets up with an old classmate at the airport. The classmate asks Jax to do him a favor. Would Jax let Marietta Dalrymple know he's not coming. And, as Marietta and Jax meet, there's confusion, and consumation...With the help of a private eye, Jax locates the pregnant Marietta. He then trys to convince Marietta to allow him to be a father to her baby, and her husband. Sceptical scientist, Marietta, wants no part of his plans. Ms. Gardner does a wonderful job of making the sparks fly between Jax and Marietta. And, she has a very interesting subplot about a secondary couple, which is almost as tantalizing. While, there are light touches of humor, for me, touches of tears, too. THE MISCONCEPTION could have used a more sensuality, and I wish the book had been longer. I really enjoyed the secondary couple. Finally, the ending was a bit over-the-top, for me.

amusing romantic romp

Biology professor Dr. Marietta Dalrymple believes that males cannot be monogamous. Feeling the natal need to have a child to raise by herself, Marietta meticulously plans her pregnancy to the most minuscule detail. She advertises in a scientific journal for male donors, establishes a valid checklist, and evaluates each candidate based on her criteria. High on her list are the attributes family health history and genius IQ. After careful consideration, she chooses biochemist Harold McGinty to serve as the sire.Unable to do what he agreed to with Marietta, Harold struggles with his feelings of guilt. At the airport, Harold meets his friend Cash "Jax" Jackson and asks Jax to tell Marietta he is not "coming". Jax agrees, but before he can inform her, he finds himself sharing the best lovemaking of his life. Forced to leave for a while, he returns to their hotel room only to find she is gone, but two months later learns she is pregnant. Jax plans to prove to his beloved that he will remain faithful and jointly raise their child and future children. That is if he can overcome her stereotyping MISCONCEPTION that men will leave. Of course his professional wrestling persona, The Secret Stud, does not help his cause.MISCONCEPTION is an amusing romantic romp that is character-driven. The story line contains a zany plot as Marietta refuses to believe Jax can think with his brain though the anecdotal empirical evidence shows he can use both heads quite compassionately. At times Marietta's stubbornness can become frustrating, yet fans of jocular romances will take pleasure in this laugh a minute novel.Harriet Klausner

Over the top! Very highly recommended

Biology professor Dr. Marietta Dalrymple planned her pregnancy carefully. She advertised in an academic journal and screened the prospects on the basis of such considerations as their IQ and family medical history. Unconcerned with the prospective sperm donor's physical appearance, Marietta wants her baby to have the best advantages possible for a successful future with health and intellect. Marietta selects Harold McGinty to be the donor, with his high IQ, excellent medical history, and position as a biochemist at a pharmaceutical research facility. She does not know that just before boarding the plan, Harold will have second thoughts. A chance encounter with a high school friend sends Cash Jackson, Jax, in his place. The exact terms of Harold's proposed encounter with Marietta were not made clear before Jax boarded the D.C. bound plane. Nor does he appreciate Marietta's conviction that sexuality is a biological function and never one truly of the heart. Events sweep him along and he finds himself spending an extraordinary afternoon in Marietta's arms, leaving them both stunned by their connection. Business interrupts Jax, and before he can return to the hotel, Marietta slips away. Jax hires a private investigator, and two months later learns he is about to be a father. Unfortunately, he is under the misconception that Marietta might want him to be a father. And she is under the misconception that he might give up. Indeed, Jax will challenge every concept Marietta believes regarding marriage, relationships, and fatherhood.Be aware of your surroundings when you read THE MISCONCEPTION. I am not one to laugh out loud while reading very often, but not only did author Darlene Gardner have me giggling and chortling, but by the end of THE MISCONCEPTION I was howling! Gardner captures the heroine's stuffy attitudes of academia and the dialogue of an intellectual with pizzazz, and then contrasts it with a wonderfully sexy, down to earth hero who supports his mother and puts his brothers through college. These characters achieve a remarkable depth even as their secrets and fears keep the plot moving quickly. The secondary plot, of an attempt at reuniting a couple of the verge of divorce, adds a touch of spice that will keep the pages turning. As one outrageous event follows quickly on the heels of the next, readers will find themselves wondering what could happen to top this one, and the laughing at the hilarity of the next. A wonderfully entertaining read that belongs on the keeper shelf, THE MISCONCEPTION wins the WordWeaving Award of Excellence.