In this enchanting tale of finding love in unexpected places, Jane Graves brings together millionaire Jeremy Bridges and his bodyguard, ex-military tomboy Bernadette "Bernie" Hogan. At the start of the story, Bernie is fed-up after two years of watching this rich playboy in action, picking-up brainless bimbos after dropping money at one charity event or another. But Bernie is the only one who can care for her aging mother who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, so she needs the ridiculous money this rich boy is willing to pay to have his body guarded. Having pulled himself out of a life of poverty lived with a drunken father, Jeremy thinks he has it all. What more is there to life than fast cars, a big house, piles of money, and a parade of beautiful women?

Bernie is pushed to the breaking point when, against her advice, Jeremy takes a women home. When the woman turns out to be a thief who comes with a van full of armed cohorts, Bernie and Jeremy find themselves locked in the safe room. Jeremy's cavalier attitude sparks Bernie's rage which quickly turns into unexpected passion. Bernie walks away that night expecting never to see him again... that is until she pees on a stick and the test is positive. Suddenly, Jeremy and Bernie are trying to figure out if they can be parents, which leads to questions about friendship and love.

BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES is a wonderful story of love and transformation that I couldn't put down. I love that moment of crisis in the story, when the characters choose who they want to be. I know it's a great story when I feel my heart squeeze and I'm thinking "you can do it, you can do it." For me, the ability to stir your emotions, even though you know the happy ending is coming, is a sign that the author has developed a strong plot with characters with whom I feel a connection. I definitely felt my heart squeeze as I neared the end of BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES. Bernie and Jeremy both grow in ways that they never expected. Their journey to true love is filled with everyday obstacles, witty banter, arguments, and passion. The supporting characters, particularly Bernie's colleagues at security specialists Delgado & Associates and the neighbors in her rundown apartment complex, flesh out the story with humor and warmth. I will definitely be catching up on some of Ms. Graves other stories.

Book Summary

A good girl can be bad for one night...

Bernadette Hogan doesn't make mistakes. Not when it comes to caring for her mother, and not at her job protecting Texas's most eligible--and infuriating--bachelor. Maybe that's why she's overcome with guilt after one tiny indiscretion: a passionate fling with her boss that's left her confused, intrigued...and pregnant.

but can a bad boy be good for a lifetime?

To self-made millionaire Jeremy Bridges, women are like fine wine: if held for too long, they sour. But one wild night with Bernadette changed all that. She makes him laugh, she makes him think, and soon she's going to make him a father. For the first time, Jeremy wants to be a one- woman man. So how can he convince the fiercely independent Bernadette he's ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad--and become the loving husband she deserves?