Heroine Valerie Wentworth (who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio) goes back home to Maryland for her grandfather’s funeral. Valerie left home after her grandfather kicked her out seven years ago (at age 18) when she got pregnant. She arrives in Maryland and runs into ex-lover hero Judd Prescott, who doesn’t know Tadd is his son…

This was a very enjoyable read. Valerie really matured from the rebellious teenager that she was to a responsible, young woman. Judd was the usual Harlequin Presents brooding hero. I found the back story that dealt with the horses interesting. I really liked some of the secondary characters… Valerie’s friend Clara (who was like a mother to her) and stable-hand ex-jockey Mickey.

An entertaining read from Janet Dailey’s Americana series, set in Maryland. ( )

When I was in high school, I was addicted to romance novels, then I had my heart broken and didn't believe in love or romance. I married, had three kids, but I was cold and bitter. I hated romance novels. How dare they find the love of their lives, how dare they build up my dreams of happily ever after. Well, I found my happily ever after 3 years ago and so I've returned to the world of romance. This is my first romance novel in over 20 years. I remember Janet Dailey as a favorite and so returned to her.
I chose to read the Americana series because I like series and I like Dailey. So I began with A Bed of Grass - which is set in Maryland. I'm not sure if this was the first one she wrote or not, but it was the last one listed on my Nook so I started there.
Valerie returns home after her grandfather, who raised her, dies. She runs smack into Judd who fathered her son 7 years ago, but he doesn't know it. Sparks fly, and in the end they admit their love for each other.
Romance novels follow a formula, but sometimes I yell at the heroine - run away, start over - find a man who doesn't treat you poorly - but they never listen. Now that I'm older, I wonder how happily they live after all. ( )