The Forgotten Child

By Lorhainne Eckhart

How do you tell a man there is something wrong with his child?

--This is by far one of the best books I have read. Lorhainne Eckhart proved herself yet again by pulling you in with a heartfelt story and keeping your attention with the passion that fills the pages. -- ROMANCE JUNKIES

--I didn't expect I'd fall for the four main characters as hard as I did, but The Forgotten Child is an amazing book, not just for a romance fan like myself, but for single parents who may or may not have a child with autism.-- Reviewer -- Adria

--A Real Tear Jerker: Omg, I loved this book. I stayed up all night trying to finish it. I cried, My heart broke, I have an 18 year old with autism. This would make a fabulous movie... Tammy

--"Brilliant, there is no other word for it, heart grabbing, heart warming, gut wrenching, well written well researched, wanted to read it over & over again." - Maureen

In THE FORGOTTEN CHILD, Brad Friessen wasn't looking to love again. But what he got was a woman who shook his lonely bitter world upside down, and touched him in a way no other woman could.

Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless, bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live-in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something's seriously wrong with the boy, and the reclusive, difficult man who hired her can't see the behavior and how delayed his son is. So Emily researches until she stumbles across what she suspects are the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him, give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder--to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs.

As their lives become intertwined, their attraction is unavoidable--a connection sparks between them. But just as they're getting close, Brad's estranged wife, Crystal, returns after abandoning the family two years earlier. Among the shock and confusion is one disturbing question Brad can't shake: How does Crystal know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch, and Emily's relationship with his son?

Crystal must've had a plan, as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily, and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths to which Crystal will go, the lies, the greed, just to keep what's hers, are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily's forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy, to protect what's his, and struggles over his greatest sacrifice--Emily, and the haunting question: Has he lost her forever?

THE OUTSIDER SERIES:
The Forgotten Child (Brad & Emily)
A Baby And A Wedding (An Outsider Series Short)
Fallen Hero (Andy, Jed & Diana)
The Search (An Outsider Series Short)
The Awakening (Andy & Laura)
Secrets (Jed & Diana)
Runaway(Andy & Laura)
Overdue (An Outsider Series Short)
The Unexpected Storm (Neil & Candy)
The Wedding (Neil & Candy)
Or Grab The Outsider Series: The Complete Omnibus Collection which includes all the books and short stories in this series.

THE FRIESSENS: A NEW BEGINNING
The Deadline (Andy & Laura)
The Price to Love (Neil & Candy)
A Different Kind of Love (Brad & Emily)
A Vow of Love, A Friessen Christmas

THE WILDE BROTHERS
The One (Joe & Margaret)
The Honeymoon, A Wilde Brothers Short
Friendly Fire (Logan & Julia)
Not Quite Married, A Wilde Brothers Short
A Matter of Trust (Ben & Carrie)
The Reckoning, A Wilde Brothers Christmas

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lorhainne Eckhart
• Release date: Nov 6, 2011
• ISBN: 9781928085010

Lorhainne Eckhart

"Lorhainne Eckhart is one of my go to authors when I want a guaranteed good book. So many twists and turns, but also so much love and such a strong sense of family." (Lora W., Reviewer)New York Times & USA Today bestseller Lorhainne Eckhart writes Raw Relatable Real Romance is best known for writing big family romances series, where “Morals and family are running themes. Danger, romance, and a drive to do what is right will see you glued to the page.” As one fan calls her, she is the “Queen of the family saga.” (aherman) writing “the ups and downs of what goes on within a family but also with some suspense, angst and of course a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.” Follow Lorhainne on Bookbub to receive alerts on New Releases and Sales and join her mailing list at LorhainneEckhart.com for her Monday Blog, books news, giveaways and FREE reads. With over 120 books, audiobooks, and multiple series published and available at all retailers now translated into multiple languages. She is a multiple recipient of the Readers’ Favorite Award for Suspense and Romance, and lives in the Pacific Northwest on an island, is the mother of three, her oldest has autism and she is an advocate for never giving up on your dreams."Lorhainne Eckhart has this uncanny way of just hitting the spot every time with her books.” ★★★★★ Caroline L., ReviewerThe O’Connells: The O’Connells of Livingston, Montana are not your typical family. A riveting collection of stories surrounding the ups and downs of what goes on within a family but also with some suspense, angst and of course a bit of romance thrown in for good measure “I thought I loved the Friessens, but I absolutely adore the O’Connell’s. Each and every book has totally different genres of stories but the one thing in common is how she is able to wrap it around the family which is the heart of each story.” C. LogueThe Friessens: An emotional big family romance series, the Friessen family siblings find their relationships tested, lay their hearts on the line, and discover lasting love! “Lorhainne Eckhart is one of my go to authors when I want a guaranteed good book. So many twists and turns, but also so much love and such a strong sense of family.” Lora W., ReviewerThe Parker Sisters: The Parker Sisters are a close-knit family, and like any other family they have their ups and downs. “Eckhart has crafted another intense family drama...The character development is outstanding, and the emotional investment is high..." Aherman, ReviewerThe McCabe Brothers: Join the five McCabe siblings on their journeys to the dark and dangerous side of love! An intense, exhilarating collection of romantic thrillers you won’t want to miss. — “Eckhart has a new series that is definitely worth the read. The queen of the family saga started this series with a spin-off of her wildly successful Friessen series.” From a Readers’ Favorite award—winning author and “queen of the family saga” (Aherman)

Reviews for The Forgotten Child

[lcmcsr-812737 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first book in the series was well written and the characters are complex and engaging. However, I would have preferred to have Brad's perspective revealed to the reader sooner than halfway through the book. I connect better when the point of view is more intertwined. Having said that, the story makes the reader want to keep reading in order to find out how the tangled web of lies that are spun eventually get resolved. I do anticipate reading the remainder of the series because I am interested to see what happens along the way. I received this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[wndy2011 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A single father is in need of a caregiver for his son. When Emily sees the ad, she knows this could be her salvation. So her and her young daughter move into the ranch house owned by Brad Friessen. But what Emily discovers is she may have bit off more than she can chew. Trevor, Brad's young son, is showing disturbing behavior that has Emily researching autism. And then when things begin to look up, Brad's estranged wife returns and throws a kink in the mix.

[corinnerodrigues · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lorhainne Eckhart has done a great job of writing a love story that is very real and believable. I found myself getting emotionally involved with the characters and the plot. It is a tale triumph over love over greed and selfishness. Loved it!

[chattyceekay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this book very much. The characters, specially that of Emily, could have been fleshed out a little better but still, this was a good effort.

[bookworm_lisa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a very interesting book. The denial and then acceptance of dealing with a special needs child was very realistic and hit close to home. In this story Emily is separating from her husband and answers an add to take care of a young child and cook meals. The child is Trevor and he is autistic. Emily struggles to help his father understand what is holding his son back and the unusual behavior associated with autism. She seeks to help him cope and receive help for his son. In the process there is romance, conflict and resolution. The elements that we love in a romance book. There is adult content in the book.

[bishyball · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a really good book as soon as I started reading it I just kept reading until I finished it. Great Story!

[lkg4btrlife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emotionally amazing. Really enjoyed the read though was emotionally torn throughout as I read of the distress intertwined in the charactors lives. Trevor an innocent child thrownaway by none other than his own mother because of a disorder that is not his fault. The fear that emily dealt with along with the emotional torment was heart wrenching at times butthe passion involved in the storyline was surreal. This book was really well written and descriptive.

[amanda_r_26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I really enjoyed the story and the romance between Emily and Brad and wanted everything to work out for them. The story made me tear and cry a few times throughout.

[abcarroll_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As Emily ends her marriage she suddenly finds herself employed by Brad who owns a ranch and has a young son. Emily is living at the ranch settling into a routine when Brad's wife suddenly shows up and rocks everyone's world. I enjoyed this book, it was a very quick read.

[calliszoo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. It was a light and easy read. The story revolves around a woman and a man both getting divorced. The man has an autistic son that the lead female cares for. I believe the author wanted this to be a romance, but it just does not quite get there. The main characters just suddenly become involved and when the crisis is over they are together again. Brad's character does seem to grow and develop but Emily's Character does not at all. She is explained to be a passionate woman fighting for a autistic child, but she walks away at the first sign of trouble and continually lets others take advantage of her with out sticking up for her self or others.