A Hunka Hunka Nursing Love
Kathryn Maeglin, 2013
Soul Mate Publishing
276 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781619352476
Summary
Imagine a visiting-nurse service with hot young guys as caregivers. What golden girl wouldn’t dig that?
Valerie Palka is a savvy businesswoman who is obsessed with keeping her elderly mom, Helen, safe from all the lethal disasters that can befall widows living alone. Helen thinks the workaholic Valerie should focus on having as much luck in the bedroom as she does in the boardroom.
But when Helen takes a spill and is rushed to the ER, a handsome male nurse, Keith Nuber, strikes her fancy, and she tells her daughter, "If you could get a handsome devil like that to take care of me, I’d be willing to consider it." So Valerie creates a care agency, Home Health Hunks, staffed by attractive younger men.
Valerie’s idea is filled with potential . . . and potholes. As she navigates the tricky road to satisfying her mom as well as her own ambition, she finds herself falling for one of her employees—Keith—and is forced to examine her beliefs about the true meaning of success.
Author Bio
• Birth—December 23, 1958
• Where—Moline, Illinois, USA
• Education— A.A. Black Hawk College; B.S., Arizona State
• Currently—lives in Indianapolis, Indiana
In her words
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse. I quickly discovered this was not a wise choice, since I couldn’t stand the sight of blood. Next I wanted to be an actress. Unfortunately, my only talent onstage was that I could be heard in the back row.
Finally I decided to become a journalist. My original goal was to be Jane Pauley’s replacement on the "Today" show. Alas, I didn’t have Jane’s looks, poise, confidence, skill or wisdom. In fact, the only thing we had in common was that we were both corn-fed blondes from the Midwest. In my case, much more corn had been consumed.
So I ended up being a print journalist for 24 years. I worked for daily newspapers in Rock Island, Ill., and Madison, Wis.; for a Chicago-based trade journal that covered the radio and TV industry; and as special projects editor for the Indianapolis Business Journal. I started a couple of special sections for women, one of which won two state awards, while the other won a national award.
I began writing fiction several years ago, driven primarily by the desire to create and entertain. But I also try to share something of value by spinning tales that remind us we're all in this crazy mess called "life" together. I hope you can relate to my writing, even if it's just to share a laugh.
I’m happily married and have two overfed, underemployed cats.
Ten percent of my net royalties will be donated to two charities that serve people dealing with cancer: Cancer Support Community and Pink Ribbon Connection.
Visit the author's website.
Follow Kathryn on Facebook.
Book Reviews
A clever concept and comical cougars give readers a hot dose of humor as well as A Hunka Hunka Nursing Love. Don't miss Kathryn Maeglin's delightful debut.
Pamela Morsi, USA Today Bestselling Author
Kathryn Maeglin enchants as she weaves through the vagaries of life while dating and caring for an older parent. Ms. Maeglin addresses issues of aging some of us wish to ignore, but does it in such a way that we grow to love her endearing characters. Well done. From the beginning scene to the end, this book is about passion and compassion, which we all need in our lives. Excellent and entertaining!
Emma Wildes, Author of Ruined by Moonlight and Twice Fallen
Surprisingly layered with deeply realistic characters and situations that many are facing, Maeglin's debut offering is clever, heartwarming and full of situations that range from laugh out loud funny to tear-inducing—5 Stars.
I Am, Indeed: the Place to Find Your Next Read
This story had a lot of fun and interesting elements in it (cougar, senior-citizen and same-sex love stories), yet...the author knows how to tie them together seamlessly and make it sweet and heartwarming. I really enjoyed this story and even admit that I wouldn't mind reading it again.
The Reading Cafe
[A] well-crafted love story that sensitively addresses the issues of caring for aging parents. I also thought the author did a good job with character development.
Manic Readers
4.5 Stars
Chick Lit Plus
Discussion Questions
1. When Valerie decides to create Home Health Hunks, she takes a risk that moves her out of her normal comfort zone. Think of a time when you took a large risk and describe how that turned out. What did you learn from the process?
2. At one point, Valerie bemoans: "I finally get to be a mom, but my child is my own mother." Have you ever found yourself in the position of having to "parent" one of your own parents? If so, what was that experience like?
3. There were times when Helen clearly felt Valerie was overstepping her bounds as an adult child. Do you think children have a responsibility to care for their aging parents? If so, at what point would you say the child has gone too far?
4. Many successful businesspeople, particularly entrepreneurs, say they have to work sixty to eighty hours a week or they won’t be successful. Can you sympathize with these people, or do you think they’re making an unwise choice? How do you handle the work-life balance challenge?
5. If someone actually started a business such as Home Health Hunks, they would probably come under fire for "objectifying" men. Do you think there’s a double standard when it comes to objectifying men vs. objectifying women? Why or why not?
6. Some would say Valerie’s decision to get involved with an employee was unethical. Would you agree with that? Why or why not?
7. Valerie had serious concerns about the age difference between herself and Keith. Do you think her concerns were valid? Why or why not? Have your ever dated/married someone considerably older or younger than yourself? If so, how would you describe that experience?
8. Mother-daughter relationships can range from very close to very contentious. What could Valerie and/or Helen have done to make their relationship less adversarial?
9. Helen knows Valerie’s workaholism has caused her daughter great pain, and at one point, she tells Valerie: "Sometimes your greatest strength can also be your worst enemy." Can you think of an example of this in your own life? Please elaborate.
10. The main theme of this book is: If you’re always worried about the future, you can’t enjoy the present. Do you strive to make the most of the present, and if so, how?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)