Candace has to work around her phobia of crossing streets to serve as crossing guard at her daughter's school, and it's this very thing that puts Candace in the path of Royce: a firefighter who's determined never to date a single mother again.

They've both got some rethinking to do in Stopping Traffic by author Pat Simmons. I wasn't sure where this novella would take me beyond Candace's struggle with streets, and I was glad to see the story open up into much more.

Personally, I'm not much moved by muscly men in fiction just because they're muscly, but Royce is a hero who's about his business and isn't playing any games. Two thumbs up. Likewise, Candace's serious, "lioness" side coming through to protect her child is what I appreciated most about her character--that and one of her funny reactions to flying peppermints. The faith theme here includes a lot in the way of church sermons and Bible-verse quoting by the characters and such; some ChristFic readers like that, some find it overbearing in a story, but I expected it of this author.

Overall, I found this romance to be thoroughly enjoyable and would recommend it to other Christian Fiction fans who like quick reads with substance. ( )