About the Author

Jude Deveraux began her writing career in 1976 and to date there are over thirty million copies of her books in print. She is the author of twenty-seven NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers, including THE SUMMERHOUSE, THE MULBERRY TREE and WILD ORCHIDS. She lives in North Carolina. www.judedeveraux.com

Reviews

Romance titan Deveraux (Someone to Love, etc.) packs her latest with jagged surprises, but the pieces fail to fall together satisfyingly. At age 12, Cassandra Madden has been in love with also 'tween Jefferson Ames, whom she meets on a business trip with her mother. After college, Cassie moves to Jeff's hometown of Williamsburg, Va., and eventually becomes nanny to widower Jeff's daughter, Elsbeth. Jeff treats Cassie as part of the family, but reserves his romantic feelings for gorgeous Skylar, who despises Cassie and ignores Elsbeth. When she hears gunshots next door and finds aging film star Althea Fairmont lying prone but unharmed, she and the famous Althea become friends. As Cassie begins to archive Althea's Hollywood memorabilia, she uncovers Althea's hidden history and is drawn, with Jeff, into a dangerous web of secrets, lies and murder. The story has moments of humor and romantic chemistry, but they do little to salvage the unruly plot. (May) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Many of the characters in New York Times best-selling novelist Deveraux's latest romance-following Carolina Isle (2006)-are CIA agents who've been placed in the neighborhood to protect a famous actress who was herself once a spy and whose life is now in danger. The convoluted and complicated plot unfolds slowly; theater actress Barbara McCulloh reads adequately but somewhat dramatically. Deveraux's many fans will want this title, but they will likely be disappointed. Public libraries should expect demand. [Abridged recording available from S. & S., with Natalie Moore reading; the Atria hc was "highly recommended," LJ 5/1/08.-Ed.]-Mary Knapp, Madison P.L., WI Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.