Impulse

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A love-hate relationship develops between reporter Rafaella Holland and Caribbean-resort manager Marcus Devlin as Rafaella goes undercover to expose the gangster who seduced and abandoned her mother years before. ``A weak, tangled plot dims the shine of two fairly enjoyable sparring partners in this contrived novel of romantic suspense,'' said PW. June

Library Journal

In an attempt to find personal and professional fulfillment, Melinda LeBlanc returns to her New England hometown of Harrow. Having moved to California upon graduation from high school, she has come back to work in her cousin's florist shop designing arrangements for weddings, funerals, and other occasions. Many of her former schoolmates have gone on to college and gotten married. Sensing that they look down on her both socially and educationally, Melinda has no desire to continue friendships with them. She renews acquaintances with Libby and Dennis, also former classmates and unattached. Melinda also establishes other liaisons, which are not developing into anything lasting. It is easy to sympathize with this thirtyish single woman looking for a permanent relationship. But it seems that sometimes she is the victim of her own cynicism and overly critical and independent attitude. In her portrayal, reader Vida Vasaitis has captured this cynicism; her characterizations of the other players are also very well done. Recommended for public and academic women's fiction collections. Catherine Swenson, Norwich Univ., Northfield, VT Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.