A MERMAID IN PARADISE

Author: Josie A. Okuly ISBN: 1590885171 5/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: WINGS ePRESS

Angelina Guerra decides to end the cold war with her estranged sister by attempting a reconciliation in the Bahamas, the site of her distrastrous excuse for a honeymoon two years before. However, things don't go according to plan as Angelina finds herself mixed up with a handsome British agent as he attempts to recover a fortune in stolen Nazi jewels. So much for her vacation! On the plus side, agent Devlin Shay is charming and well-mannered. However, he loses points because: a) he's gorgeous and b) he's British. In other words, he's cut from the same mold as Angelina's worthless ex-husband. Will she hold this against him? Of course, she will!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I do love this title. It refers to a certain activity that the heroine is suckered into, though the setup is so unconvincing that it was hard to suspend disbelief. After the weak start, however, Okuly's book takes off with some solid characterization that makes you like both the heroine and hero of her novel.

The characters are visiting Paradise Island in the Bahamas for personal reasons. Angelina Guerra is there to make peace with her baby sister, who ruined her marriage, and Devlin Shay is ostensibly there for an antique show. They get stuck together in a hotel suite because of a mixup. Angelina soon gets pulled into Devlin's real activities, which revolve around reclaiming some jewelry that belongs to his family from a sinister German businessman. Unfortunately, Angelina's estranged sister is dating the criminal! Into the mix is thrown Siggy, an adorable British thief, and the consequences of his long career of larceny.

A MERMAID IN PARADISE is romantic suspense with a full dose of light comedy. The action is fast and sweet as Angelina and Devlin fall in love.

Heather Hiestand