Diva

The backdrops are voluptuous, the villains dastardly, the beauties full of fire in this lightweight, minimally historic novel set in the years before World War I. There's a nice wry edge to the relationship between gorgeous Moira Devereaux and her equally stunning daughter, Maeve, both of whose affairs and temperamental outbursts fill these pages. After Patrick Devereaux is executed for treason against the colonial British government in South Africa, his hot-headed wife and teenage daughter are flung into a Boer prison compound. When the camp is liberated by dashing Sean Farrell, bastard prince of the tiny country of Montenegro, Maeve fires the shot that saves his life and kills a hated jailer. Then it's off to the playgrounds of Europe, where Moira collects adventurers and glittering jewels, while Maeve rises quickly from Parisian dance hall girl to acclaimed diva. She marries a German baron, but pines occasionally for her black-haired hero, Sean. A sea of contrived troubles later, the Balkans and Europe overheat and Maeve gets her man. The pace drags at times and Maeve's career is merely one predictable triumph after another. This is an entertaining saga, nonetheless, with a winning heart. 35,000 first printing; $35,000 ad/promo. (Oct.)