cover image Once More with Feeling

Once More with Feeling

Cynthia Blair. Ivy Books, $5.99 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-345-38638-0

In a witty, vibrantly alive narrative, Blair (Temptation) delivers an honest portrait of divorce as protagonist Laura Briggs ends her 15-year marriage and optimistically attempts to begin life anew. ""Such freedom!"" she thinks, ""to be in total control of one's destiny, one's schedule, one's dietary habits."" Laura quickly learns that starting over isn't that easy: her son resents her, her friends are self-absorbed, support groups are filled with quirky singles and a ""date"" is a four-letter word. What she needs, Laura decides, is a change, a tranquil sojourn to Alaska with an ecology group called the World Watchers. She doesn't want much--just a few days to take stock of her life. Instead she finds primitive living conditions, leeches, orphaned baby moose and a bearded Yukon Jack-look-alike named Dr. Cam Woodward, who offers romance Alaska-style. This book is a must for anyone who has ever considered divorce, and a joy for all who haven't. (Mar.)