Disguised Blessing

When a teenager suffers serious burns--the disguised blessing of the title--her scars prove to be a catalyst in transforming her and her mother's materialistic lives. Catherine Miller is planning her wedding to social-climbing Tom Adams when her 15-year-old daughter, Lynda, is accidentally burned at a barbecue. Hospitalized, Lynda must deal with pain, scarring and the mixed reactions of her friends. Tom's unsupportive attitude reveals his true character to Catherine--especially in contrast to the sterling qualities of Lynda's burn counselor Rick Sawyer, a Sacramento, Calif., fire captain--and she breaks off their engagement. The story of Lynda's healing is interlaced with Catherine's growing financial problems and her need to come to terms with her feelings for Rick, a man from a very different background than Tom. Bockoven (Things Remembered) subtly creates believable characters as she weaves a quietly involving tale that should please fans of mainstream romance. (Apr.)