KISSING FROGS

Scientists are superstars in Altom's near-future world, and kind but ambitious young biology teacher Lucy Gordon longs to be among the elite like her father. However, her ticket to stardom—a unique species of frog—transforms into 200 pounds of gorgeous male when, in her excitement, she kisses it. Lucy would rather have her frog than a prince, so it's up to Welsh warrior Wolfe Graye to convince her otherwise and thereby permanently break the 1,000-year-old curse that will transform him back into amphibian if he doesn't charm Lucy into loving his human self. Altom's account of his self-improvement methods—tutored by TV talk shows, the medieval macho man is soon cooking her beef stroganoff dinners, doing her laundry and styling her hair—is good frothy fun. But ultimately, the characters are too unbelievable to be sympathetic. Lucy, for example, comes off as rather brainless to be a biologist, and Wolfe's speedy transformation from princely chauvinist pig into sensitive, literate dream guy never rings true. Despite its amusing premise, this lightweight paranormal romance lacks the staying power to keep readers engaged. (Jan.)