Part screwball comedy and part SF adventure, Deauxville's latest (after Strangers in the Night) attempts to put a new spin on the contemporary romance genre by sending a handsome male from a far-away solar system to occupy the body of New York advertising artist Maryellen Caswell. Unfortunately, the resulting story is riddled with outrageous characters, tiresome histrionics and unbelievable plot twists. Maryellen wakes up one morning alarmingly aware that something strange is happening to her. She soon learns that her body has been possessed by Sub Commander Targon, whose pals in the Intergalactic Transport system back home have zapped him to Styrex Three (Earth) as a joke. No one believes Maryellen, including her wealthy sister, who sends her to see Dr. Dzhugashvili, a psychiatrist with a special interest in UFOs. Viewing Targon as the opportunity of a lifetime, Dzhugashvili and his group of Star Wars and Star Trek wannabes plan to kidnap him. A sub plot involving an FBI agent on Targon's tail holds some surprises, but the bizarre finale, which takes place in Shea Stadium, stretches the reader's imagination to the snapping point. With a story line better suited for B movies, this absurd tale won't hold much appeal for either SF or romance fans. (Feb.)
FYI:Deauxville is the pseudonym for Maggie Davis, a long-time romance writer.
