B
illed as inspirational women’s fiction, the first offering in Avon’s inspirational line is pure, chaste romantic diversion. Alexandra “Alex” Butler was jilted years ago when her hunky husband, Josh Turner, left soon after their marriage to become a rock star. When Josh returns to Piper Cove on the Atlantic Ocean as best man in Alex’s sister’s wedding, the professional decorator and divorcée finds to her dismay that her passion for him still simmers under her businesslike exterior. Alex’s three “bosom buddies” provide interest throughout, especially the mechanically minded Ellen Brittingham, one of the most promising characters in the novel. A few unfortunate sentences are over the top, even for this genre: “She was as indelibly etched under his skin as his tattoos” and “the sight of Alex... was enough to send the wooden totem pole at the Ocean City inlet jumping in the water before it self-ignited.” Some plot elements are insensitive enough as to be unbelievable, such as Alex’s father giving away Alex’s beloved first home to her sister as a wedding gift, and then asking Alex to decorate it. But Windsor, an RWA Beacon Award–winning author and Christy Award finalist, is a competent writer, and the Piper Cove Chronicles should hold their own in inspirational romance. (July)
