Spanish Seranade

This silly, continent-hopping novel displays Blake's ( Love and Smoke ) trademark melange of blistering romance, historical melodrama and derring-do. In late 18th-century Seville, Pilar Marie Sandoval y Serna must escape the clutches of her stepfather, Don Esteban, ``a devil in human form'' whom she suspects of murdering her mother and stealing her family fortune. In desperation, she asks the infamous bandit ``El Leon'' to abduct her when Don Esteban escorts her to the convent to which he has consigned her. El Leon, who is by birth a gentleman named Refugio and has his own quarrel to settle with Don Esteban, agrees. But the rapacious Esteban in turn seizes Refugio's brother Vincente and sails for New Orleans to take up a political appointment. Pilar, Refugio and his band follow them to the New World, braving pirate attacks and other dangers. Once across the Atlantic, though, pursuers become the pursued as the Don tracks Refugio and Pilar westward through Indian territory. Pilar becomes Refugio's mistress on the run and ultimately his true love as the plot wends its way to a happy ending. (Aug.)