All for Love

By attempting to be a medical thriller, an inspirational tract and a steamy romance all in one, this latest novel by the author of Miami achieves none of these goals. Second-year medical student Tari Jones arrests a psychotic patient's savage attack on a doctor by calling for him to stop ``in the name of God . . . in the name of my father.'' When she predicts (or causes?) the doctor's miraculous recovery, most faculty members regard this as a lucky fluke but Dr. Marcus Douglas, controversial writer, psychiatrist and priest wonders if something bigger is at work. Reading her revelations, the self-styled ``Book of Love,'' Douglas is ``mesmerized by the strange truths they told. He knew their importance.'' Is Tari on the verge of a schizophrenic breakdown or is she a modern-day saint? Diabolical doctors plan to martyr Tari to Thorazine, to ``rape her essence.'' But Tari's boyfriend, a Hollywood star who diligently cultivates his wild image, whisks her away. Booth ( Miami ) nicely captures the glitzy aura of Miami's trendy South Beach. However, most characters (evil, greedy doctors, brainless beauties, rich and famous celebrities) are reduced to caricatures. Pages of psychobabble, inane insights and a wildly melodramatic conclusion push this book to new heights of absurdity. (Sept.)