Destiny's Child

In Bretton's third novel involving a hot-air balloon that whisks travelers across centuries, sassy 1990s protagonist Dakota Wylie is dropped smack in the middle of the American Revolution, where she is discovered by Abigail, the neglected six-year-old daughter of wealthy Patrick Devane. Patrick is as cold-blooded as they come. Cuckolded by his wife years before, he's convinced that Abby is not his natural child and treats her as such. He now pours all his energy into posing as a spy for the British while coming to terms with his growing attraction to the headstrong Dakota. Dakota, in turn, finds herself falling hopelessly in love with both Patrick and little Abby. But there can be no future for her in 1779. As Dakota muses: ``We couldn't have made it over the long haul even if we wanted to, Devane. You'll never get my jokes and I'll never be able to heal your broken heart.'' Dakota's spunky character--wisecracking and overweight (by today's standards)--carries the reader through a confusing plot line. Although the publisher claims that each book in the series stands on its own, this one does not. Fans of Bretton's time-travel novels are strongly advised to read Tomorrow & Always and Somewhere in Time first. (Sept.)