Elusive Love

Lanigan (Dangerous Love) has tried something daring here: the protagonists--Susannah Parker and Michael West--don't meet until the last two pages of the book. Instead the author describes two decades of their lives during which Susannah and Michael leave their blue-collar roots by marrying into the world of the obscenely wealthy. When both marriages fail, Susannah and Michael struggle to recover their losses and rebuild their lives while longing for the mate that haunts their dreams. After 20 years of unknowingly crossed paths and near encounters, Susannah and Michael finally connect and realize their destiny. Although romance readers may miss the pleasure of following a developing relationship, as a story of survival and personal growth, this is an exceptionally appealing tale. (Aug.)