Veteran writer Wiggs (Enchanted Afternoon, etc.) skillfully conveys the edginess of Victorian San Francisco in this stirring romance. Since the violent death of his beloved wife, doctor Blue Calhoun has been too guilty and grief-stricken to fall in love again. Instead, he ministers to the city's many unfortunates and spars with his rebellious son. His heart thaws only when he is forced to save a wounded young woman who may have shot a city policeman. Born into poverty, Isabel Fish-Wooten has adopted the persona of aristocratic adventurer in order to make money, flee her painful history and satisfy her boundless energy. Now, as she recuperates in Blue's home, she experiences the warmth of belonging—and true love—for the first time. Blue feels the same passion, but their attraction is shadowed by the truth about Isabel's past and the still-unsolved shooting. Wiggs richly evokes her multi-faceted setting while depicting equally complex human relationships—from the lovers themselves to the network of affectionate, opinionated friends and family that surround them. For all the period appeal of its joss houses and society balls, the story's theme—the all-encompassing power of love—is timeless, and it is this theme, along with the author's polished prose and well-rounded characters, that makes Wiggs's story so satisfying. (Aug.)
