The Lucky Ones

Mortman's frothy blend of political intrigue and romance among the best and the brightest, a follow-up to her bestselling True Colors (1995), begins on a quiet note in 1977 as best man Clay Chandler raises his glass to newlyweds Ben Knight and Felicia Coburn. In 20 years, Clay predicts, Ben will have something to celebrate, and the lucky ones among the bridal party will be rejoicing with him. Clay is right, and the novel ends with another party. But between the two celebrations, Mortman engineers an international crisis that brings down a president, using her sturdy plot as a framework for entertaining insights about the people who run the world. Mortman gives us more than popcorn, however. Unabashedly liberal, she reminds us that beauty, brains, money and connections don't mean a thing unless a man or woman puts them to work on behalf of their beliefs. Ben becomes a senator and sets his sights not only on higher office but also on Zoe Vaughn, a comely and shrewd foreign policy adviser. They and the other lucky ones do battle against breast cancer, child molestation, terrorism and the whole range of human failings. In the midst of a well-paced thriller, Mortman takes a bubbly peek into the drawing rooms and back rooms where history is brokered. 150,000 first printing; $300,000 ad/promo; author tour. (July)