Opposites Attract

Hailstock's latest (after Mirror Image) finds the beautiful, young Nefertiti Kincaid, known as Never to family and friends, worried about the welfare of two nephews she's putting through college and has cared for since the death of their parents 10 years before. Threatened with the loss of her job due to a corporate merger, Never resents analyst and corporate management expert Averal Ballentine, hired to ease the transition between the two companies. Fearful of the potential impact Averal may have on her career, Never tries to deny the physical attraction between them, but it proves stronger than their commitment to remain professional. They soon develop a friendship and discover a love that allows Averal to heal the long-standing wounds of a painful childhood and to finally reunite with a family from whom he has distanced himself for years. While Hailstock thoroughly explores the emotional conflicts of her characters, her plot offers few surprises. (Mar.)