THE MAKING OF JUNE: A Novel

Based on her own travels to the "darkest corner of Europe" in the mid-'90s, debut novelist Ward explores the harsh reality that besets pampered L.A. film production assistant June Carver when she follows her doctoral candidate husband, Ethan, to live in the "third world Balkan post-Communist country" of Bulgaria. Soon after the couple's arrival in the dismal city of Sofia, 29-year-old June confesses to an adulterous affair, and Ethan follows suit by taking up with Nevena, a troubled Muslim housekeeper, raped and orphaned by soldiers at age 11. Abandoned and jobless, June finds herself desired by a violent but handsome mafia kingpin, who sets up the former beauty queen in a luxury apartment and cushy job, only to later stalk her. Chicago stage actress and historical romance author Vigesaa nimbly transitions between Ward's disparate characters, languages, accents and viewpoints. She brings a whiney and selfish naïveté that perfectly suits June and the superficial and sarcastic e-mails she sends home. Vigesaa also lends credibility to the locals with her apparent fluency in Bulgarian and her rendition of their broken English. While Ward spices up her tale with several subplots, her main premise—that June is greatly changed for the better by her experiences—is a long time coming and never rings true. Simultaneous release with the Putnam hardcover (Forecasts, Apr. 8). (May)