True Blue

July 29, 2002
An earnest and affecting portrait of life in the magical seaside town of Hubbards Point, Conn., Luanne Rices True Blue finds childhood friends Rumer Larkin and Zeb Mayhew torn apart by a seemingly insurmountable betrayal"Zeb married Rumers older sister, Elizabeth, instead of her. Now, after a 20-year absence, a bitter divorce and a life-altering expedition aboard a space station, Zeb has returned to the Point seeking forgiveness and maybe something more. The themes of sisterhood and friendship that appear here are common threads in Rices novels (Safe Harbor, etc.), as is the sense that theres an ethereal force guiding the lives of the Points inhabitants. With its graceful prose, full-bodied characters and atmospheric setting, this uplifting and enchanting tale is likely to become a beachside staple.

August 1, 2002
Rice returns to the captivating Connecticut setting of " Safe Harbor" [BKL D 15 01], where Rumer Larkin, a 40-year-old veterinarian deeply attached to the creatures of the earth, remains rooted in her hometown, while her best friend from childhood, Zeb Mayhew, has his eyes on the stars. Just when their friendship was turning into an adult passion, Zeb broke Rumer's heart by falling in love with her flamboyant older sister instead. They married and he became an astronaut. Now divorced, Zeb is returning home with Rumer's nephew, Michael, hoping to get close to Rumer, and to reestablish a bond with his 17 year-old son. Rumer is delighted to see her nephew, but dealing with Zeb is harder than she expected it to be. Is she ready to risk devastating heartache again, and will her sister interfere? Rice, as always, provides her readers with a delightful love story filled with the subtle nuances of the human heart.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)