AND THE DESERT BLOOMS

Six years earlier, beautiful Pandora Madchen ran away from the desert country of Sedikhan and the powerful man she wanted, Sheik Philip El Kabbar. Now she’s a rock star and has come back to win the man she loves. Angela Brazil’s credible accents add to her character portrayals, whether she’s depicting a haughty British aristocrat, a casual American, or a precise, cold-hearted German. But even though Brazil's narration is well delivered, her varied talents can't make this story anything more than forgettable. Iris Johansen fans are rarely disappointed, but this slow, lackluster novel does not do justice to its performer. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2009]