REBEL WALTZ

Banner Clairmont, granddaughter of the owner of antebellum mansion Jasmine Hall, meets Rory Stewart, a rich Southern gentleman who wants to buy the property. Of course, they fall madly in love with each other despite Banner’s objection to the sale of her home. Lyssa Brown narrates this romance with a lilting voice that doesn’t take seriously the antics and silly dialogue between Banner and Rory. As the two spar with each other, Brown's performance stretches effortlessly to keep up with the plot and the action. Hooper sprinkles the story with her trademark ghosts, which do little for the plot. Originally written in 1986, this title lacks the steamy scenes romance readers are now accustomed to. Fortunately, Brown is up to the challenge of Southern accents and a genteel tone. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2010]