LEAP OF FAITH

Marie-Ange Hawkins, raised by a widowed aunt in Iowa, is stunned to learn at 21 that her father has left her a fortune. Her misfortune, however, is to marry a man who loves only her money. Ron McLarty resists the temptation to impart an accent to French native Marie-Ange and her Parisian husband, opting instead to develop Steel's characters to as much potential as the author gives them. In narrative passages, McLarty proves surprisingly sensitive, for a man, to the nuances of the romance novel, while refraining from the mush. McLarty lends credibility to a light work, providing an enjoyable performance from start to finish. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 01]