STEP BALL CHANGE

When you think of a perfect under-the-apple-tree summer novel, this is what you probably have in mind. Caroline owns a dancing school, which is a dream fulfilled for her. Her husband, Tom, is a public defender as is their daughter, Kay. All three are doing what they want. Then Kay becomes engaged, Caroline's sister is abandoned by her husband, and the house foundation is rotting quickly. As the story is delightful, one wants the telling of it to be lyrical, even musical, but author Jeanne Ray plods along with little humor and no dash. As a writer, Ray has written good words, but she speaks them poorly. J.P. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]