Candy Halliday, Mr. Destiny

Mr. Destiny

Candy Halliday

Warner, Nov 2005, $6.50, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0446614564

Since the Anderson Art gallery co-hosts with the Metropolitan Museum of Art the annual "Art in Central Park" gala, Kate Anderson, working the set-up, stands next to a painting of the Madonna when mounted police officer Tony Petrocelli tells her he is her destiny. , Kate informs Tony she is engaged to marry corporate lawyer Harold Wellington. Tony is stunned as he will have to explain to his Momma Gina that Nonna was wrong when she said twenty years ago he would meet his destiny in Central Park standing next to the Madonna.

Mama Gina goes into 24/7 prayer vigil, vowing never to stop unless her son brings his destiny to Queens so Nonna can meet her. He persuades Kate to do so. However, before arriving at Mama Gina's Restaurant she has a falling out by telephone with Harold who is away on business. Tony and Kate are attracted to one another whether they are destined to be together or not, but security remains her top priority.

Though Harold's reactions seem odd and removes him as a viable rival, fans of contemporary romance will enjoy this fine tale enhanced by a touch of ESP. Tony is an intriguing protagonist who never believed using logic to explain Nonna's success at predictions while also giving up Wall St for law enforcement; when was the last time a Princeton grad did street patrol? Kate is also an interesting lead character with her struggle to peal away her time with her bohemian parents by seeking refuge in a more materialistic lifestyle. Her friends, his family and to a degree Harold augment a fun modern day cross- boroughs romance.

Harriet Klausner