Lani Diane Rich, Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here

Lani Diane Rich

Forever, Nov 2008, $6.99

ISBN: 044661825X

Her father Richard, owner of Daly developers, wants the Deer Creek, Idaho campground property owned by single father Nate Brody, who refuses to sell. He sends his daughter Freya Daly to obtain the land although she has no idea why her dad covets this dilapidated campground in the middle of hell. Cincinnati restaurateur Nate explains to Freya he cannot sell because he made a death bed pledge to his late dad. He also says he will sell once he completes his vow to find an heirloom.

Freya's dad demands she increase the pressure as he needs that land now. She is confused by his attitude and soon learns there is more to her father's deal than he told her. As she falls in love with the father and his preadolescent daughter Piper, Freya has family issues to confront while Nate and Piper want her to return to Ohio with them as part of their family.

The charming contemporary romance between the lead couple is enhanced by several fascinating subplots that tie back to the prime storyline including a unique rare condition in which Freya cries for no apparent reason. The relationship between father and daughter is a model of honesty; quite the opposite of that between Freya and her dad. Except for her dad's mayoral name, 'Wish You Were Here' is a terrific sequel to 'Crazy In Love.'

Harriet Klausner