Waltzing in Ragtime

Award-winning YA author Charbonneau (The Ghosts of Stony Clove) successfully crosses over to adult fiction with this lively historical novel spiked with steamy romance. In 1903, Olana Whittaker, the spoiled 23-year-old daughter of a timber tycoon, is covering the grand opening of Sequoia National Park for a San Francisco newspaper when she meets Matthew Hart, the park's long-haired, bearded ranger, who is determined to keep lumber interests away from the magnificent trees. After rescuing Olana during a blizzard in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Matthew brings her back to his tree house, where he uses primitive remedies to heal her severe frostbite, and the two begin a simmering romance. In fact, after he returns Olana to her wealthy family, Matt reluctantly agrees to stay in San Francisco until she fully recovers; in gratitude, Olana's father gives him the desired acreage for the park. But soon, Mark resigns his park post in the wake of disturbing disclosures about his past. Olana follows him to his mother's home in St. Pitias, where she learns some surprising secrets, experiences passionate love and has an explosive argument with Matt that leads to her marriage to Darius Moore, her father's despicable business partner. Other developments in this eventful soap opera include murder and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Charbonneau's mix of sexy romance and melodrama provides plenty of entertainment. (Aug.)