Love's Voyage

Landgraf's self-published first novel is so stilted and bloodless that it makes you want to nominate Fabio for a Pulitzer. Interior designer Tara Grant finds mugging victim Tom Best outside her beach house and helps him. As romance blooms between the two, Tara's boss, Steven York, whom she briefly dated, grows jealous. But when Tom, an architect planning a sailing trip with his grandfather, proposes, Steven, after a few mild incidents and several apologies, shakes off his jealousy and even champions Tara's new love. Throughout all this, Tara's friend Dr. Ken Patterson stands by her, including when, near novel's end, Tom's vessel is shipwrecked (""`Tom said he would return,' I cried. `He promised.' `And he will!' Steven said.... `I suppose it's possible,' Doc said. `They haven't been found yet. There is room for hope'""). The only love scene comes late and is bland, but readers may pick up a few tips from the many scenes in which the characters order food and talk about it or choose clothing. Otherwise, this is one love boat that will send most romance fans running for the lifeboats. (July)