Lovers and Friends

This engaging, yet not entirely engrossing tale of a consuming love affair is powered by a cast of characters whose celebrated talents are matched by their towering egos. Globe-trotting photographer Nikki Collier recounts the ``true story'' of her friend David Walton, an exasperating, self-centered playwright in ardent pursuit of promising British actress Sarah Cope. Although cleverly framed as a rebuttal to a scurrilous biography of the lovers, Nikki's portentous narration robs the novel of zest and immediacy. When David trades his carping wife and two young daughters for a love-match with Sarah, their union seems golden. But after years in which Sarah allows his flourishing career to eclipse her own, the brilliance of their love is dulled by drink and drugs and sorry behavior. Marchetta, who helped conceive and produce the TV shows Dynasty and Falcon Crest , fails to pack much passion into these smoothly written pages. But to her credit, the larger-than-life characters--including Sarah's ex-husband Duncan, a womanizing thespian, and Cassandra, a cheery, loud gossip and fashion designer--gain a rich patina as they age. (Aug.)