"Fine contemporary romance"

In Manhattan, freelance reporter Charlie Bresland is conducting an interview of famous meteorite hunter Jack Lanett for the New York Times. Jack and his partner Miguel MacPherson are controversial figures because they sell many of their findings to the highest bidder. Currently they have on auction a Shara-Mars gem that has angered bio-astronomer Dr. Peter Burke who believes all findings belong to science not a collector, but never takes the monetary or on site risks outside his Princeton classroom to retrieve a rock.

After an incident with a dog and his insistence she wear her hair down, Charlie proposes to write a book on Jack, an endeavor he opposes because he has a secret to hide. She explains that she must change jobs from real life adventure writer to a more sedate job so she can adopt a child. Jack shocks her when he tenders a different option; he proposes marriage. Already attracted to Jack, Charlie considers whether marriage will give her everything she wants: a loving husband, a cherished child, and a loyal dog, but can she keep a secret if he reveals to the woman he is falling in love with what he has hidden from the world.

Though Charlie's obsession to adopt and her need to rescue cats and dogs are not clarified until late in the novel, fans will appreciate this contemporary romance starring two individuals with different reasons to marry. The altruistic Charlie wants to do the right thing for society while Jack has a secret he dreads surfacing. Readers will appreciate this fun tale of two people falling love though they wedded for the wrong reasons.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 9, 2004

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Summary

In Shower of Stars, two unlikely lovers find that the brightest star in the night sky is only a glimmer compared to the blaze that burns in their hearts...

Charlotte "Charlie" Berglund wants a child—desperately. When her adoption caseworker concludes that being an adventure travel writer is not compatible with single parenthood, Charlie must rethink her profession. She decides to write a book about New York's hottest new celebrity: Jack Lanett, meteorite hunter extraordinaire.

Jack hates being front-page news but he's found what may be the most valuable space rock in the world: a potentially life-bearing meteorite from Mars. Publicity will drive up the price so he agrees to one disastrous interview.

Whether stargazing in the hills of Pennsylvania or rubbing shoulders with the social elite of Manhattan, Charlie and Jack find a passion neither one expected.