Anya's Dream

Anya Celeste Smith has dreamed of being a dancer since childhood. Though she had the talent and the drive, it became clear during puberty that her body would not conform to that of a ballerina. Being a determined and pragmatic woman, she turned to choreography, other forms of dance and teaching yoga. She also gave herself a time limit to make it in the business.

Anya is on her final year in that limit when she is hired on to be choreographer to rock group Bone Cold--Alive. This might be just the break that she has been looking for…of course, first she needs to convince the blatantly opposed band members that they need her expertise.

Handsome Jefferson Bo Bailey of the sexy bass vocals and southern drawl has enjoyed the perks of fame that he has been blessed with in being part of a very successful group. Bo gives Bo what Bo wants, but under all of the rock star excesses is a good man.

He may be unconvinced of the need for the position their newest employee is filling but he finds her charm irresistible.

One can’t help but fall in love with this sexy bad boy of rock who happens to have a weakness for food and a leaning towards fun. His self-indulgent tendencies are tempered with a somewhat gentlemanly core that appeals greatly.

Anya is also wonderful as a heroine who is not easily swayed by fame and fortune. This is not someone who will be steamrolled into a relationship that she believes will not be viable. And it takes some convincing of this determined woman to believe in the possible happy ending for which we all are crossing our fingers.

Readers will enjoy the rendering of a rock group with peeks into the difficulties that members have overcome and the relationships that they have developed both in and out of the band. Indeed all of the characters share a bond that feels true with camaraderie, irreverence and exasperations not to mention friendly insults. The banter between hero and heroine and the antics of the other characters will bring a bubble of laughter to the lips over and over again. Subplots are woven in to make the fabric of the tale that much more colorful and lends a strength in authenticity.

ANYA'S DREAM is the 6^th and final book in Ms Sisk’s Texoma Series. The book is also admittedly this reviewer’s introductory read to the author’s work. Background is deftly given in the story itself to make this good as a stand alone experience. However, enough history is given about each of the other relationships mentioned that one feels a strong pull to dive into book one Lyla’s Song and proceed through to this volume. No points given in guessing what will be in the “to be read pile” of yours truly.

January 2007