Her Temporary Prince

Meek Jane Bellwether, masquerading as a shopgirl in her father's department store, loves Charley Dill, an honest and upwardly mobile accountant. But Jane's mother demands a son-in-law with a noble title.

Princess Flavia of Ruritania, the scandalous "Princess Flapper", urgently needs a temporary husband to foil the schemes of Prime Minister Gregor.

Jane makes a deal with Flavia, and Charley -- who somehow found himself without ticket, passport or job in the brig of an ocean linter -- is informed that he's been leased to the Princess. Then Jane discovers that Flavia concealed just how perilous this deal was going to be -- for all of them.

Now Jane has to convince Charley the charade is too dangerous to continue, but proving it will take putting herself in danger. Charley accepts a ceremonial post at the Ministry of Finance, but his eagerness to clean out corruption wins powerful enemies. And Flavia herself, who has pledged her heart to her people, learns the true cost of that pledge.

What happens before the hasty shipboard wedding is a lively farce of crossed wires and competing schemes. What happens afterwards is still farcical ... but fraught with action, cliffhangers, spectacle, love, tears, and Ballyhoo -- the fads, follies and celebrity worship that made the twenties roar.

If you loved "The Prisoner of Zenda", you'll enjoy this affectionate but freewheeling return to Ruritania. It comes complete with passion, daring-do, and even a helping hand from an old Englishman named Rassendyll.

PS: "Her Temporary Prince" contains a little over 223,000 words, so in addition to rich, fleshed-out narrative you're getting Value for Money. And you can be reasonably sure you won't run out of book if you're reading during an airport layover (when you don't want to waste the bestseller you're taking on vacation), or in a DMV line, or over several days of commuting.