SPOTLIGHT Carol Bellacera Forge Books July 2000 ISBN# 0-312-87451-0 {Click here to buy this book} "Spotlight" is the prequel to Carol Bellacera's first novel "Border Crossings". Where "Border Crossings" takes place in Northern

Fonda Blayne spotted Devin O'Keefe on television one day and proclaimed him to be the next rising star to her magazine editor/owner. But because of the oil and water relationship she has with the new owner, Fonda is not allowed to follow her hunch. Three years later, Fonda is called upon to take a sabbatical from work in order to write Devin's biography. She jumps at the chance with "I told you so" written all over her face. While on tour, however, Fonda finds that there is something between her and Devin and the eventually become lovers. When her younger sister, Jessie, runs away from home to join Fonda on tour strange things begin to happen, including Jessie's near rape, exploding band equipment and the truth about Devin. Once Fonda learns of this truth her trust and love for Devin are put to the ultimate test.

Although Devin O'Keefe was born and raised in Derry, Northern Ireland, he refused to be a byproduct of what the Troubles did to people. Once he turned 18 he left home, moved to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland and started up a band. The love of his life was Caitlyn whom he planned to wed but when he learned of her IRA affiliations he chose to leave her. He wasn't expecting an attempted suicide nor her plea to take her back and promises to leave the Troubles behind. Reluctantly he agrees and are married. But Devin is rocked at the news that she has been arrested in sentenced to life in prison for the death of 4 people in a shopping mall, an attack orchestrated by Caitlyn herself. Devin tries to put the past behind him. He's grieved the loss of Caitlyn and treats her as if she's dead. Several years later he reluctantly allows his new manager to write his biography. He agrees but only under the stipulation that Fonda Blayne does the story. He's read her articles and seen her photos. Years before he started to refuse interviews, so it was Fonda or no one. But Devin is shocked to find that Fonda, upon meeting her, is something that he's denied ever since Caitlyn's deception. As much as he tries to fight the feeling there's no denying that Fonda and he are meant to be together. He's not so sure she'll feel the same way once he learns of his secret past though and strives to keep it from her as long as possible. But when the truth comes out their love is tested to the greatest extremes.

"Spotlight" is a very well written book. The characters are realistic and engaging, and situations are believable. The read is fast paced but is not lacking in detail or intrigue. At first I couldn't help wondering when the real story was going to take off because there was so much story that leads up to Devin and Fonda's meeting. But once into the book I realized that this bit of fore-story is absolutely necessary as it substantiates Devin's feelings. What impressed me above all things is how much I could feel what Devin and Fonda were going through. Bellacera has written such believable characters that the reader can really get into their heads and see what they're seeing, feel what they're feeling. I approach this type of book, one's centered on the Troubles of Northern Ireland, with trepidation. However, I found this book far superior to Bellacera's first book. I would note that there are several inaccuracies in some Irish related instances, but only someone savvy enough to Ireland would catch them. They did not detract from the story though. While I would certainly recommend this book to anyone I think might be interested in this type of story, or one as well written as this one, I would caution all readers that this is a work of fiction even though certain instances are very close to reality.