STARLIGHT – Carrie Lofty
The Christies, Book 2
Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781451636543
June 2012
Historical Romance

Glasgow, Scotland, 1881

Alexander Christie is lured to Glasgow from New York with the promise of one million dollars by taking over his father's business for two years and making it a success.  His wife recently died in childbirth, which leaves him with his sickly child, Edmund, whom he wants to remove from any contact with the baby's abusive maternal grandfather.  He finds many problems with Christie Textiles in Glasgow with much discontent among the workers.  When an explosion and fire take out part of his mill, he calls in some of the union trouble makers.  He finds that his workers are underpaid and over worked, barely making enough to survive, but he is warned by the other mill owners to not give in to their demands.

Polly Gowan is a weaver at Christie Textiles and is trying to help her father protect the people and get better working conditions.  Rand Livingstone is her nemesis, always fighting against her and the other union members.  Alex meets the fiery Polly, and electricity fills the air between them.  Polly is voted to head the union for peaceful negotiation.  She tries to convert Alex to her views rather than his siding with the other mill owners.  More fires erupt in the business district with the union blamed, but who is really starting the fires and why? Violence is close at hand.

STARLIGHT takes place in Glasgow, one of the largest and most industrial cities in the world in 1881.  The people eke out a living at the docks and mills as the city hums with life.  They live in one room shacks and tenements with few comforts.  It is a rough and tumble world.  Not often does love flourish between the classes.  Polly is an independent and strong woman, and although Alex is determined to build a future for his son, his passion for Polly cannot be denied.  Both characters are likeable, and the story moves along at a good pace with a sizzling romance.

STARLIGHT is not a light-hearted story.  Both Polly and Alex must fight for their love and what is right.  Violence is always close to the union members as they try to survive in very rough living and working conditions.  Friendship and family are paramount to their lives.  Ms. Lofty writes a compelling story with DIVA, book three of The Christies , to follow.

Marilyn Heyman