IF WISHING MADE IT SO - Lucy Finn
Signet Eclipse
ISBN-10: 0-451-22459-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-22459-0
July 2008
Paranormal Romance

Pennsylvania and New Jersey - Present Day

Sometimes it’s a little thing that makes it clear life has got to change; the soufflé that falls flat, the favorite pair of jeans that just won’t zip, or the guy who cuts you off in traffic. For English teacher Hildy Caldwell, it’s getting sprayed by the neighbor’s cat. Yecch! Once upon a time Hildy was the girl most likely to succeed. Now she’s just a girl who lives with her own cats in the backwoods of Pennsylvania. Well, no more! It’s time for this girl...no, woman, to look for adventure. She’s always wanted to spend some time by the ocean, so a summer spent at the Jersey Shore should be just the ticket. Who knows, maybe she’ll even meet someone interesting.

If only Hildy knew just how very interesting her life was about to become. What with her former high school sweetheart, mobsters, a photographer with a bad attitude, and above all else, a genie showing up, why there’s no end to the excitement in store for Hildy.

We’ve all had those days when we thought IF WISHING MADE IT SO -- I’d ask for… a new car… love… size two clothes and the body to fit them… some peace and quiet… but did you ever really stop and think about the consequences if your wishes came true? What if the new car came without a title and you couldn’t get tags, or the skinny little body you’ve been dreaming of only became yours after an illness that made you waste away? These are the kinds of things Hildy has to think of. Oh, and she also has to wonder, is using just a tiny bit of genie magic unfair when she’s trying to show Mike Amante (the former high school sweetheart) that she’s the only girl for him and always has been? Hmm… Despite all of the things that could go wrong, you’ll cheer Hildy as she makes the right choices (most of the time anyway), and in the process discovers that she is, after all, the girl most likely to succeed.

Mike Amante is a man who has it all, the fast car, big bank account, and gorgeous girlfriend. So why then is he utterly captivated when he meets Hildy again after so many years? Is it love, or is it just the magic of the seaside? Readers will fall in love with this determined, honorable man and hope with all their hearts that it is love; he’s so perfect for Hildy! Antonius Eugenius or Tony G., as he prefers to be called, is the genie. A big guy with an even bigger heart, as well as a teensy bit of male arrogance to temper it (hey, he was a centurion in the Roman army. They probably weren't known for being in touch with their “feminine side.”). He will make all the difference in Hildy’s life, and she will return the favor. Jimmy “the Bug” Torelli is a mob boss with big plans, and Hildy is smack dab in the middle of them (did I mention Tony G.’s bottle belonged to Jimmy before Hildy got it?). There are some other secondary characters who contribute greatly to this story, among them are: Kiki (Mike’s fiancée), Jake (Mike’s potential business partner) and, of course, Corrinne (Hildy’s sister).

Humor, danger, charming characters and a story imbued with the magic of (what else?) love, make IF WISHING MADE IT SO a surefire winner. Be sure to stop by your favorite bookstore and get a copy today.

Lori Ann