In 1880, Amanda Blackwell's New York City cycling school has become all the rage. Architect Damian Newcastle wants the property Amanda's school sits on to build his dream--the city's first 20-story building. The attraction between the two is instantaneous, but when Amanda learns that the company owned by Damian's father was responsible for the building collapse that killed her own father, she knows nothing will come of the chemistry between the two. While Amanda struggles to maintain her cycling school and keep her uncle from gaining custody of her special-needs brother, Damian works to redeem his family's honor, care for his wheelchair-bound son, and construct his dream building. Both struggle to ignore the desire that grows between them, and both lose. Brownley's rich, colorful descriptions of 19th-century New York are a delight, her characters are warm and endearing, and readers will laugh out loud at the escapades of Amanda's cycling students. Don't miss this one--it's a keeper.

From Library Journal
Amanda Blackwell, owner of the popular Miss Blackwell's Cycling School and guardian of her mentally disabled younger brother, is not about to let anyone interfere with her life?not her wealthy uncle, who wants to send her brother to an asylum, nor the much-too-attractive architect Damian Newcastle, who plans to build a 20-story building next to her school. But Damian has an agenda of his own?which, among other things, includes Amanda. Some hilarious cycling scenes and a cast of often quirky secondary characters make an interesting contrast to a plot that features political scandal, murder, physical and mental disabilities, and court battles. Brownley (Ribbons in the Wind, Topaz, 1996) uses a casual writing style and has clearly done her historical homework on New York City in 1880. She lives in Simi Valley, Cal.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A young beauty's New York City cycling school is a runaway success--until an architect rides into town with plans to put up the city's tallest building on her property, spelling the end for her establishment. They're supposed to be enemies, but when desire ignites, neither can put the brakes on. If only they can ride in tandem toward the byways of love, they'll have a chance to heal their hearts!

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal