“...Cowden’s cute, light-hearted tale is perfect for a quick romance fix.”
— Booklist, September 15, 2005

Travel writer Nina Kerensky refuses to give up her freedom for any man, but she wants her grandmother to be happy. So to allay Grams’ fears that the fulfillment of love and marriage are passing Nina by, she creates an imaginary husband—a sexy surgeon named Steve. Now Nina’s adrift on a sea of well-meaning deception. Grams, anxious to finally meet her elusive grandson-in-law, plans to “surprise” Nina by showing up on the cruise the happy couple are supposed to be taking. Nina needs a husband—fast!

Veterinarian Steve Tabor is out of the husband business. He wants no part of any woman who tells whoppers—he had enough of that from his faithless ex-wife. But sweet and fun—loving Nina really floats his boat. He can’t turn down the prospect of being her shipmate for seven days and seven nights.

Pretending wedded bliss is not all smooth sailing. Rough waters lie ahead for the couple pretending to be honeymooners, especially for a vet posing as “plastic surgeon to the stars.” Nina and Steve ride through wave after wave of missteps and close calls on their cruise for love.

Award winning author Tami Cowden always wanted to be a writer. However, it was not until she was in her late 30’s that it finally dawned on her that she’d actually have to sit down and write to achieve that dream. She did sit down, and since then has published more than two dozen short stories, and is a coauthor of The Complete Writers Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes, a book for writers. This is her first novel. Tami presents programs at numerous writing conferences and retreats across the country, and teaches online fiction classes monthly. She lives in Nevada with her husband, Steve, their Bassett hound, and three cats. Write to Tami at tdcowden@tamicowden.com.

Cruising for Love is Tami’s first book for AVALON.