Written by Kay Hooper
SUMMARY:
As a partial sequel to 1989’s Enemy Mine, Kay Hooper penned this 294-page spin-off in 1991.
For wealthy British American adventurer and amateur archaeologist Drew Haviland, it’s been several months (most likely, the year before) since the events of Enemy Mine. In suburban Washington, D.C., a chance encounter with a familiar emerald necklace sets up Haviland for an awkward reunion with its prior owner. She’s the demure ex-fiancée who had jilted him a decade before. He hasn’t forgotten Spencer Wyatt, nor has he processed why she left him for another (and clearly lesser) man.
Now a 28-year-old divorcée, an emotionally exhausted Spencer barely resists off Haviland’s aggressive romantic advances amidst coping with her family’s rapid financial decline. To comfort her dying and increasingly senile father, Allan, Spencer (his only child) seeks to complete his lifelong obsession: discovering the legendary and priceless Hapsburg Cross in its secluded hiding place somewhere in Western Europe.
Following her father’s extensive notes and journals, Spencer stubbornly intends to go it alone on this dangerous journey. Given Spencer’s knack for correlating historical knowledge with insights re: human nature, it may prove welcome compensation for an amateur treasure hunter.
Scoffing at her utterly remote chances, a condescending Haviland soon realizes that he has misjudged the surprisingly resilient Ms. Wyatt. Growing emotionally attached to Spencer, an overnight burglary convinces Haviland to join her overseas search, whether she likes it or not.
Likely awaiting them in Austria is Haviland’s ruthless arch-nemesis, Lon Stanton, who won’t hesitate to kill first to claim the Cross. Even with help from Enemy Mine’s Kane & Tyler Pendleton, not to mention Interpol’s Burke Corbett, Haviland senses in horror that Stanton’s deadly ace is abducting Spencer.
Haviland and Spencer gradually accept that their destinies have become intertwined, but will their future together be short-lived?
Notes: The Jove paperback reprint (as seen below) was issued in 2005. This title is also available digitally and in hardcover.
REVIEW:
The Haviland Touch, in general terms, is a forgettable getaway Kay Hooper concocted early in her literary career. From the start, Hooper devises an appealing heroine in Spencer Wyatt, though she is far too easily overwhelmed by the macho Haviland’s presence. Initially depicted as a domineering bully, Hooper’s slick storytelling quickly reshapes Drew Haviland into a suave knight-in-shining armor with a sensitive side.
It’s easy to visualize a blond Hugh Jackman twenty years ago inhabiting this kind of generic hero. Opposite him, casting options might include Reese Witherspoon, Eliza Dushku, Jordana Brewster, or Scarlett Johannson, as the petite brunette, Spencer. Then again, it’s just as plausible imagining Miss Scarlet and The Duke’s Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin pairing up as Spencer & Drew.
Regardless of any what-if film adaptation, there’s no subtlety delaying how Spencer Wyatt predictably becomes Haviland’s damsel in distress in this present-day fairy tale-meets-Indiana Jones. Hence, the undemanding Haviland Touch, for the romantic adventure genre, isn’t remotely innovative, as far as playing anywhere outside the numbers. Hooper, for instance, opts to pitch a few extended (and eye-rolling) sex scenes before briefly deploying her story’s suspenseful twists in its last fifty pages.
Still, this formulaic tale offers a fast and relatively likable read before one moves on to bigger and better plots.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
A brief supplemental note has Hooper acknowledge this storyline (including any Hapsburg Cross) is completely fictional.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4½ Stars
