Deirdre Mardon

Derek McKenna is just a harmless academic, but something in his past causes the government to seek his help and he feels compelled to give it. So when a credit card mix-up introduces him to department store buyer Astrid Rasmussen, it’s no accident.

Astrid enjoys Derek’s company on the weekends when he comes to town. But just as their budding relationship compels her to sever all ties with her estranged ex-lover, she discovers that Derek is not who he seems.

Derek has a hard time believing that Astrid could be guilty of the government’s suspicions, but her actions on her buying trip to Europe seem damning. Should he bother to try to save her from herself?… (mer)

Penny Greenaway is a struggling Manhattan art restorer who is preparing to pack it in and return home to Illinois when insurance adjuster Andrew Keller knocks on her door. Penny readily accepts a commission to repair a shipment of water-damaged photo reproductions of oil paintings destined for hotel-room art. It’s work that most restorers would claim was beneath them, but the commission will get Penny’s telephone turned back on, her air conditioner running, and give her some more time before she has to go home to face her parents.

Penny and Andy are a true case of opposites attract, Penny being arty and carefree, Andrew being staid, stuffy, and occasionally pompous. The author does a nice job of setting up the conflict of personalities without being too hokey or glaringly cliché about it. The interaction between the characters is often fun, and even some of the minor characters are well-drawn.

Aside from the personality conflicts, the plot also involves a mystery regarding the shipment of art, and Andrew’s choice between Penny and Caroline, the “perfect” woman, to whom he is “engaged to be engaged”.

I found In For A Penny to be an enjoyable read, particularly in regard to characterization, with a very nice conclusion.… (mer)