Playing for Keeps

From Booklist Gr. 6-10. While on a luxury cruise with her grandmother, Glory 16-year-old Rose Marstead worries about the Titanic (think the movie). Also on the ship is superbrain Neil, whom Glory thinks of as the "right kind" of date for her granddaughter. But Rose falls in love with gorgeous Ricky Diago, a Cuban refugee whose life is in danger. As Glory and her friends enjoy the bridge tournament and the fancy dinners, the teens hang out on the sundeck and at the disco. But someone is stalking Rose and Ricky, and there are some intriguing questions: Why was Ricky's rescuer murdered? Did Ricky do it? The fast-paced combination of suspense and romance and the likable teen heroine are sure to appeal to Nixon's many fans. Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description Rosie can't believe her good luck. Her grandmother, Glory, needs a last-minute roommate for a cruise to the Caribbean. Glory doesn't really need a companion-she's eager for Rosie to meet her friend's grandson, Neil, a brainy guy full of facts about baseball. Once Rosie is aboard the ship, though, someone else catches her eye-a boy her own age, who introduces himself as Ricky Diago. But after the ship sails, Rosie only sees Ricky's uncle, Mr. Diago. What's even stranger is that Neil could swear that Mr. Diago is actually a famous Cuban baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds. Then after a day's excursion, Rosie is approached by another boy who claims he's Ricky Diago. She's certain he's not the person she met before. Suddenly Rosie finds herself caught in a high-stakes adventure of international intrigue with life-or-death consequences. Who is the real Ricky Diago? And how far is Rosie willing to go to help him?