Alyse Mandel

Detective Rita Veder is assigned to a baffling serial murder case. After examining the crime scene — a corpse-filled ship found adrift at sea — she meets Maximilian, a smooth-talking Caribbean playboy determined to romance her.

Mom Nancy, a schoolteacher, is unable to handle the constant barrage of hostility from her three children. Husband Ira is ineffectual in helping his wife with her anxiety. Older son Mikey is barely able to express himself. Middle child Meghan flouts whatever restrictions her parents place on her, and youngest child Spencer, needs to be handcuffed to the car just to participate in family outings.

The classic Twain story "The Prince and the Pauper" gets a modern slant when Prince Edward of Gelfland switches places with Southern California surfer Cash Canty. Both discover a new world of romance, danger, and adventure beyond their wildest dreams.