Once upon a time... And so our story begins, like all good fairy tales, with a heroine, Norma. She blames her mother for her terribly boring name, and often feels invisible in comparison to more exciting women. Norma works in the Midwest as a genealogist, researching the family histories of other people. Her work is tedious, her social life is mundane, and she doesn't foresee any changes in the future.

As a little girl, Norma was happiest when her father created marvelous stories of journeys around the world. While her mother and two sisters aren't exactly Cinderella's stepfamily, Norma knows she'll never measure up to their expectations or successes. On his deathbed, Norma's father entrusts her with a mysterious key and confesses the empowering secret that he would have named her "Jewel" instead of Norma. When she opens her father's merchant marine chest, she finds piles of money -- what her father had called his escape plan. She also finds a small toy, and she suddenly remembers her father's stories about the Isles of Orkney and a puffin called Tammie Nories. Now, as an adult, she realizes that the fantastic stories of her childhood were real and that her father wants her to begin her own adventures.

Using his secret savings, Norma journeys to the Orkney Islands north of Scotland to pay tribute to her father's memory and return the puffin toy to the cliffs. From there, she hopes to find herself and create her own happily-ever- after. Most importantly, away from her family and the Midwest, she no longer has to be boring Norma. As an unknown American on remote islands, Norma is turning heads and attracting interest from several men.

Right away, Norma befriends the local dark and mysterious artist, and also a sexy Texan tourist. Settling into island life, her new girl friends attempt to set her up with eligible men. She fears that she'll regret an introduction to a heartbroken math professor, but Colin is gorgeous, and they have much in common -- from their adulterous ex- spouses to their mutual sexual attraction. Colin also helps Norma learn more about the brooding artist, because Norma can't stop thinking about his haunting images.

I appreciated that this book was more than a straightforward romance. Baxter recognizes that previous affairs, casual flings and tragic losses can continue to hurt or haunt us. Everyone loves a good story and Baxter delivers a journey of self-discovery worthy of further exploration. From meddling old women to evil-witch girlfriends, Baxter populates her novel with characters who evoke memories of fairy tales. And after all, who doesn't wish for a happily ever after?