 Category/Series Romance |
A YOUNGER MAN Rochelle Alers Silhouette Desire December 2002 (4+) Nathasha Brooks-Harris |
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PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
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Kumi Walker never suspected that love was on the menu when he offered to fix Veronica’s flat tire in exchange for a home-cooked meal. It was not long before the sexy-as-sin ex-marine realized that the wealthy widow was his true love. Now he had to convince the sensuous beauty that age was nothing but a number… |
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REVIEW: |
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Veronica Johnson-Hamlin is a beautiful young widow. Still reeling from the death of her husband, a prominent Atlanta doctor, her immediate goal is to enjoy a restful break at her North Carolina hideaway out of the path of the wagging tongues of the privileged Atlanta class. They can’t get or spread enough gossip about the young upstart who snagged the wealthy older physician who turned the head of every of every available female in Atlanta.
Kumi Walker is a sexy chef who’s on a mission to further his career. An eligible bachelor, he’ more career-oriented than anything and doesn’t give his love life a second thought.
Veronica’s luxury car gets stuck on a lonely stretch of road and it’s anyone’s guess when the tow company will arrive. Along comes Kumi—tall, fine and oozing sex appeal—ready to offer his assistance. A reluctant Veronica considers his offer of help, but isn’t sure she can trust him. Time moves on and she accepts his offer. However, he refuses to accept payment for his chivalry and asks her to cook him a homemade Southern meal. She agrees. They set a date for the dinner and he sees her safely home—but not without leaving an indelible impression in her mind.
Kumi gets home and can’t get the beautiful older woman out of his mind. Finally, the day of the dinner arrives and Veronica can’t deny her newly emerging feelings toward her dinner guest.
The two have dinner and she learns that he is a world-renowned chef and that they have a whole lot more in common than their mutual attraction—which they both vehemently deny. Veronica thinks she has lost her mind for being attracted to the handsome chef who’s several years her junior. Kumi cannot figure out why his world is so rocked by the older, silver-haired beauty who has taken his breath away! Theirs is a tenuous relationship, but they see it through.
Alers has done it yet again. She has written a fine romance novel that is sure to keep the most diehard fan riveted until the last word is read. This novel is so well-written and interesting that she is sure to garner new fans along the way.
The characters are wonderful, well-crafted, colorful and realistic. They’re not written as perfect, but as having flaws as real people do in real life. That lends an air of realism and authenticity to each of the characters. The character-driven plot is believable and full of suspense and conflict. It is enough to keep readers wondering if Veronica and Kumi will ever find their way to each other.
Alers has stamped this novel with her special blend of romanticism and the result is a page-turner. This is the second African-American novel under the Silhouette Desire imprint (at this writing) and Alers has done herself and authors following her proud. She has helped to pave the way for future African-American authors at that company.
This reviewer’s advice to romance aficionados: buy this book, turn off the phone and send the kids to a relative for a day. Kick back with your favorite beverage, light a fire and get your read on! Surely, you won’t be sorry. |
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nathasha@romanceincolor.net (29th January 2003) |
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