BY DESIGN - Angela Weaver
B
September 2003
SYNOPSIS: With her 30th birthday approaching, New York interior designer Lauren Hughes has only six months to complete her quest to travel around the world. But Lauren gets an opportunity that may just turn into a lifetime of love.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4) Wayne Jordan
REVIEW: Just six months before her
birthday, Lauren Hughes takes a look at the list she’d made on her graduation years before, and
realizes that there are still two things that she has to accomplish – “Travel around the word” and “Jumping the broom with Mr. Right”.
Ex-football pro Nicholas Randolph is definitely not Mr. Right. In fact, Lauren dislikes the man and remembers clearly how he’d embarrassed her
while visiting their mutual friend, Alan, in the hospital. Despite refusing to forgive him, Lauren is more that aware of the unwanted
attraction between them – an attraction that Nick has all intention of encouraging.
When the chance to be in frequent contact with Lauren arises, Nick gladly jumps at opportunity, going along with Alan’s plan to keep Lauren in
New York. A cautious friendship develops and soon they become lovers.
Both Lauren and Nick are well-developed characters who deal with the issues they face with maturity. I could not help but like these two and
enjoyed the twists and turns Ms. Weaver placed in their path to happiness.
Lauren’s caution in her developing relationship with Nick is realistic, as she has been seriously hurt and scared by her past relationships.
Nick is the perfect man for her, and the heart to heart conversation he has with his father, thought laced with hint of humor, speaks clearly
of the appeal of the Rondaolp males:
Nick sat down and faced his father. “Think I’m moving too fast, Pop?”
“Son.” The elder Randolph toyed with the pepper grinder. “You see a good thing, you take it and hold on. That’s the Randolph creed. Just like every man in the family has done through the years. Just like I did with your mama. You just get one try at life, Nicholas. Get all the joy and happiness out of it you can.”
And Nick definitely goes after Lauren, and it’s this seduction that makes BY DESIGN an exciting and
sexy story. The sexual tension between Nick and Lauren is evident whenever they come close to each other, and when they finally become lovers,
Ms. Weaver’s attention to detail only serves to intensify the already blazing heat.
BY DESIGN is a delightful and touching story by an author who shows promise. Strong characterization, witty dialogue, and a vivid sense
of place contribute to making this story an interesting debut.
wayne@romanceincolor.com (10th November 2003)