SWEET DESIRE
BET/Arabesque
February 2004
SYNOPSIS: Songwriter Regina Lovejoy enjoys being a single parent and doesn't notice what's missing from her life until she meets her neighbor, a handsome widower who steals her heart.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (3+) Jennifer Brathwaite
REVIEW: The challenge of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and of standing up for oneself, are two of the most intimidating and complicated tasks anyone can face. These are the challenges of the novel’s main characters in Christine Townsend’s SWEET DESIRE. Regina and Thomas work to address these issues so they can achieve true joy in their relationship and success in the other aspects of their lives.
In this book the reader is presented with a romance in the environment of a modern family. Regina and Thomas come together as a result of the friendship and needs of their children. Their own friendship, seasoned with mutual attraction, develops and becomes invaluable to both. However, the move from friendship to couplehood isn’t effortless and develops primarily through Thomas’ persistence as well as the cheerleading of mini-matchmakers – Justin and Tres. As the novel progresses, through Regina’s actions Thomas is forced to confront his unresolved issues over his late wife. The emotional upheaval of this action creates greater depth in their relationship and a stronger link with each other from which they are able to give support through difficult times in their professional lives.
Although SWEET DESIRE moves at a steady pace, it is too relaxed to be exciting or invigorating. The book is too detailed in the minutiae of everyday life for the reader to find escape and get lost in the story. Still, the scenes featuring Tres and Justin’s little-boy play and Tres’ sadness and confusion over the loss of his mother are both endearing and heartbreaking and are assets to the story.
From Rosemary to Justin’s father Peter, all of the book’s characters are well rounded and detailed and Ms. Townsend does a good job of interspersing them and using them to move the story. The dialogue between the characters is also very convincing. The friendship that exists between Andre and Justin is demonstrated in the jovial nature of their conversations.
The setting of SWEET DESIRE is one of its best aspects. Regina’s standing as a player in the country music industry and Justin’s as the head coach of a basketball team at small but well-respected college are creative and immediately engaging.
All in all Ms. Townsend has written a good book. SWEET DESIRE addresses real issues and problems that can develop in contemporary relationships. The feelings that exist between all the characters seem genuine and are achieved believably. The affection Regina and Thomas have for each other is tender and encouraging as it demonstrates how great it can be to have someone in your corner who believes in, and will fight for you. While not necessarily a must-read, it is an enjoyable and well-constructed story.
jennifer@romanceincolor.com (8th March 2004)