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CHOICES - Tammy Williams Genesis/Indigo April 2008 |
SYNOPSIS: In this engaging story, an African-American woman and a white widower find love, opposition, and a surprising ally in the ghost of a deceased spouse.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4| Keren Childers
REVIEW:
Lara Boyd is a kindergarten teacher who moved to
Denburg, South Carolina, two years ago for a fresh start. She
always dreamed of being a teacher, but she began to doubt her choice
after her fiancée dumps her because of it. Ryan Andrews, a widower
and father of one of Lara’s new students, is left speechless when he
realizes that the picture he painted of his son’s teacher is nowhere
near the truth. Mrs. Boyd is neither white, nor old, or married.
Lara, while putting the finishing touches on her classroom, is startled
by the sudden presence of Ryan and Justin, who is hiding behind his
father’s legs. When Lara finds out from Justin that his mom is in
heaven, she sets out to make him as comfortable as possible in her room.
Lara and Ryan’s attraction to each other is immediate and intense.
They tentatively embark on a relationship knowing that there are people
who will disapprove; especially his mother-in-law, who refuses to allow
her daughter’s memory to fade. But how far will she go to keep
Lara and Ryan apart? And what happens when Lara’s ex shows up
after six years claiming to still love her?
CHOICES is about an interracial romance between two
people who had literally given up on relationships until they met each
other. It has taken Lara six years to realize that her ex-fiancée
helped her make the perfect choice when he refused to wait around for
her to answer his ultimatum. However, she got on my last nerve
when she just gave up on the relationship because Justin was suddenly
upset enough to make himself ill. She refuses to believe Ryan when he
tells her he feels his mother-in-law has said something to Justin to
make him so upset. I like Ryan’s character; I admire his patience
with Lara and Justin, and his tenacity once he realizes what he wants.
I am surprised that he would tell anyone he was being visited by the
ghost of his ex-wife. I would think he was ready for a mental
institution personally.
Ms. Williams handles the interracial relationship
issue well. The story is written in a way that anyone can relate
to it regardless of whether you have been in this situation or not.
The characters think before they react which makes the situation a lot
less volatile, and they both learn to live and love on their own terms.
The supporting cast helps bring to light many of the issues that
interracial couples encounter, along with their varying views on the
situation. The plot moves along quickly and seamlessly.
CHOICES is an enjoyable and
fast read.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 1st April 2008