 Contemporary Romance |
IN A HEARTBEAT Kayla Perrin BET/Arabesque April 2003 (3) Leslie Cannon |
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PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
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Desperate for refuge after the man who stalked her escapes from prison, talk radio host Diamond Montgomery finds herself under the protection of former military man Michael Robbins. Now, she and Michael must risk everything on believing in each other. |
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REVIEW: |
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IN A HEARTBEAT is the second novel featuring the Montgomery cousins, Tara and Diamond Montgomery. A sequel to Ms. Perrin’s IN AN INSTANT, IN A HEARTBEAT tells the story of sassy, spunky, radio talk host, Diamond Montgomery.
Getting word that the deranged fan, who stalked and tried to abduct her just two years earlier, has escaped from his mental facility, Diamond hastily throws a few belongings into her car and jumps on the interstate to head as far away from her hometown of Miami as possible.
It is on the interstate that Diamond literally runs in to the book’s hero, Michael Robbins. Her mind clouded with worry and anxiety, Diamond hits Michael’s car in the rear end.
I would have been leery of such a far-fetched storyline and introduction if this tale was told by anyone other than Ms. Perrin. However, with novels like THE SISTERS OF THETA PHI KAPPA and SAY YOU NEED ME, Ms. Perrin has long since proven her ability to birth literary treasures out of far-fetched concepts.
A feat she would have easily accomplished with IN A HEARTBEAT if the story had not been so rushed. Diamond and Michael’s relationship seems forced at best. The couple is thrown together with such rapidity that the novel quickly looses its realistic appeal.
Readers also don’t get enough time to develop much empathy for Michael, who given all the trials he had endured, certainly deserved it. The most I was afforded time for was to feel a little sorry for him. And even though Diamond was running for her safety, the quick transitions made the situation appear not to be that serious at all, but rather a mere backdrop used to throw Diamond and Michael together.
Ms. Perrin’s talent, however, shone through in her depiction of the scenery. Like normal, she paints scenes capable of taking readers away to another place. Readers will have no trouble visualizing the calm and tranquility of the area surrounding Michael’s home or feeling like their lounging on the beach where the characters are walking.
IN A HEARTBEAT brings many good things to the table. The story is filled with several interesting scenes readers are bound to enjoy. Where the novel falls short, however, is that many scenes read more like single-act skits, instead of the smooth connecting paragraphs expected of novels. |
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leslie@romancincolor.net (2nd April 2003) |
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