KINDRED SPIRITS - Alice Wootson
BET/Arabesque
June 2004
SYNOPSIS: When Philadelphia journalist Alana Duke goes undercover to investigate a story, she collaborates with a former member of the military's Special Forces to uncover a massive conspiracy and steals his heart in the process.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4) Jennifer Brathwaite
REVIEW: Like a shooting star in the sky or a rose in the desert, love can be found where you least expect it. This precept, along with - don’t live in the past - are the two themes of Alice Greenhowe Wootson’s KINDRED SPIRITS. The novel’s heroine, Alana Duke and hero, Keith Henderson, are made to embrace these themes throughout the book on their way to life-long happiness with one another.
The story is that of two people who, independent from each other, launch an undercover investigation into problems that have been occurring at the company DCS Technology. Along the way each discovers the other’s actions and they decide to combine their efforts. It is during this time, and in the face of danger, that they fall into longing and then into love with each other. Their love relationship is challenged however by the demons of Keith’s past and his inability to face up to them.
The story moves very well, never lagging when pertaining to either the romance or suspense elements. The character relationships are given time to develop allowing the reader to become absorbed in their lives. The characters themselves are all quite interesting and well rounded. Time spent with the families of both Keith and Alana give excellent back-story and enhance their own personalities.
The various settings in the book are all inventive and well presented. The elaborate description of Alana’s temporary residence - the trailer and the trailer park itself, as well as the use of an escape vehicle in the object of a hot air balloon, are perfect examples.
Another strong point in KINDRED SPIRITS is the dialogue. Throughout the book nothing is overstated with soap opera-like descriptions. Conversations between Dave and his sister are genuine. These exchanges draw in the reader, as they are reminiscent of conversations between one’s own family members.
As a whole the book is thoroughly entertaining with a good, strong story where suspense has been well combined with romance. The book is drenched in longing and emotional attachment that helps make up for the light physical. While not completely impractical, the story is somewhat fanciful in places. Although the setting is great - image-wise, a truly forgiving nature is needed for the reader to accept uncritically the episode of Alana and Keith in the hot air balloon. Nonetheless, the book is still a great Sunday afternoon read.
jennifer@romanceincolor.com (5th June 2004)