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MAN OF FATE - Rochelle Alers Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque June 2009 |
SYNOPSIS: This first entry in a new series introduces close friends Kyle, Duncan, and Ivan, who have become the rich, successful co-owners of a beautiful Harlem brownstone. But they lack the perfect women to share their lives with--until true love transforms them into grooms-to-be.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4+| Susan Plummer
REVIEW: National best selling author Rochelle Alers has gifted readers with a new series entitled, The Best Men and the first installation, MAN OF FATE unveils the story of successful attorney, Kyle Chatham. In MAN OF FATE an unfortunate accident might be fate interceding. MAN OF FATE is a great beginning to what promises to be a remarkable series.
Kyle Chatham has everything going for him: a successful law practice, partnership in a beautiful brownstone in Harlem, and a close knit group of great friends. He doesn’t have a woman to share his life with but Kyle’s a patient man and his patience is rewarded when Ava Warrick collides with his car. Social worker, Ava Warrick, is always busy taking care of her clients. It takes an accident for her to slow down and tend to her own needs. What better way to start than with the attention of none other than the gorgeous and accommodating man with whom she collides. Kyle is attentive and loving -- everything Ava ever dreamed of in a man. Yet, a jaded Ava finds Kyle too good to be true and expects Mr. Hyde to come out from his Dr. Jekyll personality. Ava’s skepticism might sabotage their budding relationship and cost her the best man she’s ever had.
Ms. Alers wastes no time getting to the good stuff and the story moves along well between main and subplots. Kyle Chatham’s character is strong yet sensitive. He is firm in his beliefs of what he wants in a mate but does not restrict himself to a particular type of woman. In response to Ava’s query about the women Kyle usually dates, his friend Ivan says, she is not like any other woman Kyle has dated. Ava is a skeptic but secretly she wants what all women want: someone to love her wholeheartedly. An interesting character is Jordan Wainwright who is not one of the bachelors in the Best Men series but his character is integral to the story. A peek into Jordan’s story, Man of Fame is available on eharlequin.com and in its entirety in 2010.
MAN OF FATE is set in NYC among the glamorous and gritty streets of Manhattan. The familiar landmarks and locations really add a sense of authenticity to the novel and make it personal.
The dialogue matches each character’s personality and helps in shaping their development. Ava’s character is sometimes confrontational but Kyle can be admired for not engaging her. Dialogue also plays a large role in illustrating the camaraderie among the three friends.
MAN OF FATE starts out as a good novel and gets even better. The characters are relatable and the story very entertaining. Rochelle Alers is off to a great start and I can’t wait to see what follows for Duncan and Ivan. MAN OF FATE is an enjoyable story and I really love that hot nerds are getting their time to shine.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 25th June 2009