Contemporary Romance

Roberta Gayle

BET/Arabesque

1-58314-209-6

August 2001

(3) Jeanette Cogdell

PLOT SYNOPSIS: 

REVIEW: 

Kate Ramsey is an investigative reporter who, as a favor to her best friend Jennifer Collier, decides to investigate Jennifer’s boss, Leopold “Skipper” Arnold.  There have been two deaths associated with the Professional Steelworkers and Welders Union of America’s strike against Skipper, who hired a nonunion company and Jennifer fears that he is involved, maybe even responsible for the deaths.

To help Kate with her findings, Jennifer introduces her to independent contractor, Brant Fuller.  Brant is not fond of the press therefore he is not happy about Kate probing into his mentor’s life and business dealings.  But he is fair and to keep her from destroying Skipper, he agrees to assist her.

There appears to be an immediate attraction between Kate and Brant, but every encounter between them turns into an argument and a test of wills.  This happens several times throughout the story.  They fight each other at every turn, Brant defending his friend and Kate challenging him.  It’s almost like foreplay for them.  

Jennifer has ulterior motives for exposing her boss and this added some intrigue to the story itself; however, the story lacks the warmth and connection associated with a romance novel.  A significant amount of time was spent on the sub-plot as opposed to the relationship between the hero and heroine.  The little attention paid to the association was welcomed and well composed.  There was a longing for more of it.

If you’re looking for a typical romance story in this book, you won’t find it.  It’s basically about the proficiency of investigative reporting with a hint of romance thrown in.

jeanette@romanceincolor.net (20th September 2001)