 Mainstream Fiction |
OUT OF THE BLUE Janice Sims BET/Arabesque December 1998 (4) Wayne Jordan |
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PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
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REVIEW: |
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A few
month’s ago I read Ms. Sims’ latest release, FOR
KEEPS. This release was given a
ROMANCE IN COLOR “AWARD OF EXCELLENCE”.
With that book, Ms. Sims reached a level of excellence not usually seen
so early in the career of a writer.
OUT
OF THE BLUE, a worthy processor to FOR
KEEPS, hints at the promise of excellence that was realized in FOR
KEEPS. OUT
OF THE BLUE is an unusual story and one
that I’m hoping opened the possibility of diversity in the African-American
romance market. In this book, Ms. Sims skillfully blends elements of fantasy
and romance, qualities not usually seen in the African-American romance. The story’s premise is simple. A beautiful marine biologist meets a handsome businessman, they fall in love, a few problems arise, they marry at the end of the book and we know they’ll live happily every—The usual formula for the romance novel. Ms. Sims takes this premise and adds her special touch. She adds a former suitor who’s a merman and who is plotting to create a master race, vivid descriptions of the ocean and OUT OF THE BLUE is no longer your typical romance One of
the strongest elements of the book is Ms. Sims’ skill with creating vivid,
vibrant settings. From the
Prologue, the ocean has a persona of its own, possessing a personality that
beckons to reader to want to take a plunge into the exotic, but mysterious
undersea world. Along with this,
the relationship of the protagonists is presented simple and exact.
It is
the simple nature of the relationship and the elements of fantasy that helps to
make
OUT
OF THE BLUE work, but it is also these
aspects that prevent
OUT
OF THE BLUE from becoming the masterpiece
it could have been. The world of the sea people is a strange but complex world,
and at the end, there are questions that kept me wondering,--question that were
unanswered. Along with this, the villain, Xavier, despite his plot, never
seems as threatening as he should be. But these are minor grouses, that do not prevent OUT OF THE BLUE from being an enjoyable read. OUT OF THE BLUE is definitely a book not to be missed. Maybe one day, Ms. Sims will take us back there. |
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wayne@romanceincolor.net (1st December 1999) |
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