PACK LIGHT - Kim Shaw
BET/Arabesque
October 2004
SYNOPSIS: Maya Wilkins, the first African-American attorney at a prestigious New York City firm, unexpectedly finds passion--and true love--when she opens her heart to the mailroom supervisor.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (3+) LaShonda El
REVIEW: When Maya Wilkins becomes the first African-American attorney at a prestigious New York City firm, she has reservations
about the reception she will get. As a result of past hurts she has encountered, she finds it difficult to adjust to her new position. She
meets Victor Smalls at the firm and they form a fast friendship that develops along with the story.
A songwriter and student, Victor currently works as the mailroom supervisor. Both have reservations about the friendship, unsure of what to
expect from each other, and how others will perceive the relationship. Along with this must deal with a problem at work that only she can
bring to light.
In PACK LIGHT, the reader gets both romance and suspense in a story that is neither too fast nor slow, but moves at a comfortable pace
that allows the reader to enjoy the characters as well as pay attention to the details of the story.
The characters in this book are interesting and well developed. I got to know and care about Maya and Vic and the people they love most in
their lives. The relationship between Maya and her best friend, Katrina, shows how having a real friend can be. The sincerity of Victor’s
family is evident right from the start helps you feel how easy is was for Maya to feel at home with them.
Mrs. Shaw takes the reader to the busy streets of New York City where anything is possible. The dialogue is convincing and emphasizes the warm
and special relationship of the main characters . There isn’t too much lawyer jargon to confuse the reader, but enough to allow an
understanding of what is going on within the company.
Overall PACK LIGHT is a enjoyable story that touches on the importance of friendship and loyalty. While some readers may have trouble
believing that an attorney can find love with the mailroom supervisor, Mrs. Shaw shows that love can be found in the most unusual places.
lashonda@romanceincolor.com (1st December 2004)