SCHOOLING CARMEN - Kathleen Cross
Harper/Torch
September 2004
SYNOPSIS: Carmen DuPrè knows she's one fine-looking woman -- and any man who insists on making a fool of himself over her deserves the heartless treatment she's so good at dishing out. But the results of a routine medical exam threaten to knock this beauty off her pedestal.
MAINSTREAM FICTION: (4) Alvin Romer
REVIEW: The hard lessons in life as it pertain to the dynamics of race, skin color and misperceived concepts of status relating to all of the above, are aptly stressed in this well-written book by Kathleen Cross. SCHOOLING CARMEN comes across exploring more of the multifaceted ideals of racial identity in the eyes of a woman who could benefit from the lessons destined to be the basis for this story. Beauty with an attitude never was a prerequisite for a pleasing personality, but try explaining that to Carmen DuPre. Being stuck on yourself without representation for change creates problematic issues for Carmen quite early.
Author Kathleen Cross writes an airy and flowing novel following the antics and anticipation of the title character as she learns more in life after experiencing lessons not long to be forgotten. The real joy in this book is living through the scenes as the main character metamorphoses from a difficult woman, to someone who can receive love unconditionally.
The title of the book is well served, although the secondary characters doesn’t possess enough substance to share equal billing beyond occasional cameo-like appearances to buffer Carmen’s proclivity for high drama! Of course, Carmen didn’t always show any of the aforementioned, as it was only after being dumped by a long-standing love interest does she display fangs and gnashing of teeth in being the spoiler for anyone who felt the need to have her.
The story takes a decided turn to heighten the climax when someone shows up who believe that Carmen could use a new lease on life. This, being the turning point of the story, occurs after a routine medical exam exposes a penchant for more havoc. Why risk your life by ignoring a doctor’s sage advice? Answering that question and coming to grips with why Carmen’s schooling takes the time it does gives this book more oomph and caters to more oohs and ahs.
This book best exemplifies the author’s point of view in ways that would give readers a chance to believe that this is a first-hand experience. Readers will appreciate as I did, things that matters most when assessing what really count in life – that there’s no coincidences nor is it happenstance when it comes to things destined to occur. Things happen for reasons well beyond what one sees on the surface, and Carmen gets first hand knowledge when it comes to needing to change for the better. I loved the way the author told this story. It was well paced with the plot and setting agreeing with each other for balance. I would have wanted more melodramatic moods thus coloring the secondary characters more, but even this didn’t diminish the author’s intent.
I recommend this book highly, rating it book 4 out of 5 stars. When telling a good story, Kathleen Cross need not take a back seat to none of her peers, and will do exceptionally well if continuity allows her to compete on equal footing. I look forward to her next offering.
alvin@romanceincolor.com (6th September 2004)