Louise/Stanhope/Winters

BET/Arabesque

1-58314-371-8

October 2002

(3+) Debra Ross

PLOT SYNOPSIS: 

REVIEW: 

Arabesque’s latest holiday anthology, SEASON OF LOVE, features stories from Angela Winters, Niqui Stanhope and Kim Louise. 

“Home for Christmas” (4) by Angela Winters is a charming and funny story.  Nia Randolph is a successful career woman just recuperating from another failed relationship.  Michael Vincent is an investment banker who enjoys his bachelorhood.  They are both home for Christmas week and the engagement announcement of their siblings.  Nia’s younger sister and Michael’s younger brother are in love and ready to make a commitment after dating only 3 months.  It is Nia and Michael’s intent to postpone the marriage – neither believes that love can happen that quickly.  How do two intelligent, headstrong people - who do not believe in love at first sight - react to the instant attraction that occurs between them?  They fight it for all it’s worth.

Ms. Winters packs a delightful story in just over 100 pages. Nia and Michael’s relationship develops from enemy status to reluctant allies while they both try to ignore the spark that is developing between them.  Just enough of their history is revealed to make both the hero and heroine likable.  From the combative introduction to the romantic conclusion “Home for Christmas” a pleasantly entertaining story.

“The Gift” (3) by Niqui Stanhope is the Kwanzaa offering for this year’s seasonal anthology.  Noel Peterson is the career driven, independent, materialistic heroine.  Nathaniel Hawkins is the down to earth community oriented hero.  In this story, Ms. Stanhope shows how the spirit of Kwanzaa can soften the most hardened heart.  Noel is forced to participate in the annual Kwanzaa festival, and while doing so realizes the joy of doing for others and the fulfillment of belonging to a community – the true “gift” of the season.

While we watch Noel develop a relationship with the community, her relationship with Nathaniel is not as clearly revealed.  It appears that Noel becomes “use to” Nathaniel instead of falling in love with him.  We are not given any indication as to why these two could or should love each other.  I would have like to see just a little more character development.

“The Gift” is a nice story showing how the spirit of giving can change one’s outlook on life.  However the romantic aspect of the story is missing.

The first line in Kim Louise’s “Impromtu” (3+) - “Not everyone marries for love” - gives us a clear picture in the sad, reserved life of Wanessa Taylor. Wanessa agrees to marry her friend, Gerald “…because he asked”.  Wanessa’s outgoing, vivacious best friend Olivia - who has been trying to break her out of her shell - agrees to help Wanessa plan the wedding.  When Olivia takes a job out of town, she turns the care of her fragile friend over to her reluctant brother Byron.  As Byron grudgingly assists Wanessa with her plans, he sees a sweet, and beautiful woman emerge.

“Impromtu” is a “Cinderella” tale.  Throughout the story Wanessa sheds layers of self-doubt and gains new confidence – thanks to Byron.  The relationship that develops between them is natural and sweet.  There was enough character depth revealed to allow the reader to care for both of them and want them to be together.

Wanessa’s deep-rooted insecurities still threaten her happiness in spite of Byron’s help.  But, as in all romance, true love prevails. Overall “Impromtu” is a sweet, satisfying read.

SEASON OF LOVE is a nice quick read for a cozy winter afternoon.

debra@romanceincolor.net (1st October 2002)