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THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL - Francine
Craft Harlequin Kimani/Romance March 2007 |
SYNOPSIS:
SERIES ROMANCE |2| Marguerite Lemons
REVIEW: Stevana “Stevie” Simms, Nubian Gold’s most
successful country and gospel singer, has taken some time off from the
spotlight after ending her abusive marriage. Damien Steele is the
handsome and successful music mogul who has made Nubian Gold a household
name in the Nashville. He’s always been attracted to the glamorous type,
but he’s taken aback by Stevie’s natural beauty as she stumbles into his
home. Finding her bruised, frightened, and with amnesia; Damien’s
protective instincts kick in. As it turns out, Stevie’s best friend has
been murdered, and her ex is facing tax evasion charges. He has been
both threatening her life and attempting to bribe her since she is the
prosecution’s star witness. Damien, however, vows to do whatever is
necessary to keep Stevie alive.
THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL is a love story set in the Nashville
country music scene. Stevie and Damien have been friends and
collaborators for many years. Damien owes Stevie a debt of gratitude for
forcing him to pull himself out of the gutter after his ex-girlfriend
left him for another man. Stevie is fiercely devoted to her friends and
refuses to back down from a threat even, though it may cost her life.
However, I was surprised that she would sit idly by and allow another
woman to come on to her man; and I felt that Damien’s behavior was
selfish and callous when it came to Stevie’s feelings and his dealings
with his ex. At one point in this story, I felt as though I was reading
about a group of teenagers instead of adults, and they needed to grow
up. The characters’ antics, which were dangerous at times, also come off
as childish temper tantrums and slowed the pacing of the story to a
crawl.
Ms. Craft started off with an excellent storyline and the makings of a
true love story, but it got lost somewhere in the transition. However, I
was genuinely surprised by the identity of the killer.
THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL left me feeling rather uninspired.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 15th January 2008