UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Brenda Jackson
St. Martin's Press
April 2005
SYNOPSIS: The Madaris family returns in this follow-up to THE MIDNIGHT HOUR. When the story that reporter Christy Madaris is working on takes a dangerous turn, her brothers ask private investigator--and Christy's former love--Alex Maxwell to keep an eye on her.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (3+) Debra Ross | REVIEW #1
REVIEW: Christy Madaris has had a crush on Alex Maxwell since she was 13 years old. Alex, eight years her senior, has always seen
Christy as his friend’s baby sister. In an effort to console a crying child who thinks no one will ever marry her, Alex promises to wait for
the 13 year to grow up and marry her himself. This innocent action, intended to sooth and comfort, was unfortunately taken seriously by
Christy. When a 20 year old Christy, still holding onto her childhood illusion, confronts Alex about his ‘promise’, he tells her that he was
only trying to make her feel better and never intended to marry her. The surprise, disappointment, and anger that follow are the set up for on
of the most anticipated books in years!
UNFINISHED BUSINESSs begins with a 24 year old Christy
still hurting by Alex’s rejection, taking an investigative reporting job in Cincinnati, Ohio – far away from her Dallas home – in an effort to
put some distance between her and Alex. Christy’s brothers, unaware of the situation, ask Alex – a private investigator – to discretely check
on Christy. Alex, now noticing the physically mature Christy, is fighting with his new ripening attraction to her. Dealing with inner turmoil
and physical chemistry is what Ms. Jackson does best.
The reader must remember that Christy Madaris is the youngest sibling of a very protective family and has led a very sheltered life. Christy’s
pampered existence explains her often immature and impulsive behavior, and once that is understood Unfinished Business is an entertaining
read. Christy stumbles between pride and desire - unsure of exactly how to deal effectively with either - as she attempts to come to terms
with Alex in her life.
Alex is a quintessential Brenda Jackson hero; handsome, rugged, brave, protective, and gifted with love making talents guaranteed to make a
woman’s knees shake. Alex, having grown up without a father, has his own issues to resolve about love and commitment; he is confused about his
feelings for Christy, but can not ignore the overwhelming physical attraction.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
has plenty of action, courtesy of the investigation Christy is assigned to at her new job. Alex certainly has his hands full trying to keep
the ambitious yet naive and inexperienced Christy out of trouble.
Of course, no Madaris story would be complete without a visit from the characters that we have come to love over the past 10 years. In
Unfinished Business they make the required visit, insuring the reader that the love from all of the previous books prevails.
The Madaris series has a huge following of fans who have taken these stories into their hearts; as such it is nearly impossible to please them
all or have each story live up to the high standards Ms. Jackson’s incredible writing has led us all to expect.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
possesses all of the basic qualities of a ‘Madaris Book’ – strong characters, family values, adventure, passion, lust and romance; but these
basic qualities are in no way evenly distributed. As in the last ‘Madaris Book’, lust seems to override romance, and character development
seems to give way to occupation. Although I am a devoted Brenda Jackson fan and will continue to support her, I would love to see the romance
and character development take the same high priority exhibited in her earlier books.
Ms. Jackson is riding the peak of her well deserved success, and we all look forward to more great things from this very talented author.
debra@romanceincolor.com (5th April 2005)