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WHEN LOVE CALLS - Celeste O. Norfleet Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque March 2008 |
SYNOPSIS: Washington, D.C., lobbyist Alyssa Wingate is tired of all the double talk surrounding the plight of the elderly and is determined to do something about it. She sets her sights on obtaining help from Sen. Randolph Kingsley, but will their mutual attraction get in the way of advancing her cause and his career?
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4| Susan Plummer
REVIEW:
Sustaining love under any circumstance is difficult enough; but for a
prominent politician caught up in a Lolita-like scandal it is downright
impossible. In
When love calls by author
Celeste O. Norfleet, the author explores whether love can survive when
personal and professional controversy say it won’t.
The
attraction between Senator Randolph Kingsley and would-be lobbyist Alyssa
Wingate is instant and irresistible; that is until he learns of her lobbyist
ambitions. Randolph then questions
whether Alyssa’s intentions are pure or a ploy to get close for political favors
not personal pleasure. Despite the
potential conflicts of interests their passion is too strong to deny.
When news of their relationship is revealed by a tabloid, it soon becomes
a juggling act for the pair as Randolph tries to prove he has not sold out his
office in the name of love and Alyssa battles with the family curse of being
another Lolita who takes down a powerful politician.
The plot
develops with enough explosive chemistry between Alyssa and Randolph to keep
readers interested. Randolph and
Alyssa are the central characters but other characters such as her grandmother,
Kent, Mamma Lou and several others play integral roles in the development and
entertainment factor of the novel.
In terms
of likeable characters, I found Alyssa’s constant backpedaling somewhat
irritating. Sure she was wrestling
with very real and conflicting emotions but subjecting Randolph to her mood
swings appeared callous and uncaring of his feelings.
And on his part, I found him way too accommodating in welcoming her back
each and every time after she declares over.
Set for
the most part in Washington, DC, the political climate of the novel rings very
relevant and authentic with so many politicians currently in trouble.
The dialogue is one of the strongest points of the book with most
interactions helping to cultivate the three dimensionality of the character.
Despite my critique of Randolph and Alyssa, WHEN LOVE CALLS is very entertaining. I guess part of the charm of the novel is that Alyssa’s character while tedious at times, lends to the authenticity of the character in that unfortunately some people in real life are that way. Overall, this is a good novel and well worth reading.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 29th April 2008