Love Worth Fighting for (Arabesque)

Rating:
Summary: Romantic Suspense FBI Style
Review: BET/Arabesque Books Love Worth Fighting for is the first novel of a four part series on the FBI's Special Corruption Unit.

Tangerine Taylor is jilted and dejected until she meets the ultra sexy, Eric Duval/Duvernay a drug lord/undercover FBI Agent. This mystery man sweeps her off her feet; but then lands her into the arms of a man that he is sworn to protect. Will he save Tangie from the Columbian Cartel? Will he save Tangie's new love and, thereby, sacrifice any future for them?

I love romantic suspense fiction, and I love it even more when it has the right balance or romance and intrigue. However, Jones tipped the scales on this first installment, whereas there was more romance than suspense. The two story lines- the romance and the corruption story did not mesh together until Chapter 22. In order, for this book to have some serious punch it needed to have started from the first chapter. The resolution would have been better, if Tangie was forced make a decision instead of someone making it for her. After all, this is her story. Secondly, Kevin de Palma was introduced, too late into the story, which adds to my theory that the story didn't begin later.

My reviews are based on 5 points: (1)plot,(2)resolution,(3) conflict,(4) character development and (5) style. I gave her 1 point for Plot, because there was a clear beginning, middle and end. Resolution: .5 points. The only character that solved his own problem was Eric. Conflict: .5 points. The conflict was weak and still didn't address the two's relationships fundamental issues- why was he putting his career first? When were they going to stop punishing each other for their past? Characters: .5 point. It took too long for the reader to care about these characters. Eric's family should have been introduced earlier or at least his past tragedy. Style- .5: Although this is Jones' first novel, she made many fundamental writing mistakes like pacing, point of view shifts, and poor dialogue usage. Most readers do not pick these mistakes up, but they are felt when the reader has to slow down or back up a page or two to understand what just happened. Style shapes the ease and flow of the book, which this book lacks in the opening chapters. Overall 3 stars-average.

On a good note...I do applaud Ms. Jones for jumping into a promising genre. We all love action and romance put together and I can't wait to see what else happens in this series.



Rating:
Summary: Love Worth Fighting For
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writer successfully blended the two genres I love- suspence and romance. She distinguished herself by providing the reader with more than just a love story. Additionally, I could truly relate to Tangerine and her fear of entering into a romantic entanglement with Eric. We've all experienced this hesitance. It was also equally refreshing to read about the development of the story and the love between the two characters over time. It definitely kept my interest!!

Rating:
Summary: Love Worth Fighting For
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writer successfully blended the two genres I love- suspence and romance. She distinguished herself by providing the reader with more than just a love story. Additionally, I could truly relate to Tangerine and her fear of entering into a romantic entanglement with Eric. We've all experienced this hesitance. It was also equally refreshing to read about the development of the story and the love between the two characters over time. It definitely kept my interest!!

Rating:
Summary: Halfway Satisfied
Review: I was not entirely impressed by this particular novel. The idea of mixing two genres (romance and mystery) in the same book is always intriguing. I did enjoy the romance side of this novel but the mystery side left little to be desired by me. I feel that the mystery plot was not clearly defined and I did, at times, lose my train of thought. On the romance side, however, I feel that the characters lives were very real. I definitely could relate to what was happening between Tangy and Eric. I feel that the author will improve her technique as time passes. Since this is her debut novel, I will give her books another chance to impress me. As with many things, it just gets better with time.

Rating:
Summary: Halfway Satisfied
Review: I was not entirely impressed by this particular novel. The idea of mixing two genres (romance and mystery) in the same book is always intriguing. I did enjoy the romance side of this novel but the mystery side left little to be desired by me. I feel that the mystery plot was not clearly defined and I did, at times, lose my train of thought. On the romance side, however, I feel that the characters lives were very real. I definitely could relate to what was happening between Tangy and Eric. I feel that the author will improve her technique as time passes. Since this is her debut novel, I will give her books another chance to impress me. As with many things, it just gets better with time.

Rating:
Summary: Under Cover Brother
Review: In her debut novel, Katherine D. Jones introduces us to die-hard executive Tangerine Taylor. Tangie, after being selected to attend a conference in New Orleans, feels she's one step closer to achieving her goal of becoming vice president of consumer affairs. While enjoying dinner alone at a charming little restaurant nestled in the Quarter, Tangie is taken aback when the intriguingly handsome Eric Duvernay takes a seat at her table. It suddenly dawns on Tangie that Eric is the man that she not only laid eyes on earlier that day, but the one she cannot stop thinking about.

Eric knows that in his line of work as an undercover FBI agent, the last thing he needs is to be distracted. His attraction for Tangie is so strong that against his better judgment, he pursues a relationship with her. Once his assignment is complete, Eric decides to come clean and tell Tangie the truth about his career.

LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR is a captivating romance filled with murder, deceit and espionage. The novel is well written and will hold the readers attention. I am eagerly awaiting Ms. Jones' second novel.

Reviewed by Pamela Bolden
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers