A Bittersweet Love [Mass Market Paperback]

This is the first book I've read by Janice and needless to say, I will be ordering her other books. In "A Bittersweet Love", Teddy, a photojournalist, is trying to obtain a staff position at this prestigious magazine. She is assigned to interview the reclusive Joachim West. Joachim, a writer, is in Ireland attending a friend's wedding and writing his next book. The first chapters of the book are dedicated to developing the characters individually. I did find this part to be interesting, but a little on the slow side. They actually don't meet until chapter 7. But, knowing they will meet and waiting for them to meet kept me reading. I loved this story. Teddy was definitely a strong, independent, caring black woman/mother. I could really relate to her. Joachim was the epitome of what we women want in a man. Love, security and devotion (not to mention tall, dark and handsome). I'd let him rescue me any day. You just have to read this book.

Whether she is writing about alien life in "Out of the Blue" or giving history about African American life on a Montana ranch in "For Keeps", Janice Sims manages to bring an excitement in romance with nontraditional twists and turns. She has done it again managing to develop a romance and capture our hearts in Ballycastle, Ireland. Theodora (Teddy)Riley, free lance journalist, is counting on obtaining an interview with best selling novelist, Joachim West. His last book won the National Book Award but he steadfastly refuses any interviews, despising the press afater the way his young wife's memory was tarnished during her funeral. His best friend, Conal, an Irishman, has offered his home as a retreat so that he can jump start his blocked writing. The last thing he expected was to come across the beautiful, alluring, Teddy. All Teddy wanted to do was convince the reclusive Mr. West to give her an interview because she was promised a permanent position with the magazine if she pulled this coupe. She badly needs to obtain permanent position employment because it appears her ex-husband wants to fight her for custody of their two-year old son. Adrian Riley walked out on his pregnant wife and had nothing to do with his son, Alex because it didn't fit into his game plan. His broadcast career was top priority and an unexpected child was not going to get in his way. Now he is on Teddy's doorstep sparking a hostile reaction from her. A mugging after she arrives in Ballycastle brings about a series of events and Joachim ends up as Teddy's protector and because they are the only two African Americans in town everyone assumes they are husband and wife. What a mess, but Joachim decides to keep up the charade because of the connection he feels with Teddy. This was a well written story with a picturesque view of the countryside of Ireland with colorful secondary characters there and back at home in San Francisco. Ms. Sims also captured the historical background of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I can't wait to see what angle this author comes up with next.

Janice Sims is a very talented writer who is not content to bring her readers the same old stories in the same old places. A Bittersweet Love is a very mature love story about two African Americans who meet and fall in love in a small Northern Ireland town. Neither time nor distance can dampen the love between two very bright, funny and engaging characters. I kept wanting the story to go on and on.