The Best Man [Mass Market Paperback]

Brenda Jackson's STRICTLY BUSINESS is another slice of the
Madaris series' pie. Regina Grant-Farrell, a freelance writer
whom you may remember as the sister of Trevor Grant, has
received an offer to do a career enhancing exclusive story.
She has a week to interview ruthless, ambitious, self-made
millionaire Mitch Farrell. What she doesn't know is that
Mitch asked for her specifically. This Texas enigma has Gina
wondering if she can keep the interview strictly business;
Mitch is her ex-husband and she's never stopped loving him.

Cindi Louis's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN opens to a wedding in the
town of Lovebug, Texas. Sexy Lonzell Jenkins is back in town
for his best friend's wedding and Leesa Fairchild, his frist
love is also back in town. The two have not communicated with
each other since he left town without saying goodbye four years
ago. Both have issues about the abrupt ending of their
relationship and while there is a good reason why they have not
been in touch with each other, there is an even better reason
why they should be. When Lonzell finally pieces everything
together, he is in a panic to catch Leesa. This story left me
thinking about oranges.

Felicia Mason's PROMISES and VOWS is set in the city where voodoo
reigns supreme. And when Jerome's Aunt Josephine, once a high
priestess of New Orleans, arrives unannounced for a lengthy visit,
he wonders what has alerted her that his marriage to Elise is
dissolving. Jerome moves back into the bedroom with Elise so they
can present a united front. But to Aunt Jo the view from the front,
the back and the side all spell trouble. She elicits the help of
her friend Eliza Mae, to work her magic. And yes little 'gris-gris'
bags do show up around the house.

In Kayla Perrin's KIDNAPPED, Nia Copeland exits the limousine and
mentally enters the church, walks down the aisle and says "I do".
But her thoughts are interrupted by the roar of a motorcycle; and
Nia watches as Jamal, her ex-boyfriend, jumps off his bike and walks
up to her. He grabs her and races off, with her wedding gown blowing
in the wind. Jamal wants to bring closure to their relationship, one
which he ended over a year ago. And though he does not want a
commitment, he says he needs to make sure she is happy. Nia knows the
last thing she needs is to spend time alone on her wedding day with a
man who has brought to fruition every passionate thought she has ever
had.

The writing is realistic, entertaining and quite erotic. The writers
present excellent looks at how men feel after the demise of a
relationship. And a candid look at how these men choose to rectify
this problem, because each man definitely has his own agenda.

Strictly Business by Brenda Jackson gives us the return of Mitch Farrell and Gina Grant Farrell. After divorcing two years prior, Mitch is back in Houston with a plan to win his former wife back. In true Brenda Jackson fashion, we witness Mitch's plan as he goes full steam ahead with calculated tactics and romantic twists. The return of the Maderis family is always a treat and we learn some things about Mitch's childhood that stand to reason his past behaviors. Mitch has changed, he has grown and he sets out to showcase this change to Gina. Strictly Business provides friendship, sensuality and true love as Mitch fights for his woman.

Catch Me If You Can by Cindi Louis joins long lost lovers Lonzell and Leesa together again after a breakup neither understood and secrets so devastating you will wonder if anyone involved can be forgiven. This is a truly touching family romance ripe with emotions for all to witness.

Promises and Vows by Felicia Mason highlight Jerome and Elise Gregory on the verge of divorce. Unannounced and unbeknownst, a strong, emotional force arrives in the form of Jerome's Aunt Josephine. Aunt Joe is a voodoo priestess from the back country of Louisiana. Watch and read as Jerome and Elise try to elude Aunt Joe into believing that everything is all right with their marriage and as Aunt Joe mixes her own brand of magic to save the couple's marriage.

Kidnapped by Kayla Perrin is perhaps the most risqué and erotic of the four novellas. Nia and Jamal were lovers from two different worlds. Pressured by her family to enter into the family business as opposed to teaching, Nia regrets not going with her heart. Add to the fact that her family and Jamal believe he was not good enough for her and you have an explosive situation as Nia prepares to marry the man of her family's dreams. On her wedding day Jamal whisks Nia away, not to prevent her marriage but to prove a point. As Nia learns to go with her heart so to does Jamal as he learns to accept his fate.

The Best Man is a consortium of novellas with enough character development to make you care and the right amount of appeal and charm to fascinate and titillate a thirst for romance.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub