Man of Fate

April 27, 2009
Alers (Secret Agenda
) kicks off the Best Men contemporary romance series with successful attorney Kyle Chatham, who gave up working at a Park Avenue law firm to start his own practice in Harlem. When social worker Ava Warrick accidentally rear-ends Kyle's treasured Jaguar, their lives undergo drastic changes. He visits her in the hospital, where she is being monitored for a mild concussion, and their instant attraction soon becomes too strong to ignore. Kyle and Ava have both had their share of dysfunctional romances in the past, but their wariness only delays the inevitable romance. Subplots add substance as the two work tirelessly to help the powerless and distraught. Engaging characters and even pacing make this a pleasing read with broad appeal.

June 15, 2009
When stressed-out social worker Ava Warrick rear-ends attorney Kyle Chatham's vintage Jaguar, the sparks fly high and harduntil she ends up with a concussion and Kyle takes on the job of making sure she recovers. Attraction and friendship soon become something more, but the path is not smooth for Ava and Kyle, and they'll need to grow and overcome a number of issues if their relationship is going to be one of commitment and love. Although there are a number of interesting secondary characters, the subplots are muted, and in classic romance tradition, the action in this sexy story focuses primarily on the evolving romance between Ava and Kyle. VERDICT Well-developed characters and a good sense of time and place are pluses in this story, which is the first in Alers's "Best Men" trilogy. Alers ("Secret Agenda") lives in Freeport, NY.

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