Burning Desire

October 5, 2009
In his 13th novel, Aaron (Rappers ’R in Danger
) offers more of what his readers clamor for: deceit, drama, ironic plot twists and steamy sex scenes. Danté Garret, a Bronx repairman, has taken over the family business after his father and grandfather die of cancer. Still in mourning, Danté’s life changes when first he’s seduced by an older client and then falls for Stacy, the niece of another client. But little does he know that his infatuation with Stacy begins to ruin his life. During a trip to Atlanta, Stacy’s actions come back to haunt her and almost cause Danté’s demise. Although Aaron’s latest effort is a quick-paced read with his usual blend of comedy, sex, betrayals and misunderstandings, it suffers from predictable plot twists, thanks to heavy-handed and obvious foreshadowing throughout, and implausible characters. Adding to the frustration is an ending that leaves too many loose ends.

September 28, 2009
Dante Garrett, a hardworking handyman who services a number of Bronx, NY, low-rent apartments, hooks up with Stacy Singletary, whose bangin' body is all that. Stacy does incredible work in the bedroom, but her past is vague, and Dante wonders, "What's wrong with you that I'm not seeing?" As Dante struggles to figure it all out, Stacy tells us that she's "at times twisted in the head. A little tick-tick-boom at times." To paraphrase the late rapper Biggie Smalls: mo' women, mo' problems. Verdict The alternating voices of Dante, Stacy, and later Ophelia offer male and female perspectives on a male fantasy turning into a nightmare. Although the plot lacks serious crime, the prolific author (Single with Benefits; Platinum Dolls) employs authentic slang and attitude that give this story a realistic street feel. Relentless Aaron's reputation will drive up demand. [Library marketing campaign.]

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2009
This latest Relentless Aaron work features a contemplative yet somewhat naive young man named Dante, a second-generation maintenance man holding things down with his lady clients in the Bronx. He meets Stacy, who has moved from Atlanta to the Bronx. As they fall in love and Dante is ensnared into Stacys personal dramas, they move in with her family in Atlanta. An accident lands him in a hospital, where he suffers amnesia, thus forgetting all about Stacy and the Bronx. In Atlanta, he meets up with the socially powerful lawyer, Ophelia King, who rescues the memory-deprived Dante from the hospital, bringing him to live with her and her daughter, Dancer, in their suburban mansion. Dante acts out old behaviors on a new cast of characters and falls in love with Dancer. However, Ophelia King is having none of that. The action is subdued and a bit unbelievable as Dante winds up with a Stacy he no longer remembers, only to break up with her and become a part-time male stripper, still under the employ of the elusive Ophelia King. The story ends with Dante seeking Ophelias help, bumping into wallsliterally. This latest Aaron effort may attract his loyal fans. If not, it will definitely be a shelf sitter.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)