O.k., I usually love most Beverly Jenkins books but, what I want to know is what happened to this one? For the first year that it was on the shelf, I noticed it and literally passed right by it until, I was sure that it was a historical romance (you can't really tell by the cover). Anyway, once I startred to read it, I was not impressed at all! Usually, Mrs. Jenkins's books are more exciting than this! It seems as if the publisher told her that she had to write a book A.S.A.P. and she just threw this one together with only a minimal effort put into it. Like always, the tidbits of history are great but, my qualm is that the plot seemed to revolve around Ryder and Leah's lovemaking. And the tidbits of history that I mentioned were only given in between the very short periods of time that they weren't making love and shortly after ryder would tell Leah about say, the Massacre at Sand Creek, they would be at it again! I know what you're thinking, romance is what people look for in a romance novel. That may be true, but it is also nice for a book to have a good, well-developed plot and for its love scenes not to take up the whole chapter!. By chapter seven, you wonder why Leah hasn't given birth at least twice already!

As he lies dying Louis Montague wants to make things right for Leah Barnett, daughter of the woman he always loved. He persuades Leah into marrying him so she can inherit his vast estate. Reluctantly she agrees to wed a man she considers her father while knowing she will be a widow in days and that their marriage will never be consummated. Louis also makes a deathbed confession. He admits that he has sired two thirty plus year old boys that live in Colorado and that he has not seen them in decades. He wants a shocked Leah to tell them he is sorry.

Leah takes the train west where she meets the younger Montague Ryder who feels this Jezebel took advantage of a sick old man to steal the estate. However, the vast estate has large debts, which Monty offers to pay in return for a few favors. Soon, Monty and Leah fall in love, but can he overcome his distrust and hatred especially when someone else wants them dead.

Readers will find this an exciting Reconstruction Era romance, but what make a Beverly Jenkins tale a delight are the tidbits on African-American history that blends smoothly into the plot. For instance, readers learn the color of Leah's skin via the conductor telling her that people like her do not belong in that part of the train. As usual the graceful Ms. Jenkins entertains and educates her audience with a stirring ethnic romantic tale of 1870s America.

Harriet Klausner

This is another historical masterpiece by Beverly Jenkins. She comes up with some really great ideas for her stories. I guess that's why she writes books and I only write reviews. Okay the gist of the story, Leah marries her mother's long-time love, don't get turned off, on his deathbed but only because he loves her like a daughter and wants to leave her his inheritance. The problem, he has two sons both older than Leah and he wants her to convey to them his regrets at having been such a lousy father and let them know he died a changed man. Now! Here's the reason that you really, really want to read this book.

When Pearl Cleage told us she was looking for a brother to "turn the boat around" she had Ryder Damien in mind. A strong-willed, handsome, take-charge man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Of course he has a few "soft spots" when people have been slinging hurtful barbs at you all your life, you get a little sensitive, but Leah is the cure for all his ills. This book is charged with raw sexuality the pages sizzle. Ryder is witty, charming (when he wants to be) and exciting and Leah is his equal in every respect. What a Man!!!! Just think you can get all this for $5.95 even less if you order from Amazon.

Reviewed by: Shaun Williams

F. Ray's "The Wish"

A visit to the grocery store turns handsome bachelor Nicholas Darling upside down. Word gets around about his chatting with Mrs. Augusta Evans and suddenly he is bombarded with attention from every eligible female in town. Upset he goes to confront Mrs. Evans only to come face to face with Andrea Strickland, the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. As he gets to know her he believes she can help him stop all of the attention her aunt's wish has caused him. Setting up a scheme Andrea pretends to be his intended. Both enjoy the time they spend together under pretense of being a couple. Dreading the outcome of the wish Andrea hides her true feelings for Nicholas. Nicholas on the other hand continues to battle the validity of Mrs. Evans gift wishing that his dream girl were Andrea. Before its too late he has to make a choice for the future and for love.

B. Jenkins "Homecoming"

On her way home Lydia Cooper runs into her old flame handsome Gray Dane. Seeing one another again bring back feelings from a long time ago. Lydia and Gray work through regrets from the past, pain and mistrust, binding together ties that will build a new relationship. Homecoming is intense passion, romance, the power of forgiveness and understanding that brings everlasting love to Lydia and Gray's doorstep.
Beverly weaves this historical romance in her renowned style. She gives us a glimpse of a time when strong black men and women still found love in the midst of hard times during the 1800's.

M. Jackson "The Way Back Home"

This is a romantic story about a biracial woman who has never known her African American filiations. A seminar given at her school has invited handsome Dr. Trey Fraser whom Anne Donald secretly admires. His speech is the catalyst that spurs on her need to find the other side of her family. In her search to find her estranged family members she develops intimate feelings for Trey. As Trey's feelings for Anne escalates they run into extreme opposition from Trey's family about their relationship. The passion becomes too overwhelming to deny as Trey and Anne pursue their relationship with vigor. As Anne overcomes her low self-esteem and need to fit in she finds love everlasting in the arms of Trey Fraser.

G. Guillaume "The Seventh Principle"

Distance has taken its toll on attractive Paul Barrett and beautiful Kirby Kayin's relationship. Kirby is home visiting for the holidays and both are at wits end as to what to do about the relationship. Paul doesn't want the distance anymore and Kirby is unsure of where the two stand. Racial issues at the school where Paul is the principal are running high and Kirby's professional expertise is needed to bring some order to things. Working close together they try to hurdle the stormy weather of their relationship. The two decide too incorporate the seven principles of Kwanzaa to accomplish the tension at school as well as with their personal lives. Paul and Kirby know their relationship is worth preserving and look forward to a lasting future together.

"Homecoming" by Beverly Jenkins. In 1883 Lydia travels from Chicago to her home, but stops at a Detroit boarding house where she meets Gray, the man she loved as a teen. The next day they travel together towards their hometown with each in denial that their respective hearts still believe they belong together forever.

"The Way Back Home" by Monica Jackson. Graduate student Anne has never fit in anywhere even as an orphan raised by her deceased white mother's family. She has never met her black father's kin. Author Trey encourages her to search for her roots so Anne seeks her African-American heritage, but she also wants her professor's love.

"The Seventh Principal" by Geri Guillaume. Mississippi high school principal Paul struggles with teen problems and racial trouble caused by the debate over celebrating Kwanzaa. As he tries to do the right thing yet adhere to the rules, Paul dreams of his beloved, former counselor Kirby. When she returns home, Paul tries to persuade her that they belong together even as the racial controversy nears the explosion point.

This quartet of African-American holiday romances are all stalwart stories with anyone of them capable of being a feature length novel due to the hearty characterizations that provide a Happy Kwanzaa and a Merry Christmas to all.

Harriet Klausner