Burning Desire [Paperback]

Relentless Aaron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 2009

Dante Garrett learned the handyman trade from watching his late grandfather and his father hard at work. Painting, carpentry, and plumbing were among his talents, to the point that he became one of the most wanted men in Park Chester—but not without ducking and dodging some of the horny housewives who were his clients. In fact, Dante goes to great lengths to keep from crossing the line that separates him from clients such as the wispy Ms. Thomas and the regal Mrs. Singletary. It’s when he falls head over heels for a client’s niece, Stacy, that Dante’s life begins to change.

Stacy is single and recently relocated from Atlanta, Georgia, in search of opportunities that the big city has to offer. But there are skeletons in her closet that she dare not reveal. And while Dante stands by Stacy through thick and thin, he soon discovers that not all secrets can remain hidden.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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. (Dec.)
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From Booklist

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 Stacy’s 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 Ophelia’s help, bumping into walls—literally. This latest Aaron effort may attract his loyal fans. If not, it will definitely be a shelf sitter. --Vanessa Irvin Morris

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (December 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312359381
• ISBN-13: 978-0312359386
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,225,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

THE WORLDS LEADING WRITER AUTHOR CREATOR of STREET LIT URBAN HIP HOP FICTION. Heralded by many college professors, publishing professionals and well featured in the worlds foremost newspapers, magazines and TV News features; ghost writer, film maker & photographer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Everything Is Not Like It Seems...., March 1, 2010

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burning Desire (Paperback)

BURNING DESIRE is the story of Dante Garrett who is currently the handyman for Park Chester, a New York neighborhood development designed to take families from the projects. Oftentimes the residence end up being a step above their previous living condition. This ensures Dante has plenty of work that sometime includes "off the clock" activities with the older women who live there.

Stacy is the niece of one of Dante's clients who comes with baggage, red flags, issues and drama, but when happy, as Dante will tell you, you tend to miss all that. They move to Atlanta where Dante loses his memory after a car accident. He has a benefactor, Ophelia King, who brings even more drama to his world. Her daughter, Dancer, is irresistible, but her mother is worried about a man who has no memory and will go to any lengths to prevent the two of them from having a relationship. Oh, what a tangled web we weave. Will Dante get his memory back? Will Stacy find "her" man? Will Dancer find true love?

This fast moving story was full of suspense and shockers but lacked the character depth of prior works Relentless is known for and I expected from him. With that said, Relentless Aaron has written a fast-paced story and his fans will not be disappointed with this one.

Reviewed by Linda Chavis
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ball of Confusion, January 6, 2010

By 

Urban Reviews "Your Source for the Best in AA... (Online) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Burning Desire (Paperback)

Dante Garret has taken over his family business after the death of his father and grandfather. A Bronx repairman, Dante runs into a ghetto vixen that changes his professional and personal life. When he's seduced by an older client named Ms. Thomas and then falls for Stacy, the niece of another client, the drama begins. But little does Dante know that his lust for Stacy will gradually ruin his life. During a visit to Atlanta, Stacy's past becomes Dante's future and almost causes his death. After spending ten weeks at the Atlanta medical center, he meets another character named Ophelia who thinks he's an Adonis; once again his life changes and more drama ensues.

It was always my intention to read one of Mr. Aaron's works. I've heard so much about his smoking sex scenes, which this book lacked. It also lacked emotion and flow. I didn't care for any of the characters, and the story seemed to be all over the place. The twists were predictable and I was very annoyed. While reading Burning Desire, I kept wondering where the story was. As the book came to a close, I was frustrated in an ending that left too many loose ends.

Reviewed by Missy
for Urban Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Readable, November 9, 2010

By 

D. Wright "D. Britt" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burning Desire (Paperback)

Burning Desire is readable. It may not be exactly one of those types of books you put down and can't wait to pick back up (rushing through work, rushing through traffic to get back to), but then that all depends on what else is going on in your life. If you're at a real calm, patient, nothing-much-going-on-in-your-life, time-to-yourself period, then this book shoots from two stars to at least three or four.

The finish (ending) was up to my satisfactory. It kind of goes off like, Oookay.... That was one of the things I didn't like. The author did well with establishing life into Danté (main character). There were parts in the book that were borderline weird... or bizarre, should I say. '