Customer Reviews

Her Secret Life (Kimani Romance)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As an avid lover of romance I find it easy to pick up a book and finish it in a couple of hours. Unfortunately this book did not sweep me away. The story was cool, but it was missing something. Sensuality it didn't have. But I also didn't like the hero. He was a Gamma male sometimes. There was nothign that drew me to him. I was not emotionally taken with this book. Some of the scenes were more technical than romantic. It was a cute story. I love the idea of living the double life, but I think it could have been alot better.

HER SECRET LIFE by Gwynne Forster
September 25, 2006

Rating 2.5/5 stars

I really hate giving out anything lower than 3 stars in a book review. In my opinion, if a book gets published, it's because it's readable, or enjoyable, or well written. I am giving HER SECRET LIFE a 2- 1/2 star rating. My problem with the book could be the type of book it is. The book had a lot of erotic sex scenes with explicit detail, which I'm not much of a fan of when I read romance novels. When I read a romance novel, I want romance, good characterization, great dialog that sounds REAL, not forced or fake. Unfortunately, this book didn't have too much going for it at all. While I "got" the main character, Jackie, and understood what motivated her (she worked two jobs to help pay for her father's health care), I did not care for the male counterpart, Warren. He seemed like a chauvinist pig, and while I'm not sure this was the author's intent, it seemed all he cared about was "having her in me".

Jackie worked days at an African American publishing company. She has a Ph.D. But at night she's a sleazy waitress at a gentlemen's club. She keeps her two worlds separate, and even her sister and father do not know she's working her butt off at this club. She meets Warren at the club and they have great chemistry. The rules are, however, that they cannot have a romantic or sexual relationship, as it's hands off or she could be fired. So they meet at a corner near work after she gets off at midnight, and they slowly get to know each other, if you know what I mean. The sex scenes are definitely hot and heavy, very descriptive, and while maybe this book was aimed for the erotica fan, I guess I didn't want my story to be all sex and not much romance. I think I would have liked the book better if the characters felt real to me, but they seemed stiff and forced. The dialog was definitely unrealistic and awkward. I did like Jackie's father, who seemed to be a very loving father who was mourning his wife, and was now ready to meet his maker. But overall, I just did not "feel" this book and it certainly didn't call to me. I was disappointed, as my first experience with Kimani was wonderful and so I'm not turned off by this line of books. HER SECRET LIFE could have been much better, even with all the sex scenes, if the characters were not cardboard cutouts and the dialog flowed a lot more realistically.

I really loved and enjoyed Gwynne Forster earlier work, But lately I've been getting disappointed with her work.This book is good in some ways and others ways just not-what-I-was expecting in, being a
G.F. die hard fan. I won't lose the hope,but makes me apprehensive
about future purchasing .

Let me tell you the secret is not what you think it is. By the title I had figured that I knew what was going to happen in the story but I was wrong. Warren is a gentleman that saw way past the image presented. The heartfelt reasons for Ph.D Ann Parkton to let her hair down was heart warming. It just goes to show you can never judge a book by its cover. And is clear reminder that even the seemingly "rich" have problems.

I don't know what happened this book seemd to be writing by numbers it held no interest for me. The premise of having 'a secret life' is good but for some reason I found the romance hard to believe - there was no chemistry between Jackie and Warren. Warren seemed to be more concerned about his ego with his tell me your secret or else I walk attitude and Jackie behaved liked she had some great secret to hide -rather than she worked two jobs to pay her dad's hospital fees. I think Vanna and Allen would have made a better story.

What's a woman, with a PhD. in Criminal Psychology, who is the reigning senior editor and crime reporter for 'African American Woman' magazine, doing in the most prestigious gentleman's club in New York City working as a waitress?

Dr. Jacqueline Parkton transforms into Jackie Parks at 6:00 p.m. most nights. This extra job helps to afford care for an ailing father currently residing in an upscale nursing home. For almost three years Jackie has worked two jobs plus speaking engagements at universities. In a few more months, she will have enough saved and will be able to live a normal life. But normal for Jackie is relative, she has no social life and no prospects, until club member, Warren Holcomb shares his feelings with her. Jackie has noticed Warren before, but she did not think the interest was mutual and a relationship might jeopardize her secret.

Warren, self-made millionaire and business mogul, is the only African American member of the elitist club, Allegory, Inc. He has been watching Jackie for some time, and her role as a waitress, no matter how professional, seems misplaced. He is more than curious about her, but club rules forbid fraternization between members and employees. Warren cannot ignore his feelings, so he must find a way to get to know the mysterious Jackie Parks.

HER SECRET LIFE is candidly entertaining. Warren who realizes Jackie is not exactly the kind of woman you take home to see mother, will soon discover that life is not as it seems. Jackie hopes she can justify her reasons for secrecy and add some real normalcy to her life. Ms. Forster gives readers real characters, real dialogue, mature family drama. She highlights community involvement and shares a strong message that love can indeed conquer all.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This is another must read book from Ms. Forster. The author draws you into the story slowly and begins an unforgettable journey into a believable story. The Plot - A woman has been hurt before and no longer trusts traditional love yet she struggles between not wanting to be involved and taking a chance. She leaves it up to the man who wants her to figure out a way they can be together. But, she is not what she appears to be "A Cocktail Waitress". But does it make a difference - Purchase the book and you tell me.

In Manhattan, Jacqueline Parkton lives two lives. During the day, she is editor of an African American Woman magazine; at night she works as Jackie Parks at Allegory, Inc gentleman's club. She initially took the moonlighting job to help her father pay off her mom's enormous medical bills, but continues to work there to pay off her beloved dad's huge medical bills.

The problem with her secret night life is club member Warren Holcomb. Jackie is attracted to him and he reciprocates. However, she avoids his advances fearing if he learns about her day job, he will expose her. As he continues to try to make them an entry, they fall in love, but she wonders if she should trust in such a volatile emotion.

Once again, Gwynne Forster provides her readers with a delightful contemporary romance starring two likable protagonists who meet at the wrong place to foster a permanent relationship. The audience will admire Jacqueline-Jackie as she takes responsibility giving up much of what she wants out of life to pay exorbitant medical bills. Her efforts cleverly shine a light on the issue of medical costs owed by a hard working caring person (the type ignored during political debates over health care and bankruptcy even with a doctor running the senate). Warren is a nice person, but the audience will wonder whether he can see the full Ms. Parkton and not just the moonlighter he desires.

Harriet Klausner