Customer Reviews

Lucky in Love (Arabesque)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like to consider myself a connoisseur of romance novels. Therefore, I've developed a short list of authors
whose works I will read. I don't know what made me take a chance on
Ms. Schuster's Lucky In Love, but boy am I glad that I did!

Several elements that hooked me on this book. One of the first
things I noticed is that the characters aren't stiff. Many writers
fall into the trap of creating characters that are soooo perfect,
they're stilted. Not so, here. Ms.Schuster easily employs the current terminology or Ebonics that
we use in our everyday conversation. Phrases such as "you ain't
said nothin' but a word" and "playa-hatin'" not only serve to
add color to the dialogue and depth to the characters, but it helps the reader to relax and read
the story as if a good friend is telling it.

Also, the author does not waste precious space with each of the
would-be lovers bemoaning the one critical fault that is keeping them
from finding true love. Yes, problems are presented, but the characters
address them and move on to the next stage. This helps to give you a
storyline that is continuously flowing and interesting.

I love the fact that the heroine is well developed in this book -
she's not some ninny sitting around waiting for the hero to rescue
her. The character of Benita (Bennie) Cochran really holds her own.
She's smart, sexy and she has a great sense of humor. It is easy to
see why Clayton Deveraux is reeled in hook, line and sinker!

Ms. Schuster introduces us to some very interesting secondary
characters, and I'm drooling over the possibilities! I can hardly wait
to read other stories involving the Cochran and Deveraux clans.

This book is awesome! Ms. Schuster will definitely be added to the
list of authors whose works I spend time reading.

LUCKY IN LOVE is one of those novels you simply don't want to end. I started it Friday night and finished it Saturday night. After a night out on the town with my husband, no less! Melanie Schuster's command of the written word had me riveted to the pages. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a story as much as this one. The previous reviews have given you the gist of the story. Andrea Benita Cochran meets Clayton Arlington Deveraux and sparks fly. However, they have many obstacles to overcome. Benita, or 'Bennie' has an overbearing father in media magnate, Big Benny Cochran. I love it when a heroine is not a mamby pamby sort who kowtows to the men in her life. Benita stood up to her father and laid down the law. Ms. Schuster has an exquisite eye for detail. And a wonderful sense of humor. I laughed aloud in the middle of the night, waking my snoring hubby. Tears, too, were evoked time and time again. I adore a story in which I laugh, cry and talk back to the book. Benita and Clay were a marvelous couple who deserved the happiness they fought so hard for. I also enjoyed their families, especially Benita's gorgeous brothers. Clayton's brother, Martin, got my attention. I hope Ms. Schuster writes about him sometime in the future. He was very intriguing because he'd been disfigured in an accident, subsequently dumped by his beautiful wife, and he'd withdrawn from the world. I'd like to see some gutsy woman make him believe in love again. Also, Benita's best friend, Renee, and Benita's twin brother Andrew were standout characters in this marvelous book. Hot describes the chemistry between those two. Whew! I could go on and on, but you get the message. Read the book. You won't be disappointed.

Can't wait for Ms. Schuster's next book!

Bravo, Ms. Schuster, for your evocative tour de for, "Lucky In Love!" Not only did Ms. Schuster take us from the mind fields of boy-meets-girl, but she also showed us the true battleground in after the vows; a rare journey for most writers. Usually, we either see the before or the after, but Ms. Schuster treats us to "during" or as one poet puts it so astutely, the dash, the place between here and there. Melanie Schuster really deserves rave reviews for this one!!

Both Andrea Benita Cochran and Clayton Arlington Deveraux are members of big families, unusually tall and statuesque, and the eldest of their siblings. Both are heading large communications companies, but in different parts of the industry and in different states. We get to meet and enjoy their friends and their relatives who add another new and interesting dimension to the typical story and lay the ground work extremely well for a series of romantic journeys for the family and friends of the Cochran/Deveraux dynasties. But Benita Cochran is my kind of woman!! She's strong, assertive, with high self esteem, an incredibly lovable mother wit, and a kick-ass attitude. I really enjoy reading female characters that aren't filled with inane phobias and tons of emotional baggage--the I-can't-be-myself-because-of-fifty-gazillion-bits-of-nonsense. Or cooing and simpering like nitwits. She sees Clay and captures him; no brag, just fact!! They both weather tragedy in their young relationship and marriage, but come out on the other side of the devestation better people for having had the experience.

Melanie Schuster is going on my list of favorite authors. I love her writing style. She doesn't let the wordsmith in her get in the way of telling the good story. In short, she see the individual trees, not just the forest. I can't wait for Renee's and Andrew's story; Benita's best friend and her twin brother, respectively. The May-December aspect with Renee's story is a really new perspective (at least for me) and promises to be just as entertaining. I hope that Arabesque lets her explore all of the nuances with the tug-of-war between dating an older man verses dating the traditional younger one, Andrew. We know how it's going to end, but getting there promises to take us on a different type of romantic journey (i.e., what can an older man do for her that Andrew is going to have to overcome). Absolutely intriguing!!

I must admit that I'm not usually a fan of "romance" novels but that has just changed. LUCKY IN LOVE is a breath of fresh air, a book where the characters experience real emotions. Miss Schuster has a unique style, not only does she give you a glimpse into another world, she opens the door and invites you in for a visit.

LUCKY IN LOVE introduces us to the Cochrans and the Deverauxs. Both families are sucessful and powerful forces in the communication industry and the sparks begin to fly when Benita (Bennie) Cochran and Clay Deveraux meet. Bennie and Clay's future together is challenged by events (and people) out of their control but they are blessed with family, friends and a love that allows them to face all obstacles head on.

Thank you, Miss Schuster, for such a wonderful story! I can't wait to read more about the Cochrans, the Deverauxs and their friends. And what, pray tell, does the future hold for Andrew and Renee?

Lucky in love was the most intriging romance novel that I have read in years! I totally enjoyed the twist and turns that focused on the reality of the hard times that we may face in life, and the bond that Clay and Bennie had as a couple to get through those trails and tribulations, as well as the closeness of each family. Clay and Bennie were so realistic and interesting that I have found myself in search of my own Mr.Deveroux!!! I would recommend the reading of Lucky in Love for any one who has ever been "lucky" enough to be in love!

Melanie Schuster has raised the bar in the romance genre.As a male I was skeptical of "Romance novels"but Lucky in Love is
much more compelling than just a love story.Intelligent,funny,passionate and fast moving best describe the story.At the end you come away liking and caring about Benita and Clayton and what their future holds.I liked this book so well I've given as a gift.I highly recommend you purchase this book.

I loved bennie(Benita) and clay's story. This book simply flowed. This book is beautiful. This book is a must have. I never get tired of reading this book.

Ms. Schuster simply is one of the finest writers in this field. Delightful characters, with crisp and clean story line make this a must read. If this, Ms. Schusters 1st book, is any evidence to what is to come, we are all in for a delightful ride. Make sure they let you write the screenplay. Thank you!

It's been a couple of days since I finished reading this book and I still can't decide if I liked it or not. I've read a couple of other books by Melanie Schuster and I liked this one the least. It's not that the book is bad, but the main characters were just too good to be true. I found myself more interested in what was going on between Andrew and Renee that Bennie and Clay. For most of the book, Bennie and Clay were pretty much happy with each other and it seemed like all of the conflict and drama was saved until almost the very end and then it was resolved pretty easily. I don't know, it was just meh, IMO. I am curious about that Dr. John guy, so I hope that more of the books in the series are made available for Kindle.

This is the first Melanie Schuster book I have read and I enjoyed it. I have all the titles to read in this series except for the last one and I have kind of cheated and skimmed through them all so know the plots already. I like that in this story she takes the story beyond the wedding. Most romance novels end with the declarations of love and until you get to that point you read about the sparks flying, good sex and all the drama of misunderstandings. So its good to read a book where the couple have the drama, the sex, the romance, the love declarations before you reach the end of the book.
I must admit tho like one character thinks in A Fool for love Benita does come across as so perfect but still likeable.
By the way in none of the covers in the series match the description of the characters - so annoying, Clay is supposed to be a light skinned brother with a moustache and I suppose a European/wavy textured hair not 'African' textured hair