17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This Guy's in Love, April 5, 2003
This review is from: Somebody's Knocking at My Door: A Novel (Paperback)
Title: This Guy's In Love
In Francis Ray's latest novel, Somebody's Knocking at My Door, the reader is treated to three blossoming romances in one book. Set in picturesque New Orleans, each romance has its own unique story and in the end it all combines for another successful reading experience provided by Ms Ray.
Art historian Kristen Mayfield finds herself pining away for elusive carpenter, Rafe Crawford. Rafe finds himself wanting to return the feeling, but he is fighting demons of his past with an abusive father. Kristen does not give up, and sets out to make Rafe see that he is capable of giving and receiving love.
Angelique is Kristen's next door neighbor and best friend. She is as beautiful as she is smart. When Damien Broussard walks into his father's art gallery and sees Angelique, he is ready to put aside his playa card and get to know this lady, that is until he finds out she is associated with the Inferno, a gentlemen's club. Going on assumption about Angelique instead of finding out the truth, he almost destroys a fulfilling relationship.
The very wealthy insurance mogul Claudette Thibodeaux Laurent is married to the unscrupulous Maurice Laurent. He only sees dollar signs and Claudette appears to be blind to his behavior and only interested in "keeping the family honor." Everyone sees that Claudette is hurting and Maurice only cares about her money. A friend ,Jacques Broussard, is just waiting on the sidelines to step in and show Claudette what real love is.
In all of Ms Ray's writings she possess a skill that draws the reader into the lives of each character. She tells this story with modest sexual interactions, romance, and laugh out loud humor and compassion. At times Rafe's brooding and dark outlook on life became a little cumbersome, but I will still highly recommend this book. For the readers who read Turning Point, they will be happy to have the updates on Adam and Lily as they make a return appearance in this book.
Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and heart-warming, May 2, 2003
This review is from: Somebody's Knocking at My Door: A Novel (Paperback)
What a delight it was to receive a copy of Francis Ray's latest book, SOMEBODY'S KNOCKING AT MY DOOR. It was even more rewarding once the final page of the book was read and I sat and reflected on this story which is full of memorable characters and a plot centered on family and love.
Kristen Wakefield is an art historian working at an illustrious and well-known museum in New Orleans. While working to put together the first known collection of nineteenth century African-American art, things take a turn for the worse. When someone threatens her well-being and her career, she reaches out for help from Rafe Crawford, a skilled carpenter and distant in-law. Though proficient in his craft, Rafe is battling with his own demons and his inability to trust others and allow them into his life.
Kristin's best friend Angelique is working hard to get her doctorate in psychology and has ruled out men in her life. In a pinky swear of sorts, the two friends vow off men and set out on a course that takes some unexpected detours and leaves both of them on one way streets to love.
These characters along with a cast of well-developed antagonists add depth to SOMEBODY'S KNOCKING AT MY DOOR and demonstrate Ray's ability to continuously bring out the well rounded aspects of being in relationships with family and friends and the ups and downs we incur as a result. Her characters are real, compelling, and heart-warming and the story is one I'd recommend without a doubt. Her books never fail to engage the reader laving them looking at their own familial ties.
Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BLACK LOVE IS SO BEAUTIFUL !!!!, August 24, 2003
This review is from: Somebody's Knocking at My Door: A Novel (Paperback)
This book is excellent. This is the first book that I have read by Francis Ray. I am now in search of her other works. I loved the way she weaves Black Love together. I am a hopeful romantic and I have read so many books by Black authors that put shame to Black Love. This book was so beautiful. I highly recommend it.
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