Customer Reviews

Straight to the Heart (Kimani Romance)

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

 

 

This is the second book I've read from this author and It was another awful book. It was so boring there isn't enough words to describe it!!

Contrary to the blurb on the back of the book, Omar Masterson is not wealthy and the big secret that Stacy wants to keep hidden is nothing to write home about. The story was all over the place, scenes did not link together and characterisation was very poor. And the obsession with describing Native American features whats with that?

On the verge of becoming a hip-hop star, diva Stacy Watts begins receiving threats from her ex-lover who was at one time her manager. He will reveal her unstabled past if she doesn't let him back into her life. Stacy devises a plan she hopes will expose him, to her fans and the media, for what he is, just another spurned lover seeking revenge.

After agreeing to an interview with up-and-coming television host, and media playboy, Omar Masterson, Stacy decides to tell her own story. She also hopes to persuade Omar to go along with her plan; pretend he is her new beau. Omar, who has had more than a mild interest in Stacy, agrees. But there is a hitch to Stacy's plan. Her new manager, who treats Stacy like a daughter, doesn't like it, she thinks Omar is another opportunist. For the first time, Stacy is at odds with her manager. She wants to do this, plus something about Omar touches her heart. Omar must make some major decisions when Stacy's 'ex' issues more damaging threats. When unsettled issues from her manager's past, along with her manager's unexpected medical issues arise, both ladies are forced to take a good look at the state of their careers and their lives.

STRAIGHT TO THE HEART is an intriguing, and at times, suspenseful offering of rags to riches. Michelle Monkou writes a solid story of abandonment, jealously, and monumental expectations, all which caused negative choices. She gives real characters with the strength to accept the challenge and reach beyond themselves. This is a warm story with a somewhat surprising, but very interesting ending.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

STRAIGHT TO THE HEART by Michelle Monkou
September 26, 2007

Rating *** (3 Stars)

Stacy Watts is a hip-hop diva who has made it to the big time. Her manager, Brenda, keeps Stacy on a tight rein, controlling her career and every choice she makes, to ensure she keeps that celebrity status and continues to get the movie roles that's destined to come her way. Omar Masterson is a journalist who is working on a documentary for Urban Television Production, and is interviewing Stacy for the program. Brenda warns Omar to watch himself while with Stacy, and he assures everyone that he's a professional.

However, a situation arises in which Stacy is in need of a man that can act as her boyfriend, part of a plan to save her reputation once her ex-manager/ex-boyfriend's scathing comments make it to the public. Antonio knows about the secrets Stacy is hiding from her public, secrets that she fears may ruin her credibility and her career. She's also worried what Omar will think once he learns the truth about her life, because she is slowly falling for him. She doesn't want to ruin what little chances she has with Omar.

As the two pretend in public that they are dating each other, Omar and Stacy act it out in private as well, but neither are sure whether the other is truly interested, or just playing along. When Brenda finds out what is going on between the two of them behind closed doors, her temper gets out of control. In the meantime, Omar investigates Stacy's background and slowly arrives at the truth.

This reviewer didn't quite buy into the characters of Stacy and Omar. Neither character came across as three-dimensional genuine people. However, the character of Brenda came across as a much more fascinating person, and learning about her history with her missing daughter may keep the reader's interest more so than that of the story of Omar and Stacy. While the story moves at a fast pace by the end of the book, the ending came about too abruptly, with the two lovers resolving their differences much too quickly for this reviewer. None of it felt real.

While Stacy and Omar's story took center stage, Brenda's search for her daughter helped keep the story moving, keeping the reader in suspense while the mystery was being solved. Adding Antonio, Stacy's ex-boyfriend, into the picture also helped to bring added tension to the story line.

It may have helped the characterizations of the two main characters if the novel was just a little bit longer, allowing more opportunity to fully develop both characters. As it was, the character of Stacy seemed very one-dimensional and almost stereotypical, and didn't come across as very credible. Omar Masterson came across as a very sexy and eligible bachelor, and the love scenes between the two were very steamy, but there was not enough character development.

Despite some of the problems with the novel, this reviewer is giving STRAIGHT TO THE HEART a 3 out of 5 rating because the story line is intriguing enough to keep the reader absorbed. Readers who have been following the Masterson family series will want to read this one, but for other readers it will be a hit or a miss. - courtesy of Love Romances and More - M. Lofton

Michelle really kicked it out with this book. I couldn't put it down. I LOVED it. Thanks Michelle, keep 'em coming!