Customer Reviews

Unclear and Present Danger (Indigo)

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

 

 

I should have been expecting a story that encompassed the ups and downs of Solange Montgomery's attempts at finding true love when I first came in contact with this character in Michele Cameron's When Lightning Strikes. However, since I was not I was even more excited when I recognized her in Unclear and Present Danger. Cameron touched on a few important and sensitive topics, such as racism and dyslexia; that we as a whole try to overlook or downplay, but that does not make it go away. She incorporates that while allowing Solange to strut her stuff with Ali Marks and still hold it down at work.

Solange and Ali are so different, but perfect together...maybe. Solange works in corporate America and Ali is one of New York City's finest. He is strong and really devoted to his job and Solange. When a chance of a lifetime comes along for Ali he jumps on it, leaving Solange to make sacrifice after sacrifice to be with him whenever she can. It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but will that be the case for Solange and Ali? Or will Solange realize that their differences outweigh the love she has for Ali? Take all of that and add in racism from someone that seems the least likely to discriminate and you have the controversial world that Solange lives in.

I like Michele Cameron's style of writing. In her stories I am exposed to a couple of different towns. The characters do not live in a bubble. They travel and deal with news- related topics and relationship issues that are relative to their situation. There were some editing issues, but the story was strong and engaging. At one point, I was tempted to email Cameron to tell her how upset Ali had made me. I recommend Unclear and Present Danger to romance readers.

I received this book for review purposes from the author.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

Okay...just finished Unclear and Present Danger by Michele Cameron...I'm 1/2 and 1/2 on this one...there are somethings I like...and there are DEFINITELY somethings I dislike...it has some "slow patches"...a LOT of NEGATIVITY involving race (kind of a BIG turn-off)...there's a bit of mystery...the heroine, Solange Montgomery is DEFINITELY a hot-tempered, live wire...Ali Mark has his hands full TRYING to keep up with her antics throughout...when Ali and Solange are HAPPY...and everything is going GREAT...their relationship is WONDERFUL...but this couple has some MAJOR issues when the "boat is rocked"...which makes me wonder how they will EVER survive being married...it's nice catching up with Jet, Grace, lil' Miss Ebony and her little brother Livingston...IF anyone decides to read this...you might want to read When Lightning Strikes, first.

This story of a sucessful African American corporate woman and a an Arab American police officer touched me on many levels. I always love Ms. Camerons male leads, they seem to have the perfect combination of looks, brains and integrity. Solange is a sassy counterpart for Ali. The problems come in when race and family take a hand in their affairs (which is to be expected). I think the author makes her social points by exploring the dynamics of racism in this country. I would encourage people to read this book with an open mind.

This novel is so interesting. Solange and Ali Marks are in love. Ali has faced discrimination because his parents are from Iraq but he was born in Brooklyn. Solange is a corporate employee and is having a hard time because she has to lay off employees. The problems arise because of outside circumstances. Right when things get better, Ali's family from Iraq comes and his mother who never had a problem with the relationship changes in order to get along with her father.

With this novel you also learn something. You get information that people need to know and a beautiful love story. It shows how to people who really love each other and are right for each other can be pulled apart because of jealousy. It also shows how corporate downsizing is making people real mean in the United States.

This novel works because I've had friends and relatives turn on me so it struck close to home. You also get to revisit characters that you met in Cameron's novel When Lighning Strikes that was an one of the best books I've ever read.

Solange Montgomery is a corporate manager for a company that is not doing so well during the recession. Solange is on her second round of layoffs. Solange and her employees are not taking them well. Even though her job has her stressed, she has a very supportive and handsome man that keeps her going. Ali Marks is a police officer with aspirations of becoming a detective. However, there is one little problem that may keep that dream from coming true...a problem that even Solange does not know about. Ali and Solange have been dating for awhile, and the next obvious step is marriage. After their engagement, they encounter people who don't share the beauty of their interracial relationship. With this and other relationship problems, Solange is not so sure that they will make it down the aisle.

Unclear and Present Danger is a wonderful read by Michele Cameron. There are several plots happening simultaneously, and Cameron does a great job of keeping them all flowing and relevant. She also adds a little mystery and drama to the story. There are several characters in the story that are all very well developed. The conflicts that the characters encounter are also very realistic. Unclear and Present Danger is truly a good read!

Reviewed by Tenecia for Urban Reviews

I wanted to scream, "Solange, grow-up; you're a professional, act like one; stop looking for racism; work through the separation, which is temporary; and appreciate the love of a good man. Solange was responsible for the problems in her relationship with Ali. The synopsis led one to believe that the racism and intolerance was from Ali's family and his relationship with Solange. While this was woven into the story, it was such a small part in the storyline that it almost should not have been mentioned. Ali tried to help Solange to focus on building their relationship, but she put up obstacles and made it difficult. Solange was supportive of her fiancé as long as it didn't interfere with her own interests and she did not share the things happening in her life with him until she became a hostage. Her character is insecure, whiney, and down-right annoying. Solange did have one redeeming quality--she treasured the close bond she had with her close friend Grace and her family. When Grace needed Solange she was there for her. Overall I found the book disappointing.

I really like this book. It was nice to revisit the characters from "When Lightening Strikes". We first met Solange as Grace's best friend it the first book. This time we get to explore the relationship between Solange and Ali.
Ali is a nice Arab policeman who falls in love with Solange. Everything seems right in their world, until their careers and family get into the mix.
Their issues start, when Ali gets an opportunity to advance in his career and jumps at the opportunity, without discussing it with Solange first. Although he was a really nice, patient and supportive guy, I think it was a really selfish decision to make without first discussing it with Solange. Especially when it could have such a drastic affect on their plans to get married. Furthermore, why is it always the woman who has to rack up the frequent-flier miles. Initially they were suppose to alternate their travel, but the demands of Ali's training wouldn't allow him to get away. Just when they are able to work that situation out, in walks Ali's long lost grandfather, with his own ideas of about who Ali should marry. His mother, in her desperation to have a relationship with her father, goes along with Hakim's ideas of who his grandson(who he has never acknowledged) should marry. Sad thing is Amira(Ali's mother) always acted like she loved Solange. Solange finally snaps and goes off on everybody, it appears Ali had sided with his family. I personally don't blame her for going off on Ali's mother and grandfather, how dare they roll up in her house and talk to her so disrespectfully. I would have put them out too. There are a few other twists to the story, but you will have to read the book to find out what they are. Ms Cameron writes realistic characters dealing with real issues, which for me make and excellent story.
I really like this follow up story and especially enjoyed revisiting Jet, Grace, Ebony and Livingston.

Ok, I REALLY tried to staick with this book but the stiy does not mesh at all - Ali and Solange don't 'feel' like a couple - the love scenes are completely without spark or fire. I just could not het into this story at all. I dont know how or why the editors at Genesis Press allowed this book to go to print - there is no story!

Can I say that the heroine Solange was the biggest, racist and I really want to use the B word bad, that would describe her in a nutshell! I really liked Ali, he was supportive, caring and a really nice person. I know it takes someone for everyone but he put up with way too much from her. Too much negative energy and hatred. It was a tiring read, that I can't even remember what the plot was.

This book was not good, at ALL! I would recommend borrowing this book from the library or from someone who has the book. The problems with the main character, Ali, and his relatives from Iraq do not occur until the last 40 pages, and it is then glossed over quickly. The second storyline was ok, but not needed at all. The other main character, Solange was annoying and seemed very selfish. Don't waste your time!