My Angel
Denise Skelton
First Chance Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9790877-0-7
290 pages
Denise Skelton is a name that individuals who enjoy reading exciting and
fast-paced romance and suspense novels should commit to memory. My
Angel, the author’s second published book, is a romantic interracial
story that will hook readers from the beginning to the end with its
intriguing storyline and vivid characters.
Simone, the main character, meets Matthew Turner when
she stops to help him after he is injured in an automobile accident. He
thinks of her as the angel who called 911 for help, stayed with him offering
aid and comfort until that help arrived, and even visited him in the
hospital once a week as he recovered from a coma and serious injuries. Did
the two of them fall in love and live happily ever after? Not exactly,
though there was a definite attraction.
As the story unravels, the unique personalities and
beliefs of various family members and friends become very visible,
influencing the lives of Simone and Matthew and their blossoming friendship.
One of my least favorite characters is Debra, Simone’s mother, who is a
highly educated professional, as well as someone who wants to totally
control her family. At family gatherings, she fixes special meals for
Simone—not as an act of love—but to express her belief that this daughter
needs to lose weight. It is humiliating and unnecessary because the
author’s description of this young, beautiful and caring African American
woman is very flattering. Simone seems totally opposite from her mother who
had steered her own husband to the career that she felt was
appropriate, regardless of his own desires. Debra is determined that Simone
will marry Alan—a psychologist with a great future—someone who fits in with
her vision of what is best for her unmarried daughter. And, it appears that,
once again, Debra may get her way. Although her other two children are both
married, they do not escape their mother’s constant interference.
Matthew Turner is the owner of a successful
construction company. Readers will adore his mother Rebecca; however Marty,
his father, is something else—a harsh man whose main concern is making his
family strong so they can survive whatever the world throws at them. But he
pushed hard—way too hard. All three of his children rebelled in one way or
another.
Matthew had married Wendy, a beautiful woman whom he
loved so deeply that he could not refuse her anything. He was building them
a house that was costing much more than he planned because of her expensive
tastes. But he couldn’t say no to her…not ever. Sadly, Wendy wasn’t able
to say no to Jamison, a man with whom she had an affair. She filed for
divorce and moved in with her lover, leaving Matthew with a broken heart and
a depression that took its toll. His good friend fixed him up on a blind
date with Cassie, but he wasn’t ready for another serious relationship…maybe
he never would be.
I found myself wondering how Simone and Matthew could
be such caring, giving people with such dysfunctional family members. But
they were. Simone was an inner city youth center director who often worked
in soup kitchens. And then there was Matthew, a hard-working and giving man
who had been betrayed by his wife. He was intrigued by Simone—his angel—as
much as she was with him. They became best friends, spending a lot of time
together, even though she was committed to Alan. Matthew saw her as a
beautiful person in every way; she was intelligent, witty, and forgiving!
On each side of their families, there was racial prejudice…sometimes quite
apparent, other times more subtle.
As the relationship between Simone and Matthew deepens,
it is obvious that they belong together. They double date…she is with Alan
and he with Cassie. But the chemistry is between Simone and
Matthew…everyone knows it, some fear it. The teasing between them is often
sexual…but they continue to call themselves friends, ignoring their racing
hearts and bouts of jealousy. They feel so much inwardly and outwardly
acknowledge so little. Is the relationship destined to remain the same?
What about Alan? Does he really love her, or could he seeing someone else?
There are many twists and turns in this story…some
caught me totally off guard and showed brilliant plotting. There are
passionate love scenes, challenges for the main characters to overcome, and
a horrific, tense-filled happening which involves murder. It is one of
those books that you have to fight to stop yourself from reading the ending
ahead of time. The author uses excellent dialogue to give her characters
life and keep the story moving forward. I recommend that you purchase
My Angel and enjoy a great read.
Bettie Corbin
Tucker
For Independent Professional Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
01/14/07
