Beverly Jenkins, Black Lace

Black Lace

Beverly Jenkins

Harper Torch, Nov 2005, $6.99

ISBN: 0060815930

In Detroit, Environmental Protection Department chief Lacy Green struggles with her first time driving in a snow storm when the vehicle driven by the chauffeur of Mayor Drake Randolph causes an accident between them. Drake takes Lacy to the hospital to insure she is okay, but also wants to see her afterward as he finds himself surprisingly attracted to the Atlanta native. She reciprocates as "His Fineness" is quite a hunk, but rejects anything between them having been burned once when she was married to a Georgia politician.

As Drake refuses to accept no and continues to pursue Lacy, City Councilman Reynard Parker wants to become the mayor. To achieve his ambition he must eliminate the only obstacle in his way, Drake by any means possible. When Lacy investigates a contractor who apparently has been ignoring environmental rules, she becomes the target of a dirty campaign and real attempts on her life. Drake will do anything including resigning as the mayor if necessary to keep his beloved safe.

In her latest Motown contemporary romantic suspense (see THE EDGE OF DAWN and THE EDGE OF MIDNIGHT), Beverly Jenkins provides a fine tale that takes its time to introduce the key trio so that the audience understands motives for each of them. Once readers meet Drake, Lacy and to a lesser degree Reynard, the action picks up and never slows down as the environmental issues add backdrop strength to the growing relationship between the lead couple. Fans of Ms. Jenkins will appreciate her latest Randolph family saga.

Harriet Klausner