Debra Phillips Too Much Drama

Too Much Drama

St. Martin's, Apr 2005, $12.95, 304 pp.

In an exclusive part of Los Angeles, Adeena LeBeau decides that she needs her daughters married starting with the oldest, Donneeka. Adeena shows up unannounced at Neeka's home with successful trucking company owner Braxton Dupree. He may be a handsome thriving player but she remembers him as "Yuck Boy" when they lived two doors down as kids in Compton.

Though attracted to Braxton, Neeka rejects him because she is weary of her mother interfering in her life. Braxton pursues Neeka and soon they begin an affair that he wants public, but she demands kept in the shadows so her mother will not know. As they fall in love, Braxton wants more from their relationship, but Neeka insists they remain hidden as anything with him means a loss of freedom since he is tied to her mother. Neeka plans to declare her independence by humiliating her magnolia steel mother at a church banquet honoring Adeena although that will cost her Braxton and perhaps even a hurt mother.

TOO MUCH DRAMA is an amusing contemporary romance starring a male protagonist everyone would want and a self-centered selfish woman who seems superficial especially because she uses Braxton as a tool to declare her independence at any cost. The storyline is well written with a strong support cast especially her mother and to a lesser degree her siblings. However, readers will not like the "me-me" Neeka as she uses the likable Braxton (in comedic scenarios) and is unappreciative of her mother's efforts to improve the life of her children though admittedly Adeena can be a terror. Contemporary fans will enjoy this humorous tale hoping that Neeka will learn THE HIGH PRICE OF A GOOD MAN.

Harriet Klausner