Brenda Jackson, No More Playas

No More Playas

Brenda Jackson

St. Martin's, Nov 2005, $13.95

ISBN: 0312331827

Psychologist Dr. Lance Montgomery became famous (infamous in some circles) when he wrote the best selling seduction manual THE PLAYAS HANDBOOK. This self help reference book helps males score without commitment. His tome leads him to confrontations with an enemy combatant, psychologist Dr. Asia Fowler. However before he realizes that he is in love, he hurts Asia driving her into the arms of humanitarian relief worker Dr. Sean Crews.

Lance misses Asia and now realizes he is ready to do the unthinkable; commit to a long term relationship with the woman he loves. However, Asia is now engaged to the nice caring Sean. Though an impediment, Lance begins his moves with a zeal like none he has ever felt before. He obtains her schedule and appears "by chance" at events she attends. Still he betrayed her once and he is known as the playa's playa, so he must find a way to earn her trust because the passion between them could provide a century's worth of energy for a Caribbean island.

There are other subplots involving his two pals ready to marry the women they love and his sister caught in the middle of a blackmail scheme, but the prime storyline is the second chance at love between the hall of fame playa and the psychologist he cherishes. Lance is terrific as he employs his honed skills in relationships to make it with the one female who scorns him, although he swears he is NO MORE PLAYAS since he wants to be a one woman man. Though this tale can stand alone, contemporary romance fans will enjoy reading both delightful tales.

Harriet Klausner