Guilty: The Trials of Phil Ferguson by Sean Russell

If you like books where the villain gets properly screwed in the end then Sean Russell’s Guilty is for you. This endorsement is not intended as a spoiler but a warning that the read is a journey well worth traveling to that end. Sean Russell’s debut novel is set in his native Barbados. It’s the story of Phil Ferguson a happily married attorney who seems to have it all, and that’s a problem. Phil Ferguson’s nemesis Jimmy Cadogan is use to having what he wants, and he wants Ferguson’s wife and the family business’s lucrative contracts. Jimmy Cadogan is no ordinary villain but a despicable larger than life character that goes to no end to achieve his purpose. He anchors his great yacht in the harbor where nightly orgies play out. His personal character is as reprehensible as his undesirable looks. Jimmy Cadogan, gets his comeuppance in the end both literally and figuratively.

Sean Russell skillfully paints a picture of island life with a supporting cast of quirky characters. However the reader learns quickly all is not well in paradise when the enraged Phil Ferguson discovers his wife Jade’s infidelity and seeks out counsel from his livelong friend Teddy, a somewhat bohemian islander living a self sufficient lifestyle. Teddy is a loyal friend ready to go to battle for Phil and has on more than one occasion saved Phil from making life possible catastrophic mistakes. Tit for tat in a scheme orchestrated by Cadogan, enter the beautiful international haute couture runway model Amanda Calendar leaving Phil Ferguson to contend with his own infidelity. Guyanese born and of modest means Amanda Callender makes the best of her beauty using it to climb to fame and fortune while exerting her feminine wiles to control men. She also learned how to protect herself from the very same men. Except one man, Phil Ferguson becomes her weakness leaving her in his presence defenseless and unable to resist their mutual longing and lustful urges for which there are consequences.

There are a host of other compelling characters like Phil’s doting father applying every means possible to help his son. There is a good cop Detective Mobert Clarke whose efforts to get to the bottom of things are thwarted by bad cop Detective “Pastor” Seale. And then there is Jackie, Amanda’s beautiful model friend who makes a late cameo appearance showing up in Barbados packing a hidden weapon that unravels all of Jimmy Cadogan’s best laid plans. The ending is shocking, unsettling and almost incompressible. No doubt that’s Sean Russell’s plan setting the reader up for more Phil Russell and Jimmy Cadogan capers.

In Guilty Cadogan gets his just deserts which may amount to nothing more than a mere set back. We are left with the expectation that the defeated Jimmy Cadogan will rise again. Guilty is a delightful read that will leave you wanting more. Five stars.

Romance Slam Jam Author Interviews Part 3

Romance Slam Jam Interviews with Deatri King-Bey, Jae Henderson, Kianna Alexander (Alexander Kane), B.A. Binns, Ann Clay, Yahrah St. John, A’ndrea Wilson, and Earl Sewell.

Romance Slam Jam Author Interviews Part 2

Author interviews with Marilyn Tyner, Denise Jeffries, Keith Thomas Walker, Koko Brown, Farrah Rochon, Rhonda McKnight, Sean Russell, Alice Wootson

Romance Slam Jam Author Interviews Part I

Beverly Jenkins, Chanta Rand, Deborah Fletcher Mello, Evelyn Palfrey, Iris Bolling, Laura Parker Castoro, Wayne Jordan, Pamela Samuels Young

A Review of Wayne Jordan’s To Love You More

To Love You More is a story of second chances.  Wayne Jordan’s latest title is set in his native Barbados.  A high school romance is sparked when the young George Simpson finds himself attracted to the studious and gifted Rachel Davis.  Muscular and ruggedly sexy George is a skilled player both at cricket and romance.  So skilled he’s known to provide mind blowing sex without coital contact.  Aware of his reputation Rachel has every intention of avoiding the snare of his romantic overtures.

George falls in love and Rachel is unable to resist his persistent pursuit.  She is forced to casts aside her best laid plans.  Together they plan for a future setting their ambitions on becoming attorneys, marrying and raising a family.  Rachel travels to London for college and law school while George pursues his legal studies close to home in the Caribbean.  For a while the long distance romance works with the two reuniting during breaks.

As their long held plans to marry are about to materialize George is faced with a career changing opportunity to pursue a graduate fellowship abroad.  He then reconsiders marriage while Rachel faces her own dilemma.  The relationship ends as most do where there is lack of communication and trust.  Rachel releases George from his matrimonial promise allowing him to pursue his dream.  She in turn enters into a marriage of convenience to another.

12 years later Rachel a widow returns to Barbados where George is successfully practicing law.  An accomplished attorney in her own right she finds herself as opposing counsel in a high profile case.  Feelings that long lay fallow are reawakened and old wounds are reopened.  The two must somehow come to terms on whether to take a second chance on love.

In To Love You More Wayne Jordan proves to be as skilled at arousal and satisfaction as his character George.  It’s a hot and steamy romance.  Then again I should have expected no less.  Wayne Jordan is the consummate romance writer who s brings to life the hearts and minds of fictional characters romantic entanglements as few can.  In his 2011 novel Saved by Her Embrace his character Sandra Walters earned him a Romance Slam Jam’s  Heroine of Year Emma Award nomination.  To Love You More may very well be a 2012 Emma contender.  5 Stars