Jewell and The Dapper Dan
June 5, 2012
When I first encountered Keith Thomas Walker at the 2012 Romance Slam Jam I was curious about all the buzz surrounding him. Having now read only one of his 7 books with two more due out this year it’s all been made clear. Keith Thomas Walker is a rare writer with a remarkable talent. Jewell and The Dapper Dan could be described as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde with a Black ghetto twist. It’s a tale chocked with romantic intrigue and gripping suspense woven through a riveting plot. The titled characters Jewell and her Dapper Dan are so skillfully drawn they jump off the page. In a setting where violence is a matter of fact first response the in your face blatantly aggressive and provocative behavior is real and unsettling. With few admirable qualities the dynamic duo are exquisitely sensuous and titillating. Keith Thomas Walker has done an exceptional job creating real believable–even lovable–characters.
Jewell is a gangster moll with a conscience, compassion and empathy, but beware she can flip in a spilt second. She’s able to care for her ailing mother and won’t hesitate to smack a poorly performing nurse. Jewell’s attempt to aide her recovering addict brother by bringing him into the syndicate backfires doing him more harm than good. Her disdain for her overly pious sister devoted to her children and her near do well deacon-husband seems all too real. Jewell is at times loyal to a fault but a chameleon able to rise to just about any occasion assuming any role in any circumstance. Her striking good looks and figure cause men drunk with desire to fall prey and defenseless.
Dapper Dan is a hardened, cold focused and skilled criminal who regards himself as a genius. He rises from a pimp to an accomplished syndicate boss racking up one successful robbery after another all due to his brilliant planning. He plans a final job a huge diamond heist that will end his criminal career enabling the couple to settle down to a normal family life. Despite the obstacles and the gang’s resistance he pushes them forward undeterred with his eye on the prize believing in his own genius. But trust becomes an issue and who can you trust? Our gangsters prove the old adage there is no honor among thieves.
Dapper Dan’s blinded by greed and vanity leading his gang of thieves at a time when their allegiance is worn by his questionable judgment influenced by Jewell’s love. In the end the lesson is crime doesn’t pay–at least not for the crime boss. There are a host of minor characters the reader will find compelling particularly the furniture magnate Percy Hamilton and his gold digging houchies who prove no match for Jewell.
Keith Thomas Walker writes with a rare authenticity. Jewell and The Dapper Dan deserves nothing less than 5 stars.
Romance Slam Jam Author Interviews Part 3
May 3, 2012
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
May 1, 2012
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
April 23, 2012
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
April 19, 2012
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
