Unclear and Present Danger

I should have been expecting a story that encompassed the ups and downs of Solange Montgomery's attempts at finding true love when I first came in contact with this character in Michele Cameron's When Lightning Strikes. However, since I was not I was even more excited when I recognized her in Unclear and Present Danger. Cameron touched on a few important and sensitive topics, such as racism and dyslexia; that we as a whole try to overlook or downplay, but that does not make it go away. She incorporates that while allowing Solange to strut her stuff with Ali Marks and still hold it down at work. Solange and Ali are so different, but perfect together...maybe. Solange works in corporate America and Ali is one of New York City's finest. He is strong and really devoted to his job and Solange. When a chance of a lifetime comes along for Ali he jumps on it, leaving Solange to make sacrifice after sacrifice to be with him whenever she can. It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but will that be the case for Solange and Ali? Or will Solange realize that their differences outweigh the love she has for Ali? Take all of that and add in racism from someone that seems the least likely to discriminate and you have the controversial world that Solange lives in. I like Michele Cameron's style of writing. In her stories I am exposed to a couple of different towns. The characters do not live in a bubble. They travel and deal with news- related topics and relationship issues that are relative to their situation. There were some editing issues, but the story was strong and engaging. At one point, I was tempted to email Cameron to tell her how upset Ali had made me. I recommend Unclear and Present Danger to romance readers. I received this book for review purposes from the author. Jennifer Coissiere APOOO BookClub

I really like this book. It was nice to revisit the characters from "When Lightening Strikes". We first met Solange as Grace's best friend it the first book. This time we get to explore the relationship between Solange and Ali. Ali is a nice Arab policeman who falls in love with Solange. Everything seems right in their world, until their careers and family get into the mix. Their issues start, when Ali gets an opportunity to advance in his career and jumps at the opportunity, without discussing it with Solange first. Although he was a really nice, patient and supportive guy, I think it was a really selfish decision to make without first discussing it with Solange. Especially when it could have such a drastic affect on their plans to get married. Furthermore, why is it always the woman who has to rack up the frequent-flier miles. Initially they were suppose to alternate their travel, but the demands of Ali's training wouldn't allow him to get away. Just when they are able to work that situation out, in walks Ali's long lost grandfather, with his own ideas of about who Ali should marry. His mother, in her desperation to have a relationship with her father, goes along with Hakim's ideas of who his grandson(who he has never acknowledged) should marry. Sad thing is Amira(Ali's mother) always acted like she loved Solange. Solange finally snaps and goes off on everybody, it appears Ali had sided with his family. I personally don't blame her for going off on Ali's mother and grandfather, how dare they roll up in her house and talk to her so disrespectfully. I would have put them out too. There are a few other twists to the story, but you will have to read the book to find out what they are. Ms Cameron writes realistic characters dealing with real issues, which for me make and excellent story. I really like this follow up story and especially enjoyed revisiting Jet, Grace, Ebony and Livingston.

This story of a sucessful African American corporate woman and a an Arab American police officer touched me on many levels. I always love Ms. Camerons male leads, they seem to have the perfect combination of looks, brains and integrity. Solange is a sassy counterpart for Ali. The problems come in when race and family take a hand in their affairs (which is to be expected). I think the author makes her social points by exploring the dynamics of racism in this country. I would encourage people to read this book with an open mind.

This novel is so interesting. Solange and Ali Marks are in love. Ali has faced discrimination because his parents are from Iraq but he was born in Brooklyn. Solange is a corporate employee and is having a hard time because she has to lay off employees. The problems arise because of outside circumstances. Right when things get better, Ali's family from Iraq comes and his mother who never had a problem with the relationship changes in order to get along with her father. With this novel you also learn something. You get information that people need to know and a beautiful love story. It shows how to people who really love each other and are right for each other can be pulled apart because of jealousy. It also shows how corporate downsizing is making people real mean in the United States. This novel works because I've had friends and relatives turn on me so it struck close to home. You also get to revisit characters that you met in Cameron's novel When Lighning Strikes that was an one of the best books I've ever read.