Title: If I Were Your Woman
Author: LaConnie Taylor-Jones
Published in March 2010 by Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60435-608-3, ebook
Raphael Baptista, also known as pianist virtuoso Ray LaSalle and founder of the jazz group Les Croisés, has a firm grip on the path of his present and future. Not only a top graduate from Julliard School of Music he also possesses an Entertainment Law degree. This bestows him a commanding confidence when developing contractual agreements or negotiating other perks in the notoriously ruthless, cunning industry.
His powerful, coolness also attracts flocks of adoring fans, of which are mostly women who are more than willing to share the sheets with him. Except for one southern lady that arrived in his life a year ago; after their grandparents, his grandmother and her grandfather married. From then on at every family gathering, she ignores his very existence; still doggedly captivating his attention while leaving his lust unfulfilled.
However, there are more pressing concerns for which Raphael hopes the recent medical exam will reveal its cause and source of discomfort. He suspects a pulled groin muscle, plaguing him for months, after a game of one-on-one football with a friend.
Dr Laney Houston, born with amniotic band syndrome, continues her mother’s research for a cure on that particular birth defect. A Harvard graduate and researcher, Laney also heads the Clinical Research Center at the University of Tennessee, which allows no time towards extra curricular activities…such as dating. Yet, this lack of social life is proven by her securing the Noble Peace Price in Medicine.
Then again, Laney is not totally numb from the neck down. She’s noticed, on more than one occasion, a resolute attraction for one male specimen – Raphael Baptista. On their first meeting her highly aroused hormones make clear that this was THE MAN however, a one night stand was not Laney’s ideal. Raphael’s honest admission that no woman would settle him down had her halting furthering any romantic pursuits. An all or nothing philosophy rules Laney’s image of an idyllic romance, which after all the amorous dancing includes marriage.
In spite of this, following the Thanksgiving festivities Laney is determined to change Raphael’s mind about settling down. Within in minutes of being alone with him, does a beautifully delivered confession of his love - in French – does Raphael’s commitment barriers tumble. Her confession includes that she can read, write and speak French fluently, while eloquently delivering the knowledge that she wants forever…with him. Thus, into the wee hours of the next morning they talk endlessly about falling in love, life in general and their futures. Can Raphael forgo his bachelor days for an eternity spent with Laney?
In “If I Were Your Woman”, LaConnie Taylor-Jones pens an unpretentious though incredibly engaging love story, with refined, intelligent characters and a smooth, straightforward plot that obviously hails from personal experience. As the story develops, the details of Raphael confronting his disease is perceptible; he struggles when first acknowledging and then accepting the most critical diagnosis and its series of treatments, to only endure further prognoses and their individualized procedures afterwards. His frustration, mixed with strong determined perseverance, leaps off the page, as he wonders if this illness will ever end - so he can get on with living again.
At the same time, given his popularity as a musician over the last two decades, maintaining his privacy emulates that of a spy novel. To keep the media and Universal Entertainment, the record label he works under, from discovering his illness, subterfuge is played out smoothly, realistically by his fellow band members, family and Laney. However, a leak pervades the impenetrable fortress threatening the very person he has come to trust – and love – explicitly…Laney.
Ms. Taylor-Jones develops Laney’s persona as a highly intelligent, simply elegant Southern belle, soft spoken and deeply kindhearted. But when pushed she is fiery as Hades; reason for Raphael imparting upon her the endearing name of “Red”. Laney justly possesses an inner strength of someone who has endured her own handicap, while adapting to limitations due to physical deformities stemming from amniotic band syndrome.
Then her confident “take-charge” trait blows over most people unfamiliar, giving transparency to her emotional and mental strength, especially when facing unforeseen adversaries. Through it all, her devoted faith in modern medicine is equal only to her religious commitment, as both keeps alive the hope Raphael needs to carry on towards wellness.
When the media invades Raphael’s private life does her depth truly shine as a business woman but also as a committed lover. Taking on a seasoned CEO, Evangeline Williams and her minions surprises, and frightens, many in Laney’s tight circle of family and friends. However, the clever business transaction between Universal Entertainment and herself reveals more about the CEO, and her involvement in Laney’s mother’s death.
Published by Red Rose Publishing, ”If I Were Your Woman” masterfully portrays the distress and struggles of living with a critical disease. This includes the emotional and physical impact on family and friends as they share the sufferer’s endurance during treatment, continued diagnostics and other medical issues that may arise from the main disease source. Also, this story beautifully illustrates the positive impact stemming from family, friends and lovers’ involvement before, during and after illness; how they contribute to the healing process.
Ms. Taylor-Jones offers up plenty of secondary characters, who support, push and contribute wonderfully to this delightful tale. A lasting impression was left by Raphael’s grandmother Mama Z; a brisk though endearing appearance in the very beginning of this story reveals the kind of man she molded in Raphael; responsible, focused, and ambitious while loyal to family and friends. Traits she obviously carries within herself. Then the antagonistic characters, Antón Perry and Evangeline Williams provide the necessary turmoil that lends to light doses of intrigue and mystery. The band members and Laney’s immediate family hand over humor while contributing more insightful musings into Laney and Raphael’s personas.
Overall, a pleasant, easy read that satisfies anyone’s need for a simplistic romance that imitates life plainly – faults, imperfections, funny quirks and all. Quite refreshing, really. Though the story keeps positive, upbeat even, it skillfully depicts life’s hardships and uncertainty that turn into lessons and assuredness, all the while the girl works hard at getting the guy. Definitely a keeper!
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein!
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