Sandra KittCritiques

I enjoyed this book which I picked at random from the kindle offerings at my library. The heroine, Eva, seemed like such a nice woman. Maybe she was a bit of a mary sue but that worked really well for this story. She was sweet caring and gentle. I didn't feel like I knew Adam as well as his character was pretty abrasive especially at first and there was no POV from him at all. He did come across as such a guy in a pretty realistic way. He was incredibly hot though. I think every single woman alone on a vacation would love to hook up with a man like him.

The story was slow paced and the relationship development seemed believable. It was pretty well written and easy to read. Not a lot of angst and drama just a well done story. You believed at the end that they would stay together and make it work.

I would be interested in looking up more by this author.

This one has some pretty mixed reviews but is one of this author's highest rated so if I can find it I'll give it a try.

Winner Takes All by Sandra Kitt is a 2021 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication.

Jean’s job is to announce the name of the seventy-five- million- dollar lottery winner- but she is shocked to discover the lucky ticket owner is her old friend from high school- Patrick Bennett.

Patrick is a pro- athlete turned ESPN commentator- but with his lotto win- people are coming out of the woodwork to buddy up to the new multi- millionaire. The only person in his orbit without an agenda, who is giving him level- headed advice- is Jean. Although Patrick is developing deeper feelings for his old friend, one obstacle after another is blocking the path to any thought of a long-term romantic relationship.

I can’t tell you how excited I have been about Sandra Kitt's return to writing. I’ve read several of her books over the years and really liked her style and the way she weaves interesting subjects, especially that of interracial relationships, and the various challenges that presents, into the story.

This book touches on some of those things as Jean is bi-racial and encounters a unique set of difficulties, at times.

The main plot, though, involves Patrick and his adjustment to sudden wealth and how this affects his desire to take his relationship with Jean to the next level.

While Kitt is a seasoned author, a little rust is evident, as the story was a little too busy, leaving some conflicts and threads fading without much follow up, while other, meatier threads, where depth and emotion could have taken the story to a higher level, were underdeveloped.

Despite that, this first book in the Millionaire Club series is a solid enough foundation to build upon. I was invested in the plot and enjoyed watching the couple fight to work through the adversity they faced. The communication breakdown was the most frustrating element of the story, but factoring in the insecurities of a new relationship, the couple needed some room to grow, and they had a lot on their plate!!

Overall, this is a nice, enjoyable, sensual second chance love story. It was so nice to reconnect with this author. I am definitely on board for the next installment in this series!!

3.5 stars½

I have to say, that I am really glad that I kept my copy of this book all these years. I really enjoyed reading it as a teenager and I thank Kitt for exposing me to interracial romances as a teenager as well. I didn't even know that was a genre til I got older.

In "The Color of Love", Kitt explores an interracial relationship between an African American woman named Leah who is a graphic designer and a white man named Jason, who is a New York City police officer.

Kitt tells the story focusing on now just Leah and Jason, but also a street wise kid who is also African American who is angry that he feels that Jason is now overlooking him due to dating Leah. He gets weirdly obsessed with her, and I honestly don't get why that character was included. It just didn't fit the overall story that Kitt was trying to tell in my opinion.

Besides the interracial aspects of this relationship that Kitt takes a close look at, she also looks at how Jason's views of African Americans shifts since he may be what would be called a "casual racist." When he's interacting with suspects he thinks nothing of letting the "N" word slip, but quickly feels sickened by what he has said and thinks that he doesn't view Leah that way at all. If Kitt had more moments like that in this book, it would have been five starts to me. I like that it was open and honest about the issues that many black women have with dating outside of their race that it would have worked for me more. Leah does get accused of not being "black" anymore by a few people, but in the end, the book just wraps things up neatly and I really wish there had been a follow-up to this one.

Some of the characters did not work well at all. Leah's sister needed slapped upside her head. She does something that Leah ends up hard shrugging about that really didn't work for me at all. Let's just say that it would never occur to my sister or I to do something foul to each other like what happens in this book.

The setting of New York felt very alive and just dark to me at times. Maybe because of all the recent police shootings that involve African Americans, I just could not get into this book the way that I was able to as a teen. I just found the whole thing implausible.

Still enjoyed this look back at an older romance fave.

Since this was written more than 20 years ago the social pressures against Leah and Jason’s relationship were a bit dated but the insights into their feelings made this seem like a contemporary romance. There was also a foreboding hint of suspense throughout the story that made for a dramatically emotional ending. I just wish there had been some sort of epilogue with a glimpse into their future.

Close Encounters by Sandra Kitt was originally published in 2000. The book is being released in digital format by Open Road Intergrated Media. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was read as part of the Goodreads Reto Romance group hosted by Open Road media.

Carol is taking her dog for a walk early one morning and gets caught in the line of fire during a police sting operation. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up getting shot.
Lee really is an honest cop. But, he made a terrible mistake. When the ballistics test come back on the bullet that struck Carol, it proves the bullet came from his gun.
If this weren't bad enough, Carol is a young black woman and Lee is a white cop. Needless to say , that makes things much more complicated.
Racked with guilt, Lee visits Carol in the hospital and the two of them connect quite easily. But, Carol's brother and ex-husband are pushing her to sue the city. It's a slam dunk if she decides to follow through with it. But, Carol doesn't want this incident to define her life. So, she holds off of making a decision.
In the meantime, Lee and Carol begin talking to each other and more and more they feel that connection between them growing. But, will be strong enough when the world comes in to make as a couple?

This story has so many angles. This is a romantic suspence novel, a crime novel, a love story and a family drama all rolled into one. Not only that, the author raised some real issues that make this a great book for a book club read.
The obvious issues of race are addressed, an interacial couple trying to make things work can be difficult under any circumstances, but adding to that is Lee being a cop and the mistrust aimed at him by Carol's brother and meddling ex-husband.
The issues of Carol's being raised by white parents, who obviously love her and gave her a good start in life, are questioned. Carol felt loved by her parents by they seemed out of touch with how awkward she felt being different from everyone else.
Lee is dealing with a teenage daughter that is very insecure and really needs him in her life more. Watching Lee mature as a man since the incident with Carol was uplifting. Carol brought out the best in him.
Although Carol made mistakes in her life, she was a very grounded person that didn't rush to judgement and had a very open mind and open heart. She was an inspiration, a role model and someone I grew to admire more and more.
This romance is very character driven, about adults being put in stressful situations and the forces that are out of their control trying to make things more difficult, and how these people grow and become stronger. But, it is also a very sensual romance.
I can't find anything to critque in this one. A+

This romance was one of the first Harlequin American romances that I really, truly enjoyed. Too often, for me, the "heroes" of the series romances are unbelievable -- too physically perfect, too morally admirable, too "good to be true". Somehow, in Someone's Baby, the characters of both Julie Conway and Cole Bennett seemed realistic -- severely flawed and imperfect, yet fascinating and easy to connect with emotionally. I think this may be the only series romance novel that I've ever gone back and read a second time. Bravo...excellent job Sandra Kitt!

It was OK....not the worst love story that I have ever read but, not really the best either.½

Not great, but not horrible. Not very romantic. Very dull. No excitement. Cute moments are few and far between. 4hrs 8mins½

A very good book

I don't know why I liked this one so much, but I loved it. 3hrs 51mins½

Abolutely loved it. 7hrs 13mins½

SB