Dahlia DeWinters - Author

Ah, this is a touchy situation for female romance writers.  I’ve read a lot of romance books, the good, the bad and the supremely ugly, and one thing that I’ve noticed is a few of these books don’t quite “get” the male POV, whether it be in word or in action.

Now, readers, writers, folks who read this blog (and I hope they are more than a few), I am not pointing fingers.  Don’t go peeking at my GoodReads list and say “Oh, she’s talking about this book, she’s talking about that book”.  As an author, I live in a glass house, surely, so yeah.

One story I read, a while ago, had the male lead “wringing his hands”.  My jaw dropped.  A dude?  WRINGING his hands?  What’s next, is he going to whip out the handkerchief and blot his eyes? Clutch his pearls? (heh, yeah, I just thought the same thing)

I run a lot of male dialogue and actions past my husband and he has been less than kind when I describe a certain action that he deems not to be masculine.  His biggest criticism?  “You’ve got him talking too much.”

How true.  I understand that the words on the page have to convey the character’s actions, but I’ve shifted to a lot more action and some introspection on the man’s part when I write rather than have him yakking.  When I edit, the first thing I do is cut down male dialogue and either add action or introspection.

I also try to read books written by men (that are non romance).  My favorites are the Spenser series by Robert Parker and the 87^th street precinct series by Ed McBain.  Both give excellent insight into how males process information and interact with others.

Watch shows like Law and Order, especially the ones with Jerry Orbach.  Tough detectives with the quips and the dry humor.  Excellent research and not so bad storylines either.

I also watch a ton of football and football oriented shows.  That, uh, helps with male point of view too.  (No, really it does.) And the NFL channel is probably one of the only places where you’ll see guys cry or almost cry.  I saw Mike Ditka tear up, a tiny bit.

In none of these books do the men wring their hands.  None.  Never saw a guy wring his hands on the football channel either.

This is the first time that I’ve been asked to read and review a book and I daresay that I’m tickled pink!

I had the distinct pleasure of reading pre-release copy of Sonia Hightower’s Afterburn.  Afterburn is a story about two people who come together despite their cautions and differences, and triumph through both internal and external pressures.

Their love burns hot, but will it stay fueled?

Crystal is an enlisted mechanic with a tragic past. Grant is an officer and a pilot with a broken heart. When faced with a difficult decision, will Crystal choose wisely or lose the best thing that ever happened to her?

The love between them burns hot, but their relationship won’t stay fueled if they can’t beat the obstacles that stand in their way. Besides breaking the fraternization rules, Grant and Crystal have the difference of race between them…but can they prove to the rest of the world, and to each other, that love is color blind?

Afterburn is about overcoming one’s past, not judging others, learning to forgive, and what it’s like to be a woman in a “man’s world.”

I truly enjoyed this book.  Though it was a novella, Ms. Hightower was able to give a concise and thorough thumbnail sketch of the main characters, giving us enough information through prologue  to understand how they became the people they are when the main story begins. In addition, she is able to convey their motivations through their actions – it’s clear that these are two very strong willed people who have to learn to give a little to get a lot.

I think what I most liked about this book was the way Ms. Hightower drew us into the world of the Air Force, affording the reader an inside peek at what really goes on at the bases.  The subplot of sexual harassment, racial intolerance and how it is addressed by the various characters was handled very well, allowing a secondary character room to grow in the story.

Ms. Hightower added enough detail about the military and how it works (sometimes well, sometimes..not so well) in the protection and support of women.  She didn’t hold back with the descriptions of what could (and probably does) go on behind military doors.  However, she doesn’t bash, she also shows how the individual and the system can work together for the greater good.  In addition, the reader will learn a lot about military jets – I was fascinated by some of the facts that she conveyed in the story.

Even with all that, Ms. Hightower still manages to keep us focused on the romance.  Much of the conflict between Crystal and Grant have nothing to do with their race, but the fact that they have both been hurt in the past and/or they have unresolved fears, in addition to some external pressures.  Through it all, though, I think that Crystal and Grant both did a little growing and a little healing too.   I won’t give away too much, because I don’t want to rob the reader of the joy of the story unfolding.

One thing I would have liked more of was a “peek behind the curtain” of the male supporting characters, perhaps give us a little insight into their behavior.  But that’s just me seeking more information. 🙂

All in all, I would recommend this book as a hot (but way sweet) romance with a military setting.