Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Back to Your Love
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://authorkiannaalexander.com
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RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in NC; married; children: one son, one daughter.
EDUCATION:Attended college.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AVOCATIONS:Reading, sewing, painting.
WRITINGS
Also, author of the “Roses of Ridgeway” series, the “Phoenix Files” series, and the “Climax Creek” series.
SIDELIGHTS
Kianna Alexander is a writer based in North Carolina. In an interview with a contributor to the African American Literature Book Club website, she stated: “I write in several subgenres of romance, from historical to paranormal, and from sweet to erotic. In everything I write, however, my goal remains the same: to present African Americans in a truer, more positive light.”
"Gentlemen of Queen City" Series
This Tender Melody is the first volume in Alexander’s “Gentlemen of Queen City” series. Darius Winstead is a successful software entrepreneur who has recently sold his company and had planned to enjoy his earnings and some time off. However, Joseph Franklin, who helped Darius in the past, asks him to lead a new tech company. Darius’s appointment upsets Joseph’s daughter, Eve, who thought her father would choose her as CEO. As Darius and Eve begin working together, they find themselves attracted to each other. The two eventually fall in love. B. Nakia Garner, contributor to the RT Book Reviews website, commented: “There are plenty of moments where readers can lose themselves in the story.”
In Every Beat of My Heart, Alexander tells the story of a romance between Lina Smith-Todd and Rashad MacRae. Lina and Rashad were a couple in the past, and each of them has moved on. Lina was married for a time, but she divorced her husband when she discovered he was cheating. Still wounded from the dissolution of her marriage, Lina can’t help thinking of Rashad. Meanwhile, Rashad pines for Lina, too. Eventually, they reconnect and give their relationship another try. Regarding the connection between the two main characters, Garner, the writer on the RT Book Reviews website, remarked: “There is a lack of depth in the relationship.” Garner also described the plot as “rushed.”
Tempo of Love tells the story of a romance between a journalist and one of her subjects. Nona Gregory is assigned to write an article on a major architectural bid that has been awarded to Ken Yamada. Nona must interview Ken for the article. Ken initially seems reticent about details surrounding his life and work, making for an awkward interview. Nona hopes to earn Ken’s trust and get him to open up to her. She interviews him as they go for a jog and even accompanies him to the dojo where he practices karate. Over the time they spend together, they both begin to recognize that they are attracted to each other. “Some of the novel is predictable,” commented Garner, the critic on the RT Book Reviews website.
"Brothers of TDT" Series
Back to Your Love introduces characters in Alexander’s “Brothers of TDT” series. The series focuses on members of the Theta Delta Theta fraternity. This particular volume finds Xavier Whitted, a TDT brother, reunited with his high school sweetheart, Imani Grant. It has been ten years since the two were together. Now, they are both part of the wedding party of one of their mutual friends. Xavier’s accounting career has been going well, and he runs a youth center in his spare time. He is considering entering into politics. Imani has opened her own dermatology clinic. Imani is connected to a piece of information that emerges as Xavier begins his campaign for a citywide office. Though he blames Imani for the damage to his public image, he cannot deny his feelings for her. Xavier seeks counsel from his fraternity brothers. In an article she wrote on the RT Book Reviews website, Alexander stated: “Back to Your Love is one of the most honest, fully realized stories I’ve ever written, because my editor had immense respect for my process and the message I wanted to convey. I can’t wait for readers to experience the intensity between Xavier and Imani, and I hope they will love it.”
A Kirkus Reviews writer noted that the volume’s “slow pace and bland characterization combine to make this book less than inspiring. While the plot is interesting, the execution disappoints.” A contributor to the All about Romance website suggested: “The plotting and structure is a lot more exposition and ‘telling’ rather than showing. The whole book suffers from the pilot syndrome for a TV show.” The same contributor continued: “Two people who broke up ages ago—and who, despite having overlapping social circles—have never spoken since, fall right back into a relationship. It all just felt … off.” However, a reviewer on the Harlequin Junkie website asserted: “It was a great bunch of characters, each so unique and who had their own distinct personality, but they all meshed well together and kept things lively.” The same reviewer concluded: “If you’re a fan of passionate, modern love stories that have a family-driven, true to your roots feel to them, Back to Your Love will do nicely. Things are off to a pleasant start for this series.” This is a strong introduction to a new series centered on the brothers of Theta Delta Theta,” remarked Jacqui McGugins on the RT Book Reviews website.
In Couldn’t Ask for More, Bryan James, a TDT brother, has been working for the textile company that his father started. He is responsible for securing new accounts for the company. Alexis Devers, who runs a clothing company, has recently become a client. She asks him to pose as her fiancé at an event. As the two get to know each other better, feelings between them become romantic. Kristina Giovanni, contributor to Booklist, described Couldn’t Ask for More as “a refreshing and gentle, multicultural, contemporary romance” and a “cozy yet passionate love story.”
A Love like This
A Love like This is a stand-alone novel by Alexander. It finds actor and widower Devon Granger on a solo vacation at a resort. While he is there, he gets to know Hadley Monroe, who runs the resort. Eventually, a romance between them develops.
Garner, the RT Book Reviews website critic, offered a mixed assessment of A Love like This. Garner remarked: “Predictable conflicts and resolutions help make this book easy to follow, but it is not truly unique.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, October 1, 2017, Kristina Giovanni, review of Couldn’t Ask for More, p. 35.
Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2017, review of Back to Your Love.
ONLINE
African American Literature Book Club Website, https://aalbc.com/ (February 13, 2018), author profile and interview.
All about Romance, https://allaboutromance.com/ (January 13, 2018), review of Back to Your Love.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (December 23, 2017), review of Back to Your Love.
Kianna Alexander Website, http://authorkiannaalexander.com/ (February 13, 2018).
RT Book Reviews, http://rtbookreviews.com/ (March 6, 2017), article by author; (February 13, 2018), B. Nakia Garner, reviews of A Love like This, Tempo of Love, Every Beat of My Heart, and This Tender Melody; (February 13, 2018), Jacqui McGugins, review of Back to Your Love.
Series
Roses of Ridgeway
1. Kissing the Captain (2012)
2. The Preacher's Paramour (2013)
3. Loving the Lawman (2014)
4. Electing to Love (2015)
Roses of Ridgeway (omnibus) (2014)
A Ridgeway Christmas (2014)
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PHOENIX Files
2. Darkness Rising (2013)
2. Embrace the Night (2013)
3. Midnight's Serenade (2013)
Phoenix Files Trilogy (omnibus) (2013)
Love's Holiday (2015)
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Climax Creek
0.5. A Passion for Paulina (2017)
1. Seducing Sheri (2013)
2. Vying for Vivian (2014)
3. Adoring Ava (2014)
Love and Life in Climax Creek (2014)
Persuading Patrice (2014)
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Gentlemen of Queen City
1. This Tender Melody (2015)
2. Every Beat of My Heart (2016)
3. A Sultry Love Song (2016)
Tempo of Love (2017)
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Spring River
Working Overtime (2016)
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Brothers of TDT
1. Back to Your Love (2017)
2. Couldn't Ask For More (2017)
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Sapphire Shores
A Love Like This (2017)
Love for All Time (2018)
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Southern Gentlemen
Take a Risk on Him (2018)
Novels
Skye's the Limit (2011)
The Object of His Obsession (2014)
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Omnibus
Harlequin Kimani Romance October 2015 Box Set (2015) (with Sharon C Cooper, Sherelle Green and Donna Hill)
Harlequin Kimani Romance June 2016 Box Set (2016) (with Zuri Day, Yahrah St John and Candace Shaw)
Harlequin Kimani Romance November 2016 Box Set (2016) (with Lindsay Evans, Sherelle Green and Nana Malone)
Harlequin Kimani Romance June 2017 Box Set (2017) (with A C Arthur, Carolyn Hector and Yahrah St John)
Harlequin Kimani Romance December 2017 Box Set (2017) (with Martha Kennerson, Nicki Night and Pamela Yaye)
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Collections
The Brightest Day (2015) (with Alyssa Cole, Lena Hart and Piper Huguley)
Daughters of A Nation (2016) (with Alyssa Cole, Lena Hart and Piper Huguley)
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Novellas
Drifting to You (2016)
A Radiant Soul (2017)
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Series contributed to
Millionaire Moguls
A San Diego Romance (2018)
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Like any good Southern belle, Kianna Alexander wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister, and gabbing girlfriend. She's a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea, and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the TarHeel state, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids, and a collection of well-loved vintage 80's Barbie dolls.
Like any good Southern belle, Kianna Alexander wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister, and gabbing girlfriend. She's a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the TarHeel state, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids, and a collection of well-loved vintage 80's Barbie dolls.
For more about Kianna and her books, visit her website at: http://authorkiannaalexander.com/
Sign up for Kianna's Mailing List: http://authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up/
Follow Kianna on social media:
Facebook.com/KiannaWrites
Twitter.com/KiannaWrites
Pinterest.com/KiannaWrites
I’m Kianna Alexander. I’m a wife, mother, sister, friend, and avid reader. I also write like my life depended on it, because, in a way, it does.
I’ve been writing since I was a shy, introverted child of about ten. My stories provided an escape from a world that sometimes seemed harsh and uncaring. When I wasn’t writing, I was reading- devouring R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps and Fear Street Novels, Sweet Valley High Books, and the occasional Nancy Drew mystery. I was in high school before I discovered romance novels. I perused my mother’s untouched collection of Harlequin novels, and read the occasional clench-covered tome in the library. But at sixteen, I picked up Beverly Jenkin’s Night Song. That book changed my life, and I think that’s when the writing bug first bit me.
Stubborn as I am, I tried to deny my desire to write in favor of a more “practical” pursuit. At seventeen, I wasn’t confident enough to make my own choice, so I listened to the voices around me in deciding my career path. “You’re good with kids,” people said. “You should be a teacher.” Impressionable, shrinking violet that I was, I enrolled in college and majored in Elementary Education. In my junior year, they stuck me in a classroom with a bunch of second graders, and despite mastering all the pedagogical theory they’d thrown at me, I bolted in fear when confronted with 25 boisterous students. I dropped out of college at year’s end.
The following September, I married my childhood sweetheart, and settled down in a military town with him. While he worked, I cooked, cleaned, did cross-stitch. The desire to write was there, but by then it was so faint I ignored it. I feared I’d fail again, the way I failed at college- and my relatives were still asking me when I was going back. Then, a fateful thing occured- my husband had a health scare while training out of state, and I stayed with a cousin to be near him. During my four months at my cousin’s home, I wrote my very first book- Skye’s the Limit. My cousin, the late Tonya Davis, threatened to deny me food if I didn’t deliver a chapter a day- it was the push I needed to get back to writing. (I dedicated the book to her when it released in 2009, and she cried.)
Fast forward a few years, and I had my first child- a son, born with Down Syndrome. I saw in him so many possibilities, despite what the doctors said about what he might never accomplish. Every doctor and therapist known to man has seen my son, and I want it that way. As he grows, so do I, and I’m amazed at what he can do. In 2011, he suffered a bout with acute myelogenous leukemia, one that had us sitting in the hospital for seven agonizing, terrifying months of chemotherapy. My daughter, born in 2010, took her first steps in his hospital room. I wrote Embrace the Night as I sat by his bedside, to keep the worry from driving me to absolute madness.
At times of sorrow, or difficulty, I turn to writing. I pray, I think positive thoughts, but writing has been such a salve to me I don’t know how to live without it. When all else in life seems out of my control, the worlds and characters I create still lie under my command. For me, that is a very comforting thing.
It’s my hope that the words I’ve written can create a much needed respite for readers like you.
QUOTED: "I write in several subgenres of romance, from historical to paranormal, and from sweet to erotic. In everything I write, however, my goal remains the same: to present African Americans in a truer, more positive light."
Like any good Southern belle Kianna Alexander wears many hats: a loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister, and grabbing girlfriend. She's a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things.
Kianna has been writing since she was a shy, introverted child of about ten. Her stories provided an escape from the world that sometimes seemed harsh and uncaring.
She was in high school when she discovered romance novels. She read her mother’s untouched collection of Harlequin novels, and read the occasional clench-covered tome in the library. At sixteen, she picked up Beverly Jenkin’s Night Song. That book changed her life, and that’s when the writing bug bit.
At first, she listened to the voices around her deciding a career path. “You’re good with kids,” people said. “You should be a teacher.” So she enrolled in college and majored in Elementary Education. In her junior year, she was stuck in a classroom with a bunch of second graders and dropped out of college at year’s end.
She married her childhood sweetheart and settled down in a military town. While her husband worked, she cooked, cleaned, did cross-stitch. Then, a fateful thing occurred, her husband had a health scare while training out of state, and Kianna stayed with a cousin to be near her husband and during those four months at her cousin’s home, she wrote her very first book- Skye’s the Limit.
Kianna says: "I write in several subgenres of romance, from historical to paranormal, and from sweet to erotic. In everything I write, however, my goal remains the same: to present African Americans in a truer, more positive light than other forms of media tend to do. This isn't a crusade but is instead reflective of the Black men and women I know personally. The women are strong, beautiful, resilient and resourceful. The men are upstanding, affectionate toward their families, intelligent, and secure in their manhood. The negative images I see on my television screen do not mesh with the men and women I know, so I seek to give them a voice."
"There is enough negativity in the world, especially when it comes to the way African Americans are portrayed. I am not going to perpetuate it."
QUOTED: "Back to Your Love is one of the most honest, fully realized stories I’ve ever written, because my editor had immense respect for my process and the message I wanted to convey. I can’t wait for readers to experience the intensity between Xavier and Imani, and I hope they will love it."
Mon, 03/06/2017 - 11:50am — Guest
reddit
MONTHLY EDITION: (#398) April 2017
I’m so excited for readers to meet the characters in this series! The Brothers of Theta Delta Theta (TDT) is a series I’ve wanted to share for a number of years. The themes in the series are Black fraternity and sorority culture, as well as community service and mentoring. Exploring my culture and giving an accurate, positive portrayal of people of color, especially Black men, is something that’s very important to me, and it drives the entire series.
When I sat down to write the books, I drew inspiration from my time in college. I attended St. Augustine’s College (Now St. Augustine’s University) in Raleigh, N.C. St. Aug is an HBCU, with such illustrious alumni as famed speaker and educator Anna Julia Cooper and the renowned Delaney Sisters. When I attended, I lived in Delany Hall, an honors dormitory at the time. My window faced the main lawn of the campus, where the sororities and fraternities had their “plots.” The plots are concrete pads, painted in the fraternity colors. These were the hangout spots for members of the organizations.
As I watched the guys hanging out on the plots between classes, I gained a lot of insight into fraternity culture. I studied alongside of some of those young men, who pledge Kappa, or Q Dog. Years later, I’ve lost touch with most of them, and I wonder how their lives have turned out. So in coming up with the TDT series, I wrote about those young men by imagining them now, and writing them as I hope they turned out.
The first book in the series, Back to Your Love, focuses on Xavier Whitted, an accountant with a passion for his Raleigh community and the youth growing up there. Xavier’s physical appearance is inspired by veteran actor Laz Alonso, and his community activism is inspired by the Black men in my life. These men are loving husbands, dedicated fathers, active in church and genuinely concerned about the next generation. Xavier’s passion for his community manifests in his running of “the YOC” — Hiram Revels Youth Outreach Center.
Our heroine, Dr. Imani Grant, grew up in the same community that Xavier did. She left home to attend college and medical school, and has returned home to open her dermatology practice. It’s a move that will allow her to be close to her aging mother, who lives alone since the tragic death of Imani’s father several years prior to the events of the story. Imani’s physical appearance is inspired by actress Essence Atkins. Like Xavier, she’s a reflection of the Black women I know. She’s professional and driven, yet possesses a certain softness and inner beauty that makes her irresistible to Xavier, and will make her super relatable to readers.
This is a classic second chance romance, as Imani and Xavier were high school sweethearts. Before they both went off to college, Xavier broke things off with Imani — you know, the whole “I’m going off to school and don’t want to be tied down” speech. But when the two meet at a mutual friend’s wedding, sparks fly as if they’ve never been apart.
Back to Your Love is one of the most honest, fully realized stories I’ve ever written, because my editor had immense respect for my process and the message I wanted to convey. I can’t wait for readers to experience the intensity between Xavier and Imani, and I hope they will love it as much as I loved writing it!
— Kianna Alexander
QUOTED: "a refreshing and gentle, multicultural, contemporary romance."
"cozy yet passionate love story."
Couldn't Ask for More
Kristina Giovanni
114.3 (Oct. 1, 2017): p35+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Couldn't Ask for More. By Kianna Alexander. Nov. 2017. 352p. Sourcebooks/Casablanca, paper, $7.99 (9781492647010).
The brothers of Theta Delta Theta are loyal, hardworking, and responsible members of their community, which is what makes them so darn attractive. Bryan James is devoted to his father's textile company and will do whatever it takes to secure new contracts, including colluding with his newest client, the lovely and talented designer, Alexis Devers. She wants him to pretend to be her fiance to incite much-needed media buzz for her debuting clothing line. What starts out as an innocent agreement to appear as a couple in public evolves into an irresistible romance in private, which feels entirely natural for these career-minded, down-to-earth characters. The second installment (following Back to Your Love, 2017) of Alexander's Brothers of TDT series is a refreshing and gentle, multicultural, contemporary romance that focuses on a healthy devotion to friends and family and promotes the kind of love that is based on mutual respect and admiration. Fans of Kristan Higgins, K. M. Jackson, and Laura Trentham will enjoy this cozy yet passionate love story.--Kristina Giovanni
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Giovanni, Kristina. "Couldn't Ask for More." Booklist, 1 Oct. 2017, p. 35+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A510653794/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=fea51a35. Accessed 13 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A510653794
QUOTED: "slow pace and bland characterization combine to make this book less than inspiring. While the plot is interesting, the execution disappoints."
Alexander, Kianna: BACK TO YOUR LOVE
(Mar. 15, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Alexander, Kianna BACK TO YOUR LOVE Sourcebooks Casablanca (Adult Fiction) $7.99 4, 4 ISBN: 978-1-4926-4698-3
High school sweethearts run into each other 10 years later and sparks fly.Xavier Whitted will do anything for his Theta Delta Theta fraternity brothers, including making sure everything goes perfectly when he's the best man at one of their weddings. When in the midst of his duties he runs into his high school girlfriend, who happens to be a friend of the bride, he finds that he wouldn't mind if they picked things back up right where they left off. But Dr. Imani Grant doesn't want to get into a relationship right now, particularly not with Xavier, who broke her heart in high school and is now running for Raleigh City Council. But Xavier won't give up and eventually convinces her to rekindle their relationship. While she's keeping a secret that could damage his chances at election, she can't deny their chemistry. Still, she tries to keep him at arm's length for the sake of his career and her heart. As emotions continue to yo-yo and events begin to spiral, there are some upsetting elements, including a discussion of rape. While the plot is compelling, Alexander's (A Sultry Love Song, 2016, etc.) slow pace and bland characterization combine to make this book less than inspiring. While the plot is interesting, the execution disappoints.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Alexander, Kianna: BACK TO YOUR LOVE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2017. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A485105324/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=26861ba8. Accessed 13 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A485105324
QUOTED: "It was a great bunch of characters, each so unique and who had their own distinct personality, but they all meshed well together and kept things lively."
"If you’re a fan of passionate, modern love stories that have a family-driven, true to your roots feel to them, Back to Your Love will do nicely. Things are off to a pleasant start for this series."
REVIEW: Back to Your Love by Kianna Alexander
Posted December 23rd, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Recommends, Review / 4 comments
HJ_Recommends
In Back to Your Love (Brothers of Theta Delta Theta #1) by Kianna Alexander, Since graduating college several years ago, Xavier Whitted has started his own accounting business and now has plans to join the Raleigh city council. One thing that hasn’t changed is his attraction to Imani Grant, which is evident when they see each other for the first time in almost a decade at their shared friends’ wedding. Xavier thinks the time is right to try again with Imani, his former high school sweetheart, and see if they can manage a successful relationship this time. He’s more than willing to take things slow, but he feels like there’s something she’s holding back from him. But with his campaign in full swing, Xavier has to decide if what Imani’s hiding could be detrimental to his career or if they can overcome the challenges they face.
‘There were so many things about Imani that he didn’t understand. As much as he cared for her, he knew he was going to need some clarity before things with her progressed.’
Although Imani is still very much attracted to Xavier and thinks he’s proven himself to be a trustworthy man, she can’t help but recall how he broke her heart right as she was leaving for college years ago. With everyone urging her to give him a fair chance, she agrees to start dating again. The sparks are still there, that’s for sure. But a secret in Imani’s past is forever hanging over her head and she doesn’t know how Xavier will take the news when she tells him. Putting her confession off isn’t the right thing to do. She knows that. But with things going so well between them and in his run for election, Imani lets things slide, not knowing that once the truth is out, it may have the power to change both of their lives dramatically.
‘His good guy ways were precisely the problem when it came to becoming involved with him. Xavier was far too good for her; Imani knew that, but he didn’t.’
Back to Your Love was a tender second chance romance by a ‘new-to-me’ author, Kianna Alexander. Southern charm was abundant, and our main characters’ complicated pasts and lingering feelings created issues, but their HEA was worth every moment leading up to it.
‘She was the missing piece of the puzzle.
In order for him to be truly happy and at his best, he needed Imani by his side.’
I really had a good time with Back to Your Love, which is the first book in a new series based around a group of men in the Theta Delta Theta fraternity. It was a great bunch of characters, each so unique and who had their own distinct personality, but they all meshed well together and kept things lively. One thing that I loved was how author Kianna Alexander was able to point out the positive aspects of college fraternities, the brotherhood and the support system they can be to one another. Typically fraternities are shown as guys who just want to party and pull pranks. Granted, Xavier and his fellow alums were around thirty years old or so now and I’m sure they did party at one time, but their fraternity’s mission was to help others in the community, which was commendable.
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes so Imani and Xavier’s story worked well for me in that regard. I thought they were both very honorable, caring individuals who worked hard and wanted to do right by those around them. They were each loyal to their family and friends. Neither of them necessarily had an easy time of things growing up or into their adult lives but they kept striving to do better. And I loved that there was still so much true depth of feeling between them in addition to the attraction.
My only issue was with the secret Imani kept hidden for, in my opinion, too long. I felt like she should have given Xavier a heads up so he could do potential damage control in his bid for city council. And it also seemed like Xavier didn’t give Imani the benefit of the doubt or take into consideration what she gone through before pushing her aside. Other than that, they had a slow burn, but solid relationship they successfully built over again from scratch.
If you’re a fan of passionate, modern love stories that have a family-driven, true to your roots feel to them, Back to Your Love will do nicely. Things are off to a pleasant start for this series and I think readers will look forward to seeing which alumni will get his story next.
Book Info:
Publication: Published April 4th 2017 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Brothers of Theta Delta Theta #1
First in a mainstream contemporary romance series featuring successful, tight-knit former fraternity brothers from Kianna Alexander.
What would you give for a second chance?
Xavier Whitted has a lot on his plate. As a hardworking businessman, mentor to troubled teens, and aspiring politician in his Southern hometown, the daily demands never let up. A weekend at the beach for his best friend’s wedding is exactly what he needs. What he doesn’t need is to run into the woman who broke his heart ten years ago.
Imani Grant is more beautiful, confident and intelligent than ever, and their connection is still sizzling. But Imani harbors a secret that could destroy both their blossoming careers. She knows she has to keep her distance, but Xavier is determined to win back her heart–consequences be damned.
“A page-turner.” –RT Book Reviews for This Tender Melody
QUOTED: "The plotting and structure is a lot more exposition and ‘telling’ rather than showing. The whole book suffers from the pilot syndrome for a TV show."
"Two people who broke up ages ago—and who, despite having overlapping social circles—have never spoken since, fall right back into a relationship. It all just felt… off."
Back to Your Love
Kianna Alexander
Buy This Book
In this second-chance romance, former lovers Imani and Xavier meet by chance at a wedding and pick up right where they left off. This begs questions about why they broke up in the first place, and what is different this time around. The answer to the first made me a combination of furious and annoyed and the answer to the second didn’t make up for it, so I can’t recommend Back to Your Love.
Imani’s life is fantastic. Beautiful, hardworking, brilliant, and now the owner of her own dermatology practice, the only thing that is missing is her own fella. A bit tired of always being the bridesmaid and never the bride (both literally and figuratively), the opening chapters tell us that she’s more weary of her relationship status than anxious about it.
Xavier’s life is also perfect. He’s kind, handsome, hardworking, and a CPA who also volunteers at youth centers on the side. Imani is the great love of his life, but he’s never done anything to track her down after they split before college. When they’re the maid of honor and best man at the same wedding, the chemistry sizzles immediately and things between them quickly return to how they were before they parted.
There are three main reasons why this book didn’t jive with me. The biggest is the treatment of the second-chance romance, which I’ll return to that in a minute. The second is that the writing just made it difficult for me to connect with anything that was happening. (The sex scenes, in particular, had a few phrases I’m assuming were supposed to turn me on that instead made me cackle with laughter.) The final one is that the plotting and structure is a lot more exposition and ‘telling’ rather than showing. The whole book suffers from the pilot syndrome for a TV show. I learned so much about everything and every character so quickly, that I felt overwhelmed and couldn’t connect with anyone.
Back to the romance. One of the reasons I love the second-chance at love trope is that I’m fascinated by how people grow and change over time. The reason you broke up was true and valid – or perhaps complete crap – at the time, but all of that could be different now. You’re two new people with the same past and how do you address all of that? I mean, y’all, that is my catnip. What happens in this book is that two people who broke up ages ago – and who, despite having overlapping social circles – have never spoken since, fall right back into a relationship. It all just felt… off.
Additionally, and this is a little spoiler-y, we keep getting hints of Imani’s “shameful” past or that she did something to cause the original break up. I couldn’t really tell if the shame was pre or post break up for most of the book, and when it was all finally revealed I was not super pleased. So, trigger warnings for rape, assault, and gaslighting and I’ll leave it at that.
The above revelation led to a massive fight that was never really resolved, or was certainly not resolved in a way that I felt laid a foundation for this couple’s happily ever after. In my notes, I wrote: So, they have a massive fight that tears them asunder, the underlying issues are never addressed, they have mind blowing sex and live happily ever after? Nope. Not for me.
Romancelandia is a huge tent and we have room for many at our party, so I’m positive there are folks out there that might like Back to Your Love. I hope you’re bothered by the gaslighting, but nonetheless, you may enjoy it. The camaraderie between the fraternity brothers was fun, and could produce lovely future stories..
QUOTED: "Predictable conflicts and resolutions help make this book easy to follow, but it is not truly unique."
A LOVE LIKE THIS
Author(s): Kianna Alexander
Carving out an entire relationship from start to finish is possible, but not an easy feat. A Love Like This moves extremely fast and readers may find it difficult to believe that such strong feelings and declarations can be achieved in such a small span of time. The best parts of this novel are the characters and their individual traits; each stands on their own and is essential to the story. Predictable conflicts and resolutions help make this book easy to follow, but it is not truly unique.
Actor Devon Granger is on his annual holiday hiatus from Hollywood, and he is finally ready to move on after his wife passed away five years ago. Hadley Monroe operates the resort that Devon stays at each year, and as time passes her feelings for him grow deeper. After confessing to him, Hadley and Devon begin a whirlwind relationship and must rely on each other to reach new heights in their professional and personal lives. (KIMANI, Dec., 224 pp., $6.50)
Reviewed by:
B. Nakia Garner
QUOTED: "Some of the novel is predictable."
TEMPO OF LOVE
Author(s): Kianna Alexander
In this Gentlemen of Queen City installment, the author shows an extreme attention to detail and readers will be able to clearly imagine the people, locations and even the furniture. Some of the novel is predictable, and it's peculiar that the past romantic relationships of the male and female protagonists are never mentioned. Because of the amount of details, this tale isn't overdone with sex scenes but the ones included provide just as much imagery as the rest of the novel.
Journalist Nona Gregory has been given the chance to write a story that could put her on the map. She is tasked with writing an artistic profile on Ken Yamada, an architect who just won a major bid. Despite his reluctance to open up, Nona relentlessly peppers him with questions during coffee, during a run in the park and even at a dojo. After several meetings, both of them start to look beyond the article to a possible romantic future. (KIMANI, Jun., 224 pp., $6.50)
Reviewed by:
B. Nakia Garner
QUOTED: "This is a strong introduction to a new series centered on the brothers of Theta Delta Theta."
BACK TO YOUR LOVE
Author(s): Kianna Alexander
Rekindling an old love is tricky. Hopefully, the parties are not carrying any bitterness and the time that has passed has not hardened their hearts. In this case, the lovers are mature adults with good careers. They come back together as they enter new phases in their lives and are ready to give love another chance. This is a strong introduction to a new series centered on the brothers of Theta Delta Theta.
Imani Grant and Xavier Whitted were once the loves of each other’s lives, but that was high school and they’ve grown in the past 10 years … right? When they meet again, as attendants at their friends’ wedding, it seems that those old feelings are still strong. Xavier is a successful accountant and runs a youth center, as he considers running for citywide office. Imani has just opened her new dermatology clinic, and while she is still attracted to Xavier, she has a secret that she feels will adversely impact his run for city council. When the information becomes part of the campaign, Xavier takes the news the wrong way. With help from his fraternity brothers, the couple rebuilds the trust that has been sorely tested. (SOURCEBOOKS, Apr., 352 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by:
Jacqui McGugins
QUOTED: "There is a lack of depth in the relationship."
"rushed."
EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART
Author(s): Kianna Alexander
EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART (2) by Kianna Alexander: Lina Smith-Todd is making great strides in her professional life. Her personal life is another matter entirely. She remains bitter toward the opposite sex due to her ex-husband’s infidelity. However, she is still hung up on her ex-boyfriend Rashad MacRae, and, encouragingly, the feeling is mutual. Lina has never been far from Rashad’s mind, and when they reconnect, he is determined to convince her to give them another try. There is a lack of depth in the relationship, as both characters tend to dwell solely on physical attributes. Because the characters have a shared history, their reunion and every event that follows feel rushed.
Reviewed by:
B. Nakia Garner
QUOTED: "There are plenty of moments where readers can lose themselves in the story."
THIS TENDER MELODY
Author(s): Kianna Alexander
THIS TENDER MELODY (3) by Kianna Alexander: Darius Winstead retired at 36, after selling software he created and becoming a millionaire. He is asked to come out of retirement to become CEO of his mentor Joseph Franklin’s technology company. Franklin’s only child, Eve, has been grooming herself to take over as CEO for years and is upset to learn her father doesn’t think she’s ready. Determined to prove him wrong, Eve works closely with Darius to help him get acclimated with the company, and their close proximity forces them to acknowledge the strong attraction they feel. More space should have been dedicated to the romance and emotional connection of the main characters to make their love story more complete. The story itself is a page-turner and there are plenty of moments where readers can lose themselves in the story.
Reviewed by:
B. Nakia Garner