Choices (Indigo Love Spectrum)

I am certainly adding Tammy Williams to my Fav authors list. It is hard to believe this was her debut book. The main characters Lara,Ryan and Justin;who is the sweetest five year-old I can ever remember reading are all like people you could know. These characters were colorful and had depth without being overly burden with personal baggage that some authors who write interrracial books like to dump on us poor readers, I have no problem with conflict in a story and certainly interracial romance will have its share but some authors go too far and it really boggs the storyline down and makes the characters to bothersome to like.

In Choices,Ryan is a widower,devastated by his wife's death more than three years ago. Ryan is raising his five-year old alone, or least he would be if it wasn't for his meddling mother-in-law,but when he meets his son's new teacher Lara, he realizes how lonely he is and how important a mother would be for Justin. Lara makes Ryan feel like living again and enjoying the blessing's of love. Both have reason not to take this chance again but the chemistry and attraction is strong between them so they decide to take a risk. For his son Justin, who was a baby when his mother died,he gets to bond with Lara,and it is her love that helps him to blossom, Lara couldn't love him more than if she actually gave birth to him. It is this that makes Lara and Ryan's love secure and wonderful.

Now I do admit that I pefer the more spicy read, but sometimes it doesn't have to be spicy to be a hot romantic read. These charaters can hold their own in the love department and will keep readers interested. And I thought the ghost element was a nice touch, Ryan's first wife comes around to make sure he doesn't mess up with Lara because she understands him so well. Plus, this really adds to the romance because she knows Lara will be good for Ryan and Justin and strong enough to stand up to her annoying mother. If you are a true romantic you will love this story. It is a keeper and one that I plan to read again.

One can come to expect with any interracial romance the jeers and condescending attitudes of others, and CHOICES by Tammy Williams is no exception. As would be expected with any romance novel, boy meets girl and everyone lives happily ever after, however with CHOICES, getting to the happily ever after is a process.

Lara Boyd is an African American teacher in a small town of South Carolina. In her charge is Justin Andrews, the son of Ryan, a Caucasian book illustrator. During their first meeting the sparks are instantaneous and unrecognizable to both. Justin, a child who is usually shy, takes a strong liking to Lara and blossoms into a budding student. When Ryan and Lara's relationship progresses from parent-teacher to friendship, to a full-blown relationship, friends, family and foes get in on the action and all hell breaks loose.

Tammy Williams' story is endearing because of the characterizations and the development of them. What appears are realistic behaviors of the secondary characters and the responses given by the main characters. The dramatizations highlighted by the families are humorous and at times, pathetic. Watching all work their way through the maze of conflicting emotions and truthfulness incited the romance that much more and forced you to pick a side. CHOICES is an honest and wholesome portrayal of individual mindsets when two come together from different racial groups.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

I absolutely adore this book! It has quickly become one of my favorite books. The story is wonderful, as are the characters, Ryan and Lara.

It's a simple story of two people who meet, are attracted to each other and want to spend as much time together as possible. They are not afraid to show how they feel and want to include everyone in their happiness. That's not to say there is no conflict, because there is, but it doesn't overshadow the love story itself.

The story was well written and well-edited. Unlike some other stories I've read, there was no problem with continuity, grammar or punctuation!! It was easy to follow, which made it more enjoyable.

I can't wait to see what else Ms. Williams has in store for us. I hope that one book will revolve around Norris, a secondary character who begs for his own story.

I loved and really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet, funny, romantic book. The characters were great both the main and the secondary characters. I loved the twins, they were LOL funny. The little boy was too cute, adorable and lovable for words. Without that little boy I think the story would have been less than it was.

It's the story of two people who meet and fall in love. Ryan(32-year-old white childrens' book illustrator) and his son, Justin, fall in love at first sight with Justin's new teacher, Lara(26, and black). She has managed to light a spark underneath them both, after they were pretty much lifeless following the death of Ryan's wife, Shelly, who, by the way, becomes the catalyst in bringing all three together. You see, Shelly is in limbo, and can't move on and get her wings until her husband and son are happy. Up until Lara, Ryan has been somewhat reluctant to give his heart fully to any one woman. However, he becomes so smitten with Lara, he can't help himself. So after six years, she becomes his first serious relationship.

Over the next few months, they all become deliriously happy together. Not only is Lara Justin's favorite teacher, but she is like a mother to him, something he's never really known because his mom died when he was a baby. They even manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way; however, when one of those obstacles becomes one of the most important persons in Lara's life, she is forced to rethink her plans for their future. Lara is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure this person's well-being.

Choices puts the romance back in "romance novel". This book so reminds me of the way a romance novel should be written. The author did not have to depend on sex to keep the reader interested. I personally dislike erotica, finding romance novels that present too many sex scenes to be a turnoff. The author has given us a much needed love story.

Hopefully, this is not Williams' last book for I'm looking forward to her next. She's a wonderful writer.