Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Romance Review

Pima Road
by Virginia Nosky
ISBN-10: 1932695435
Review by Heather Froeschl

Falling in love when you’re struggling to discover who you truly are can be a not-so-glorious thing. It should be a time of mental abandon and pure bliss, but there are times when this isn’t possible, or rather, there are some people who just can’t let go of that control. In Virginia Nosky’s novel “Pima Rd,” readers will enjoy the romance as much as they possibly can but will also struggle along with the characters as they make discoveries and face the world from two different perspectives.

Sarah Livingstone was raised in New England, graduated from Yale and became a lawyer. Jameson Zah grew up on the Pima Reservation, became a talented artist, and calls Phoenix home. The two meet during Sarah’s training for the New York marathon, a common goal, and through a common interest in dogs. Sarah’s little Shih Tzu, having a small dog complex, attacks Zah’s much larger dog, Joe. A bit panicked, Sarah says some things she shouldn’t have, and a bit put off, Jameson goes on the defensive, informing her that she is running on reservation land. Their next run in is slightly more friendly, if not more hectic when Jameson rescues both Sarah and her dog from a flooded canal. Both are drawn to each other and decide to train together for the race. The romantic tension builds but so does Jameson’s wariness that Sarah is just seeking the thrill of having an Indian lover. While he is afraid of being heartbroken, Sarah is fending off the unwanted romantic overtures of her supervisor at the law firm. Tensions grow as swiftly as their love affair and only get worse when Sarah’s mother shares her feelings over their interracial relationship, and when someone threatens Jameson’s mother, steals a large sculpture he’d done, and intimidates the possibility of the reservation making plans with a developer.

The book is not your typical romance, but a story that delves into the connotations of racial differences, as well as the human heart connection. The added conflicts of work related sexual harassment, and the theft of the sculpture mystery, bring a feeling of suspense to the tale. The characters are likeable, in relatable situations, making the book a laid back and interesting read. Examining the differing cultures through the eyes of Sarah and Jameson was a delight. I enjoyed it very much and hope to see more from Virginia Nosky in the future.

No comments:

Post a Comment