Book Review: 'When a Taker Dreams' by J.A. Jackson
Northern California author J.A. Jackson uses this moniker for publishing her erotic, mature adult, romantic, suspenseful, and entertaining novels with a unique twist. The full form of the pseudonym is Jerreece Ann Jackson as we can see from her blogspot. We can learn more from her statement, `Since 1992 I focused any of my energies in making a difference by helping my community. Most notably at a nonprofit called WPC. I held several positions with WPC including: Newsletter Editor, Grant Writing Committee Chairperson, Press/ Community Relations, Fund Raising Committee Chairperson and the Special Events Committee Chairperson. In 2002 I was nominated to the position of President, which I held for over ten years helping WPC reach its goals and objectives. Now I do something else I have always loved. I write.' And that offers some insight that adds to our appreciation of her talent.
What we discover in her novels is an expression of Jerreece's imagination and spirit world vocabulary. She continues to reference her atmospheres as `The land of Geeks, Angels and Paranormal Romance, better known as Silicon Valley California', offering that `Many things inspire me. Ideas for my books can come from places I've traveled. Places I've lived. Tidbits of odd knowledge I pick up while reading throughout the day. Odd questions that fill my mind when I have one of those "what if moments".
In and out of times and places Jerreece accompanies us like a gossamer spirit. As she summarizes, ` Cierra Cantrell has had little experience with men after a painful experience in her life left her too insecure to discover and free the passionate woman within. Her mother, Ada, thinks all she needs is to find a rich husband, but the only thing Cierra dreams of is a happy marriage and a loving husband. After following the advice of her mother, Cierra agrees to accept family friend Isabella Duvall’s offer for help to mentor her in the art of obtaining a marriage of convenience. When Ryker Granger— Isabella’s gorgeous brother—shows up, Cierra can’t stop dreaming about him. There’s a rough edge beneath his polished exterior of discipline. Ryker’s powers of persuasion are legendary, and he’ll use them to brazenly take whatever he wants. The question is: does he want Cierra? Lust is a powerful emotion, and though Ryker tries to resist her at first, he cannot stay away. But when old vendettas from the past resurface, their relationship is put in danger. Will life’s unexpected turns hurt innocent people and destroy their future, or can Cierra and Ryker survive even the most volatile storm?’
The ‘lust’ of the subtitle plays well because it is introduced subtly. For example, ‘Across the room Ryker had trouble concentrating as he marveled at Cierra’s elegant fingers as they picked the cherry out of her glass and brought it to her lips. He tried to keep his heart in his chest as he watched her. He watched her sip her drink and lick her lips. The woman was like a sexy goddess, only he could tell that she didn’t have a clue that that was what she was doing to him.
Her tone is set but that is only the briefest sketch of events that transpire in this very successful novel. This is a beautiful little author to watch. Grady Harp, July 16
Editor's note: This review has been published with the permission of Grady Harp. Like what you read? Subscribe to the SFRB's free daily email notice so you can be up-to-date on our latest articles. Scroll up this page to the sign-up field on your right.
