Long Time Coming

Whitfield Brides #1

by Rochelle Alers

Bestselling author Rochelle Alers’s beloved Whitfield Brides series begins with this endearing contemporary romance

Brooklyn assistant district attorney Micah Sanborn walks into wedding planner Tessa Whitfield’s town house and winds up stranded there all night in a citywide blackout… alongside the most intriguing woman he’s ever met.

Tessa’s vow to avoid mixing work with pleasure is completely forsaken once she’s thrown together with the tall, gorgeous assistant DA. Micah offers Tessa the kind of passion she’s only fantasized about, but their whirlwind romance hits a snag when he’s unable to say those three little words. Can Micah overcome his fear from a painful breakup in the past? And will Tessa be willing to wait for his love?

Originally published in 2008

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Contemporary Romance, African American

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 20, 2008

About the author

Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.

Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

Reviews

[SassyMama]

A Change of Heart

A “Long Time Coming” the first installment in the “Whitfield Bride Series” is a sweet and endearing romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the instant attraction between Micah and Tessa. I also thought the cast of characters to be well-developed and quite memorable. I enjoyed the camaraderie of both families during their social gatherings throughout this story. I was definitely caught up in the very sensual love scenes sprinkled throughout the pages. However, as another reviewer mentions, I also found this story flooded with TOO MANY details regarding the décor, clothing, and food, albeit beautifully descriptive and well written details, it was just a little much in my opinion, which often caused the storyline to have a “slow-flow” at times. That being said, I am still looking forward to reading the second installment to find out what Ms. Alers has in store for the next Whitfield “diva”.

[Tip Mack]

I haven't read a good love story in a long time but this one here was nice. I enjoyed Tessa and Micah relationship but often felt that they were playing with each other way too much. Why hide your feelings when life is so short. This was an excellent read. I can't wait to read part 2 hopefully this is one of those series that get better with each part.

[Andrea Bevier-wimbush]

I think this whole series is a good read. Long Time Coming is the first book in the Whitfield Brides trilogy.

[KiKi]

A cute, quick-read romance. Nothing traumatic, no frills, no fuss. It’s been a while since I’ve read a straightforward romance.
The content is very dated and for some reason the author goes into unnecessary descriptors. There were instances in the novel that were unnecessary (Tessa meeting the uptight white family.)

Continuity is also a bit of a problem. One minute they’re at Micah’s home, next sentence they’re in Tessa’s house.

The repetition of certain details was also a problem. Micah keeps repeating “I’m not a misogynist” but his behaviour says otherwise. He’s also quite controlling. No sir...that’s unacceptable.
Tessa keeps harping on her ex-boyfriend and the “all men are dogs” nonsense. Girl. Your ex is GONE. Enough already.

One thing that irked me greatly: the author kept using the word “shrimps” as in plural crustaceans. Girl it’s “shrimp”!!

[lorraine throckmorton]

Never Say Never

Tessa and Micha first came to my notice in the Best Man and the Wainwright series. Micha's fear of being abandoned is so strong that he won't let any woman get to close. Because of that fear Tessa had some serious challenges to overcome in their relationship. Tessa had her own issue of trust to overcome. So Micha had challenges to overcome too. The feelings that they share helped them through so they could plan a life together. Ms. Alers did it again.

[Yvonne]

GOOD READ 👍📚

I loved Micah and Tessa's story from beginning to end. I would like to know if Simone and Faith are getting stories as well because they so need one just saying. I would absolutely recommend reading this book I don't think you'll regret it. Great job Ms. Alers please keep these wonderful stories coming. Thank you. 🙏❤

[Mary Calton Gerard]

I enjoyed this love story and how it developed. The description of places, food and decor was great to enabled me to visualize. The characters were not afraid to seek help for their well-being. I always enjoy the author's laid back and calming storytelling! Anticipating getting and reading rest of series.

[Lee Holden, E.]

Great read

Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Tessa and Micah was instantly attracted to each other. Both had past demons that caused them to be opposed happily ever after. This is their journey to love.

[Stush]

Liked it!

['The Book Queen']

Loved this story

[Christine]

Love, love, loved this book the pure maturity of a love story without all the F-bombs is beyond refreshing.

[Darlynda Mcclinton]

Read it 20 years ago and re-read it could not remember it until I re read it enjoyed it the second time around.

[amaya crosby]

Really awesome book

Because I read this book before and really liked it and wanted to read it again and I would recommend this book to all the women in my family

[Kandice]

These Whitfield brides are something else and I love it.

[Beverly Patterson]

Love at Last

Excellent reading 📚 e enjoyed reading this book again good plot when you was not looking for 💘 but for Micah and Tessa cupid had to hit twice

[Lisa Washington]

I loved this book and the series.

[Sharon]

Very nice romance by a black author. This is a series and I have already read the 2nd and 3rd book. It was good to finish their stories.

[Sharon Eikenberry-Deary]

When love walks in and you least expect it what can you do. When it makes you feel like you walking on air and never want to let that person go. When Tessa Whitfield wedding/event planner was chosen by Bridget Sanborn to do her NY Eve wedding. Bridget was called for jury duty and it was held over, so she had to send her brother Micah Sanborn to take notes and ask the questions she had written down. When Micah had gotten to Tessa's place NY had a blackout. What Micah never thought that Tessa would effect him in the way it was. Tessa also had the same reaction but was holding back. What they did not realized their past were holding them back. Tessa put down all her misgivings and told Micah on Christmas Eve she love him. Because of his past he was scared he went to his Dad to talk with him. After talking with him this when he was able to tell Tessa he loved her too.

[Barb]

What an awesome book. First we have Brooklyn assistant DA Micah Sanborn. Then we have wedding planner Tessa Whitfield who runs her business out of her town house. Filling in for his sister, Micah meets with Tessa to talk about his sisters wedding, but ends up stranded there all night in a citywide blackout...alongside the most intriguing woman he's ever met.
Tessa has vowed to avoid mixing up work with pleasure, but her vow seems to be forgotten when they
get to know each other better. Neither are looking for love, and neither are expecting marriage, so
what can go wrong. Love the characters because they stand out, and are exceptional. I gave this a
5 star.

[René]

I had to encourage myself to finish this book because I don't like to stop halfway through. There was too much repetition in the fact that "I love him, but I've sworn off men." It seemed like that was the last sentence of every chapter.

There is also the fact that there was too much description. I love description in a book, but I don't need to know that that the cup was 3/4 turned to the left when it's not pertinent to the story.

[Shameka]

When I first started this book I hated it and almost quit reading before I reached the 5th chapter but as the story progressed I started to get more into it. I really did not like the male character in this book, Micah. I think the author tried to write him as an alpha male but instead he came across as very controlling and borderline obsessive. Sorry but I just could not root for him and Tessa ending up together.

[Janelle]

I could not connect with the characters. The conversations felt wooden and I didn't feel the chemistry between Tessa and Micah. Tessa was cold, in general, and I never warmed to her.

I made it to the halfway point until I realized that I just wasn't enjoying the story and called it quits.

Also, no law school at Princeton.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . .]

District attorney Micah Sanborn walks into wedding planner Tessa Whitfield's home only to be stranded by a citywide blackout. This presents them with an opportunity that will not have occurred. But will the passion that Micah unleash on her be enough without the three words she so longs to hear.

[Keisha Webb-Gibbs]

I loved this book. I'd never heard of this author and I picked this book up on a whim at Costco, but it was very good. The ending left me wanting more -- a continuation.

[ConSonia]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFULL STORY IT WAS WELL WRITTEN LOVED THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY THE LOVE THAT THE AUTHOR PORTRAYED BETWEEN MICAH AND TESSA WAS AMAZING... KUDOS 4.5 STARS IN MY BOOK..

[Zaneta]

The story was a little slow to me at first, but by the end I was exciting.

[Dalesha R]

I love romance but I felt like this book could have used a bit more action… It seemed kind of dboring

[Monica McCray-Wilson]

I love this book. Now I have to read the next one.

[Karla]

4.5 stars

[Ariana]

Wow it took me way to long to figure out they were a multicultural family. I still have no idea what the parents are. But all and all the book was good. Wait Micah was black right???