Until My Heart Stops Beating

by Tonya M. Barber

Declan Whitaker was a frequent traveler. It was while waiting for a flight that his path crossed with the tantalizingly beautiful Makeba Jones. With just a glance, he found himself enraptured; wanting, needing to know more about her. She was everything that he had been looking for. Makeba was a woman about her business and not looking for any kind of emotional entanglements. She’d had her fair share of men, each leaving her disappointed, brokenhearted and disillusioned with love. And she wanted nothing to do with it. Then in walked Declan dead set on making her his woman. She found him to be pushy, overbearing and a complete pain to deal with. But love has a way of taking over and soon she found the walls built up around her heart crushed. Weakened by his advances, he captured her heart. But would their love last despite lies, bigotry and a long-distance love affair? Until My Heart Stops Beating is a beautiful story of choosing to walk off the beaten path and prevailing in love despite the obstacles.

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2015

Reviews

[Mspraise50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I brought this book on the recommendation of one of my reading buddies. I told her I wanted to read something romantic and she suggested this book.

This is Makeba and Declan's story. Where do I start this story was a true romance in my view. The circumstances that arise are true of any real relationship. They face racism from so called friends and family. A parent from each side is against their relationship. There is betrayal, forgiveness, loss, misunderstanding, trust, love and hate in this story.

Makeba and Declan go through so much to be together to sustain their love so that it will carry them through the tough times. I was mad, happy, sad and frustrated reading their story, it was a total emotional roller coaster for me. However, it was also full of love and romantic dialogue which I love to hear between couples who truly love each other. They truly loved each other almost to the point where their hearts did stop beating.

I would highly recommend this book if you love to read about real relationships with real issues to work through. A memorable story.

[CJLuvsBooks! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked “Until My Heart Stops Beating”. I thought it was a decent read.

I think the beginning of the novel when the hero and heroine met and decided to pursue a relationship was the strongest part of the book. After that the storytelling got a bit disjointed in certain areas. I could still follow along, it just wasn’t as smooth as it should have been. Some of the couple’s conflicts resolved too quickly, or were swept under the carpet.

I loved Declan. He’s strong, has some alpha tendencies but is good-natured and incredibly loving.

I liked Makeba as well, but there were times she got on my nerves. She’s strong willed but stubborn and didn’t always communicate. She *loved* her man though and she did fight to make it work.


Sometimes in IR romance, the race issue isn’t addressed — which doesn’t bother me. That did not happen in this book, and I did appreciate the realism. There are still people in this world that disapprove of interracial relationships and that disapproval can cause tension (or end) a blossoming or fragile relationship.


There were quite a few love scenes to enjoy, but some of the metaphors used in them made me laugh, which took me out of the heat of the moment.

All in all, I liked the story, and reading Declan and Makeba experience their HEA. I would definitely read another book by the author.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

This book took me thru all my emotions, I laughed and cried, I understood her feelings on some things but not on others. This was a realistic love story. I hope there is a book for Sam & Rasheeda!!!!

[Jennifer A. Redmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was just ok. I wish there would have been more development of the story line and of the characters. There were some great moments of conflict, but would have liked more. There were some secondary story lines that I would have liked to have been explored. I would have loved to see more about the conflict with Deena. The storyline is briefly discussed but never fully explored, and then the turn around with his mother out of the blue. With ,ore development this book could have been a five star.

[Brenda Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Good, Sensual and Inspirational Interracial Romance

Until My Heart Stops Beating is very good book. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and found it to be sensual and Inspirational as the interracial couple struggles to deal with the prejudices of their family members. This book earned a rating of five stars and I would recommend this book to friends and family.

[Lorice DeBlanc-Brim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It deserved ten stars

Declan is a very persuasive individual when it comes to getting what his heart desires. Makeba is his choice rather his family or friends does not agree. Their love story has it challenges but they persevere. A beautiful enlightening love story that is highly recommended to anyone.

[Linda D. Christiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Christiani

I totally enjoyed this book! The journey of this amazing love had ups and downs but still true love prevailed. I have never found a book that was so true to its title I now declare that I am a fan!

[Isha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Declan. Makeba, not so much. She got on my nerves alot throughout this book. I loved their love story, and how they fought to make it work.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until My Heart Stops Beating by Tonya M. Barber was published in 2015 and is still available for purchase on Kindle. Ms. Barber has several books available, and I will of course report back if I read more selections. This book clocks in at 269 pages but seemed longer (not necessarily a bad thing) because a LOT happened. Declan Whitaker is a well-traveled businessman, spending a great deal of his time in airports. Makeba Jones works at a restaurant in Newark Airport. When Declan sees her, he is instantly smitten and would like nothing more than to get to know her. However, he is only in town intermittently as he works on the construction of a new hotel. But where there is a will there is a way. Declan pulls out all stops to get her attention, but barriers crop up. His mother and her father are adamantly against interracial romances, Declan has a friend with benefits who will not relinquish her claim to him (she does the MOST with help from his mother), and the strain of keeping a long-distance relationship going hampers their connection. Add in the fact that they are both rather volatile and we have a perfect storm of misunderstandings and misfortune, low-key cheating, even a bout with amnesia! I enjoyed Ms. Barber’s busy story and her complex storyline. So many sweet moments and real-life angst!
https://theretiredreader.com/f/until-...

[Avid Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like it but......

1. there was no character development so I never connected with the two lead characters, Declan and Makeba,
2. it was a slow and boring in places and so I kept skipping ahead,
3. there is no plot and no suspense, merely Declan and Makeba falling in love and some friends and family members disapproving because Declan is white and Mekeba is Black,
4. there are details left out or unexplained, for example, Makeba worked in a bar to earn money for a plan/dream she has but once she met Declan there was never another mention of her plan. What happened between Mark (Makeba brother) and her father?
5. while race was one issue, education and common interests were others but these were glossed over. Really, a traveled and cultured billionaire and an uneducated (the author didn't give details about Makeba's education) bartender wouldn't have issues to address? With the exception of some bigots, she just fits seamlessly into his world and he moves seamlessly into her world in this book, and
6. the only interesting character is killed off to help the author explain why Declan's mom has a change of heart about his wife. However, this was not developed so it fell flat.

I don't recommend this book. As a love story it's sweet but boring, and as a sexy erotic read it's still boring.

[Bev Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this story touched me!

I loved the realism of Declan and Makeba's relationship, they fell in love slowly because of Makeba's scepticism about Declan's motives for wanting to date her.

The author tried to show how some members of your own family as well as close friends can show how bigoted the really are, once faced with a situation of someone close to them dating outside their own race.

The story takes you through their tumultuous relationship, and you fall in love with the couple and route for their happy ever after. This is a lovely story of an enduring love that concurs all the obstacles that have been placed in their paths. Well worth reading.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, sassy and sizzling! When Declan Whitaker first laid eyes on Makeba Jones, the beautiful bartender at the Airport Bar, he had no idea what it would involve in order to win her heart. Her racist father, his racist mother, his slutty PA, and lots of narrow-minded people all put major road-blocks in their journey to build a future together. Are Declan and Makeba determined enough to go the extra mile or will they just give up and go their separate ways? **Good story but the editing issues hindered comprehension at times.

[Metris · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Love

This was an awesome love story! Being in love with a person is the easy part, the hard part is fighting for your relationship when you have negativity and dis-approvals coming from all directions. Can Declan and Makeba make their relationship work?

[Nicole Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

This book was very well written. One thing I really liked is that the female character wasn't weak. So many times it's as if the women have to somehow be pathetic. Thank you

[Nancy L Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's the first time I've ever read any thing from this author and I was very pleased. I look forward to reading more from her