A Taste of Java

by L.J. Wilson, Karl Ray (Illustrator), Dana Hickman (Editor)

Like the sweet, aromatic flavor that exudes from coffee houses and pleases the sense of smell, the medley of characters who visit A Taste of Java coffee shop will definitely stimulate the soul. A Taste of Java brings a quirky love story, and features an amusing cast of personalities. This rib-tickling novel mixes in a tablespoon of love, two cups of comedy, and a triple shot of drama, sure to keep you laughing as you turn each page.INGA TYLER and NATHANIEL GATES, two attractive Chicagoans in their thirties are best friends and co-workers, who ponder crossing the skeletal line where physical attraction resides. Far from being a man stealer and reluctant to jeopardize her solid friendship with Nathaniel, Inga suppresses her true feelings because of his recent engagement to longtime girlfriend, ROCHELLE PARSONS. At the same time, Inga struggles with the snare of temptation whenever Nathaniel is in her presence, concluding who else would be better to love than the person she knows everything about. From flirtatious conversations, stolen pecks on the lips, and Nathaniel’s constant companionship, Inga feels her resolve weakening by the second.Along comes CHARLES SMITH-MCALISTER, a handsome, hardworking gentleman, interesting enough to relieve Inga’s recurring thoughts of dating her best friend. Soon, Inga and Charles ease into a budding relationship, but Nathaniel seems to slide into their groove at every opportunity. During a lunch date, in which an eager Charles introduces his family members to Inga for the first time, she excuses herself after spotting Nathaniel with another woman who isn’t his fiancée. The two friends head down to the lobby while Inga tries playing relationship counselor, leaving Charles alone with his family for well over a half hour. Although Inga apologizes profusely for the lengthy absence, Charles finally has had enough and abruptly ends their courtship without further explanation. A couple of days later, he begins dating the girl who serves Inga her cup of Chai tea each morning. Stunned, heartbroken, and jealous of Charles’s quick entry into a new relationship, Inga gets just the nudge she needs to completely open her heart to Nathaniel. Once the best friends admit their attraction to one another and agree to engage in a relationship, Nathaniel dumps his fiancée to exclusively date Inga, the woman of his dreams. Certain nothing else will block their path to happily ever after, a startling revelation threatens to destroy their fervent union. Bowled over with surprise at hearing the distressing news, Inga fears the worst as reality sets The point of no return has been surpassed. If her relationship with Nathaniel should fail, not only will she lose the love of her life, but also a treasured, and irreplaceable best friend. Determined to fight for the love she feels she so justly deserves, she attempts to set all worries aside, but her angst multiplies. Call it ethereal or women’s intuition, but over a short period of time, Nathaniel seems to suddenly pull further and further away from their bond. Inga acknowledges every ounce of regret in her gut—she and Nathaniel have made a huge mistake sacrificing a genuine friendship for a whirlwind romance.For Inga and Nathaniel, A Taste of Java explores the complexities of best friends turned lovers, and tests the strength of their relationship by answering a single Is the risk involved truly worth it?

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2011