A good man can be hard to find, and curvaceous Jalila Goodwyn has had enough bad dates to know. But while Jalila is describing the hilarious details of her latest encounter over brunch with her girlfriend, another diner overhears her story and makes her an offer she can't refuse. Television producer Keenan Armstrong believes Jalila's search for love would make a hit reality show. Suddenly Jalila's the star of Queen of Hearts, with a string of fine bachelors vying to win her attention—though it's Keenan who's really turning up the heat. But before the big finale, Jalila will have to figure out what's real, what's fantasy and what's truly worth fighting for….
National Best-selling author Adrianne Byrd has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are worth whatever trouble they manage to get into. As an army brat, she traveled throughout Europe and learned to appreciate and value different cultures. Now she calls Georgia home.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
I was quite impressed with this one. I mean I always enjoy Adrianne's novels but only a few have made the four/five star list. This one wasn't too far behind at 3.5 stars.
I had to deduct a whole star and a half because worse than spelling errors to me are leaving an entire but necessary word out of a sentence. And this happened more often than not. WTF? Also she confuses the dog with Kennan at some point. But what really irked me was that shameless plug she put in there. I mean seriously?? I'm sure she was trying to be funny but I didn't find it amusing as it took me out of the world she'd created which ruined the fun a little.
Nevertheless this novel was a very raunchy and entertaining read. This story grabbed my attention from the start and never let go. It was a lot of fun to read although there were certain characters and things that I'd have done differently. But despite the fact that I didn't like these things at least she kept it real. It's not something that is so far fetched that I couldn't see it happening in the real world and I appreciated that.
I'm usually very picky about my "romance novel" books and I chose this one because of the modern subject matter, the story of a TV producer who creates a reality show and falls in love with the star of the show. I enjoyed the book, it was a quick read. The sex scenes are very descriptive and borderline on erotica writing, sometimes a little unneccary and I was quite disappointed in the end, as I usually am in most books I read. But, the book was good overall. I also think this book would make for a great Lifetime, BET, or TV One feature film. It's very modern and current. I'm thinking of exploring more Arabesque novels, particularly those with an African American theme.
Another winner Ms. Byrd truly enjoyed this delightful and comical read. The friendship and conversation between Jalila and her friends Martina and Fantasia was relatable and hilarious, especially Martina take on relationship and let’s not forgot her ever changing hair colors. And oh the chemistry between keenan and Jalila just leap off the page (it was fiyah). The sex scenes probably would be considered erotica and some of the word choices used gave me pause or should I say made me laugh out loud. I love the take on the dating reality show featuring Jalilia and Keenan the produce. Instead of finding love on the reality show, she found it behind the scene.
OMIGOSH...What can I say that hasn't already been said about this DELIGHTFUL romantic treat...Ms. Byrd crafts another HIT with "Queen of His Heart"...the chemistry between Keenan and Jalila is HOT, HOT, HOT...quite a page turner from beginning to end...the dialogue is ENGAGING and witty...the storyline is thoroughly ENTERTAINING...and the full cast is HILARIOUS and unforgettable with all their WILD and crazy antics throughout...even Cujo & Chips will have you LOL...a HIGHLY captivating FUN and SEXY must read!!
This is my first time reading one of her books, and at first I thought it was going to be really sweet and slow. Boy was I wrong! The story was very engaging and the love scenes were HOT! Although, I did chuckle a little bit at the words used during the love scenes.
I would recommend this book to those of you who believe in love. I know I do. I like that sappy go for walks on the beach, holding hands and lots of laughter type of love. This book kept a smile on my face. Go job Mrs or Ms Byrd. Keep up the good work!!
You know a lot of romance novels give you just simply sappy stuff, yet Mrs. Byrd gives you that "raw" component that makes the story believable and entertaining. This has definitely become one of my favorites.
One of my new favorites. I can't even count the number of times I LOL'd while reading this book. Loved the humor, loved the characters, loved the story line.