 April - June 2003
Panache
by Nathasha Brooks-Harris
What kind of woman would sacrifice herself for her child? Would you commit a crime to save his life? To what extent would a mother and career woman go to maintain balance against circumstantial odds? These questions are more than answered in Nathasha Brooks-Harris’ debut novel Panache. Billed as a romantic thriller, it possess other elements to craft a story where real commitment is defined, and what it takes to do what is necessary to illustrate a point. The point here is a dilemma that forces the author to not only give insight to the opening questions, but to allow those other elements to mesh creating a better part of an integral whole. Wholeness to Alexandria Walker may mean different things to different people as it will always take a special kind of woman to sacrifice herself for the love and edification of her offspring. It would even border on extraordinary proportions for her to commit a crime to save his life.
The circumstances that drove Alexandria to act stems from the fact that her son is in need of a kidney transplant. In realizing this she uses her managerial position at a renowned department store to help alleviate the need to help her son. The story takes off rather fast in the beginning stages where she attempts to steal jewelry from the showcase, but reneges on it. Usually when opportunity arises for one, rest assured others are in waiting hoping for their chance. Enter Spurgeon Brown a repugnant opportunist who happens to be the security guard who caught her red-handed and never ceases to remind her of the circumstances if she doesn’t cooperate with him. Not following through in turning her in may prove to be the makings of other diabolical schemes that this unsavory character is capable of. The story moves on as the author introduces the legacy of Panache, a rival jewelry establishment run by the dapper Chase Thomas, who by the way, is more than just a love interest in this book for our protagonist. Chase embodies a pillar of strength that Alex needs to be transformed into to foster elegance, and the type of self-assuredness that got him to be where he is. Together they play the age-old game of cat and mouse as the romantic overtones are given center stage.
For the most part I enjoyed the book, and felt that the author did a credible job of interjecting emotion and intrigue to justify this type of storyline where a good romance is to be had. However, the many subplots that are rendered may tend to lead astray those that allow their minds to meander. The concept of the story was original and fresh, but felt that certain aspects of it should have been made where suspense could be built up for a climatic finish. In this case, it didn’t take away the author’s premise, but my statements to the aforementioned are indicative of Alexandria and Chases’ relationship. As such, the storyline developed too quickly for my liking. With this said, and it being a debut novel there’s plenty of room for experience to be the progenitor of good things to come for this author. With this book out of the way, I see no need not to think that Perfect Harmony wouldn't be par for the course in her next offering. Stay tuned!
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