A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

PRINCESS

Author: Staci Stalllings 5/2004 Contemporary Inspirational Romance Publisher: Cyber Serial

Princess by Staci StallingsSometimes Life's Lessons Surprise You…

From the outside looking in, Anthony Russell has it all. As the star basketball player on a winning college team, everybody knows him and loves him. His face is plastered on publicity poster after publicity poster. He’s even gotten offers from the pros to forego his senior year for the glitz and glamour of the Big Show. But Anthony has a secret that’s threatening to swallow his life whole…

Heather Nolan would be the perfect poster-girl for academic overachievers. She’s got straight A’s and every professor in her cheering corner. But the life Heather thought she was studying so hard for is in danger of coming to a neck-snapping halt if she can’t come up with a way to pay the bills.

Bitter and angry that the basketball team seems to get the royal treatment while “real students” are forced to scrape by, Heather spitefully takes the only job available—tutoring. However, the lessons she teaches about English and what she learns about basketball soon pale in comparison with what she learns about herself.

You can visit Staci's website at http://www.stacistallings.com

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Heather is disgusted when her work-study job is eliminated by budget cuts. Worried about how to pay her tuition, she accepts a job tutoring the star basketball player in English. Anthony Russell has always been the recipient of many accolades on the court, but off the court he’s very self-conscious. The unlikely duo begin their relationship as chilly acquaintances, but over time they develop the greatest of friendships and finally love.

I just adore the friends-to-lovers theme, so I was immediately drawn to Heather and Anthony. On the surface, the story is about how Heather and Anthony find each other, but I saw so much more there. I was able to see the depth of the two characters… to each of their insecurities and faults. The complexity of Heather’s and Anthony’s character was pealed away layer by layer. I especially liked how Heather and Anthony complimented each other in their strengths and weaknesses. While billed as an inspirational story, there is no overt reference to faith or religion. It’s more in the feel of the story and in the characters themselves. The issue of date rape is handled with sensitivity and care, but I would have liked to see more on the possible problems stemming from society’s lack of acceptance of an interracial couple. A minor quibble with a charming, heart-warming tale.

Kendra Patterson

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