Ebony Eyes

by Kei Swanson

Book Overview

Bookstore owner Corie Rickman's evil ex has come back looking for the evidence she kept of his criminal activity. Japanese-American police lieutenant Laine Tanizaki is working undercover to atone for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585711942
• ISBN13: 9781585711949
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Genesis Press (MS)
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

More Sex!

This was a good book, do not get me wrong. But I wish there was more then one sexual encounter. The build up was at time frustrating. However, I would recommend this book.

Ebony Eyes

Bent on finishing a tough case that resulted in the death of his last partner, Narcotics Detective Laine Tanizaki is undercover as a burger flipper in a mall well known for the trafficking of drugs. Laine doesn't know what to think about the prickly bookseller who causes him to lose track of his true purpose in the mall. Corie Rickman is a woman with a secret past, a past that has found her again and one that is threatening the life she's tried to build since her disastrous divorce. Laine is unsure why a woman with such breeding and class seems to be attracting thugs at every turn but his honor won't allow him to do anything but keep her as safe as possible, even if it means blowing the cover he's worked so hard at. Danger and cultural differences aren't enough to keep a pair of unlikely lovers from exploring an attraction that's inevitable. Having been eyeing Ebony Eyes for over a year I was really excited when the chance to read and review the story came up. Putting together what some might consider an unlikely match and making their attraction believable I couldn't imagine would be an easy task. The male lead in the story Laine Tanizaki is an Asian American male a couple of generations removed from immigration, who belies the typical stereotypes you hear about the Asian Man. He's interesting, large in stature and not at all wimpy. Laine is however gentle, patient and the epitome of a strong man. A man who understands physical or verbal altercations are not always the best way to handle conflict. The heroine in the story was someone who took a little bit of getting used to. She's suffering from emotional trauma brought on by the hands of an abusive ex-husband, who happens to also be a drug dealer. Corie's a contradiction of personalities, rich, well bred yet at times comes across as an immature and spineless brat. Kei Swanson was very slow and tender in her build up of the relationship. This is not a story for people who need instant gratification and an immediate love affair. For lack of a better term Ebony Eyes is a "Sweet" romance, with an urban backdrop of danger and intrigue. I enjoyed the story and outside of the heroine's personality being a little less than appealing I think readers will enjoy the blending of this unique couple. Indy reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Ebony Eyes (Love Spectrum Romance)

Again, I have not read this book, therefore could not give it a quality review but from the looks of it, it appears to be a good to great read! This is a new author for me, therefore not well versed with this author's work, hence the 4 stars.

Pleasant Cultural Flavor

Corie Rickman lived an affluent, indulged, and sheltered life but rebelliously married a man from the wrong side of the tracks. After suffering physical and emotional abuse she leaves and tries to start over again; but her ex has other ideas. Laine Tanizaki hasn't worked undercover for two years, not since a friend was killed during a drug sting. Though many told him it was not his fault, his conscience continues to bother him. Now, to ease it, he wants to complete the sting by working undercover at a fast food restaurant in a Beverly Hills mall. He did not count on playing the role of knight and rescuing a damsel in distress at the bookstore across the way... I almost did not purchase this book because of one review but decided to give it a chance. I expected to find Corie irritating, but her character flaws did not diminish or detract from the story for me. I enjoyed the characters, cultural diversity, story, and overall I enjoyed book.

Great Multi-Cultural Romance / Suspense 4-1/2*

Undercover narc cop, Laine Tanizaki had noticed the soft-spoken bookseller for weeks when his protective instincts were raised as he noticed her being accosted by a big brute. Instinctively, he knew he had to rescue her, but in a way that wouldn't blow his cover. In the end it turned into a golden opportunity to actually meet her. As his feelings grew, caring for Corie might prove fatal should he let his guard down while trying to maintain his undercover persona. Corie Rickman was a frightened woman. In an act of rebellion she'd made a horrendous choice that almost cost her life. Now Corie wanted nothing more than to keep the evil away from herself and the people she loved. Trusting a man -- any man would take an extreme act of faith yet feeling safe with Laine, the clerk at the Burger Train, seemed the most natural thing in the world. *** Swanson quickly engrosses the reader with her deep characterizations and plot in another of her multi-cultural contemporary romances - bravely going where others fear to tred. Born with the proverbial silver-spoon, her female lead Corie, had rebelled by going after a `bad boy' and getting more than she bargained for, so much so, that now she's disgusted with herself for being weak and ineffectual in re-claiming her life. Laine was developed with his own issues of having grown up on the other side of the tracks with an alcoholic father and knowing that even if he could reveal his true self, he could never fit in with the upper echelons of the society she came from. Swanson works magic in developing her characters so that all things become possible as Laine, through his love and patience, manages to give back to Corie her self-esteem and strength in order to re-claim that part of her life she'd lost. Additionally, the sizzling sensuality Swanson conveys as these two finally give into their overwhelming attraction and passion is nothing short of divine. This was a terrific read I recommend. Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization