Review: A Rainy Day Read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 27, 2013
Oh Hello Readers! Today I'm reviewing Burned by Passion by Dez Burke, an interesting story and departure from what I have come across lately. Burned tells the story of a confidant young black woman named Kira and her boss's son Blake. Kira struggles with many obstacles through out the book some of them being race, social status and her own personal history, all while refusing to notice that the guy she is fighting so hard against is who she is meant for. Dez opens the book with a homecoming for the prodigal son, a party and bad (or good) decisions. The rest of the book deals with the consequences of those beginning pages.The story itself has a lot going on. Blake returning to put his past demons with his father to rest sets up for his ensuing infatuation with his father's secretary. After an explosive encounter, they each have to deal with their "casual" significant others. Blake's being much easier to deal with then Kira's which become it's own set of issues. There are the obligatory snarky trophy wife wanna be gunning for our handsome lead and the angry creep of a boyfriend I wont even dignify by naming here with in these hallowed pages. I will tell you that it is hard to read him without praying he gets hit by a bus. Blake's father Bretton provides some judgment free compassion in the form of a father figure for Kira as well as relieving some of the heavy plot points. But Dez does leave a few questions unanswered even with an epilogue.It was very interesting to see what Dez does with her characters. She doesn't throw physical description at you right out of the gate, she makes it much more organic. However. I personally  would have liked to see Kira be a little bit stronger in her convictions. Dez does throw some curve balls with her readers typical views of beauty. She also makes the racial difference a driving force behind the story, I don't think that it was necessary to make the story as good as it was. It became a little too much like social commentary for me.Overall this was a fun easy story that is a good fire side read. Dez keeps it interesting by switching perspectives mid-scene but does fall a tiny bit short by using such clinical terms during the love scenes. I loved Kira's reluctance and Blake's determination. The book has enough intertwining story action to keep the surprises coming, while still managing to be a streamlined story. So my recommendations... add it to you're To Read list and cuddle up on a rainy day.~NotteAurora