"Powerful contemporary relationship drama"
Though successful at work, Theadora Morgan struggles with
her personal relationships. Her almost sixteen year old
daughter is giving her a hard time over trusting her with
boys. Her Aunt Della is giving her a hard time over
attending her sister's third wedding though Thea and Selma
are far from being close to one another. Her white in-laws
want their granddaughter raised Caucasian-American though
their son is dead and Thea is half African-American. Thea attends Selma's wedding where the worst yank occurs as
she meets her first love African-American minister Xavier
Thornton. Ignoring her deep feelings that still exist for
Xavier, Thea tries to live up to the image that her
extended family expects of her even though they pull her in
different directions. However, Xavier refuses to drop out
this time as he knows he loves Thea, but she harbors a
secret that will probably end several of her relationships
if it surfaces. Laura Castoro provides more than just an enjoyable
relationship drama as she digs deep into the issue of
racial classification in a world that is increasingly
rainbow-ethnic. The story line centers on Thea as the
pivotal point with several spokes going from her to various
other characters. Because the under siege Thea seems so
real, fans will feel for her daily plight as everyone tries
to paint her to fit their by the numbers portrait of her.
In turn she makes the novel as she learns you can't please
everyone so it is time to start with yourself. CROSSING
THE LINE is a book that showcases the abilities of a
wonderful author. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted July 15, 2002
|
|
Thea Morgan never thought she'd fall in love again. Not
so long ago, she had the perfect marriage -- to a white
man--and for once, her light skin and eyes didn't make her
feel so out of place. But since her husband's death, Thea's
not sure what to feel. Her best friend is telling
her that "black men satisfy," her blue-eyed daughter,
Jesse, is claiming her mother's race "doesn't come up all
that often." And her former in-laws are insisting that
their granddaughter be "raised in her father's world." As
if that weren't enough, Thea's aunt has her believing the
entire family tree will fall if she doesn't reconnect with
her roots-- so she head home for the wedding of a sister
she hasn't seen in years.
When Thea unexpectedly runs into her first love, Xavier
Thornton, a prominent African-American minister, Jesse has
a fit. But Thea realizes that the vibe is still alive.
Daring to cross the line of her family and friends'
expectations, Thea makes some hard choices. When she does ,
she comes face-to-face with a past that isn't all behind
her...
"Crossing the Line is entertaining, touching and
insightful. Laura Castoro is a welcome new voice in women's
fiction." Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times
bestselling author
|
