In Private Acts, Delaney Diamond creates a captivating story with humor, passion and an enjoyable plot. One such funny moment is Samirah’s off-key singing following her confident strut on to the stage. Many passionate moments occur but Samirah and Miguel’s choice of location to give reign to their passion demonstrates how consumed they both are by their feelings. Again the plot is well thought out. Both face their worst fears towards the end. Samirah finds herself in love again only to have her heart broken. Miguel loves Samirah too and wants her to stay but he is afraid to take the chance at her leaving and breaking his heart as well. Samirah and Miguel may be from different ethnic backgrounds but together they make a great couple. Their differences are insignificant as she is well traveled and very compatible to Miguel. The seamless flow of the plot, the realistic characters and realizing Samirah was first introduced in Fight for Love, made this a very enjoyable novel. Finally, attention to details in describing the setting brings the story to life and although happy these love birds had their happy ending, I didn’t want the story to end.

Samirah Jamison is on a sabbatical in Ecuador when she meets sculptor Miguel Delgado. Miguel is enamored by the exotic, mixed race beauty but Samirah rebuffs his advances. She is being cautious with her heart following her last disastrous breakup. Their paths cross again when she discovers they are temporary neighbors. Resisting soon becomes futile as Samirah craves a connection with Miguel as much as he does. No longer able to fight her desire for Miguel, Samirah responds to the passion in his eyes and by the end of her stay, she’s in love. The wanderlust queen is willing to set down roots, if only Miguel asks. Unfortunately, Miguel’s past has taught him the people he loves eventually leave and it’s best to be the one to end it than be the one left with the broken heart. Samirah declares her love to Miguel but he’s insistent she’d never be happy in his little town. Broken-hearted, Samirah returns home only to learn shortly after that Miguel wants her back. Miguel realizes that giving up Samirah doesn’t make him stop loving her and why not take the chance on forever, but is she willing to take it with him?

~ Susan for AReCafe ( )