If you follow me on Goodreads, you'll see that I read a lot of romance books, specifically by African Americans. Sometimes you just want a happy ending. The majority of my favorite authors all publish with the same company and I tend to stick with what I know. I rarely venture to other commercial or independent publishers because I've had some bad luck in the past with editing and proofreading errors.

Through the Lens is the second book that I've read published by Crimson Romance and I'm quite happy with it. Workplace romances are always interesting and this one has an added bonus of being set on a tropical island. Mika Walters has finally decided to move on from her job as a photographer's assistant to strike out on her own, right after this last shoot. Her boss, Alejandro Vargas, is notoriously difficult to work with and Mika is the only one who has been able to put up with him for any length of time. Because of the anxiety she feels about telling Ale that she's quitting, Mika screws up their travel plans and they arrive at the photo shoot three days before anyone else. Those three days challenge the parameters of their working and personal relationship.

I'm very glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and read this book. The expectations that Mika and Ale bring to their relationship, both professional and otherwise are some of the most realistic that I've read in a long time. I loved that Mika could be efficient, professional and also vulnerable without coming across as whiny or shrewish. I look forward to reading more from this author and publisher.

Nice intro

Through the Lens is the first book in the Creative Hearts series. It was well written. Tje characters were likable.

Mika and Alejandro were both very immature and petty. He was very egotistical and she was very insecure and wishy-washy. I couldn't deal with all the nonsense going all between them. She wants to dictate everything and is always running scared. He striking back like a teenage boy. So many assumptions between the two about the other. They spent most of the book bickering which was very annoying.

Read more of my reviews and ramblings at Ana's Attic Sexy Tales

Through the Lens by K.M. Jackson was a unique tropical love story that satisfied till the end. The author sent me this book upon my request in exchange for a fair review.

Alejandro Vargas is a hot, very well known high fashion photographer, and Mika (great name) has been his very competent assistant for the last 3 years. In fact, Alejandro can’t function without her. But Mika is an extremely talented photographer in her own right, and has secured her own job at a top magazine. She just has to tell her boss and long time crush, Alejandro (Ale).

They arrive at an almost deserted tropical island for a photo shoot, and due to a scheduling snafu, the rest of the crew won’t arrive for 3 days. Mika and Ale decide to scout out locations on the romantic, practically deserted island, and Ale begins to realize that Mika has some feelings for him. As he finally allows himself to open those doors and let his own feeling out, he finds he has an uphill battle with Mika.

Mika is a normal sized girl, (she is black, but that is only hinted at in descriptions of her beautiful skin), and she knows Ale is a playboy with his gorgeous high fashion models. In fact, she is the one who usually packs condoms in his bag for him. But being caught in such a romantic place, and knowing this is their last shoot together, Mika decides to let go and give into temptation.

And give in they do. Against a tree, in a cave behind a waterfall, and in one of those gorgeous stilt huts. Mika refuses to let her heart get involved (though it always has been) and decides to end it as soon as the skinny, perfect models (especially the one after Ale) show up. But Ale doesn’t know how to convince her he wants more. He comes from a background of thinking all women just want him as a stepping stone, like his mom did to his dad.

From the beautiful descriptive island scenes, to the high fashion world in New York, this was a great romantic escapist read.

Likes:

-Beautiful descriptions of the tropical island made me feel like I was there.
-I love when co-workers turn to lovers.
-You knew Mika was black without it being shoved in your face.
-Alejandro’s attempts to keep her around.
-Mika was a very strong capable character.

Dislikes:

-I didn’t thoroughly connect for some reason, I think because it was told in third person.

Rating: 3.75 stars, 3.5 Heat

This was a great debut novel. It had romance, the world of high fashion, beautiful descriptions of the tropical location and a great end. I couldn’t go up to 4 stars because I wasn’t willing to neglect everything else to read it, but still enjoyed it. I would have liked to know a little more about the character’s backgrounds, but I would absolutely read more from this author.

Speaking of people who don’t think they deserve love! Alejandro is a famous playboy photographer and Mika his trusty assistant. She anticipates his every need, down to stocking the camera bag with condoms for his inevitable hookups with models. When they find themselves alone in an island paradise for a shoot days before the rest of the crew is set to arrive, the attraction they’ve repressed for years comes blazing to the surface. Alejandro realizes that Mika is everything he’s ever wanted, but Mika assumes his interest will only last until the models show up and remind him what he really wants. I got this book as a Kindle freebie, but I would have paid real dollars for this sexy and sweet beach vacation of a book.