Take Me as I Am

by Laurina C. Osborne

Nella Blakely is black, beautiful, physically fit, educated and accomplished. Most importantly, she has options. With her Ph.D., Nella can head for academia and be a university professor or she can stay in the Manhattan executive suite. The only thing standing in the way of Nella’s bright future is her dark past - the death of her mother and early abandonment of her white father, an ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge the divorce and an old boyfriend who suddenly wants her back. Nella seems to be in control of her life, but an anonymous one-night stand turns out to be her new boss, Mark Gagnon. He threatens to complicate Nella’s life further and leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew for sure. Mark has unresolved marital entanglements back home in Canada. He appreciates a good woman when he meets one. As Nella’s boss he must either persuade her to be his assistant vice president or encourage her to quit and be his lover. His background and experiences have prepared him to deal with Nella, but how long will he keep trying when Nella has told him he isn’t her type. Nella’s well defined behind has held Mark’s attention from the very beginning, and now that he has gotten to know her he may not be as willing to take things as slow as he promised. Benjamin Blakely, Nella’s father, surfaces and Nella must face the hurt that has afflicted her soul. Can she risk exposing her beliefs to set her father free or will she run? Can Nella cross the racial divide given the abandonment by her white father? Will Nella ever get to the place where she can give and receive unconditional love? Is Mark Gagnon ready to accept Nella exactly the way she is?

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2013

Reviews

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letting Go of the Past to Embrace Your Future

Eunella V. Blakely has carried around a burden since she was four years old. She has a problem embracing love for fear that she will open her heart and then it will be ripped out when that person decides she's not good enough. And then Eunella meets Mark Gagnon while on a business trip.

I found Laurina Osborne’s “Take Me As I Am” to be an okay read. I felt like the author took a lot of time developing main character Eunella. Along the way there was some repetitiveness. Overall, it did hold my attention for the most part.

Reviewed by: Lisa M.
3.5 stars

[Angela Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome....