BRING ME A DREAM

Tired of losing prime assignments to male co-workers, bodyguard and former D.C. cop Jasmine White is ready for a case she can sink her teeth into. When she's finally hired by WLPS to guard handsome radio host Spencer Powell, Jasmine fears his macho pride will impede her ability to protect him from the stalker he's flippantly nicknamed Nightmary. A contentious first meeting, defused by Jasmine's frequent use of anger management techniques and Spencer's fear of a sexual harassment lawsuit, gives way to a clandestine romance that's marred only by Amos's contrived, slang-filled dialogue. When Nightmary becomes more aggressive, breaking into Jasmine's home, poisoning Spencer and attacking one of his co-workers, the couple seek the protection of Jasmine's large, protective family. Although Amos (True Blue) carefully presents the requisite lineup of possible suspects—including a bitter ex-girlfriend, a spurned station manager and throngs of zealous fans—the true culprit stands out like a sore thumb from the outset, undermining Jasmine's supposedly sharp investigative skills and dampening the novel's suspense. With its predictable plot and weak heroine, this middling tale will likely languish on the shelf. (Nov. 6)