Melissa Pritchard
Late Bloomer (2004)
Author: Melissa Pritchard
Genre (and subgenre): Romance/Literary Fiction
Plot Summary:
Prudence Parker is a divorced 50-year-old community college teacher in Tempe, Arizona who never really came out of her shell; her life changes when she meets Ray Standing Hawk, a sexually aggressive Native American fifteen years her junior, who quickly moves in with her. Meanwhile, after a chance run-in with a famous romance author, Prudence is given the opportunity to take over the author’s lucrative pen name and series of “Savage” Indian romances. Prudence looks down on the romance genre and abhors its stereotyped portrayal of Native Americans, but finds the money hard to resist. Her relationship with Ray is extremely conflicted; he treats her poorly but she is drawn to spirituality and sexuality. Finally, after Ray takes part in a demanding Native American religious ceremony, they come to a new understanding and love.
Geographical Setting: Arizona, Hawaii, Texas
Time Period: Contemporary
Appeal Characteristics:
Pritchard knows a lot about her subject, particularly contemporary Native American life and contemporary Arizona; the realistic details help flesh out the story a great deal. The book is sort of meta-romance; in some ways a satire and critique of the romance, even though it also serves as one. Not as far-fetched as some romance novels; may appeal to romance fans looking for something a little more ‘literary’ or a reader who thinks they don’t like romance. A wide array of complex, colorful characters.
Red Flags: a fair amount of profanity; very explicit sexual dialogue and description throughout
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