Ms. Love 'Em and Leave 'Em

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Summary: The Reversal of a DAWG!
Review: Love. Undoubtedly one of life's strongest emotions and one of the most written about subjects in the history of the world. It can empower you, encourage you, and help you to reach your highest heights. But for Lisa Davenport, the main character in Tracy L. Bettis' debut novel Ms. Love'em and Leave'em, love is nothing but a four letter word.

After learning of her husband's infidelity, Lisa's mother takes the only recourse she knows - she took his life and then her own. Witnessing her mother sacrifice years of her life for love only to be treated so callously, Lisa makes a vow never to give her heart to a member of the male species.

Her drama unfolds in her senior year at Spellman shortly after the death of her parents. As fine as she wants to be with intelligence to boot, Lisa has very little trouble building her stable. Like autumn leaves men are falling at her feet and Lisa doesn't hesitate to add them to her collection. They all serve their purpose whenever life hands her a moment of boredom or restlessness. There's Marcus from the basket ball court, Tony from the deli, Mike from the library... and Vance. While the majority of the men in Lisa's little black book serve as nothing more than amusing boy toys, Vance is in a class all by himself. A future doctor and a definite gentlemen, Vance makes her feel all tingly inside, and just the mention of his name brings a glow to Lisa's face. She'd be tempted to say she loved him... if only she believed in such a thing.

After graduating Lisa's life takes a fast paced turn for the better. She moves back to her hometown of L.A., lands a cushy position within the music industry, and settles back in with the help of her friends. She's still quite the player, loving and leaving men as she chooses, but in the back of her mind Vance is all she wants. When Vance moves to L.A., intent on breaking through her tough emotional wall and sweep her off her feet, Lisa finally allows herself to admit she's in love. But a blast from her college past refuses to be dismissed as easily as the rest and soon Lisa is forced to pay the penalty for her cold, calculated ways. Her new found happiness is further threatened by her parent's history repeating itself within the fairy-tales pages of her life.

Ms. Love'em and Leave'em is a very revealing narrative of a player's life and consequences from a very different POV. All too often we hear this account told from the man's prospective, but Mrs. Bettis proves in this delightful addition to literature, that's what's good for the goose, is just as good for the gander.