BOAZ BROWN

Set in Dallas, Stimpson's debut novel effectively uses flashbacks to dramatize the conflicts faced by her deeply spiritual narrator, LaShondra Smith. A successful school vice-principal about to turn 31, LaShondra yearns for Mr. Right. Naturally, this special man has to be not only honorable, compassionate and rich but also Christian and black, like Boaz in the Bible. On career day, LaShondra meets Stelson Brown, the handsome white partner of the Brown-Cooper Engineering firm, and is immediately attracted to him. As her feelings for this Christian Prince Charming grow, LaShondra has to deal with a school administration that questions her ability to cope with diversity issues and, more importantly, a father who disapproves of her dating outside her race. In the sobering denouement, her father reveals a family secret about an incident in Ellerson, Tex., in 1958 that forever crushed his dreams and trust in the white man. Aimed most obviously at African-American women of faith, this thought-provoking tale of anger, prejudice and romance offers important lessons for all. 3-city author tour. (June 30)