Brief Book Reviews
Brief Book Reviews
Brief Book Reviews
Book Reviews
Briefs On:
Being Committed by Anna Maxted
Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy
The Price of Desire by Leda Swann
Being Committed by Anna Maxted
British-born Anna Maxted's first novel, "Getting Over It," was more than semi-autobiographical. It was a thinly veiled memoir about the death of her father.
In that debut book, as well as in Maxted's other novels, "Running in Heels" and "Behaving Like Adults," Maxted manages to effectively depict the common misgivings in a long-term relationship gone stale.
Private investigator Hannah's live-in boyfriend of five years, Jason, unexpectedly proposes and she finds she must turn him down. A month later, after she learns he's engaged to a neighbor, she has a change of heart. Jason agrees to resume their relationship and renew his proposal, but upon one stipulation. Hannah must find her first husband Jack and find out what went wrong (so the danger of it happening again decreases).
Maxted has proven herself a thought-provoking writer who delivers a layered story. Here, rather than offer up the standard boy-meets-girl-loses-her-gets-her-back, she gives her lead, Hannah, an opportunity to make right a wrong (and it's not the one you might think it is). She's also afforded a huge emotional epiphany that deals quite intensely with her family. "Being Committed" is great read, fun and thoughtful.
Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy
Much lighter than the previously reviewed Anna Maxted novel, best-selling U.S. novelist Erin McCarthy's "Mouth to Mouth" is a meet-cute story with a twist.
Laurel, who's deaf, has grown up wealthy and sheltered. Although she still lives with her mother, she's finally left alone while her mother is taking care of a relative.
Laurel takes advantage of the moment by bringing her on-line romance into reality. What she doesn't realize is that she's being prepped by her internet Lothario, a con man who has burned a path throughout the country, bilking young, innocent women.
But the con man makes the mistake of using the name of an actual local police detective, Russ, and when Laurel and Russ meet through a misunderstanding, the sparks fly. Russ is actually investigating the predatory thief who has plans to prey on Laurel.
Add Russ' angry, 17-years-younger brother (who's moved in with him after the unexpected death of their parents), Laurel's fun and wild co-worker, and Russ' old-school partner Jerry. This is a very light, non-challenging read that does fall into some trite romantic conventions. But McCarthy should be commended for her attempt at infusing her romance with a different element; in this case, a deaf heroine. Laurel isn't cloying either and it's easy to root for the couple's relationship to develop and flourish.
The Price of Desire by Leda Swann
Ah, at last a book that completely lives up to the old adage " Don't judge a book by its cover." However, in this case, this book, available in a trade paperback, features a vintage (or faux vintage) black-and-white photograph and matte cover in muted shades of deep red and black.
All-in-all, it offers up what can only be described as a "classy" cover. However, the cover is deceptive -- the book's content is what only can be described as extremely graphic erotic fiction. For readers unfamiliar with the genre, it can be shocking.
The novel's basic plotline (thin, as its obvious goal are the leads intimate encounters) tells the story about a young woman, Caroline Clemens, orphaned and left to bear her father's debt.
As the oldest of six, and abandoned by her only hope for a "respectable" life by her fianc at a party, she despairs and decides to opt for sibling-side and suicide with the gun her father used to end his life.
Later, at that same party (outside in the garden), she allows herself to be seduced by a wealthy rogue-with-a-heart-of-gold with the ridiculous name of Dominic Savage. When Caroline can't go through with her death plan, her family is sent to the workhouse where they are separated and their health compromised.
When Dominic learns of her fate, he rushes to the workhouse and offers her his protection (basically, he'll support everyone if she'll be his courtesan).
There's little more to the story (the inevitable ending is no surprise), but readers shouldn't rely on the novel offer up any kind of historical accuracy. It initially reads like a Regency, then appears to be set in the Victorian era, when suddenly, on a vacation to Brighton, Caroline and Dominic have their photographs taken, which would put them in the latter part of the 19th century. But then, they're actually given the photos immediately. Since instant photography (Polaroids) weren't available until 1963, the actual period it is set is anyone's guess.
Clearly, this is a novel specifically written for this defined, specific genre and readers interested in it. To anyone who "accidentally" comes across the book, it's flowery and clichd, humorless and has little-to-no resonance.
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