Author: Marc NobbsISBN: 978-1-60659-016-4
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
♥ ♥ ♥
For two years Beth and Chris communicated through an online chat room and become close friends. When Beth's brother dies in the Iraq war, Chris decides to travel from London to the U.S. to support her through her hard time.
Over the time they corresponded over the Internet, Beth fell in love with Chris, but she never thought she would actually meet him. When he surprises her with a visit the day before her brother's funeral she falls for him more than ever. Beth's family is in turmoil over her brother's death and she and her father have been battling since they found out that her brother died. Chris' support is just what she needs.
This is one of those books where it was hard for me to decide what kind of review to give. The book itself is well written. There are some wonderful erotic scenes throughout the story and the two characters are developed very well. The main problem I had with the book is more a matter of personal taste. I like all genres of romance, but I don't believe that political agendas belong in romance.
There was a scene in the book where I felt the author was just a little to preachy about the Iraq war. He was very insulting to our country and making a poorly chosen reference to our president. There is a place for these kinds of storylines, I just don't happen to believe it is in a romance novel. That, however, is just my belief. Others may very well like this book for the very reason why I don't. So there you have it.
Description:
Beth has lost the most important person in her life -- her baby brother. The one person she wants to comfort her lives three thousand miles and five time zones away. And to cap it all, she's fallen out with her father again. Could things possibly get any worse?
Let Marc Nobbs take you on an emotional rollercoaster. From the heart-wrenching sorrow of a military funeral to the hedonistic heights of winning big in Vegas. From the pain of losing a loved one to the passionate consummation of a long-distance love affair. And running through it is The Colonel -- a stubborn old mule who won't let some guy from across the pond steal his daughter away.
About the author from the back of his book:
Marc Nobbs started writing erotica in the late Nineties. He freely admits that what he produced back then was complete and utter tosh. But at least it was hot, sexy tosh. In 2004 he found Desdmona's Fishtank (where for some obscure reason they still call him Knobbie). With the help of the wonderful authors he met there, his writing improved by leaps and bounds. He now has a much better idea what commas are for, understands plot structure and character development and has a panic attack every time he writes a passive sentence.
When he's not writing erotica, reading erotica, or working, Marc enjoys DIY and gardening (at least, that's what his wife tells him), and shouting at rubbish footballers who aren't worth the money they're paid. He also enjoys beating his father-in-law at chess.
Roni,
ReplyDeleteI've only this week found this review after doing an ego-search on Google so my apologies for being a bit late (only by a year or so).
Firstly, thank you for you kind words about the well written nature of the book and about the characters and erotic scenes.
But I feel I need to point out that you seem to have assumed that the views expressed by Chris in the novel are my own views. As a writer, I like to think I'm able to convincingly and realistically portray the views of a character regardless of whether those views are similar to mine or different.
Chris's views and the way he expresses them, are consistent with the anti-war lobby not just in the UK but in the US too. As is his dismissive and flippant reference to President Bush.
But that doesn't mean those views are my own.
I'd also take issue with your assertation that Romance is no place for political or challenging story lines. In fact, I think it's the ideal genre to tackle subjects that make the reader evaluate and question their own views. But, like you said, that's a matter of personal taste.
I've written a response to this review on my blog, If you'd like to read it and perhaps respond yourself, you can find it at http://marcnobbs.blogspot.com/2010/07/ego-search-turns-up-unexpected-review.html
Thank you again for your review.
Hi Marc,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I do agree that a writer doesn't always have to agree with a character. It has been over a year since I wrote this review and honestly after reading over 100 plus more books since then I can't quite remember why wrote that paragraph in the review. I will admit that I do have strong beliefs on this particular matter, so maybe it just touched a nerve with the way it was written.