Author:C. ElizabethPublisher: Wings ePress Inc. (May 2011)
Triggering an intervention of fate, 42 year old Rose Gerbaldi, discovers her heart and soul has been forever united with beautiful, 30 year old, British movie star, Michael Terrance. A discovery that compels her reality to firmly reclaim her – consequently devastating the very lives fate had so lovingly entwined.
Forsaken by a woman he’s never met, unable to control the debilitating agony, Michael seeks solace on the darker side of Hollywood. Meanwhile in Western Canada, having been doubly devastated, Rose relinquishes to a life of loneliness. Both are certain they’ll never again find that for which they long for – each other.
Foolish people – fate is infallible.
Rose is a 40 something married mother and grandmother who experiences episodes of depression. It is during one of these episodes that she becomes obsessed with a character in a book and then with the actor who portrays him in the movie. She writes the actor a letter and he calls her on the phone. Here begins a friendship that develops into an emotional affair. This is the part of the book that made me a bit uncomfortable. I was happy when Rose realizes that she has to break things off and chooses her husband instead.
The title, Absolute Obsession, is very appropriate for the book. Both Michael and Rose are obsessed with their feelings for each other. I felt Michael's reaction to losing Rose was, at first, a bit extreme. But when you realize how much she seemed to ground him, I think you can understand why he went off the deep end. I did like how Michael fell for Rose without ever knowing what she looked like. Once they ended up together, I wasn't sure I would like their relationship. At times, I thought the relationship was a bit unhealthy. Michael was a bit immature and his sudden outbursts of rage and jealousy come out of nowhere. I also thought Rose was almost a mother figure to him. For instance, she was always thinking about scolding him for his phone manners. By the end of the book, both characters changed enough and I felt comfortable with their HEA.
Absolute Obsession is well written. The author takes the readers through a range of emotions. It deals with love, loss and second chances. It was an enjoyable book and I think most people will like it. I look forward to seeing what C. Elizabeth comes up with next.
--Kari
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