| Description: |
|
Product Description
Hot on the trail of her much talked-about debut, Lip Service, M.J. Rose once again explores the dark corners of the human psyche in a riveting and erotic tale of love, lust...and betrayal.
Although everyone thinks she's being paranoid, psychotherapist Jordan Sloan knows better. Haunted by the long-ago murder of her father, she learns that his killer has been paroled and she instantly fears his revenge. Only she knows the dark secret of her relationship with Mallory -- and the depth of her deception in providing the testimony that put him away. She sees him in shadows, in mirrors, in photographs her teenage daughter takes in the park....
Still suffering the bruises of her husband's betrayal, Jordan grapples with ambiguous emotions even as she is drawn again to her estranged spouse. Clinging desperately to the hard-earned stability of her life, she maneuvers through the meshwork of love's fragile bonds, layers of longing, and the chaos that is human relationships. All the while, a mysterious new patient seems intent on contributing to Jordan's unraveling. For as she struggles to prove that her fear of Mallory is justified, she also wrestles with how it might feel to finally forgive Robert's infidelity.
M.J. Rose has crafted a rare and evocative new novel of spellbinding energy, as a woman come to terms with her own life -- assuming she will continue to enjoy the luxury of living it.
Amazon.com Review
Psychotherapist Jordan Sloan's father was murdered by her ex-boyfriend nearly 20 years ago. Jordan has never forgiven Dan Mallory, but the state has, and he's now out of prison. Despite reassurance from everyone, including his parole officer, Jordan is certain Dan's stalking her, and that sooner or later he'll take his revenge for her betrayal of their relationship by the testimony she gave at his trial.
Betrayal is also the theme of Jordan's relationship with her husband, Robert, whose infidelity destroyed their otherwise perfect marriage. Although they continue to share their New York brownstone, she cannot bring herself to forgive him either. Into Jordan's already troubled existence comes a new patient, whose revelations will force her to reconsider whether her marriage--and, ultimately, her life--is worth saving. Well crafted and absorbing, this second novel by a writer whose first book, Lip Service, was originally self-published to substantial popular success, nonetheless misses the opportunity to explore in greater depth the inner conflicts of the central character. As a result, Jordan's actions and emotions are predictable from the very beginning. There's too much slack in the plot, but there are moments of real engagement between Jordan and her clients, husband, and daughter that showcase Rose's promise as a novelist. --Jane Adams
|
