Polkadots

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly entertaining romance
Review: A friend gave me this book, said she read it in a single sitting, and suggested I read it. I must say, I was hesitant to take a look at it initially because romance is way outside my normal reading genre. But when she said it was about an author writing her first novel (which I have been struggling with for a few years!), I must say, it piqued my interest.

To say I was pleasantly surprised by the story line would be an understatement. The main characters, Georgia Manning (a mid-50s African American writer) and Michael Dellacruz (a late- 30s Caucasian publisher), first see each other in a restaurant and almost immediately become infatuated. As I have a tendency to let my eyes (and as a writer, ears) wander much too frequently, and on occasion wander to older women, I identified almost immediately with Michael (although I don't have nearly as much money as him!). And the other main character? Well, I can say I think I fell in love with Georgia (and her daughter!!!! !!) about half way through the book even though I am a few years younger than Michael and also married!

Although I didn't read the book in one sitting like my friend (it took me two), I did have trouble putting it down. I have since passed on the book to another lady friend who has yet to report back.

Rating:
Summary: A Synopsis of Polkadots
Review: If you've ever met someone who has totally knocked you off your feet, then Polkadots is a must read! A contemporary mainstream romance, it is the story of just that, the instant attraction between Georgia Manning, a writer, and Michael DellaCruz, a publisher. They have a chance encounter at a restaurant and are immediately attracted to each other. Georgia is Black, in her late fifties and married. Michael is in his thirties, white and single. Set in the world of publishing, Polkadots tells their story. It is an engrossingly seductive tale of how their decisions affect not only them, but also those around them. As the Midwest Book Review stated: "Polkadots is one of those memorable stories that are so easy to pick up, but so difficult to put down. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing, not-run-of-the-mill, titillating story!
Review: My mother-in-law, the author, sent it to me and asked for my truthful opinion -- so here it is! I loved this book. I don't normally read romance novels, but when I started this book, I just couldn't put it down!

The main characters Georgia Manning and Michael Dellacruz were both likeable and attractive. I could certainly relate to Georgia and her infatuation with Michael, in spite of a happy marriage. And a younger man, too! Talk about electricity! I could feel the excitement and the spark between Georgia and Michael throughout the book -- even though the author didn't spend a lot of time in graphic detail. That is quite a feat, and a sign of real, in-depth character development by this new author.

I can't wait for the next Geri Spencer Hunter novel to burst onto the virtual bookshelves! I will be recommending this book to my two bookclubs. I can't wait to hear what my friends have to say!

Continued future success to the author!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed!!!
Review: Ok. im sorry to say this but this book was bland. i guess i expected some spice but instead i only received a not so tangy read. even though georgia had the spice but she didnt carried it out...i think jess had that and more but she wasnt the main character. not saying that georgia should had cheated on her husband but come on now...add some spice to the imagination...i wanted to read about michael's and georgia's thoughts...how michael was making love to georgia in his mind...it would have been a great book if the author would have added some passion, enthusiasm, and/ or some type of emotion...lust, desire, love, hate, etc. in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed!!!
Review: Ok. im sorry to say this but this book was bland. i guess i expected some spice but instead i only received a not so tangy read. even though georgia had the spice but she didnt carried it out...i think jess had that and more but she wasnt the main character. not saying that georgia should had cheated on her husband but come on now...add some spice to the imagination...i wanted to read about michael's and georgia's thoughts...how michael was making love to georgia in his mind...it would have been a great book if the author would have added some passion, enthusiasm, and/ or some type of emotion...lust, desire, love, hate, etc. in the book.

Rating:
Summary: I finished Polkadots feeling refreshed and satisfied.
Review: Polkadots is a sensitive exploration of an attractive middle-aged black woman's experience of becoming a successful published author and the personal challenges she faces as she finds herself caught in a mutual attraction with a handsome younger white male, who turns out to be the one who will publish her book. This is a story written with much insight, wisdom, dignity, taste, depth, and honesty, and it is a story with very believable and very likeable characters.

As a settled married woman with a family, new to the world of personal publicity that goes with success, Georgia finds herself wrestling with unexpected issues arising from the relationship she forms with Michael, her publisher. Family and friends on either side of the equation must be answered to, as must be also the hearts and minds of Georgia and Michael themselves.

When I'd finished the book, I came away feeling I'd been given a window into what it is like to write and publish a book for the first ! time. I greatly appreciated how Geri Spencer Hunter treated her characters and their issues with so much respect, and it was very rewarding time spent sharing their story.