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ICIE Pamela Leigh Starr Genesis Press October 2002 (3) Joni Clarke |
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PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
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| Icie and Clay hated each other from a brief encounter five years earlier, when he accused Icie of being a money hungry schemer who had used his dying father. Now, fate has made Icie, Clays only hope for recovery from an injury that could ruin his sports career. Can her cold resistance stand up against Clay’s desperate need for her and her forgiveness?" | |
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REVIEW: |
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Icie Ellis captures the attention and hearts of two gentlemen, Manual Mammoth and Ray Armstrong. They admire her dedication to her studying and her dream to become a physical therapist. An endearing friendship develops between Icie and the two men she begins to call Mr. M and Uncle Ray. As the friendship progresses, Icie often hears Mr. M talk proudly about his son, Clay, a football superstar. Unfortunately, Icie gets the impression that Clay is the typical super good looking jock, and arrogant womanizer, who never makes time for his father. Icie surmises that she has absolutely no respect for a man with such shallow qualities.
Clay Mammoth has also heard a lot about Icie Ellis through conversations with his father and Uncle Ray. Clay wonders what is Icie’s motive for befriending his father and Uncle Ray. Upon the death of his father, Clay is convinced that Icie is truly after his father’s money, and in all of his arrogance tells Icie exactly what he thinks of her!
As the plot develops, Leigh-Starr uses the main character’s name, “ICIE” to describe cold icy emotions. While this was very clever to add as a way to further promote the title, it was a bit over used and lost its effectiveness as the novel progressed.
I was disappointed that Ms. Leigh-Starr did not develop characters with greater depth, allowing the reader to empathize with them. For example, the friendship bond between Mr. M and Uncle Ray was never expressed in detail. Additionally, we never really get insight as to why Clay and his father had such a distant relationship. Further, Icie’s personality ran hot and “ICIE” cold throughout the novel which never allowed me to personally connect with her character.
The entire novel unfolds in two locations, Icie’s office and Clay’s house. The lack of varying settings did not encourage the feeling of adventure and wonderment, which generally compels me to read on in anticipation to discover what happens next.
Despite its weakness, the unique "ICIE" theme along with the two older gentlemen embracing of the college student, give the story a refreshing “Family Affair” sitcom appeal. |
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joni@romanceincolor.net (5th October 2002) |
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