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NO
COMMITMENT REQUIRED is an inspired story exploring the poignancy of human
emotions. Yvonne Mitchelson and Michael Benjamin both carry heavy
emotional baggage from the past and are equally convinced that love and
commitment are words outside of their vocabulary. The strong, combustible
attraction they feel for each other however, refuses to be denied.
Yvonne is a bright, talented, successful, philanthropic business woman who
designs luxurious lingerie for her small string of lingerie boutiques. Currently
in a creative slump, her friends and business partners believe she needs a
little love in her life. Yvonne knows however, that this will never be.
She will not permit herself to ever love again.
Enter Michael Benjamin. All the world knows Michael as a player. He's
been
hurt before and he has no intention of letting any woman close enough to
inflict that kind of pain again. He's handsome and affluent, a partner in
his own business. And white.
Yvonne and Michael meet in innocent circumstances, finding themselves business
partners in a short space of time. The sexual tension between them is
palpable, and although Yvonne is determined to keep their relationship on a
pure business footing, the attraction is too strong to be denied, too potent to
be ignored. After a single night of incredible and unexpected passion,
they agree to pursue a personal relationship, with no strings attached.
As their feelings deepen, Yvonne and Michael must learn to trust each other,
to believe that it is possible to love and to be loved. They must dig deep
inside to overcome the pain of the past, the prejudices of society and the
antipathy of mutual friends. They must learn to realize that they are
deserving of love and happiness, and be willing to reach out and grasp the
opportunity when it presents itself. For then, and only then, will they
find
peace and each other.
It is hard to believe that NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED
is Ms. Glass' debut novel. The writing displays a maturity usually
associated with more experienced authors. The main characters are complex
and very well developed. Yvonne was a study in contrasts. She was
sassy and self-assured, yet vulnerable and shy; successful yet insecure; strong
and controlled, yet wild and abandoned. And it all made sense,
coming together to reveal the inner soul of a real person, who had her faults,
strengths and weaknesses. Michael was no less complex a character as he
battled his desire to remain impassive and uninvolved in spite of his growing
desire to comfort, protect and care.
From the very start, the story grabs and maintains your interest. It moves
at
a fairly fast pace, with no dull spots. A series of colorful, interesting
secondary characters add flavor and spice to the story. The book is
replete with easy-flowing, natural dialogue. The love scenes are amazing
romantic, sensuous, tasteful. And the emotions. The story will make
you smile, laugh, wince, cry, shake with anger or frustration and curl with
desire. Each and every scenario is so well written that the reader cannot
help but feel what Yvonne and Michael feel. You will experience jealousy,
fear, desolation, uncertainty, wonder, awe, happiness and love.
While the story does involve an inter-racial relationship, it is not the focus
of the story. The color question plays a small but significant role in the
various scenarios presented and is tastefully woven into the intricate fabric of
this story.
All in all, I found this story to be an excellent read. Ms. Glass has set
a high standard with her debut novel. This could be the start of a very
promising career. If you have not already read NO
COMMITMENT REQUIRED by Seressia Glass, I strongly recommend you run, not
walk, to your nearest bookstore and pickup a copy of this remarkable book.
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