Fourteen Pages - James Fant

Within six months Marco Goldsmith meets Venice; they get engaged and then marry, thinking that they are perfect for each other. However, after yet another fight, which caused Marco to punch a couple of holes into the living room wall, Venice screams that she hates him.

Wounded, he retreats wondering what went wrong.

In an effort to save their marriage and with help from marriage expert Garfield Moody, they draw up a contract - fourteen pages long - that details behaviors and attitudes that may stop them from arguing and perhaps make them understand each other better.

Friends, family and even the judge renewing their vows are skeptical. But Marco and Venice are determined to make their marriage work. They are both successful professionals; working on their commitment to each other shouldn't be difficult. But when the contract written up is flawed e.g., no children even though Venice is desperate to be a mother/start a family; will this agreement work?

Fant's novel about the break down of this couples marriage is an emotional roller-coaster. With the story centered predominantly on Marco and Venice it's a welcome break from the taught relationship to discover/understand why Marco's brother Benjamin keeps getting a second chance. He's the manager of Marco's sole restaurant but seems to be sitting back and doing very little. Something Venice has noticed and wants changed. Despite the seemingly incompatibility, the author makes sure it's known that there is a deep love - at least on the side of Marco. Does Venice feel the same way?

Overall a well written book. The characters met are likable to a point but are well defined without too much given away from the beginning. The more you read, the more is discovered about them. Whilst the premise of the book is good as well as the authors prowess at delving into what is possibly a difficult subject matter, I couldn't relate. The fundamentals of their contract just seemed to create a problem from the beginning. The fact that one partner wanted a child and the other didn't rang huge warning bells and I personally feel that marriage shouldn't be such hard work.

Regardless, it was an interesting plot especially as to how the author got his characters through this contract and for that it's worth picking up and reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

An Ode for Orchids - James Fant

The four granddaughters of Ma Geneva were as precious to her as her orchids, if not more so. Karen, Cicley, Brooke and Dawn. They all converge at their grandmothers house each summer. As unruly as they want to be outside those four walls, inside they were attentive and did as they were told.

Each girl have their own personalities - Cicley always after a boy, twins Brook and Dawn the followers yet laid back; and Karen - introverted but still can speak her mind. Ma Geneva loves having them each summer and knows she needs to prepare them for the challenges that they will face in life.

After an incident that leaves Karen more dependent on prescription drugs, the girls drift apart. They meet again at Brooke's hen party only for Cicley to sever the friendship between her and Karen. Leading different lives - Dawn has a child from a known drug trafficker, Brooke is married and owns a successful barber shop, Cicley is promiscuous as ever but has wealth and status; while Karen still suffers from anxiety attacks and struggles to keep a boyfriend because she's made a pledge of virginity. Will Dawn be able to walk away from a bad relationship? Is Brooke's husband cheating and why does Cicley hate Karen with such passion?

From the opening pages, Fant's novel is filled with a vibrancy and charm that makes you continue reading. The four main characters are strong, mixed up girls who must each realize their own strengths to lead a happy life, but they have to go through a lot to reach that point. Written without ceremony, the author has captured four very different lives and portrayed a world where love, honesty and trust wins through.

This story has it all - addiction, hatred, attraction, love, excitement and spirit. A complex tale of failing relationships and budding love, I completely enjoyed this novel. There are a lot of names and I was a little confused in the beginning with what the relationships are e.g. whose mum was called Sue but it all slipped away as I became embroiled in the story. I found myself wanting to wake Dawn up, couldn't she see she was in a bad relationship? Cicley is not a likable at all but it dissipates when her reason for hating Karen is revealed. Overall a well written book. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.