Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)What a beautiful description of the "meaning of it all" which dawned on the main character, Charlene, in this novel: "The challenge of marriage was to find a steady beat, to rise above fractious moments, selfish choices, and clouded beginnings. The goal was to find solace in familiarity, to set aside blame, to dig deep for the compassion that could heal the wounds of body and soul."
Wow. I absolutely had to write that quote from Stephen Karen. This novel was superbly written. Rich in description, the author's love of antiques was quite evident. The title accurately described a novel which gave an inside look at the pain of infatuation; the power it holds over one's emotions and behavior, and how it could take away the peace and contentment from another relationship as one tries to move on. It is sad how obsessing over a bad man can blur a woman's appreciation for a good one.
Conflicting emotions shifted through me as I read this book. With the hold this other man had over Charlene's senses, I experienced a forbidden excitement as I wondered if this woman would be unfaithful to her husband. At the same time, concern for Charlene's marriage gave me a flicker of hope that she would be able to control herself. Then the strong possibility that her husband would think that she was unfaithful anyway made me wonder why she should bother holding back.
Not many authors can pull off flashbacks and get away with it, yet Karen Stephen has great skill in this area. I couldn't make up my mind which was more riveting, the current dilemma facing Charlene, or her flashbacks in time. Karen Stephen moved so seamlessly between the two that the past and present flowed together as an artful blend of suspense and mystery.
Another quote I want to pull from her novel is, "I felt my soul rise and take flight, with all the brilliant colorings of a mortal released from a cocoon of neediness and regret." It is amazing how so few words could speak so much. I highly recommend this novel. I felt regret at finishing it as I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want to let it go.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Degrees of Obsession
DEGREES OF OBSESSION reveals the deadly stalker inside every woman and reminds every man to check his rearview mirror.
Longtime therapist Dr. Charlene 'Charlie' Pedersen admits that her fixation with college sweetheart Danny Shapiro has reached the unsettling stage of obsession.Jolted by turning fifty and struggling with a condescending husband, Charlie crafts a harebrained scheme to find Danny and recapture his heart. Her delight at reuniting with her old flame soon turns to indignation when he accuses her of stalking him.
Danny's fears about being stalked are well-founded.Charlie plays on her professional expertise about stalking to worm her way back into Danny's life-all the while jeopardizing her marriage, tarnishing her reputation, and alienating her best friend. After her darkest secret is revealed, Charlie plunges into unfamiliar depths of pain and mortal danger and must rely on every psychological trick in her book to survive.
DEGREES OF OBSESSION will take you on a riveting journey from risky infatuation to personal fulfillment and forgiveness.
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