Between Lovers - Hardcover

Dickey, Eric Jerome

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525946039 ISBN 13: 9780525946038

Publisher: Dutton Adult, 2001

Synopsis

A Los Angeles-based writer still trying to get over being dumped seven years earlier by his former fiancTe, Nicole, who fell in love with another woman, unexpectedly finds himself caught in an intricate love triangle when Nicole suddenly comes back into his life, reopening feelings of anger, hurt, and unforgettable passion. 150,000 first printing.

About this title

About the Author

ERIC JEROME DICKEY is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels, as well as a six-issue miniseries of graphic novels featuring Storm (X-Men) and the Black Panther. Originally from Memphis, Dickey now lives on the road and rests in whatever hotel will have him.

Reviews

Dickey (Liar's Game) shows a skillful hand once again with sensational relationships and heady sensuality in his lively fourth novel, another winner. Exploring the dynamics of a complex and emotive love triangle, he injects some autobiographical detail into the mix by making his unnamed protagonist and first-person narrator a popular L.A.-based African-American author. This author is riding the wave of a book-signing tour in Oakland, Calif., but is still reeling from the repercussions of being stood up at the altar by seven-year lover and secretly budding lesbian Nicole. The runaway bride abandons the ceremony for some much-needed self-exploration, and though she's still in love with her ex-fianc‚, she quickly moves in with female lover Ayanna, a fiery, cynical attorney. A year later, Nicole gets busy alternating dates with both partners; this proves complicated and emotionally draining for all three. When they all finally come together, there is a dialogue-heavy, war of the roses-style battle for Nicole's heart (sandwiched between some particularly vigorous erotic play, Dickey-style). A tragic turn of events forces both Ayanna and the novelist to reexamine their narcissistic motivations and reconsider their capacity to love without limitations. The pace of this character-driven novel is unhurried, highlighting Dickey's celebrated contemporary vernacular, thinly veiled social commentary and comedic sarcasm. While his somewhat shallow emotional portrait of Nicole might not fully convince readers that she's worth all the trouble she causes, at the same time he manages to demonstrate just how blind and blissfully numbing true love can be. This is another spicy slice of African-American dramatic fiction from an author who seems only to get better. (July)Forecast: Jacketed in the familiar, brightly colored Dickey style, this quality crowd-pleaser will leap off display tables. Chances are it'll hit bestseller lists early, given an extra boost by a 20-city author tour.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

The narrator, a successful writer on a book-signing stop in Oakland, renews his relationship with longtime lover Nicole. Seven years ago, Nicole left him at the altar, uncertain of her commitment and sexually confused. He's spent the past seven years writing novels, thinly veiled rehashings of their relationship, and nursing guilt that a sexually adventurous trip to Paris with Nicole may have sparked her sexual confusion. He's determined to win her back, as determined as Nicole's lover, Ayanna, a beautiful and intense lawyer, is to keep her. Nicole has grown into a self-assured woman, successful in her own right and determined to advance her own agenda. Unwilling to give up either lover, she wants a shared arrangement and sets in motion an incredible few days of emotional and sexual challenge. When either partner mentions closing the circle, Nicole is understandably reluctant, not wanting to shift the center of control. The tension between the three heightens as each is confronted with deceptions, jealousy, self-delusions, and a subtle shifting of control in their destructive competition. As a subtext, the narrator struggles with his father's and other people's expectations of black writers, an obligation to write something of substance versus frivolity. His hero is James Baldwin, viewed by his preacher-activist father as a talented but self-indulgent man standing on the sidelines in the struggle for racial justice. Dickey captures the ambience of Oakland and the angst of three fascinating characters in a torturous bisexual love triangle. Dickey fans will be delighted. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

The author of best sellers like Liar's Game sets up an unusual triangle. After seven happy years, Nicole has dumped her boyfriend (who narrates) and fallen in love with a woman. But she can't help trying to entice her former love back into her life.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Dutton Adult
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0525946039
• ISBN 13: 9780525946038
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 314