Comments for Anna James - Author of Contemporary Romance Novels filled with Desire, Passion, and Romance

Comment on Shattered Illusions – Bradford Sisters Trilogy Book 3 – Release date 6-2-12 by David Russell

David Russell — Sat, 26 May 2012 08:04:50 +0000

The long-awaited (by me) third instalment of the Bradford sisters saga.
A saga set in the world of art and museums. The title relates to the destruction of a painting which is central to the lives of the protagonists.
Kate has had an affair with Raffaelo (Rafe for short), a wealthy Italian with a massive art collection. There is a separation following some apparent two-timing and a purported engagement to someone else. After the pain of splitting up, Kate throws herself, successfully, into a career at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Then she discovers that the museum is going to exhibit some of Rafe’s collection, and that she is to be involved in its preparation. Superseded, or submerged feelings emerge on Kate’s part as they see a lot of each other, professionally and socially (including Kate’s family network).
These later kindle into flames of passion (including loss of virginity), which are described with great delicacy and sensitivity.
The museum’s power structure lurks in the background. Aiden, the museum boss, is somewhat vindictive towards Kate, as his superior, Jonathan the Director, had appointed her instead of one of Aiden’s favourites; she had also, in the past, refused his advances. It is later revealed that Kate’s assistant, Marcia, has had an affair with Aiden. Marcia, towards Kate, is part sisterly, part jealous. Aiden needles Kate by reminding her of her past love for Rafe.
In the course of Kate’s cataloguing of Rafe’s works, she discovers a painting. Rafe then reveals that it was of her; he had persuaded a close friend to do this during their past liaison. Rafe had especially chosen Kate to oversee the exhibition. Shortly afterwards, he has to make a sudden return to Italy, which Kate takes to be an estrangement; she is deeply distressed. The fragments of the destroyed painting are discovered in its wrapping; Aiden accuses Kate of responsibility, and dismisses her from her job, claiming that no-one else could have had access to the painting.
However, among the museum staff is one Marcia, who has some feelings for Rafe. Through jealousy, she destroys the painting when she recognizes it to be a portrayal of Kate.
The story works up to a superb ‘detective story’ climax with nailing down Marcia’s responsibility for the destruction of the painting – which is effected through the personal intervention of Rafe, who probes, and proves Marcia’s presence in the office at that crucial time. So strongly does he feel about the issue that he threatens to withdraw his collection from the exhibition unless justice is done to Kate.
The two leitmotif artworks in the story are disparate and thought-provoking: the painting of Kate certainly made me think ‘pre-Raphaelitic’; while the statue (Rafe’s own work) made up of old cell-phones and manual telephone parts is lugubriously futuristic. It was the very beauty and poignancy of the painting which set Rafe in search of Kate, finally to locate her at the museum.
Anna, the author, has an exceptional facility for relating ruthless corporation career struggles with the depths of personal passion. Kate can indeed protest “My personal life is my own business & nobody else’s” –
A standard practically impossible to sustain, given the grapevines of the professional community. The story is ‘fleshed out’ extremely well with routine details of out of the office domestic and social life – including a pregnancy. The action is superbly balanced between home and work environments. Rafe explains the tensions of the past, and the reasons for his leaving for Italy. Kate and Rafe are totally re-bonded; this is, to me, a highly acceptable ‘happy ending’.
David Russell

Comment on An Interview with J.E. Taylor by J.E. Taylor

J.E. Taylor — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:59:27 +0000

Thank you very much for having me Anna!

Comment on Book Review: Salem’s World by TD Jones by T.D. Jones

T.D. Jones — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:22:15 +0000

Thank you so much for the great review.
T.D. Jones

Comment on Shattered Dreams – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #2 Is NOW Available from Sugar and Spice Press by Anna James

Anna James — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:39:51 +0000

Thanks for your wonderful review David! The last book in the trilogy, Shattered Illusions, is due out on May 5th

Happy Reading!!!

Anna

Comment on Shattered Dreams – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #2 Is NOW Available from Sugar and Spice Press by David Russell

David Russell — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:44:18 +0000

Shattered Dreams by Anna James

My prior experience reading and reviewing Guilty as Charged left me eager for the next instalment. My reading of Shattered Dreams has left me agog for Part III of the trilogy.

The central characters are Reed McNamara and Max, with their respective partners, the two sisters Natalie and Nicole. Nicole designed Natalie’s wedding dress, and her design procured her a commission for her boss’s wedding announced by younger sister, Kate, who is going to Italy to study art. Nicole is almost a mother to Natalie and Kate. There is an intricate web of intrigue, where acute relationship tensions are played out against a background of high-powered career manoeuvres. Anna James has an exceptional ability to synthesise these elements. There is an interesting contact between the hard clinicality of the workplace, and the tenderness of the two tastefully protrayed main love scenes, and the delicate description of the miscarriage.

The relationship between Reed and Max is affected by corporate considerations. Max sells assets to keep them from the clutches of his unscrupulous ex. Natalie proves herself to be an intrepid character, taking on a gruelling and demanding job in the early stages of her pregnancy.

Good bit of backdrop with the crucial building project, which may be blocked by the local authority because of a sewer moratorium on the site. Anna also has her finger on the pulse of contemporary technology. A vital meeting is almost wrecked by the jamming of an elevator – some suspense there when the alarm is ignored; a cool, clear head establishes the appropriate telephone contact to arrange the rescue. A ‘candid’ video taken on work premises of the boss taking Natalie in his arms when she is fainting is manipulated by Gabriella Rossini to spread a spurious rumour of an affair between Natalie and Charles, the boss. This causes Natalie to storm off. Needless to say, Gabriella has designs on Reed, which are duly thwarted. She suggests she slept with Reed after Natalie’s departure. There is room for the reader’s imagination here; the greater probability is that she was lying.

There is a ‘happy ending’, where Reed and Natalie are blissfully reconciled, and Natalie is happy with the prospect of another pregnancy. The denouement has a backdrop of happy house-hunting in an idyllic lakeside setting.

Once again – a superb effort: keep ‘em rolling Anna!

David Russell

Comment on Now Available – To Love and Trust Again by Anna James

Anna James — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:30:07 +0000

Thanks Marie. I’m so glad you liked it.

Comment on Coming Soon: Shattered Illusions – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #3 by Anna James

Anna James — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:28:42 +0000

Thanks Marika a it comes out on May 5th

Comment on Now Available – To Love and Trust Again by Marie Austin

Marie Austin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:20:42 +0000

Hi Anna,

I just finished To Love and Trust Again. I really liked the book. I give it 5 stars! Can’t wait for your next release!!

Comment on Coming Soon: Shattered Illusions – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #3 by Marika Weber

Marika Weber — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:11:06 +0000

Oh my…the cover. Goodness…that is one hot cover. I so can’t wait to read it.

Marika

Comment on Now Available – To Love and Trust Again by Anna James

Anna James — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:44:14 +0000

Thanks Jenny!