Review: I'll Never Look at Books the Same Again!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 7, 2014
THE PUBLICISTThe copy I received of The Publicist had the cover on like in the book set (two people on the couch *ahem* reading between the lines, shall we say).  So when I opened the package, I got a little worried; as a rule, books with copious amounts of blatant sex are not my cup of tea.  But I had agreed to review the books and the author had included a hand-written personal note - which I thought was very, VERY classy - so I determined to forge ahead.And I am so glad I did.On page one, we are introduced to Katherine Mitchell (Kate), and are immediately drawn to her compassionate nature.  Why?  Because in the second paragraph of The Publicist, she goes tearing out of her office to go talk to an author who is threatening to jump off a roof in New York because her Oprah interview was cancelled.Kate has also stayed cordial to the point of friendship with the author of her firms most successful book ever, Allan Lavigne, who has not seemed to be able to write the second book in his contract - ever.  She visits him regularly, really enjoys his company, and brings him groceries now and again because he rarely gets out and she wants to make sure Allan is taking care of himself.But in at least one sense, we learn that Allan can take care of his interests quite well, thank you.And then there is Mac.  Handsome, talented in more ways than one, married MacDermott Ellis.  I really never thought I could have any sympathy for a cheating husband.  And while I certainly not a fan of extra-marital affairs, Ms. George does an incredible job of showing Mac's humanity and basic decency.  I actually wound up liking Mac.This is a good read for anyone who likes to read or who is involved with publishing.  It adds another dimension to (my) reading when we understand a little of what is involved in bring the work from the keyboard to our reading stacks.SHELF LIFEAh...the path of true life never did run smooth.  Certainly not for Kate - professionally and personally - her life has more ups and downs than a roller coaster.Edward, Kate and Mac's boss proves how much of a jerk he really is.  Kate moves to California to get away from Mac and publishing, and stays with Nick Lavigne (Allan's nephew), who is in love with her.  At first their relationship is platonic, but then it changes and she winds up accepting Nick's proposal, even though Mac still haunts her.  Kate finally admits that while she loves Nick, she is not in love with him, and breaks their engagement.Kate realizes that publishing is in her blood, and luckily Allan bequeathed her a brilliant manuscript, which she uses to start her own publishing house, at first in California, and then also in New York City, which is a more happening place for the book world.  And guess who shows up (fresh from realizing that he is not as tied to his marriage as he thought) in need of a job?Again, the descriptions of the sex that goes on in the pages are a little *ahem* detailed for my taste.  While I would not go so far as to say this novel is erotica, there is a strong sexual element of which readers should be aware.As with The Publicist, Book I, this second installment, Shelf Life, is a fascinating glimpse into the world of publishing that cannot help but increase any book lover's enjoyment of whatever they are reading at the moment.(Disclaimer:  I received ARC's of both these books in exchange for an honest review.  No other compensation was offerred or received.)