Between The Lines

Title: BETWEEN THE LINES
Author: Bobbi Marolt
Publishers: Bold Strokes Books, 2009
ISBN-10 1-60282-078-3 or ISBN-13 978-1-60282-078-4
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Cat: Romance

Between The Lines (BTL) is an excellent read for that lazy sensual weekend where you need a little romance in your heart, a little laughter in your soul, and a good read for that moment of escape. The characters in this book are eccentric and comedic. Character age group of 40ish, the internal dialogue comments throws the reader into a giggle fit every once in a while because some of you can relate to that odd moment of thinking I hope she means what I think I just thought she meant when she said what she did , although Bobbi makes it much clearer in her version of the dialogue. BTL is a romance, slowly building, love between two women, both of which have strong reasons from their past to fight against the core of attraction they are feeling.

Gail Prescott is a famous writer of mainstream books and she is quite good at her skills. Carefully worded comebacks are her protection against commitment. Gail’s taller frame and slightly butch tendencies are perfect contrast to the more petite, feminine Tannen Albright, a famous British actress, with that charming British sounding accent and some nicely described assets as well (*wink wink*). Tannen’s film career has explored both charming traits on many occasions. Some British phrases caught me a little off guard once or twice because I wasn’t familiar. But it didn’t really detract from the romance. I love the ‘climbable legs’ comment. The movie references were a little bit of a stretch for me because I’m not the movie buff but some John Wayne movies and others are mentioned.

The plot line began with Tannen initially interested in filming one of Gail’s books. Fortunately, Gail and Tannen find their work isn’t the only thing that peaks their interest in each other. There’s fun, sexy, romantic, and heartfelt moments embedded into the pages as the story unfolds. A friendship develops and the two women slowly begin to cross over the lines here and there. The attraction is evident from the beginning but neither admits it. The actress is a little too flirty with the more reclusive writer and the writer begins to feel emotions she has denied herself for years. The wall Gail had built around her emotions begins to crumble, leading to many an internal dialogue, with comments such as “Screw Control” and “Yes, please and make it a double.” The author slowly takes us into the writer’s thoughts time and again to build up that romance between the two women. Just that delicious thought of “those eyes that turn me into a warm puddle” and “I’ll never admit this to you, but I love how you flirt” take us laughingly closer toward the inevitable. And just when you think all is well; the past rushes up to haunt them both.

But enough about drama…what about the sex? Tastefully created and pun intended. There is a discussion on flavors. The words “I want you, darling” and “Do that with my tongue” made the moments hot and hotter as they progressed.

The rating I give this book is a 7 of 10. The characters are intelligent and funny, being well developed. The plot has a few spots of why did that happen but sets the romance up nicely everywhere it led. The emotional storms that arise from the characters are intense and dramatic and once or twice predictable but further the story exactly as it needs to be. The weather also matched the stormy thoughts. Nice touch.

Bobbi Marolt has a book to be proud of and I can really see her skills in the future becoming stronger and reflecting emotional, dramatic tones that send the readers exactly where she wants them to go. As a reviewer I was able to get involved with the story and the people. I love that escape. The sexual heat involved was a nice sizzle too. The book cover is beautiful and worth sitting on my shelf of collectables. The price might be a buck or two steep but I’m a frugal shopper and books are my weakness. I read it through carefully and didn’t find any typos on the first read. Go take a look.

REVIEWED BY JLNICKY