‘Fierce Overture’ by Gun Brooke

Author: Pamela Bigelow

March 7, 2011

Helena Forsyth is the force behind Venus Media & Publishing, Noelle Laurent is the country’s hottest pop star and under contract to VMP. When Noelle decides she wants to record her own songs on her next CD, she knows she’s taking on the formidable Helena. When Helena’s well known strong-as-steel willpower slips and she kisses Noelle, both women’s lives are changed forever.

While both women are intelligent, neither is able to talk to the other about her feelings, and in the case of Helena, she never tells Noelle she’s concerned about their age difference. Both women are beautiful, accomplished, wealthy, and live privileged lives.

Brooke has created two characters who should appeal to most readers: a high-powered businesswoman and a pop star used to getting her way, but without being spoiled. They are reduced to quivering messes when love unexpectedly rears its head between them.

This book needed a firm editorial hand, but didn’t get it. There are several editorial gaffes — point of view issues, character inconsistencies, and contrived plotting devices — to name but three. If this sort of thing drives you out of a story, this may not be the book for you. If you never notice these kinds of things, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book.
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FIERCE OVERTURE
by Gun Brooke
Bold Strokes Books
Paperback, 9781602821569, 264pp.
July 2010