Badass Bloggettes: *** REVIEW *** AUTHOR ANONYMOUS by e.k. blair

AUTHOR ANONYMOUS: A True Story

Release Date: August 29th!

A TRUE STORY told through the voice of New York Times Bestselling author E.K. Blair.

She’s an author.
She’s a mother.
She’s a wife.
She’s a fraud.

A woman marked and bound by her own deceit, this is the astounding tale of how one choice knocked her world from its axis forcing her to battle through a year of scandal and betrayal, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

This is an intoxicatingly risqué stand-alone true story tangled in lust, heartbreak, and contrition.

Author Anonymous is my introduction to E.K. Blair. This story is a recap of a tumultuous year in the life of a successful author. Her wordsmithery is very impressive and thought-provoking. Ms. Blair has a daunting task to present another author’s words in her voice that captivates while withholding personal opinions. Without a doubt, Author Anonymous captures the reader’s attention from the first page. Curiosity is part of the appeal of a true story, however, to hold the reader to the end is the responsibility of the writer. For me it is like watching a train wreck, I couldn’t put the book down.

I don’t need perfect people in my books to enjoy a story. I don’t need a happy ending. I don’t refuse to read books with cheating. People make mistakes, consequences are paid, and the characters learn from their decisions both good and bad then move forward. What troubles me the most about AA, I never felt the Ah-ha moment. I don’t understand the purpose “Victoria” has in retelling this personal and embarrassing part of her life. I’m not convinced anything is learned by the subject or the readers. I’m not sure if this is something Ms. Blair missed or Victoria never shared.

Reviewing this book based solely on the writing and the story that is Ms. Blair’s I would give it a solid 4.5 to 5 stars. Ms. Blair’s writing style has the story flow smoothly from start to finish. It is fast paced with a tone that evokes strong emotions in the readers. I’m not sure the emotions are what Ms. Blair or Victoria want but they are strong none-the-less.

Regarding the parts of the story that are Victoria’s alone, I have to say that drops my rating considerably. I don’t like or understand the main character. Why does she wana to tell her story? There doesn’t appear to be a valid lesson to share with the reader. It is a TMZ moment. It smells more of braggadocio then a recap of events to help others understand the life of an author. Is this a shrink’s assignment? Is this Victoria’s psych journal that she is using as a money maker? Or is there a hidden desire that she will be found out and her marriage is flushed down the tubes with supposedly good intentions?

Victoria reminds me of the poor, little, rich girl. She has it all—a successful career, a loving husband, loving children, and loyal friends. Landon, her husband, is in love with his wife. Like any spouse in real-life, he doesn’t show it twenty-four seven, but I never felt like he didn’t love her. Since this is Victoria’s story, I guess she never doubts his love either. Yes, she wants more; don’t we all sometimes. We all have to compromise to have successful relationships; even illicit ones? We see her compromise right and left for Alec.

Alec, the side piece, is synonymous with many non-custodial parents. You know the one. He doesn’t participate in the day to day responsibilities of discipline, decision-making, bill paying, etc. just the fun times. Alec is a non-custodial “boyfriend” who drops in with the fantasy because he has one responsibility—sex. He is one major lie after another and has no obligation for the daily survival of a relationship. He comes around when he feels like sex or, sex with Victoria. He doesn’t have to clean the house, or be a dad. He has other relationships because he is poly. He never puts on his big boy pants and deals with the day-to-day relationship building.

Author Anonymous isn’t the first biography or autobiography I’ve read dealing with behavior unbecoming. It is, however, the first time I couldn’t sympathize or relate in some way with the subject of the book. Celebrities, and I’m putting Victoria in that category, cheat and then turn around and blame their behavior on the fame, frustration, or some equally stupid reason. Victoria doesn’t take personal responsibility for her happiness and contentment. She expects her husband to do that for her, and it will never happen.

It baffles me that she reaches out to Alec, chases him down, makes concessions for a liar and a cheat but for a man who loves her she can’t put forth the effort. If she needs fantasy sex, Landon offers to investigate some kink, but Tori didn’t bite.

The synopsis mentions contrition. Where is it? All hope is dashed with the afterword. The afterword is the final straw. I’m angry and sad. Every time I feel like Victoria is going to have a revelation or that Ah-ha moment she disappoints me. Every time I feel a sense of empathy, sympathy, or understanding it vanishes quickly. Close to the end, I feel like Victoria makes a change and grows up…then the afterword. My head hurts so badly, not for Victoria, for her children and her husband. I cried, and I’m sad.

I’m sad for the widows/widowers like me, who would love to walk in the door one more time and see our significant other taking care for the children, even if the house is messy and the dishes aren’t done.

Sad for those who lost a loved one in battle and crave for their arms around them one more time. Cry because they can’t walk down the street and hold a hand for a couple of minutes. Hell, I can hold the hand of a good friend in need. How can Victoria touch, with affection a man who loves her and is the father of her children? (Not surprising that she walks out on her children.)

Sad for those who didn’t get a chance with a Landon because they aren’t pretty enough or slim enough, or smart enough, or successful enough, or have a handicap, so the head of a man like her husband doesn’t turn in their direction.

And yes, even sad for Victoria who thinks so little of her family that she, even today, dwells on a lying loser, instead of a lover by her side. There are moments that I hurt for Victoria but these moments are so fleeting they mean nothing. I hope and pray that this woman begins to appreciate what she has, success, love, a good family, friends, and friends.

In summary, E.K. Blair does an excellent job telling this story. I guarantee you will feel a wide range of emotions. It is very emotional read. My final question is this a real author or a composite of authors observed at book signings. If that is the case, it makes sense that the ah-ha moment is non-existent. From the beginning, I believe that Ms. Blair is going to give answers and/or reasons. I’m not there, and I don’t see anything brave in Victoria sharing the pain she inflicted on her family, but I hope she did learn something even if she isn’t sharing it.

3.5 STAMPS