http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/content/view/275/101 The Estranged Affair: A Love Story
Written by Trang Black
Sunday, 10 September 2006
The Estranged Affair: A Love Story
Reviewed by Trang Black © 2006

Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006

Title: The Estranged Affair: A Love Story
Author: J. L. Foster
Publisher: J. L. Foster Publications, via Lulu Printing
Genre: American Drama/Gay-Lesbian
ISBN Number: (E) 978-1-4116-9541-2
Release date: May 1, 2006

Daniel's life is right on track. He's happily living out the American dream with his beautiful young wife and their unborn child when fate steps in and throws him a curve ball. The feelings that he suddenly discovers for a man he's known for years confuse him but are undeniable. Daniel convinces himself to forget about Chandler and he moves his young family to Miami. There he begins to question who he is and what he wants and in doing so, pens a novel with an autobiographical theme which makes him an instant celebrity. Will he discover himself and his true love?

From the small town of Newark, Tennessee to the glitz and glamour of Miami, Florida, The Estranged Affair: A Love Story follows the life and loves of Daniel Richardson. This sweeping saga, reminiscent of a mini-series, is one that eloquently details the excitement and confusion he feels when he realizes his attraction to his wife's best friend's husband. Daniel and Chandler never really have a chance to explore their feelings as both are married and Daniel and his wife Olivia are expecting their first child. Both go their separate ways but Daniel's life is changed forever. His journey to self discover brings forth new characters and new revelations about himself and his wife Olivia as well as new prejudice from those he thought he knew. Some characters such as Ashaki, the African matchmaker with a penchant for dead chickens, are just what's need to lighten the otherwise long and difficult road Daniel must travel before finding the love we all dream of. Portions of the story really tug at your emotions, making you want to cry or yell or step right into the pages and shake some sense into the characters. One thing I couldn't understand was why everyone spoke in exclamations points! Other than that annoying peculiarity, this story is one that makes you examine your feelings, your belief in fate, and the wonder of true love.

Rating: Four cats.

The Estranged Affair: A Love Story by J. L. Foster
Written by Frost
Friday, 10 November 2006

Pages: 388

Heat Level: 1 1/2 Peppers

Rating: 4 1/2 Lips


Daniel and his wife Olivia, now four months pregnant, live comfortably in a small old-fashioned town in Tennessee. A couple who are their friends, Tracy and Chandler, lost their first child six months ago due to a miscarriage, and although Tracy seems to have bounced back, Chandler can’t release his grief. At a birthday party for Tracy held at their home, Daniel attempts to cheer up Chandler in a private talk, and discovers a tension level that hadn’t been present earlier. Just before the private conversation is unexpectedly interrupted by Olivia, Daniel looks into Chandler’s eyes and sees something he never saw before; and though he wonders if the reaction had been confined only to himself, he’s savvy enough to realize that never again will life be viewed the same by him. A new filter has slid over the lens of his personal kaleidoscope.

Daniel is a novelist who works at home, and his new perspective has pervaded his creative output as well as his personal stance. The entire direction of his current story changes, and Chandler remains in his mind throughout his non-working hours. As time passes, Tracy becomes more and more contemptuous of Chandler, and that attitude seems to be wearing off on Olivia, for she frequently teases Daniel about Chandler and the birthday party. On the way to dinner at a restaurant, Daniel and Chandler fall into a misunderstanding and both come away with hurt feelings; until a second quiet conversation begins to straighten matters out and put the budding relationship onto a new foundation!

J. L. Foster delivers a story that quickly draws the reader into the lives of these couples, and in no time I found myself intrigued with the situation beginning between the writer Daniel and his close acquaintance Chandler, who is enduring an increasingly miserable marriage. I easily found myself rooting for the two and sympathizing with their mutual marital situations. I think any reader could find something to identify with here, because no individual’s life is ever completely or continuously perfect. The Estranged Affair: A Love Story is a story I expect I shall pick up to reread, because I think this book has much to share.

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/theestrangedaffair.html



THE ESTRANGED AFFAIR
J.L. FOSTER
ISBN: Not Available
May 2006
Lulu
www.lulu.com/jlfoster
E-Book
Price: $3.50 E-Book/$15.95 paperback
374 Pages
Romance/Love Story (Note: This is what the site has it listed)
Rating: 3 Cups

Daniel, a writer, is in the midst of trying to finish a novel. His pregnant wife’s mood swings begin to wear on him. Then his friend, Chandler sends signals that he does not quite know how to respond.

Olivia has her own hard choices in life to make. After giving birth to their son, her life takes on a sour note.

Chandler feels that something is missing with Tracy. He is certain there is real joy out there somewhere.

Tracy grows tired of her husband’s bland conversation and ideas.

Fate has a strange way of preparing paths for people. When Chandler and Daniel take their wives out for dinner, neither imagined things would shift for them that would last throughout the years. Tracy and Chandler do not have the perfect life neither do Daniel and Olivia and the women’s constantly changing dispositions play havoc on the relationships not only toward their husbands but in time each other. Daniel soon gets a book deal that sees many changes ahead for each couple. In no time, the friends, from Tennessee, embark on journeys that take them in different directions only to end up discovering each other with fascinating adventures as the years go by.

The Estranged Affair: A Love Story is more than romance and love. It carries the reader into the lives of four friends who discover that friendship is not all that it appears. The characters of Daniel, Chandler, Olivia and Tracy have their strong points and their weakness as they show life is not always peaches and cream. Mr. Foster shows how sometimes the littlest facets in ones life can leave hard choices to make. He details how even in women sometimes the least little jealousies can bring out the worse in a person. He pens an enjoyable read.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Amazing characters in a story that draws you in and doesn't let go! Can't wait to read more by this author!

This is *not* your usual love story. Daniel is married to a woman who uses the mood swings associated with pregnancy to act like a witch. Chandler is married to a woman who could be Daniel's wife's sister - and they are best friends. Daniel and Chandler find each other and begin an affair that takes the reader on what is truly a roller coaster of emotion. I found myself laughing and crying and cursing and so angry I came dangerously close to slamming the book shut! But I hung on and in the end was rewarded handsomely for my patience. This book is more than worth the ride it takes you on!

Seductive Read - by Angela Pearson:

This story seduced me! I started reading it thinking it would be a simple romance story and by the end of the preview, I wanted to know what happens Daniel.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the whole book. Well done! If I could figure out how to put in a rating, I would give it 5 stars.

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The Wife from HELL - by Crystal Ordonez

Daniel is married. I would say what Olivia reminds me of, but that would be insulting female dogs the world around. If I were a man and married to Olivia I would be making eyes at another man as well!

Now I have to be patient and wait for the rest of the book to come out!