Obsession, defined as the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image or desire....
Chantel Rosenberg's passion for music and life had never shone brighter than the time she spent in Bordeaux France. It's a time when feelings arose and desires ran deep, a time that fundamentally changed her life.
A man living in seclusion, Phillipe Tibideau is haunted and plagued by memories he cannot disregard. Choosing to live a quiet life in his Chateau surrounded by the vineyards of France, he's left his passion for art behind.
However, the time has arrived to tell his side of a tale. A tale that has depicted him as a 'beautiful monster' and he's finally allowing someone close.
Close enough to ask questions. Questions he's not sure he wants to answer. Questions about her.
For up and coming journalist Gemma Harris, the pursuit of truth is what drives her and when a job of a lifetime presents itself there is nothing in the world that will stop her from taking it.
Even if it does mean leaving her home for several months to stay at Chateau Tibideau, with him.
This is a story of what happens when three passionate lovers collide and the desire for truth, art and music merge.
Chateau Tibideau is a place full of unanswered questions, dark sinful desire and a beauty so hauntingly sad it will have you wondering how you will ever leave the same.....
Whoa! My mind is blown. I am not sure where to start. This book is so utterly different than anything else I have read and certainly different than Ella Frank's Exquisite series.
It is a book about obsession, possession, passion, love, loss, and despair. It is dark, twisty, mysterious, mesmerizing, heart wrenching, and passionate.
Gemma comes to the Chateau Tibideau to get the true story of an event that has destroyed the artist and owner Phillipe and the subject of his paintings Chantel. It begins with Gemma starting to interview Phillipe as any journalist would with questions. But it evolves into a story within a story with Chantel's journal entries also speaking to Gemma. We get the story in multiple points of view with Gemma, Phillipe, Chantel, and Phillipe in Flashbacks. It is a tapestry of intertwined stories, emotions, passions, and pain. I was immediately mesmerized at the unfolding of the story, but at the same time was nervous about how it would turn out in the end. The mystery of what happened with Phillipe and Chantel goes throughout the book and keeps you guessing. It is told slowly, painfully, and through the thoughts of those involved.
That painting is beauty, and she is the one woman. She is the woman that has captured the attention of the entire world, bringing probing questions to this man's door.
Who is Phillipe Tibideau? Is he just a misunderstood sad artist who now hides himself away? Or is he something much darker than that? I desperately want to know.
Gemma is strong willed, compassionate honest and very intrigued. She becomes embroiled in a situation she never expected as she is completely drawn into the relationship of Phillipe and Chantel and the story of their past.
What is it about her? Maybe the way she looks at me? Her mixture of wonder and fascination is tinged with a hint of fear. She appeared as though she wanted to touch him, but she thought she might get burned. Perhaps she is right.
Phillipe is dark, mysterious, sexy, guarded, destroyed, and overpowering. He is at times controlled and other times out of control. But in the journal entries, we see how he was with Chantel. He used to be loving, sweet, protective, obsessed, and vulnerable.
"God, you're so naive. I'm not just broken. I'm twisted inside my own f***king nightmare that never goes away. I'm f***ked on the inside. You're only seeing what I want to show you."
Life begins to imitate art as Gemma experiences what Chantel did. It is extremely sensual, addicting, passionate, and frustrating for her. They both have feelings of doubt, guilt, lust, and insecurity that affect them. And all along the mystery is still unknown and unfolding at a slow controlled pace. This book was incredibly sexy, intoxicating, raw, and passionate(oh my freakin' holy hotness...steam coming out of kindle). At times, they are desperate and frantic and at other times, they are cool and detached.
"The man is so infuriating and complicated to the extreme. One minute he's silent, involved, and right there in the moment with me. I'm sure of it. It's the minute we stop touching, the second that connection breaks, she's there, filling his head, getting into his mind, and telling him how to feel."
One of the most important concepts for them was trust. These people are so tangled together that it is almost a menage without the other person even being there. The artwork and the music almost become characters in themselves. But can they extricate their feelings from his past? Will Chantel bring them closer together or keep them apart? When you have loved someone with your entire heart and soul, is there room for another? And can you ever be totally secure if you know you have feelings for a man who many never be able to let go?
When did this story morph? When did it change from a tale of two to a tragedy of three?
This book sucked me in, wrung me out, and left me spent. It was so sensual, erotic, intense, and provocative. The characters were complicated and diverse. They were passionate, troubled, desperate, and completely enthralling. It was beautiful, gripping, and tragic. I still am not sure what I think about it all at this point, but I know I will not forget this book easily. The companion site with artwork, music, etc. just added to the full experience of the book and brought in all of my senses. This was a very haunting and erotic novel from Ella Frank. She constantly surprises me with her talent.
Thanks to Ella Frank for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
During the week Ella spends eight hours a day in a cubicle working, and dreaming up the next adventure for her characters.
At any given time you will find Ella with a book in her hand, or her bag, and a recommendation for you.
1 comments
I want to read Blind Obsession soooo bad, I am stalking the bloggers to win a copy!
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