Obsession 101

Wow, what an ordeal...the birth of a beautiful baby. Of course the ugly twin is out there running around...but anyway, we can get over that now that the revised version is out. You just have to look for it. I've personally got the hook up soooo, let me tell you all about it. Doc is crazy, Juanita is crazy, Blain is crazy, Allen Roman is crazy, shoot, Carlotta is crazy and so is Trina's husband...what's his name...anyway, they are ALL crazy. I loved this book, it keep me laughing and reading wondering who was gonna jump out the closet next. My thing was just when I thought I knew who was lurking in the shadows I was wrong, just when I was like...oh snap I know it's dude in the closet I was wrong. But I guessed who was doing Juanita and I was right HA! All I can say is, in the end, I was like, girl come here and let me slap you! I do however think the book was a little dark, and different from what we used to see from the sweet little author who made up curse words and stuff, and I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with Ms. McGriff's little NOIR faze but that's cool, I know all authors have to stretch in order to grow and so I'm gonna flow with it as long as I can still turn out the lights when I'm finished reading and not be twitching like a crack head talking about, what was that?

Prior to reading Obsession 101, admittedly mystery often was among my "I'm not really into it" lists. However, upon reading it, I was astounded by the magnetism of the story that kept me excited, as well as on the edge of my seat. Michelle McGriff definitely fulfilled the four C's: character, crisis, conflict and change. Moorman University professor Rashawn Ams evoked empathy as she dealt secretly with her victimization on campus; a rape that resulted in her pregnancy. Her decision to runaway instead of confiding in her best friend Qiana that she suspected Qiana's boyfriend Russell Thompson, challenged the "Ethics" she taught. Concocting a lie about an unnamed lover, who supposedly fathered her son Reggie, merely fueled the fire that burned within the psychotic perpetrator. Rashawn's return to Moorman after one and a half years catapulted a spiral of deceit, hatred, jealousy, mystique, apprehension, murder and ambivalence. Blain Tollome was the campus cop whose overtures to Rashawn were unnerving and unwelcome. He's an imposing and intimidating specimen who lured women who had a crush on his muscles, while crushing those who threatened to expose his complicity. Readers definitely root for Rashawn to steer clear of him, although the exact reason is held at bay while she wrestles with demons, past and present. Ms. McGriff invited readers to eavesdrop on sessions between the mystery man and psychotherapist Juanita Davis, as he shared his desires to ravage Rashawn in her own home. Juanita's ex-husband Chance Davis was a colleague of Rashawn's, who desired a normal, intimate relationship with her. The mystery man wickedly exploited the naiveté of his unsuspecting targets and their interdependence. Ms. McGriff adeptly portrayed Doc as the campus crime boss while cultivating speculation on his identity. It was tantalizing trying to unmask him before his cover was blown. In addition to Blain and Doc, Dr. Allen Roman was another intriguing character. Also a colleague of Rashawn's, he taught abnormal psychology; such irony. Like with Blain, Rashawn had qualms with Dr. Roman. She knew how he felt about himself, yet had no clue the nature of feelings he harbored for her. Ms. McGriff is to be commended for balancing bizarre and twisted declarations of love with comical, soul searching and of course, drama filled romance. She put a spin on "baby's daddy drama." What happens when a sperm bank makes a huge mistake? Qiana and Nigel struggled with that very dilemma, along with their closest friends and family. Michelle McGriff truly demonstrated she's honed her craft. She has enticed us in the past with romance, as well as enthralled us with mystery and suspense. Obsession 101 is definitely a must read. Robin R. Pendleton Pyramid Books

In Obsession 101, by Michelle McGriff, Rashawn Ams, a college professor, brutally raped over a year ago and left to give birth to a child from this unwanted union, decides to do it alone, away from family and friends. She chooses not report the rape, preferring to just move on and to try to put it behind her, but she can't. Fast-forward 18 months and she's back and seemingly thriving with a beautiful son, a great job and the belief that the man she suspected of raping her is dead, so all is well with her and her world, or so it seems. Meet the university psychiatrist Allen Roman as he tries to help her through her issues but begins to get personally involved. Enter Blain Tollome the campus security guard who's big, brawny, intimidating and always around when things happen to Rashawn. Then there's Chance Davis who had a thing for Rashawn before she went away and now that she's back, he knows he has to strike while the iron is hot. All three men want her, but one of them is a lunatic, plain and simple. To add to the madness, Rashawn also has a secret admirer of sorts who brings back uneasy feelings about Rashawn's rape because women on campus are systematically being raped and apparently being slipped a date rape drug as none of them can recall the event. One of her three admirers has a past that comes into question as authorities investigate the series of various and sundry crimes that range from beatings and rapes to murder! Add to that the subplots, which are just as compelling as the main thrust of the story since they touch on on-campus drama, drugs, and mental instability. What stands out about Obsession are not just the suspense, the mystery and the feeling of "who-in-the-world-done-it" throughout the entire novel, but Michelle manages to inject a touch of humor, a dash of poignancy, and a whole lot of compassion as she makes you feel connected to each of the characters. Even the twisted one (you know I can't tell you who he is), but I almost felt like I understood where he was coming from even though he was, well...a lunatic. Whenever I thought I knew who did it, I was pleasantly surprised on virtually every page that I didn't have a clue! Many of the cast of characters each have a hint of obsessive qualities in varying degrees, which makes the story all the more compelling. Michelle has penned a spine-tingling tale that keeps the tension mounting until the very last page. Superb job, Michelle!!!!!

Reading Obsession 101 had me up late reading. I couldn't put it down, more for fear I would lose my place and not remember who I was suspecting (and why) when I picked it back up. The characters had me so involved. From the `Psycho' therapist Juanita to the `Psycho' path Blain, all these crazies seem to have their secrets and you just feel compelled to find out what those secrets are. The dialog was witty and really speaks to the author's dry sense of humor. I laughed out loud often and wow, blushed some too because it got a little hot in there. I won't say this is her best, but I will say it's the best so far, because each book I read of hers gets better and better, but I do feel that this book will be one that is a must for your McGriff collection.

Ms. McGriff has really out done herself. This was an edge of your seat page turner. The creepy obsession makes you wonder "could this really happen"? The twists and turns kept me asking "who" to the very end. I really enjoyed this book. Well done. A must read.