Customer Reviews

Behind the Screen

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In today's world, we use computers for just about everything. In her debut novel, author Stormy Steele introduces us to the world of Internet dating. We meet Kyla Sullivan, an Engineer and divorced mother of two. She has had her share of trifling men who have cheated on her and taken her kindness for weakness, but she still has hope that somewhere out there is a man who will love and respect her. We also meet Charles Stone, a "playa" who uses the computer to supply his lustful ways. Kyla and Charles eventually meet on Today's Singles, an Internet dating site. They develop a friendship, but both are skeptical of starting a relationship. Can these two look beyond their fears and behind the screen to find love in the real world?

BEHIND THE SCREEN is a funny, endearing, and romantic novel that gives a very accurate portrayal of Internet dating. While sometimes you may make a love connection, there are also some psychos or people who have ulterior motives. Stormy Steele's debut effort does an excellent job of showing the online dating scene and its rewards and consequences.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This was a great book and I liked the use of two characters going back and forth. This really kept my attention in an effort to figure what was next. I figured our early in the book that Charles and Kayla would get marry, but at first I thought charles was someone else. The ending was real nice and left room for a sequeal.

I enjoyed reading this debut novel about dating in cyberspace. The author provided a very realistic view of the Internet dating scene. The two main characters, Kyla Sullivan and Charles Stone, were both very likable with a few minor flaws.

I look forward to reading more of Stormy's work. I can tell that she has a very active imagination. The dialogue throughout the story helped to keep the novel moving along at a steady pace. Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Barbara Joe Williams
Author of "Falling for Lies"

My mom's first book is GREAT. It's very interesting and unique. I have yet to read a novel anything like it. Behind the Screen contains romance and suspense. You get 2 great themes all in one book! A wonderful, quick read. You won't regret buying it. :)

Stormy Steele has given two characters Kyla Sullivan, and Charles Stone life inside the pages of her novel "Behind The Screen" Never has an author kept you in suspense about two people meeting on the internet, and the challenges they met in cyberspace. Charles learned a lesson about respecting women, and Kyla learned how a man's life falling apart struggled to keep her happy. What an ending. Extraordinary reading! Powerful!

-Ron Branch-

I rate this book a 3 1/2.

"Behind the Screen" was a really interesting book with a great storyline. The subject matter of cyber dating and online communities was a great choice and needless to say interesting. As we all know, cyberspace dating has become very common and there are many pros and cons. More and more people are now interacting in the many online communities. Stormy placed the reader inside of the online dating game by showing very real situations that can come about when meeting
a significant other online.

We are introduced to Kyla and Charles. Kyla who is strong, single, raising kids, managing a career and a home, as well as searching for companionship. Charles who is a player of players, but is missing something really important. The other characters played a major role in the book, as they gave a true picture of the interactions which take place within online communities. You get to see the drama so many people have experienced online, but also the networking that can evolve from meeting people in cyberworld.

Though Stormy did a wonderful job with her freshman novel, there were scenes I felt could have been deleted as they weren't really needed in the story. The book moved a little slow in the beginning because there was a lot of telling through narration and not enough showing. The story picked up toward the middle and the pacing was fast thereafter. Stormy gave the readers a slamming ending, making the reader yearn for more. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us with her future works as she grows in her writing career.

I just finished reading BEHIND THE SCREEN today and found that Charles and Kyla's stories and views felt very familiar to me. I've never cyber-dated, but I have a couple of friends who met on line so when I saw this book being offered during the AABCS Cruise, I picked it up. It's obvious that the author has had some experience in this area whether it was her own personal experiences or those of others that she knows well. Some of the book was funny and some was serious. There were some areas that could have been expanded upon or just maybe outlined a little better, but overall, I think it was a good read. I'd recommend that you buy it in the softcover version instead of the hardback. The softcover is less expensive and you'll be more likely to agree that the book is worth the money invested.

I like the fact that Stormy Steele gives Charles a voice that speaks loudly and clearly. In "Behind the Screen," the characterization is realistic and fair. Steele shows that men AND women play the same games and make the same mistakes. Most importantly, Steele shows that a man can and will be a dawg if he truly believes there are slim pickings when it comes to finding Ms. Right. [Newsflash ladies: most of us feel that way] Charles is a brotha who is methodical and direct. He wants a relationship but all he keeps meeting is skanks. So he entertains these skanks for the time being. It doesn't take him long to realize that he has found Sunshine when he meets Kyla. Thanks Stormy Steele for balancing the scales in "Behind the Screen."

Internet dating has taken the world by storm. What was once looked upon as strange and unsafe has now become the most popular way of meeting and hooking up. Today's Singles is one of the hottest Internet dating spots. The people there are real and friendly. Sometimes they make love connections and sometimes they don't. They even have monthly group gatherings so the members can get to know each other.

Kyla is a hard working single mother. After ridding herself of a deadbeat ex husband and philandering boyfriend she is ready for a breath of fresh air. Having been out of the dating scene for a while she realizes that she is a tad bit rusty when it comes to meeting men. With a little persuasion from a co-worker she decides to check out Today's Singles. Kyla becomes Special K and embarks upon a whole new cyber world.

According to Charles, women are only good for one thing. He has done the relationship thing and it didn't work for him. Now it's all about the 3 F's with him. Working his way through the regulars on Today's Singles he comes across Special K. Unfortunately, something about her intrigues him and he can't help but to rethink his thoughts on women. Will she be the one to help him change his mind?

Behind The Screen is a funny yet sweet novel. It almost reads like a how-to manual for online dating. If you want to know just how serious an online relationship can be taken, let Kyla and Charles show you.

Angie Pickett-Henderson
Readincolor Reviewers

Cyber-dating as a topic is a refreshing twist to the romance stories that everyone sees and this is a fun read. Though I must say I couldn't get into Kyla and found her story pretty run of the mill, Charles was a funny, well developed character and his issues were really interesting to me. I enjoyed seeing his growth as the story developed. Stormy Steele dealt with an issue that is really damaging to relationships, deception about finances. I would love to see a follow up about the problems this couple deals with instead of the usual stuff readers are fed (caught him in bed with my best friend, he's on drugs, he's gay...we've all read 'em)
The ending was great(...)