Customer Reviews

Exposures

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

 

 

Within the trendy and affluent sections of Manhattan to Long Island to Paris to Monte Carlo to Santa Verde and other locales in between, EXPOSURES is the story of Brett Larsen, an heiress by birth and fashion photographer by trade.

EXPOSURES is the first novel penned by the infamous writing team of Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, writing as Marie Joyce. Set in the mid-1980's, it tells the story of Brett from age ten through twenty-five. The granddaughter of Swedish immigrant and transportation magnet, Sven Larsen and daughter of the troubled Barbara Larson North, Brett sets out in the world to forge her own path without the use of her birthright. An excellent photographer, Brett takes the plunge after high school by foregoing college and traveling to Paris to live and begin a career as a photographer in the cutthroat industry of fashion. Along the way she learns some hard lessons about life and love that can be directly attributed to her upbringing. There are many secrets within the Larsen family, such as Barbara hating her father and Brett having no idea why. Barbara however, has no problem accepting his living allowance while she drinks and drugs herself into oblivion. Brett is raised by her great-aunt, her mother never fights for custody and Brett has no idea who her father is. As she navigates her way through the world, relying on her only passion, she makes a name for herself while subconsciously looking for love. When a tragedy brings her back to New York, pieces of her life's puzzle begin to fall into place, but not without incident. Someone is out to destroy her grandfather and through default, Brett is in the way.

DeBerry and Grant have written an intriguing novel, which intricately details people, places and things. From the skyscrapers of New York to the ornate architectural structures of Paris, to the lush greens of Santa Verde and through the quiet countryside of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the visual imagery is abundant. For some, this presents an excellent style of writing by creating a vivid mental picture and while I can agree with the assessment, at times I found it excessive and distracting. The detailed account of the fashion industry was educational and it was amazing to learn about an industry you constantly see in and around you but have no working knowledge of its components. The authors' characterizations of the Larsen family and the people in and around their lives were portrayed in an realistic and caring manner which made for an interesting story of wealth, greed, revenge, familial love and the lack thereof. The story begs the question, is money truly the root of all evil?

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Being no different than anyone else, whenever I read a book and really enjoy it, I usually want to see what else the author has to offer. I've read Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made, Far From the Tree and Better Than I Know Myself and they were all excellent reads. Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant are the best writers I've had the pleasure of reading. This book "Exposures" can definitely join the ranks of the greats like Sidney Sheldon! Truly a page turner with romance, suspense, plots, subplots and adventure! From beginning to end this book was totally awesome!

Great final plot. Great read. However, too much in-depth detail about the fashion industry, which is interesting but too detailed. It takes awhile to really pick up, but stick with it---exciting story climax.

I've read every book written by those two dynamic women and I'm waiting patiently for their new release in January...pre-ordered all ready. But this once was a little slow, predictable, and a bit of a let down in the end. But I haven't given up on them...they're still one of my favorite writing teams.

The book starts off very slow-but stay with it. The story creeps up on you and then explodes. I can't give a full review because I left the book on an airplane. I was up to the 9th chapter. I would love to know how it all turned out. (very interesting story) It's worth the purchase!