Customer Reviews

Obsession 101

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The author does a meticulous work in vividly illustrating humor phobias, insecurities, altered egos and mental struggles through the power of words; although at times I found it difficult to follow the author's lead in the plot, she recovered the story well.

The story - suspenseful. Even after the early revealing in the story of the rapist who attacked RaShawn Ams, you'll continue to question the answer because the author used major twists and mayhem heightening the story.

The center of the story is based on Professor RaShawn Ams, an English professor at Moorman University, in California. She returned from Georgia to work back again at the University, where she was raped. Now she too(unaware), has fallen victim to the sex drug that has hit the campus from the homeland of Jamaica.

Being a creature of habit, the stalker was able to switch her bottled waters with his bottles of drugged water, in which afterwards he would take merciless advantage of the professor. Next, he was able to infiltrate her home and do the same.

The results of RaShawn's rape at Moorman University one late night (kept secretive for a while from everyone, family members included), was born a sweet baby boy, Reggie. The rape was the reason for her immediate exodus to Georgia, where her son was born. She accounted to her family that Reggie was born due to her night of fun in the peach state of Georgia.

RaShawn attempts, with difficulty, to lead a "normal" life. Unfortunately, in her path are three men Chance Davis, Allen Roman and Blain Tollome; one of which is possessed with demons and the story unveils...... Yet, it seemed as though there were other characters possessed at times.

OUT-OF-CONTROL!!!!!

The author was creative with the involvement of college faculty & students, law enforcemment and of course family and friends.

The only problem I had was in needed closure to some characaters in the story. The character Leon, a security officer on campus - it's not quite clear how this character was introduced (other than his greed) to his partners, Doc and Red, in the drug circle on campus, in which he also was a drug dealer. Also who was the older man who Allen Roman despised so, what it is father? Who was Wanda, was she the same person as Juanita (Chance Davis' ex-wife)? What became of Juanita's current younger husband, Dennis?





Star Rating:****3.5

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

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?

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!!!!!

Michelle McGriff is a natural storyteller. She creates a world full of passion and intensity that draws you in right from the beginning. Her stories are complete, but you will still find yourself asking for more. Obsession 101 gives you a heroine you can believe in. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout the book, and you will still be thrown for a loop at the end. Terry Hooper

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.

After reading this book, the first thing I did was check the seal on all my water bottles. Then I my closets.
Blain might have been sexy as all get out, but he was missing some screws, and Chance was a loser in my opinion, he was weak, and Allen Roman reminded me of an old leech you meet in a bar and totally regret giving your number too. In For Love's Sake, Rashawn had it together, but in this story she fell apart completely. To me this was very realistic because we can't all be Wonder Woman all the time. Maceba was a real woman too. She had conflicts of the heart that cost her everything.
Having read Ms. McGriff's writing before, I have to admit I do enjoy her romances better but she did a good job in holding my attention with this one. The story never dragged in my opinion yet she covered alot of ground and had alot of characters, but then again, that's her style I think, as I read Majestic Secret years ago and had to read it more than one time, however, it's never a chore to read her books more than once and I look forward to the next one.

I was wondering when the reviews on the 'BROWN COVERED' edition would start to come in, I'm sorry you missed all my emails and cautions about buying that version. However, as you see from the above cover, Qboro Books has the only REAL version of Obsession 101 book in print! Please contact my publisher at www.qborobooks.com and they will put you in contact with me personally. Thanks for your continued willingness to support me and your willingness to see what my books are REALLY like! I'm thrilled that even with the problems the book had you gave it 3 stars...just wait, you ain't read NOTHING YET! (smile)

Professor Rashawn Ams life seems to be on an upward swing until strange things start happening. Unaware that one of the three men in her life is guilty of violating her trust on various levels, she allows all three to be a part of her life in some degree. Obsession 101 is filled with twisted plots that will keep you drawn to the pages. Each time you think you know who the suspect is, the author throws in a different twist.