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Chapter 1
Madison Castelli's green eyes regarded Jake Sica with a certain guarded amusement as he entertained his brother's dinner guests with a hilarious story about a recent photo safari he'd been on in Africa. Jake had a kind of deadpan delivery that really caught her attention and attracted her to him, although she had no intention of getting involved again. Not after her last disastrous relationship -- absolutely no way.
Madison was quite beautiful, with her black hair, olive skin and lithe body, but she played her good looks down, preferring to be known for brains rather than beauty.
I'm twenty-nine, a successful writer for Manhattan Style magazine and happily single, Madison thought, continuing to check Jake out across the dinner table. So why am I even thinking about this guy? Especially as I only just met him. Plus he doesn't seem at all interested in me -- so what's my problem?
She glanced over at her best friend, Natalie, who'd brought her to the dinner. Natalie and Jimmy Sica, Jake's brother and the host of this party, worked at the same TV station. Jimmy, with his classic good looks and scintillating smile, was the news anchor, while Natalie took care of the entertainment report. Both were enjoying their one night off -- especially Natalie, who seemed to be making out okay with Luther, a huge ex-football player and old college buddy of Jimmy's.
"You're a hoot," Natalie said to Jake, shooting Madison a sideways "why don't you do something about him?" look.
Madison did not respond; she wasn't about to encourage Natalie's not so subtle matchmaking, even though she did find Jake extremely attractive.
"I love this!" exclaimed Bunny, Jimmy's pretty wife, clapping her hands together like an excited little girl. "We used to entertain all the time in Detroit. What fun we had!"
"We sure did," agreed Jimmy, flashing his perfect smile.
"How about we play charades later?" Bunny suggested, still full of girlish enthusiasm.
"How about not?" Jake responded, with a wry grin.
"I'm with you," Madison agreed. She couldn't stand parlor games -- probably because she didn't consider herself very good at them.
"Me, too," said Luther, pushing his chair away from the table and stretching. "Man, I do not get off on all that goofin' around. Makes me feel like some kind of big old fool."
Bunny pulled a face. "It's my party," she said petulantly. "I can do what I want."
"Honey!" Jimmy said, slightly embarrassed. "Whyn't we take a vote?"
"Don't want to," Bunny said, pursing her pink lips, her pretty features contorting into a scowl.
"Sweetheart --" Jimmy started to say.
"Don't nag me all the time!" Bunny shrieked, cutting him off, her baby blue eyes flashing sudden major danger signals.
"Oh, good," Natalie murmured, attempting to lighten things up. "A family fight."
Bunny suddenly jumped up from the table. "I hate you all!" she screeched, before running from the room.
There was a stunned silence.
Jimmy's smile wavered. "She's only kidding," he said, getting up and hurriedly scooting after her.
"Holy shit!" Natalie exclaimed as soon as Jimmy was out of earshot. "What was that all about?"
Both Luther and Jake appeared unaffected by Bunny's outburst.
"Nothing," Jake said, with a wide, unconcerned grin. "That was simply Bunny being Bunny -- no big deal."
"Yeah," Luther agreed, reaching for a bottle of red wine and refilling everyone's glass. "Nothin' changes."
"Does she usually scream at her guests like that?" Madison asked, surprised at their calm reaction.
"She only throws a fit to get Jimmy's attention," Jake explained. "It's her way."
"Good for her," Madison said crisply, pushing her chair away from the table. "Only I don't have to stay around to watch."
"No, no," Luther said, chuckling. "You don't get it. This shit's bin goin' on since college. They'll be back in a minute all cozy an' down each other's throats. It's their thing."
"Well, it's not mine," Madison said, standing up. "Besides, I've got work to do." She stared pointedly at Natalie, waiting for her to get up, too.
Natalie didn't budge.
"I guess I'd better call a cab," Madison said irritably, swearing to herself that tomorrow she'd hire her own car -- no more being trapped.
"Oh," Natalie said innocently, as if it had only just occurred to her. "You're in my car, aren't you?"
"Yes, Natalie, I am," Madison said, stifling the urge to strangle her.
Natalie was not about to give up on Luther. "Maybe Jake's going your way," she suggested.
Now all eyes were on Jake. Madison was furious, especially as Jake was not exactly leaping up to offer her a lift.
"A cab'll be fine," she said stiffly.
"I'll call one," Jake said. "I would drive you, but...uh...I'm kind of expecting someone."
Oh great, Madison thought. He's got a late date, and Natalie's begging him to drive me home. How embarrassing is this?
"Who?" Luther asked, all interested.
"No one you know," Jake replied, picking up his glass and taking a gulp of wine.
Natalie finally rallied. "I suppose I should be going too," she said, batting her long eyelashes at Luther, waiting for him to stop her.
He got the message. "No, baby," he crooned, giving her a long, slow-burn look. "It's way too early for you to leave."
"Gotta get my beauty sleep," she said, doing the eyelash thing again.
"Honey," Luther said, right on cue. "You're so fine you don't need beauty sleep."
Oh, God, Madison thought, do I really have to listen to this?
And then the phone rang, and all hell broke loose.
Copyright © 1998 by Chances, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing. Couldn't put it down.,
This review is from: Obsession (L.a. Connections) (Mass Market Paperback)
The story picks up where "Power" left off. Good guy Jake just learned that his girlfriend, Kristen is a prostitute. Can't wait to read his reaction to that tidbit. Although, Kristen is a hooker, she is a likeable character. She hates selling her body, but her motives for doing so are out of love for her sister. But will Jake be understanding? Or will he become involved with sexy journalist, Madison Castelli, who finds Jake attractive? In addition to the luscious, Jake/Kristen story, beautiful blondes are being murdered. Who is the killer? And what is the killer's motives? I am itching to find out. Like "Power," "Obsession" is a little over a hundred pages, without one useless word. Reading the two books have been akin to watching good soap opera. I breathlessly wait for the next installment. I am truly enjoying this miniseries, and I hope other writers follow suit. The novella could be the next trend in publishing.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A TOUR DE FORCE! by M. Boucher,
By A Customer
This review is from: Obsession (L.a. Connections) (Mass Market Paperback)
Whew! What a great follow up! Who would have thought that one of the main characters would get slaughtered? Collins doesn't miss a beat! Her second book in her L.A. Connections series is utterly captivating! Now that journalist Madison Castelli is caught in the middle of the biggest murder story in Hollywood, her priorities have changed. Her need to interview superagent Freddie Leon must be put on hold while she helps detective Tucci with the murder. Who is the killer? Who will die next? No one is safe in the world of Jackie Collins, as she just proved with OBSESSION. So be ready for another bombshell in part 3! Can't wait!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jackie Collins is the BEST!!!!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Obsession (L.a. Connections) (Mass Market Paperback)
Although I'm not a fan of "mini" books, Jackie Collins has caught my eye with these little beauties!! So easy to read, you can finish one on your lunch hour and still remember the plot for the next book. "Obsession" picks up where "Power" stopped. Kristin and Jake really heat things up and Freddie is headed for trouble. Madison is hot on the trail of Salli's murderer, and Natalie is on a man hunt. Stayed tuned for the next episode!!!!!
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