Spotlight [Hardcover]

Carole Bellacera (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2000

Devin OKeefe takes part in a peaceful demonstration never suspecting that the demonstration is doomed to become Bloody Sunday, and that he will watch the British Army kill his brother. Devin vows revenge on his British oppressors. Eighteen years later, some very powerful and deadly forces are hoping to take advantage of his life in the spotlight.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Contemporary Irish politics, the popular music scene and thwarted romance are the key ingredients in Bellacera's passionate if over-the-top second novel (after Border Crossings). Devin O'Keefe, lead singer for an Irish rock group, was mentally and physically scarred by his youth during the "Troubles" of Northern Ireland. Although committed to peace, Devin is pressured into marriage with IRA terrorist Caitlyn McManus, who is soon sentenced to life imprisonment and tortured by the British for her role in a department store bombing. For the sake of Devin's career, his manager, Ian Brinegar, persuades Devin to lie and claim that Caitlyn died in the bombing. When Devin meets ambitious American rock journalist Fonda Blayne, sparks fly. Though she is still mourning the death of her twin brother, a policeman shot on the job, she jumps at an offer from Brinegar to travel with the band, photograph its U.S. tour and produce a "pictorial" book about it. But there is trouble ahead. Bram Gradeighy, a roadie who is in love with Devin's sister, Bonnie, harbors a mysterious secret. Fonda's 16-year-old sister, Jessie, unable to get along with their father, comes to join Fonda on tour, and becomes overly involved with another roadie. Caitlyn escapes from jail and involves Ian in arms smuggling. And the laws of the Republic of Ireland, which preclude divorce, tempt Devin into proposing to Fonda while he is still secretly married. The overstuffed plot bursts its seams toward the end, and Bellacera's dialogue tends to the mawkish, but fans of unpretentious, no-holds-barred melodrama may be intrigued. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A hybrid second novel from Bellacera (Border Crossings, not reviewed) awkwardly mixes the sighs of a bodice-ripper with the mayhem of a political thriller, charting as it goes along the story of an American journalist who falls in love with an Irish rock star haunted by old ties to the IRA.Fonda (named after Henry, not Jane) Blayne, the newest employee of Spotlight, a rock-music magazine, finds herself doing a photo story on popular Irish rocker Devin O' Keefe. The year is 1990, and Devin, who came to fame when he performed at a Live-Aid concert in London in the '80s, is to tour the US over the summer. Born in Belfast, Devin witnessed sectarian violence firsthand when, at the age of ten, he participated in a march and saw his older brother killed. But unlike some of his compatriots, he has dedicated his life and music to nonviolence. He's well-meaning if too trusting, however, for he's in fact being used by the IRA, which diverts his contributions to charity into their own coffers in a campaign of violence that's being masterminded by Caitlyn, whom he loved and married as a student, but who's now a ruthless terrorist. Fonda, who speaks and thinks in clichés (like a zestful quench of cool water onto a parched throat, Fonda felt the heat of Devin's lean body against hers) is soon in love, and Devin proposes marriage as the tour continues. But the IRA and its agents, some playing in the band itself, have their own agenda, and when Caitlyn, who thinks Devin is a traitor to the cause for preaching peace, learns about him and Fonda, she heads to the US to exact her own nasty revenge--and a plucky but somewhat bewildered Fonda learns more about Irish politics than your average rock music journalist needs.Neither romantic nor suspenseful, really, in a crossover that tries hard but doesn't quite work. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 331 pages
• Publisher: Forge; 1st edition (May 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312874510
• ISBN-13: 978-0312874513
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,616,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My work has appeared in magazines such as Woman's World, The Star, Endless Vacation and The Washington Post. I'm the author of four acclaimed novels published by Tor/Forge Books. My latest novel, CHOCOLATE ON A STICK, a quirky book about an elderly Appalachian couple on the run from a nursing home in a red Corvette, released in trade paperback by Baycrest Books in September 2005, was a 2005 Kentucky Literary Award in Fiction Nominee.
My first novel, "Border Crossings", a hardcover published by Forge Books in May of 1999, was a 2000 RITA Award nominee for Best Romantic Suspense and Best First Book, a nominee for the 2000 Virginia Literary Award in Fiction. It was also a 2000 finalist in the Golden Quill award and in the Aspen Gold Award and won 1st Place in the Volusia County 2000 Laurel Wreath Award. My work has appeared in various anthologies such as Kay Allenbaugh's Chocolate for a Woman's Heart, Chocolate for a Couples' Heart and Chicken Soup for Couples.
I grew up in Pittsboro, Indiana, and graduated from high school in 1971 at Pittsboro High. Although I had dreams of becoming a novelist, I joined the United States Air Force to see the world and became a medical technician, serving assignments at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois and in Crete, Greece. It was in Crete that I met my Italian-American husband, Frank Bellacera, and my article about that meeting, 'Streaking for Love,' appeared in CHICKEN SOUP FOR COUPLES and CHOCOLATE FOR A WOMAN'S HEART. In 1985, after a chance meeting with Princess Di and Prince Charles at Andrews Air Force Base, I rediscovered my love affair with the written word. My first published story, "The Day Princess Di Spoke to Me," appeared in the military magazine, Family. From that time on, I never looked back. It took eleven years, but finally, with BORDER CROSSINGS, I realized my dream of becoming a published novelist.
Now a resident of Northern Virginia, I've been married to Frank, a retired Air Force man, for thirty-seven years, and I'm the proud mother of two grown children, and grandmother to two gorgeous boys, Luke, 2, and Zealand, 17 months. As a military wife, I've had had the privilege of living in some wonderful places, including Hawaii, Greece, Colorado and North Carolina. In addition to my writing career, I've worked as a medical technician, a librarian, an executive secretary and a receptionist for a member of Congress on Capitol Hill. When I'm not writing, my most favorite thing to do in the world is spend time with my grandsons. If I can't do that--because they live 9 hours away--I like to make jewelry every afternoon while watching Dr. Phil, which I sell at Etsy.com and craft shows. If you want to check out my designs, you can do so at BeautifulEveningBead.etsy.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Read!, July 13, 2000

By 

Karen L. Syed - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spotlight (Hardcover)

Spotlight takes us through the tormetned and bittersweet life of Devin O'Keefe as he escapes the violence of Northern Ireland, makes a life for himself, and finds love.

Devin O'Keefe watches helplessly as his older brother is killed on Bloody Sunday in the name of peace. From here, Devin's life takes several twists and turns. His closest friend is injured in a freak accident and he discovers that the woman he loves has deceived him to extremes.

Fonda Blayne has a dream. She has no intention of spending her life working for someone else, even if it is as a photographer for one of the hottest music magazines. Fonda has an eye for the very best and she intends to put that to good use. Tragedy strikes her as well when her twin brother is killed in the line of duty.

Things finally look up when Fonda is offered the chance of a lifetime. She is hired to do a photojournal of the hot rock and roller from Ireland. Devin O'Keefe makes it clear right off that she better stay out of his way, because his music will always come first. Neither Fonda or Devin are emotionally prepared for the attraction that consumes them. A bond is forged and the couple begin a life together, with plans to marry. But all is not so simple. Devin is already married and his wife is a member of the IRA. All hell breaks loose when the band's manager is arrested on charges of terrorism. Devin must face his most horrifying demon and prove to the world and the woman he truly loves that he is all he says he is.

Devin and Fonda make a solid foundation for this novel of great importance and political realism. Carole Bellacera takes characters from one of the world's most misunderstood cultures and blends them dramatically with the equally tormented Americans of our own society. Superbly well-rounded cast.

This beautiful and poignant tale of trauma and triumph is written with such style I found myself held captive with each word. SPOTLIGHT is an engrossing tale of horrifying proportion and bittersweet victory. Carol bellacera has an impeccable talent as a story-teller with writing skills to match.

Ms. Bellacera took me by the hand and led me through the life of one of today's finest hero's. I felt the pain, I cringed in disgust and I heard the very music that filled the pages of SPOTLIGHT. Conviction and determination set a stunning platform for a brilliant career for this writer. Not something I would normally read, I have to urge everyone to pick up this book. Every reader deserves this kind of book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sexy and suspenseful, September 3, 2001

By 

jinxinva "A mom" (East coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spotlight (Paperback)

Carole Bellacera's exciting novel about a young, beautiful journalist and a rock star was delicious reading. Spotlight has a exciting and original plot as well as sexy characters. The suspense went up to the last minute and made it a great reading experience. Thanks Carole, keep 'em coming.

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book, June 6, 2001

By 

Patricia Potter (Cordova, Tn. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spotlight (Hardcover)

"Spotlight" is one of the best books of the year. I loved "Border Crossings", the author's first book, and "Spotlight", the second, is every bit as good. You simply cannot put it down. She captures the Irish experience as few others have.