Hobble (Paperback)

~ Neale Sourna (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hobble is a story of lust and obsessive sex... I was so moved ... I went back to my (Franklin) dictionary ... hobble means to limp along ... to impede ... to tie-up, shackle or leash ... all of [which] were used in this steamy story, of sex, incest and betrayal!" --Delores Thornton, BlackRefer.com Reviews

"Hobble is a book that you must read." --RAWSistaz Reviews

"...the narrative style is rather appealing... an interesting story ... I would read again ... it rather intrigued me. The heroine is unique." --Sensual Romance Reviews

"The numerous sex scenes ... show ... natural spark." --Absinthe Literary Review

"When's your next one coming out?" --Several Cleveland, Ohio Readers to the author

"Better than Zane." --Traci, Cleveland small business owner

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Description

On sabbatical, BENNET GILLESPIE, brilliant, burned out, Native American surgeon, literally, falls for an irresistible African American beauty-the homicidally "insane", and...mysteriously lamed, child-woman DAY-and begins an obsessively erotic tug-of-war for her versus MR. HOPKINS, her possessively overbearing, English guardian. Day's young body and "delicate" mind become a battleground of sexual and emotional blackmail and immoral..."obligations". Yet, once the older Hopkins knows amoral Benn can completely rule the dangerously unpredictable, blade-wielding Day and force her to submit to Hopkins against her will-two souls and a life can and will be lost...when Benn selfishly complies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 291 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing (PA) (December 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0741412845
• ISBN-13: 978-0741412843
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,175,519 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Dark Relationship, November 1, 2003

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

HOBBLE tells of the shocking relationship that develops when Bennet Gillespie, a famed surgeon, has a chance encounter with Day on the beach. What follows is an erotic tale that chronicles the relationship that develops between Bennet, Day, and Day's "guardian" Mr. Hopkins. As the story progresses Bennet quickly discovers that Day's mysterious injuries are just the tip of the iceberg and as he discovers more about Day's sordid past he is both drawn to her and repulsed. Over time Bennet finds himself involved in a relationship with Day, yet he must continue to share her with Mr. Hopkins. Because of Day's sexual prowess and their strong physical relationship, Bennet accepts the fact that he cannot be her one and only. As the story comes to a shocking climax and the true relationship between Day and Mr. Hopkins is revealed readers will find themselves aghast.

Sourna has definitely written a truly unique tale of lust. However, this story is very dark and deals with issues that many readers will find difficult to stomach. As the author attempts to build suspense in the plot the story tends to drag and much of the storyline lacks believability. While Sourna spent a fair amount of time helping readers understand Day's past and her motivations for behaving as she did, there was a lack of such development in Bennet's character. As a result, I found myself frequently wondering why he was drawn to such a twisted and unhealthy relationship. I was disappointed by the conclusion of the story because it seemed a bit too tidy and convenient given the tumultuous nature of the rest of the book. The author also includes excerpts from several upcoming releases. Sourna classifies HOBBLE as a work of adult fiction and that is an accurate categorization, however, I would add that because of the sensitive nature of the plot even fans of erotica may find this book over the top.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay ...

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love hit-me-in-the-gut surprise twists in characters., April 23, 2003

By	"maldaquino" (Flying AGAIN over the Midwest USA) - See all my reviews

I was flying and saw this great novel cover and asked was the story any good. He said I should read five pages and see. I read for about half an hour before he interrupted me Bogarting his book and asked how it was. Duh. We talked awhile before I got out my laptop and ordered online. (I love the internet and online publishers and stores. I can't find a walk-in local bookstore that orders what I want anymore.) My copy of HOBBLE was waiting for me when I'd completed my trip a few days later.

I really like this book, so, I don't get the previous review by Kalaani at RawSistaz. Sourna's book isn't confusing. Or missing anything. It's everything you need to know about these three people and nothing else. No wasted 90 pages of drivel that goes nowhere or characters who add nothing (see first 90 pgs of Rice's Witching Hour). HOBBLE is only from one guy's perspective, about a threeway love and sex affair among jaded people with issues to hide, but who must forge sometimes optimistic and often heinous bonds to get what each wants.

And like the attractive cover implies, there is a beautiful woman, who is deadly, who wears little and who has damaged ankles. Without the cover girl and her knife, there's no hero vs villain, no lover-vs-lover-vs-lover, no successful guy trying to figure out if he can or should make a life with this damaged beauty vs how can she be gotten from her nasty elder, well-heeled guardian with the least amount of carnage as possible.

That's tight writing [trim it down and it be a solidly good script] because this is deep stuff but devilishly, fascinatingly fun. And sexy as hell. With the most appealing romantically intimate moments I've read in a long while.

HOBBLE gives you a penetrating insight into one man's thoughts and emotions--at least what he let's us know--and it's done in a very easygoing, open but not strictly linear manner, which is an achievement considering a great deal of what's going on in the story is neither friendly nor easy. For instance, the three main characters aren't syrupy heroic but realistic people I could relate to. Villain Hopkins has the least explained about him but what is explained proves the author was right, I didn't need (intellectually) or want to know (emotionally) anymore about him.

I felt narrator/lead/hero/anithero Benn and his lover Day were drawn well, in an articulately layered style. Just when I thought I had either of them nailed, Benn would present another tantalizing facet of himself or on his perspective of Day, their relationship or situation and the ENTIRE story would suddenly be reshaded with greater intimate depth and color.

I love hit-me-in-the-gut surprise twists in character stories.

Warning: the romance here is not gooey sweet by any standard, it's darker and more emotionally truthful, I thought, than a straight romance or sensual romance. And as far as the bad things that happen, I've heard much worse on TV news programs or read in my local city paper. In fact, the book is labeled ADULT FICTION much like things by Anne Rice that I've read (her Mayfair witch series and one of the Sleeping Beautys). I also loved the sex. It's sometimes graphic, like a Genesis or Hustler story but more literary. I'm not certain if this is mainstream or romance or what exactly. In actuality, if a genre(s) must be picked, I think this should be literary romance, if there is such a thing, or literary erotica/erotic romance. There is a distant (a lot has changed since the 1920s or '30s) classy similarity, to me, to D.H. Lawrence or Anais Nin with H. Miller's edge (but not his annoyingly creepy bedbug references).

I enjoyed that Benn would express and comment on what I was thinking. Neale Sourna not only got what goes on in a man's head during a romantic and erotic love affair but what goes on in a reader's head, or at least mine, when reading this. It was as if Benn were in the room, kicking back in a chair in the dark, telling me about his mystery ridden and tense, romantic relationship with his sexy, troubled, and bedeviled heroine/anti-heroine lover. He was telling me this and when I'd get to the point of having both the story and my own interior opinion running side by side in furious contrary arguments in my thoughts and emotions, he'd lean over and state what's going on in my mind. Bang. A hit-to-the-gut. Love it!

This author, Neale Soura, is deep and psychological in a very accessible and visceral manner, plus there are short pieces in the back of pending works, which make me hope the next Neale Sourna tale comes out very soon.--Mal D'Aquino, again in flight

3.0 out of 5 stars A True "Adult" Fiction, June 23, 2004

By	Joy Farrington "A Nubian Sistas Book Club, In... (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In "Hobble" we met Day whose beauty and child-like quality is so intense men and women will do anything to possess her. Day is a troubled young woman with a shaky mental state. Her guardian Mr. Hopkins takes full responsibility for her but tries to keep her away from the outside world.

While at a medical conference, Dr. Bennet Gillespie takes a morning jog on the beach and accidentally falls overs Day. Hurting her ankles he quickly carries her back to home and treats the wounds. When Day's throws a fit after he tries to leaves, Bennet decides to spend the night and finds himself caught in an intense web of lies and deceit.

Dipping into several genres from erotica to mystery, even sprinkling a little comedy into the mix, Sourne created a story like no other. This morbid (yes morbid) tale had me shaking my head in astonishment and I can honestly say I never read anything like "Hobble" in my life. Sourne wrote a novel with such a large supply of twist and turns it'll had me dropping my mouth in shock. But be forewarned, "Hobble" has such a crazy mix of characters it made me wish I had some holy water to splash on every single one of them. Some of the sex scenes had me (a person who loves erotica) squirming. Although the book is racy, it was an interesting read and should be picked up by any readers who enjoy reading something different from the norm.