About the Novel:
"The
Illusion of Certainty" follows two parallel story lines. Marc is a
successful businessman who seems to have everything-a great job, a
beautiful wife, a house in an upscale neighborhood of Portland, Oregon
and two great kids who are preparing for college. But something is not
right. Marc is unsettled by the sudden change in his wife, Aimee, who
seems distant and unhappy. What is going on with her? The second
storyline involves a successful young attorney Alexandra Mattson. Alex,
as she is called by her friends, meets a handsome young cop, Sean,
during an unexpected crisis in her neighborhood. Sean and Alex seem made
for each other and begin to merge their futures in a world of
uncertainty. The only certainty in life is that we will face
uncertainty. Despite all of the technology and controls available in the
modern world, sometimes the only comfort comes from the human touch. About the Author:
Greg Messel has written three novels and three unpublished memoirs. He published his premiere novel “Sunbreaks” in 2009, followed by “Expiation” in 2010 and “The Illusion of Certainty” in 2011. Greg has had a newspaper career as a columnist, sportswriter and news editor. He won a Wyoming Press Association Award as a columnist. Greg also spent many years in the corporate world as a Financial Manager. He now devotes his energies to writing at his home in Edmonds, Washington on the Puget Sound just north of Seattle, where he lives with his wife, Carol.
You can visit his website at www.gregmessel.com. Connect with Greg on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gregmessel or Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.messel.
My Thoughts:
I have read some of the other reviews on this novel and they all follow the same theme: amazing, edge-of-your-seat realistic romance that is a home run! I would have to agree and add that this author has quickly risen to the top of my "authors to follow" list. He had me captivated with this story from the very first chapter.
This novel was comprised of two story lines that the author carefully weaves together so that they compliment each other and allow the reader just enough break from each story to peak interest. I am sometimes confused by multiple story lines or too many characters but this just wasn't the case with this novel. Messel is careful in how he tells the stories and they really are both critical to the overall impact of the novel.
I will say that this is an emotional read as infidelity is a sensitive subject and one that the author presents in a really appropriate way. I think the story about John and Aimee could be anyone's story and my heart just hurt for them both and their situation. I was definitely more taken with this story line over the other one with Alexandra, an attorney from Portland.
I like an author that can "keep it real" and this book was a fine example of that - and it has been a while since I have stumbled across a story that indeed does feel so very real so I thoroughly appreciated it. If you are into realistic fiction check this novel out, you won't be disappointed.
From what I understand this is Greg's third novel so I am now on the prowl for the other two!
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