Is it wrong to enjoy writing and reading about manipulation? Does it make it any better if the manipulator is handsome, cunning, smart, powerful and frick'n sexy as hell???
Feel free to answer my rhetorical questions... however, the fact is, I LOVE it!!!
When writing the following scene from TRUTH I couldn't stop smiling! If you haven't read TRUTH...or CONSEQUENCES please don't read this scene. For those who have.. come take a peek at the way my mind works!
Chapter 16... **SPOILER**I wanted a stronger more confident Claire. In my humble opinion, that strength wouldn't come in prison. She needed the support of others. Her new and old friendships provided her reinforcement and her refound strength began to emerge. This was first seen when she was kick-ass solid confronting Phil in San Antonio...(oh that made me smile too!)
Now she plans to show Tony the "new stronger" her. Knowing his ability to manipulate, she gives him only a few hours notice that their dinner venue has changed. Although I wanted to portray Claire as strong I believe it is
very difficult to outsmart a master manipulator.
<spoiler>
When his (Tony's)tall body inclined, allowing his lips to hover near her ear, her body tingled. Then, without warning he spoke. Claire's fantasy evaporated. Reality struck with a slap that only real life can elicit. Tony whispered, “I am glad visibility wasn't your goal for this evening. I would hate for you to be disappointed.”
Before Claire could respond, they stepped from the lounge into the restaurant; she gasped. Her neck stiffened as she took in the empty restaurant. No longer was her subconscious filled with memories of love and pleasure, but control and manipulation. The harshness deflated her lungs. Claire fought to breathe, experiencing the sensation of suffocation she’d suffered during the years of his domination.
With new found determination, she turned toward the sly smirk of her ex-husband, “Tony, what have you done?”
</spoiler>
What made this even more fun was his reaction. Yes he'd manipulated the situation; nevertheless, he was IMPRESSED with her effort!
I loved showing that Tony's manipulation was still present, yet at the same time we get a glimpse of a changed man from the one in CONSEQUENCES!!!
Please, tell me what your reaction was while reading that scene for the first time... even if you have a hate/love relationship with Mr. Anthony Rawlings... I find it hard to believe you didn't smile, shake your head and say "That son-of-a-bi***"
And LOVE every minute of it!
Second time reading I am amazed at Claire's strength to not turn around and just run. Tony still remains the force in her life even though he is changing.
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There are so many scenes in both books that I still have to wrap my mind around. But my favorite Strong Claire scene... When she and Phil have a conversation in TX and she dominates with her new found determination.