Το Στίγμα

by Jessica March

Η όμορφη Γκαμπριέλ Σάντεμαν ερωτεύεται τον πανίσχυρο Χ. Ντ. Ουάιλαντ και ελπίζει ότι κάποια μέρα θα χωρίσει τη γυναίκα του για να την παντρευτεί.

Η Γκαμπριέλ, όμως, θα ζήσει τελικά στο περιθώριο μέχρι την ημέρα που βρίσκεται δολοφονημένη. Η Νίκι, η κόρη που στο μεταξύ είχε αποκτήσει, θα δει μέσα από την κλειδαρότρυπα τον πατέρα της να σκύβει πάνω από το άψυχο κορμί της άτυχης Γκαμπριέλ. Κι αυτή η εικόνα δε θα φύγει ποτέ απ' το μυαλό της...

Μετά το θάνατο του Ουάιλαντ, η Νίκι κληρονομεί όχι μόνο το σπίτι και το κτήμα που τους είχε παραχωρήσει ο πατέρας της, αλλά και το μίσος και την περιφρόνηση των τριών ετεροθαλών αδερφών της που την πολεμούν αλύπητα.

Και τότε ξεκινάει τον πιο επικίνδυνο αγώνα της ζωής της, αποφασισμένη να νικήσει την πανίσχυρη και αλαζονική οικογένειά της στο ίδιο της το παιχνίδι και να κερδίσει τον έλεγχο της αυτοκρατορίας και την απόλυτη αναγνώρισή της.

Τι θα συμβεί, όμως, όταν ο μεγάλος της αδερφός αποδεικνύει επιστημονικά ότι η Νίκι δεν είναι κόρη του Ουάιλαντ; Ένα καλά φυλαγμένο μυστικό θα της αποκαλύψει ότι είναι άρρηκτα δεμένη με την οικογένεια με δεσμούς αίματος. Ποιοι, όμως, είναι αυτοί;

Genres: Romance

502 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Jessica March is the pen name of fiction writer Robert J. Rosenblum.

Reviews

[Circa Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Jessica March dramatic saga told through the eyes of an illegitimate daughter to a rich and prestigious family, but this time my feelings are mixed. Obsessions had many of the same elements as Sensations, including a strong yet compassionate heroine, but the backdrop of the Tobacco industry and later acquisitions and public relations in the Tobacco industry was incredibly boring to sift through.

There are some twists regarding Nikki's parentage and her mother's death. Outside of this, I think the book's cover, synopsis, and even the glimpse in the future prologue promise more juicy entanglements with the Hyland family than actually occur in the story. Outside of her path crossing briefly with Pepper, Babe and Duke, Nikki is removed from legitimacy at a very young and doesn't directly fight back on this until the end. Nikki's relationship with Will Rivers is given more focus and meat as far as storytelling goes.

What I did like was that friendships and personal relationships were given special attention. The happenings aren't always entertaining, but I always came back for more of Helen, Blake, Will, Alexei, Babe, etc. I also liked that Nikki's arc for identity, self worth, and opening her heart to love was handled with patience and insight. As self-aware as Nikki is of her shortcomings relating to other people, she still makes mistakes and turns on her inner needs for temporary security and comfort. She felt like a real human being and it was easy to care about her.

[Nelly Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book on an old book shelf. Once I started to read it I had trouble putting it down. I don't usually read this type of fiction but I was pleasantly surprised. Now I am eager to read her other books. Jessica March is a man!!! I am surprised he understands women so well! A MUST READ.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a very long read and at times, I felt it was pointless and tedious. but it still had some good qualities, enough to give it 3 stars.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book, fast paced all the way through and in the style of Virginia Andrews.
Murder, incest, rape all the ingredients for an Andrewsesque novel.
Definitely worth reading.