Selling the Fantasy

Most women that we know have been in Lisa Johnson's shoes at least once in their dating life-except they didn't know it and/or they didn't agree with it. Most women, if truth be told, have dated a man who has had another woman on the side they didn't know about or one they didn't care about. As long as he didn't flaunt her in their face, they were okay with this arrangement.

Stacey Ford takes us into the world of polyamory (multiple partners) relationships. She has not taken us to the mountains of Utah, but to urban corporate American where the Buppies live. Her book is not the television show Big Love with the trappings of the suburbs-women who basically have no life but to please their husbands. No, Stacey takes us to a world where pleasing oneself is paramount. She takes us next door.

Mr. Kenneth Maxwell believes he wants to live the fantasy that every man dreams of. His fantasy is to have two beautiful women loving him at the same time. This man wants the participants to know there are three people in this relationship and be okay with the situation. He wants no infighting, just loving. In other words, he wants to have his cake and eat it too. Kenneth wants everyone to "get alone."

Selling the Fantasy is erotically sexy and thought-provoking as it introduces us into this forbidden world. As the story unfolds, we begin to see the emotional turmoil this arrangement starts to have on the threesome. Stacey brings us alone for a roller coaster ride of emotions that start to emerge as the characters try to get comfortable in their relationship.

From the very beginning we are swept into their seeming normal day-to-day lives. We see them as people we aspire to be. They are successful, attractive people with enough money to buy many of the pleasures in life. Stacey writes in a way that makes us think we are actually characters in the book. As things start to unfold, we will begin to tell the characters what we would do in certain situations. We will find ourselves saying "Girl, tell that man to get a life, I would never do that." At least not knowingly do that. We begin to see what lengths women will go to in order to get and keep what they consider to be a "good man". Stacey draws us into the friendships of the three and how untruths, unconventional lifestyles and sneaking around can take a toll on people you love and care about.

Stacey makes us care about the three characters. We see them in all their glory. We see them as being naïve. We see them as being dishonest. We see them as being selfish. We see them as being lonely people hoping to find the perfect relationship. We see ourselves in some aspects of them. Most people have been offered the fantasy; we just decided to keep shopping.

Selling the Fantasy leaves room for a sequel. It leaves us to wonder what Ms. Stacey Ford will have her characters selling in the future. I'm sure we will be buying.

Selling The Fantasy--a novel written by Stacey Ford--www.staceylford.com
Reviewd by Maricia D. C. Johns