The story line centers around the world of Emily Bennett who despite her successful business, loving husband, and true-blue-tight-like-glue girlfriend has a ton of issues unfold with a simple telephone call and sets the drama rolling. The author uses vivid and shocking dialogue, poignant details and an emotional storyline to pull you into Emilys world and her life. It's about her relationship with her elderly mother (Lenora) who hates Emily with a passion but Emily doesn't understand why; Emily's relationship with her husband Richard who loves her as much today as he did the day he married her-however secrets and lies from Emily's past threaten to destroy what they've built; Emily's relationship with her oldest daughter, Lisa, who's rebellious and battling her own demons; Emily's relationship with her sister friend, Annette, who picks wrong man after wrong man but desperately wants a loving husband and family; Emily's relationship with her therapist whose help she needs to unravel and discover the truth of her past. Even though Emily is the focal character, the story lines for Annette (and her relationship with men) and Lisa (life as a teenager) are equally intriguing for supporting cast members.

Shapodee's descriptions, dialogue, and characters were so vivid and graphic that I felt like I was living with Emily Bennett and her family. My emotions ran rampant and I felt Emily deeply; I felt her pain, her joy, her sorrow, her anger, and her hatred. From Chapter One Lenora's venom was spewed all over you! You were so angered by her actions that you immediately wanted to side with Emily in your dislike for this unmotherly individual. You knew that you had to continue to read and to read fast to understand the root behind the hatred -- and when it is finally revealed, it all makes sense.  Written in Red Ink is engrossing, engaging, suspenseful, and intriguing. The riveting drama will have you prematurely anticipating the next page but resist the urge to look ahead and savor the story. I highly recommend this book.

The Nubian Circle Book Club rating for Written In Red Ink is 4.3 out of 5 stars.  We welcome your comments and thoughts about this book review.  Please e-mail us at this address: NubianCircleClub@aol.com.