Fans of Interracial Romance discussion

OK, I am about to run out, but I wanted to say that I just finished Chapter 9. What an interesting stopping place Ms. Eugenia. Was that deliberate or a lucky coincidence?
I shall return later with thoughts and comments.

My first thought is that it is very interesting that things always seem to come out in twos. I am immediately brought to mind of "Politics of Love" by Giselle Carmichael, which I also enjoyed. I like the "chemistry" between the H/H and think most of the characters are quite likeable, with the glaring excpetion of Bitsi. The only time I personally have been attracted to someone I didn't like, the guy turned out to be a jerk so I'm a little biased in that regard.
Anywho, back to the characters. I think I would like it more if Erica was little less liberal, left wing. I think she's a little too extreme with the ACLU, PETA, "books, not bombs," vegan life-style. I get the impression that Mark is a much more moderate conservative, which is all the more appealing.
As far as the whole protest at the congressional hearing, I was expecting a far more inflammatory T-shirt than "books, not bombs" after all the hype at the start of the story. I do think it's admirable for a person to be willing to stand up for their principles. I personally would not go to jail for such a purpose, but that's me. I thought it was rather noble of Mark to stand up for her, but I kind of liked her determination to make a point. I think if she had let him smooth things out the whole point of her protest would have been lost in the media spin of "Senator Saves the Day" stories.
Like I said, I don't like Bitsi. She's out to have Mark for herself and recognizes Erica as a threat.
I am wondering how exactly the photo at the restaurant was taken as it was alluded to that it was taken from inside the restaurant.
Those are my thoughts thus far.

I did find it amusing that they are both kind of weird when it comes to food. Erica's a vegan (Sorry, but I think that's weird) and Mark is a scheduler.
I like that they both have friends who are urging them to pursue a relationship. You would think Chase would be a little more like Bitsi considering that he knows about Mark's political aspirations, but it would probably be too much to have two Bitsis. Definately, too much.

LOL, well, vegan is not really a personality type. ;) I finally caught up to you guys, and I have to say I'm glad we chose Unfinished Business as our first group read. I'm really liking it!

I'm finding the political aspect adds an extra critical oomph to the romance that I don't find in the average contemporary. I was curious about the way the author would approach the political aspect at first, if she would explore the politics or not, but aside from their congressional and cafeteria debates, they have not discussed politics overmuch. Instead, these two are embodiments of their respective "parties," which works for a romance. We're interested in the characters.

I can see Langhorne is good at characterization. I find Erica to be a little bit of a political extreme myself for the fact that she's "Left" on every issue. I think the author is aware of that. It's more of a device for the sake of this novel, a case of opposites attract. However, the author does an excellent job at portraying her views as a natural extension of the woman. She's very strong, smart, and opinionated- and I can identify with her on many, if not perhaps all, levels. Her protest is not an approach I would have chosen myself, only because I think the method's ineffective.

I think, because of their characters, which are quite realistic, that their attraction is plausible. For me, these two have two questions to resolve. Mark seems to continually antagonize Erica, even unintentionally. As she says, he does everything wrong. So I'm wondering how they'll get past that. It was brave of the author to write the "hero" this way, I think. That pompousness is not charming at all. Normally, I would not consider a relationship like this successful, so we'll see.

The other question is of their "politics," which is important to both these people, and on this I can relate. Some issues are vital and close enough to me that they would be a deal-breaker-- I wouldn't even call them politics. I think the level of relevance/importance depends on the audience. Do you guys have beliefs like that, where you might think, "Man, I could never be with someone who believed..."?

My only disbelief is where Bitsi enters the story. Mark seems overly mild with her compared to his personality nearly everywhere else. I didn't get that... I was waiting for him to tell her what's what.

Yeah, I don't mean so much loving one candidate above another or something mild like that. Politicians do control some weighty issues, even life and death ones. Those are the ones I was thinking of.

But yeah, I think extremes are counterproductive too. I wasn't really satisfied with the way he handled Bitsi, re: black woman vs. a white woman. He just huffed and puffed; he didn't set her down. He was interrupted by Erica's arrival, true, but imo, it's justified to let someone wait when you're discussing something that important. Bitsi was way out of line, media director or relationship advisor? LOL. But I'm only up to chapter 11, so maybe he's firmer with her later. I got kinda annoyed with his tactlessness re: her dress. Not nice, LOL. I thought it was kinda pompous for him to think that these clothes are her and these clothes aren't (though he may have preferred her in her natural element, etc.) Why can't she wear a dress?

And is it just me or is he getting sick? Am I reading too much into that? LOL.

Eugenia wrote: "They do, do you think you could love a politician that was on the other side of you. Yeah, no matter what happens in the end love is only thing that matters. Like I say as long as he wasn't a whack..."

No, I had in mind specifically the war. I don't mean Republican or Democrat. That's small fries in comparison to me. People die because of the war. It's not a campaign issue to me, considering my country could be next with no more reason than that the US wants more resources. But I won't start that here. Actually, I was kind of relieved the author never really delved into the respective arguments; she just parrots the party lines and uses them as a character device. Fine with me. I wouldn't enjoy the book at all if it revolved more deeply around politics and this guy still talked about "defending my country" and the war in the same sentence.

LOL, for me, I would mop the floor with Newman in real life, but he's fun in fiction. Hopefully, he tones it down later though. I mean, he's no longer abrasive when they're close, right? Isn't it a defense?

I just started the book last night so I've just glanced over some of the responses. Someone mentioned the Politics of Love by Giselle Carmichael and I poured through that before starting this. I do find Bitsi to be a bit annoying.

I had the pleasure of being interviewed for Karyn's new book about black women who date interracially. I think it comes out in January. She's a great person and a Harvard Law graduate. Anyway, I am going to try to catch up with all of you today.

Eugenia wrote: "I don't think she was trying to make a political statement."

Yeah, I mentioned that already. I said I was glad about that. He's more abrasive, politics aside, and that's definitely deliberate by the author. But as I said, I'm looking forward to seeing the resolution for these two.

Welcome to the discussion, Tori! I think I'll check out Politics of Love too.

LOL, Eugenia. Yeah, that back and forth between them is interesting. What do you guys think of his good ol' boy-ness? LOL. At first I thought he was laying it on thick, first with coach plane tickets despite his bum leg and then with an aging truck that could easily be replaced. I mean, no one's forgotten that he has money; he's a Senator. But "Old Red" does have his "specifications," and I can see the way riding around in an old truck would appeal to his constituents over a shiny new one.

Oh, yeah, that was definitely an awkward situation. In that case, it's really hard to say. She had a right to be angry at the word he used, but then, what do you tell the old guy who's way beyond learning any new ways? I think Mark should have said something a little stronger than "poor choice of words," but at the same time I can see his view. He can't speak that way to his voters.

I don't know. It's kind of difficult for her to say anything because technically he apologized so it was good grace for her to accept it. The old man would probably have been insulted if he apologized and she delivered a lecture. She was a bigger person in a way-- at least she didn't reinforce his poor perceptions of African Americans. He was in the wrong and shamed and he remained that way. I don't know what I would have done, really.

Shame, shame ladies. You are skipping ahead. There is no mention of a plane ride in the first nine chapters of the book.
As far as Mark, I do think the writer is going to greater lengths to make him likeable than Erica's character. There's accent as previously mentioned. In addition, he's comes from humble roots, is a widower, was injured during the Gulf War, attempts to defend Erica at the congressional hearing, pitches in a help out Erica's class, and the act of heroism during the pizzeria robbery. Heck, he's a regular knight in shining armor.
Anywho, I was wanting to get someone else's take on the robbery scene. At first, I was thinking it was extremely stupid of Mark to try to stop the robbers. I felt that he should have just backed down and given them Erica's handbag. But later, I got to thinking about how Mark's wife had died and I really think he was on a subconscious level doing what he thought he would have done if had been with his wife because I'm sure giving up her handbag didn't save her from being killed.
Did anyone else think that or am I just reading too much into the scene?

Just a few chapters ahead, LOL. Should we make another topic? I agree with you guys about the robbery. Not the wisest choice, but considering the manner of Mark's wife's death I can see his motivation.

Eugenia, you are doing an excellent job at the helm of the reading group. I have liked the questions you have introduced. Keep up the great work.
Was that sufficient sucking up/ brown nosing or should I lay it on a little thicker?
Ha, ha, ha.

I'm also reading A Dangerous Woman by JM Jeffries right now, and the hero is once again a blonde, blue-eyed good ol' boy. I'm starting to wonder if all IR heroes are modeled after Matthew McConaughey, LOL.

This is sorta on topic. I saw in the book that Erica wears her hair in locs. Does anyone else wear their hair natural?

Eugenia wrote: "new_user wrote: "I'm also reading A Dangerous Woman by JM Jeffries right now, and the hero is once again a blonde, blue-eyed good ol' boy. I'm starting to wonder if all IR heroes are..."

LOL, I suppose, but it'd be nice if all of them didn't follow the same routine. It's a little suspicious, LOL.

I was a little disappointed with the whole threating note spin. Why is it that people always go for the jugular and use the "N" word?

Well, it is a racist, LOL. Do you mean you're disappointed that that was an issue in this book?

I know it's a racist, a ignorant racist.
No, I am not disappointed that it was an issue. I think it's a very legitimate issue. Heck, I live in the South and work with old people. I have been called it more than once.
I am more disppointed that all the emphasis in everyone's displeasure with Erica is her race, not her beliefs. For goodness sake, she's an ultra-Left wing liberal and no one seems remotely concerned with that. But, because she's black, heads are gonna roll.

LOL. I think her beliefs come up more in the debates, and Mark certainly seems to mark her views, but yeah, the notes are a little melodramatic. Not every racist will post their spite in a stamped envelope, and if they did, no one would take them seriously. It's people's reactions to her in person that I find real and perhaps more dangerous. That's more interesting to me. I haven't seen that kind of racism in as much fiction, I think, but it's more relevant. Subtle racism.

I still remember when an old woman walked up to me in an Olive Garden and asked me if I was happy I was here. I just remember thinking, "Huh? Happy I'm at Olive Garden? I guess so..." It took me a minute.