The Great Pretender By Millenia Black New American Library (2005) Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (2/06)

The Great Pretender is the story of one man with two families. Reginald Brooks decides he can't live the way he has been with two separate families and tells his wife about his mistress and their child. The rest of the book deals with the ramifications of his revelation.

Millenia Black weaves her story around plot twists and turns. Through out the book all the main character's secrets are revealed. She keeps the reader guessing from beginning to end. Black's characters are very believable and the reader finds herself feeling empathy for all those involved.

This book is for anyone, it is not geared toward any one group of people. Once you get hooked into the story, you just have to keep reading to see what is going to happen. While I really didn't care for the subject matter it was a very well written book and kept my interest.

Millenia Black is a compelling storyteller. Heralded as a double life and relationship expert, she's been a featured guest on radio shows across the country. "The Great Pretender" is her debut novel. When she's not writing, her hobbies include enjoying the music of Nat King Cole and Judy Garland, and watching old Hollywood classics.