Original Love

November 15, 2005
Torn apart by family and prejudice, teenage sweethearts Ebony and Peter have never forgotten their -original love - during the years that have separated them. Peter, a white writer of African American romances, has been trying to connect with her for years, with no luck. Now, 20 years later, he finally finds her, and their love is put to the test. This thoughtful and well-done if somewhat angst-ridden story reveals an interracial love that has beaten the odds. Murray ("Something Real") has written several other well-B-reviewed books on interracial themes.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2005
Homeless and broke, Peter Underhill shows up at his editor's office in New York City with an idea for a new book different from his pen-name books. A 40-year-old white man, Peter has had success posing as a sassy black woman writing romantic comedies. Now he wants to write an autobiography, but his editor wants no part of it. As Peter reflects on his life, he keeps coming back to his first and probably only love, Ebony Mills. Their unexpected romance grew from their seventh-grade friendship when Peter escapes the oppressive rules of his alcoholic, racist father and meets this unusual and beautiful African American. At college he loses contact with Ebony and ends up embarking on one mishap after another, but he always dedicates his books to his lost love: her. Now that Peter has hit rock bottom, he sets out to find the woman he longs for. Full of interesting characters, Murray's novel about a romantic journey of self-discovery is a true standout. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)