The First Husband

Karma bit her ass hard.

The First Husband may sound like every other domestic-type thriller but it was anything but. Trina and her friend Jenn head off to India for a once in a lifetime experience. They dream of the golden sands, bustling markets, searing heat and the pungent smell of spices filling the air. What Trina was not expecting was to meet and fall for a charming, handsome Indian called Sam when they encounter each other by chance. When it comes time to fly home Trina is torn to shreds knowing she has to leave Sam behind and not knowing when she will get to see him again. But instead of time apart making the heart grow fonder, Trina’s return to New York has prompted her to worry as she mulls over whether Sam really does love her or whether she is merely his meal ticket to a more prosperous life.<br /><br />When she finally decides later on that he had only been in it for the green card she calls it quits and ends their ”love” affair, not having any idea of the repercussions and the psychotic nature Sam had been hiding beneath his friendly, unassuming exterior. This is very much a tale of two halves; the first an emotive love story; the second a riot of addictive and utterly thrilling incidents with a keen sense of danger. Both parts are compelling and superbly written. The characters are engaging and well developed and the author really shows just how a person can be a wolf in sheep's clothing. I must admit I didn't expect to love this as much as I did but it is the very definition of a page-turner. Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC

Trina Holmgard is vacationing in India when she meets Sam/Samir, who charms the socks off her feet. When she returns to America, she makes arrangements for him to enter her country. Afraid that she will not keep her part of the bargain, she leaves him a highly valuable family heirloom.<br /><br />But once back on American soil, Trina begins to question her judgment. Does Sam really love her .. or is it just a Visa he's after? After many sleepless nights, she decides that Sam only wanted a way to get out of India. Trina them cuts off all contact and eventually marries another man.<br /><br />Driven by rage when he realizes his dreams have been shattered, Sam dedicates his life to getting revenge. But, how far will he go? What consequences will be had by all?<br /><br />Well written, there were parts of this book that literally took my breath away. For every action, there is a reaction. And this was a doozie. There is much credibility to the story ...especially as it is based on a true story. The author has done a tremendous job weaving fact and fiction into a gripping story.<br /><br />Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of MY FIRST HUSBAND. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.<br />

This is my second read by this author. I loved the first read I Never Left so I couldn’t wait to read this story. I wasn’t disappointed as this is another great read. The storyline was unique which I crave for. I tried so hard to guess what way the story was gonna go but I was wasting my time. This was one of those stories that had me on the edge of my seat. So so good.

SPOILER... SPOILER...SPOILER...SPOILER...SPOILER<br />DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE SPOILED<br />FAIR WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />It was a decent read until we get to the crux of the revenge. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. But it wasn't shock in a good way. At about 65% we learn that Sam's way to get revenge on Trina is to kill her husband who works in the World Trade Center. Using 911 as a plot device in a jilted love story was NOT a good idea. Immediately, I got a bad taste as I continued to read. Fair warning. If I'd known this ahead of time I wouldn't have read.

"The FIRST Husband" was the FIRST McGarvey Black book that has earned a thumbs down..<br /><br />There were 2751 United States citizens killed in the horrific September 11th attacks.  This being said, I truly believe that historical fiction should NOT be trivializing the 9/11 attacks in any way, shape or form.  SPOILER ALERT:  The premise of this book suggests that the 911 attack/tragedy was the result of a jilted Indian lover's revenge.  (Huh?)  GIMME A BREAK. <br /><br />This book had a slow beginning and a very, very, very, very unrealistic middle and ending.   The book's plot had more holes than an extra large chunk of Swiss cheese -- and I am being kind.  <br /><br />A jilted lover's desire to seek revenge had great potential for a compelling psychological thriller.  Not quite sure why the author wanted to link this premise to the 911 attacks.<br /><br />UGH!!!!!    Soooooo disappointed.   

<strong>Should not have used 9/11!!!</strong><br /><br />I really enjoyed this book until you took one of the most horrible days in American history and turned it into a book on a jilted lover's revenge! Not cool, not right!

Colonialist much

<strong>Unbelievable</strong><br /><br />I’m not sure what was going through the writer’s head when she wrote this, as it a tale of unrequited love turned into committing one of the most terrible terrorist acts in history. The backstory of why Sam is driven to mass destruction is weak. He meets Trina in India and they fall in love and she fills his mind with hopes of a new life in America. Then she dashes them when she thinks his only interest in her is her passport. Her evidence is his letters which focus on the new life he hopes to live in the land of hope. Rewind to the earlier part of the book where the reader first meets Sam, and he clearly tells Trina how he is an avid reader and learns all he has through books and the tourist trade. His photographic memory absorbs everything he learns. This is where it starts to become unrealistic, because Sam’s natural thirst for knowledge would of course tumble out in his letters. As a high flyer herself, you would expect Trina to see Sam as an intellectual who would thoroughly research a place he plans to emigrate to, as well as his business plans. How is this interpreted as ‘only interested in her passport?’ This is the premise the story bases all the unfortunate events. I laughed out loud at all the Al Qaida and Osama Bin Ladin references. <br />I read this only because I didn’t pay for it.

The book was readable and would have been enjoyable if it hadn’t included the 9/11 tragedy as it’s main feature . I agree with the other reviews that say that this book trivialises the tragedy. 9/11 was not a work of fiction and should not be made into one. ?