They met in cosmopolitan London in the 1980s – a decade of opportunity where everything seemed possible.
But was it?
[ About the Book ]
Set in London in the mid-1980s – a decade of opportunity where everything seemed possible – Helen Bartlett, a popular news presenter and Sam Aziz, a glamorous middle-eastern cardiac surgeon, meet on a live TV programme. They dislike each other on sight, and the interview is a disaster. However, a chance second-meeting leads to a great passion and soon they are desperately in love. But soon the differences in their cultural backgrounds begin to manifest themselves. And a debt of honour that Sam cannot ignore returns to haunt him.
Do they have to relinquish the most magical relationship either of them has ever known? Can they find a way out of their dilemmas? Or do they have to accept that no matter how modern we are, we cannot fly in the face of the traditions that served, and shaped us, for centuries?
[ My Thoughts ]
In Honour Bound was originally published in 1987 by Christine Webber. At the time, Christine was working as a TV news presenter but felt that writing was something she would love to turn her hand at, the result being this, her debut. In 2018, Christine, with the assistance of her husband, David Delvin, set about rewriting it and publishing it again. Keeping the narrative set in the 1980s, Christine tackled the original text and, with a new cover, In Honour Bound was published on 6th November 2018.
In Honour Bound is a book loaded with heated passion and is heavily influenced by Christine Webber’s own experience working as a psychotherapist for over twenty years.
‘Romantic passion can generate truly extreme behaviour, and in my practice, I’ve seen countless individuals become almost insane with torment. Some of that has found its way into this edition’- Christine Webber
Using these insights, combined with her time in television, Christine has written quite a steamy novel, with the sexual tension between her two main characters dripping off the pages.
Helen Bartlett appears to have it all. The high-flying career, the respect of her colleagues, the beautiful apartment and a very comfortable lifestyle. But something is missing from Helen’s life and that is love. After the failure of her marriage, Helen threw herself into her work, raising concern with some of her friends and associates. But Helen is driven, Her television show is extremely important to her and making a success of her life, as a strong independent woman, is always her goal in life. This is the 1980s so the glass ceiling is very difficult for a woman to reach but Helen Bartlett does not shy away from this challenge.
The day Helen meets cardiac surgeon, Sam Aziz, is the day that her life changes dramatically. Their initial interaction was a disaster but fate was soon to intervene and it wasn’t long before the pair embarked on a very intense relationship. The chemistry between Helen and Sam leads to an insatiable appetite for each other but the path to love never runs smooth, as the pair soon discover.
Sam is Egyptian and, although living successfully for years in the UK, his culture is still very important to him. His love for Helen is strong but his ties to his homeland are now challenging his every moment and he soon finds himself with an unbearable decision to make. Sam is a man of honour and there is an outstanding debt he needs to face up to. Sam has to make a choice that will impact many people in his life, but most importantly the life of the woman he truly and passionately loves, Helen Bartlett.
Now I will say that Sam Aziz did frustrate me at times. He was a man who garnered much respect in the medical world but when dealing with Helen, he was very indecisive and quite unfair in how he handled many situations. Her strength was being slowly undermined as he tried to sort out his own personal life, leaving Helen a shell of her former self. The descriptions of her life, as it appeared to spiral out of control, were very well portrayed and I found myself shouting at her at times to just move on!!!!
Helen and Sam are both public figures, so the eyes of the world are always on them, further challenging their relationship on a daily basis. The story of Helen and Sam, while predominantly a story of passion, also handles the cultural differences that many in relationships hope to overcome. Can Sam and Helen’s relationship survive? Is passion enough?
In Honour Bound is the perfect read for all who love a book that is oozing with passion and sex. Christine Webber writes with an authenticity, bringing the 1980s alive for many, through her words and descriptions. This is not a book I would normally gravitate toward but I’m glad I made the exception for this, as it took me back to the days of Dallas and Dynasty, of the 1980s woman looking to establish and fight for her place in a male dominated environment and of course, in Christine’s own words, a time of ‘big hair, shoulder pads, and far too much sex, smoking and drinking’
Purchase Link ~ In Honour Bound
[ Bio ]
After a break of 29 years to write over a dozen non-fiction titles, Christine Webber returned to writing fiction in 2016. The result was a novel called Who’d Have Thought It? which is a romantic comedy about the change and challenges we encounter in mid-life.
Who’d Have Thought It? is also available as an audio book – both in digital and CD format.
Her subsequent novel, It’s Who We Are, further explores the theme of the turbulence of mid-life. But it is also about the importance of friendships, particularly as we get older, and concerns the secrets in families that can force us to look at our own identities.
In Honour Bound is a different book altogether. Set in the mid-’80s, it is a story of passion between two people who come from completely different backgrounds – and how the pull of the past can threaten the present.
Christine is a former singer, TV presenter, agony aunt, columnist and Harley Street psychotherapist
Nowadays she is focusing on fiction – though she still broadcasts regularly.
Twitter ~ @1chriswebber
Website ~ https://christinewebber.com/
