Red Sash

Aggie Oliver is considerably overweight and hates it. Food has always been her comfort. Consequently, when she was depressed about being overweight, she ate. When whatever fad diet of the hour failed, she ate. It was a vicious cycle. Vivid erotic dreams, starring a svelte her and a magnificent dream lover push her to finally take dieting seriously. She believes that no man wants a chubby lover, so she takes steps and makes sacrifices to become a size more easily accepted by society and, more importantly, more pleasing to herself.

Hard work and rock hard will power begin to pay off. Although the pleasing comments from her co-workers make her feel good, her motivation is still her mysterious dream lover. Aggie becomes worried about her sanity when the lines of fantasy and reality begin to blur. Her night-lover is becoming all too real to her. She makes an appointment with a hypnotherapist. Much to Aggie's shock and dismay, Dr. Fredrick looks disturbingly similar to what Aggie can remember of her dream lover.

Dr. Fredrick has a few truths to expose to Aggie. What if perhaps her dream lover isn't only in her dreams? She has reason to believe that her lover is waiting for her to find him.

We follow Aggie through the trials and tribulations of the dieting scene. This book will touch quite a few female readers. We all have, at one point or another struggled with our weight, with how we think society sees us. I found myself cheering when Aggie was able turn away from the dreaded chocolate shake, sticking to her dieting guns. While I don't believe that Red Sash is a political movement on behalf of the author, it is nice too see the ups and downs of life from a curvaceous point of view. Ms. Simpson has written of a realistic, modern woman who finds herself in the position to make all of her dreams come true. Red Sash is the first installment of Aggie's life and search for Joshua. This reader is waiting with bated breath for the continuance of Aggie's life and love.

Reviewed by: Joletta