Product Description

Jack Christensen has everything he ever wanted. He's a rising star in US Diplomacy, the youngest man to have been appointed as an Ambassador of the United States. A career diplomat who's just been sent to a politically interesting Embassy in Europe, he has the perfect wife, speaks five languages and has all the right credentials, yet there's something missing and he doesn't quite know what. Then Lucas Carlton walks into an Embassy reception and introduces himself and his American fiancée. From the first handshake, the young Englishman makes an impression on Jack that leaves him confused and uncharacteristically insecure. Lucas' position as the British liaison to the American Embassy means they are forced to work together closely and they have a hard time denying the attraction between them, despite their current relationships. When their women decide to go on a weekend trip together, Jack and Lucas start a passionate relationship, which continues long after their partners return. Diplomatic circles are notoriously conservative though, and they each know that the right woman by their side makes a very significant contribution to their success. Will they be able to make the right choices in their professional and personal lives? Or will they need to sacrifice one for the other? Full Chapter excerpt available at www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #480056 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 228 pages

Customer Reviews

Diplomacy- A Joyfully Recommended Title
Denying a huge part of himself was starting to become difficult for Jack Christensen. From the moment he realized he was gay back in high school, Jack pushed those feelings deep down inside and never acknowledged them again. His life was were he wanted it, a career diplomat newly appointed US Ambassador posted in Europe, and he was married to a beautiful intelligent woman, such feelings had no place in his life and he never had issues controlling them until he met Lucas.

Lucas Carlton, an engaged British Liaison to the American Embassy, invaded Jack's world and made him feel and want things he thought were never an option for him. Lucas knows what it mean to deny yourself for the sake of a career, he's quite aware of political social status but Jack's presence had the same effect on him. Unable to control their feelings the two began an affair unleashing a passion they have never felt for another human being. Jack and Lucas know the risks they are taking to be together are great and soon they have to decide if their love is worth the risks.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about Diplomacy because the characters are married or involved at the start of their affair, but Zahra Owens did such a beautiful job with the story that I absolutely adored Jack and Lucas. There were some high anxiety moments but for the most part Diplomacy was a beautifully written story of two people finding something they didn't think they were allowed to have. Jack, the older of the two men really stole my heart, even though he was older he was the less experienced and his lovingly passion-filled need for Lucas was so sweet, I couldn't help but hope they found a way to be together. As for Luke, he's just adorable! Ms. Owens really did a great job with this story including the supporting characters. With its ups and downs, twist and surprises I Joyfully Recommend Diplomacy.

Ley
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Sexy diplomats.! Well thought out love story.
This is not merely a M/M romance erotica. There is a thoughtful plot, some mild political insinuations and of course the two protagonists make you care for them.

At first I was a bit put off by the attraction between Jack and Lucas. After all they do have wife/live-in girl friend. It is their own choice to ignore their true self because their career is more important. More so in Jack's case when he is already married for 15 years. So he does not feel lust for his wife but it is his choice to remain in the closet.

But my view soon change because Owens pens such a convincing love story. Their attraction is pure lust at the beginning but their love is true and credible as the story progresses over 9 years. I just feel a tug at my heart when Lucas left. Good thing the writer does not dwell into both men's pain much during their separation. 2 years later and both men has "matured" and know what they want in life. Not their career but each other and a family. A most heartwarming, bittersweet and loving reunion.

Maybe the writer's treatment of the supporting females roles are a bit off. It is hard to believe that Jack's wife cares for her role as a diplomat's wife more than her husband. And Lucy's callousness is hard to believe. Maybe it is Owen's way to garner sympathy for her men's plight but there is no need. The strong emotions between Jack and Lucas have already done a convincing job.

They are a few comical moments as Jack's personal secretary and secret service body guard help the 2 guys in their adultery. And I do favor Owen's injection of her personal but "so true" view of War into her story.

Another great quality release from Dreamspinnerpress. Strongly recommended for M/M fans who look for plot, angst but not over board, loving romance, appealing characters and hot sex.

Diplomacy by Zahra Owens
Do you know that feeling? when you come accross a book and read the blurb and say, no this is not for me, but somehow you know you are making a big mistake? Cause something in that book draws you and you know you have to read it.

Well Diplomacy is that book for me. When first came out, I read the blurb: cheating man, NO. married cheating man, NO NO. married cheating man who has a relationship with another committed cheating man, NO NO NO. But... it's a may / december relationship, YES. It's an office affair, YES YES. It's setting in Europe, YES YES YES. And so in the end I read it and I'm really happy to have done so.

Jack is the US Ambassador in Brussel. He is a more than forthy handsome man with a perfect wife. He has a wonderful career and he is an example for all the men around him: perfect at work and perfect at home, he is loving with his wife and caring. He even knows how to cook. But then he lays his eyes on Lucas, the British liaison officer for the US ambassy. Lucas is a mid twenty beautiful man who, since the first night is irremediably attracted by Jack. Lucas is not fresh to gay relationships, when he was studying in America he has had also a boyfriend, but then he has understood that, for having a carrer in the diplomacy, he has to have the right connections and also the right woman beside him. And Lucy, his fiancee, is that woman. But Jack, Jack is his dreams come true. Maybe if it would be a one side thing, never would happened, but Jack has a secret by his own. He has been always attracted by men, but never has followed his instincts, preferring to pursue his career. And Maria, his wife, is a good woman and now also a good friend. Can he jeopardize all for a brief passion? maybe not, but when passion is the only thing he haven't in his perfect life, and never has had, it's no more a thing he can deny.

All right, I felt sorry for Maria. She is not the bad witch usually we find in this type of story. Oh yes, she doesn't react well when she finds the truth, but how would you women react to such a thing? I think she is a fine woman trapped in the situation. But not Jack or Lucas can stop to feel what they are feeling, and then they are so perfect together.

Both Jack and Lucas are good men, but not dominant characters. They are average men who have to face difficult decisions. And I like the way they act. They don't hurry the time, they try to do the right thing for all the people involved. They are also very similars, and maybe for this reason, you don't feel much the age difference between them.

The plot is very complex and last for a very long period. There are also some unexpected twists, I don't want to spoil, but that are very well intertwined in the story. After all it's a very classical romance, especially in the final part, and who is used to read romance, will know what I mean. I'm wondering why, among the M/M romance lover (mostly women) I haven't heard much of this book, cause for me it's really a good romance.