Out Of Her League
Delores Airey
iUniverse
ISBN: 9780595421992
Reviewed By Tracy Moore
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Amy
is an impressive executive at a high-powered London consultancy firm,
having learned from her father at an early age the benefits of keeping
nose to the grindstone as a means of advancing self-interest. Though
she's achieved measurable success in numerous areas of her life, she
still remains on the hunt for the "real thing" when it comes to love;
that is, until she meets the dashing Mike, an even more successful
hotelier with an even more impressive pedigree.
Of course, as
is typically the case, Mike's social life is already spoken for; his
heart, however, is not, and when Amy learns of Mike's "arranged
marriage" to the fiancée of convenience for whom he is showing
increasing distaste, she knows it's the perfect time to make her move.
Soon, Amy and Mike begin a torrid affair, she with the fervent hopes of
their tryst becoming a full-blown union with all benefits included.
Equally
impressed with her, Mike readily returns Amy's affections – but, rapt
in the throes of passion, neither prepares him/herself for the fallout
of Mike's rejection of his family's – and fiancée's – intentions for
his future. When their hastily constructed house of cards begins to
fall, Amy begins to wonder if her lack of foresight has taken her quite
a bit out of her usual league.
Out Of Her League
is a treat to the senses, as Airey readily waxes affluent, repeatedly
citing the pleasures of indulging in name brand luxury. By referencing
the benefits of concierge services, personal car shuttles, trips to
exotic locales, and ultra-expensive soirees, she provides an envious
glance into a world of everyday regalness of which many among us can
only dream.
Its aura of opulence and luxury notwithstanding, though, Out Of Her League
is a refreshingly candid reminder of the common humanity that unites us
all: as turbulent seas of emotions rapt in the flesh, we are all
subject to loss, disappointment, and rejection, and even the richest
among us are often at a disadvantage in dealing with the idiosyncrasies
of love. Wealth and status may buy influence, but they are powerless to
mend a broken heart.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Delores Airey (Out Of Her League)
Apex Reviews: Delores, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Amy achieves a remarkable amount of success by being smart, disciplined, and focused, all of which are instilled in her by her father. Why, then, does she tend to fall apart when dealing with matters of the heart?
Delores Airey: When it came to matters of the heart, Amy's faculties are inexplicably taken over, causing her emotions to run riot to a degree, exposing her vulnerabilities. Amy's father failed to prepare her for the Birds And The Bees; a subject Amy had to burrow through, the learning curves, the stumbling blocks, the traumatic experiences to figuring things out on her own accord.
AR: Likewise, Katie - Amy's friend and confidant - experiences similar emotional conflict in dealing with her desired suitor, David, who's married. Why do the women tend to flock to men who are unavailable?
DA: Short-sightedness. Decadence. Lust. A cry for help, perhaps? Who knows why certain women do some of the crazy things they do? Why, in their show of callousness, choose to pursue men who are blatantly not right for them? Katie, inevitably, paid a heavy price, tasting the true bitterness of the forbidden fruit that proved to be not so delicious after-all.
AR: Mike ultimately reveals to Amy the truth of his "engagement" to his fiancée, which actually turns out to be an arranged marriage of sorts. Are these types of arrangements more common than people think, even in this day and age?
DA: Yes. Most certainly, and for ulterior motives in varying degrees. Many underlying factors come into play, wealth, money, class, religion, culturally maintaining beliefs, castes and bloodlines, conveniences and numerous other reasons. Arranged marriages exist and are taking place in societies across the globe, right now as we speak.
AR: Mike seems particularly well-adjusted emotionally, especially given the collective temperament of his family and fiancée. How is he able to take even the most striking of developments in stride so easily?
DA: An only child, lonely, in order to survive he was forced to condition himself, self-imposing emotional intelligence, self control, being thick-skinned, maintaining the English, "Stiff Upper Lip" - de-personalisation and coldness, all as a show of strength in character. Although Mike secretly yearned for emotionality, he catered for himself in extreme and strange ways to gratify himself.
AR: When Katie learns of her emergent "condition," why is she so conflicted regarding whether or not she'll follow through with it?
DA: Reality had struck, then indecisiveness came into play. Katie's selfishness, the potential loss of freedom, lack of confidence in whether or not she had what it took to be a committed and responsible adult; insecurity, short-sightedness, regret.
AR: Our reviewer noted that you provide the reader with an illustrative peek into the world of everyday opulence. Did these revelations come about as a result of extensive research, or are you rather familiar with that kind of lifestyle?
DA: A bit of both, really. Research, observation and some familiarisation of the lifestyle. I'd read numerous productions of Swan Lake and listened to Mozart while writing the chapter about the ballet performance, for example. I'd resided, for a number of years, in a famous town in London, close to Portobello Road called Notting Hill where I'd meet, mix and mingle with the affluent to the elite.
AR: How has your publishing experience been with iUniverse?
DA: (coughs) No comment!
AR: We noticed that you're currently working on the sequel to Out Of Her League. Care to share a little about it with our readers?
DA: Yes. The sequel's going to be quite a different story with harrowing and intriguing turn of events taking place in another location, not the UK. I'll also be introducing new and interesting characters. Mike and Amy evolve as people including their lives! I hope to realise a great opportunity by a reputable publisher.
AR: How can people learn more about your writings and other efforts?
DA: One can visit a number of my websites, www.deloresairey.com, www.myspace.com/deloresairey and www.authorsden.com/deloresaairey. I also encourage readers to communicate with me by email. My email address is, author.deloresairey@yahoo.com.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
DA: I am currently enjoying reviewing books, interviewing authors, as well as working hard studying Journalism. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and have my sights set on attending their forthcoming event in San Francisco this year. Finally, anyone purchasing a copy of Out Of Her League direct from my website will benefit from receiving a surprise free gift!
AR: Thanks again, Delores, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
DA: Thank you very much for the interview. It has been a real pleasure.