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The Real Thing JJ Murray Books

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The Real Thing JJ Murray Books

For starters, bad news for boxing fans: This book has a lot more to do with romance, and the heroine's journalism career, than it does about boxing. And though the author at least knows the difference in punches thrown by a southpaw as opposed to a conventional fighter, there are some cringe-worthy factual errors. For instance, more than once the "great rivalry" between Jake LaMotta and JOE LOUIS is mentioned. Sheeze, how does this stuff make it through the editors? If you don't want to research, at least talk to somebody who knows something about boxing. At least refer to a "great rivalry" between two legendary names IN THE SAME WEIGHT DIVISION. If they ever actually fought each other, maybe you could pull it off. The great Middleweight rivalry of history is looking the author right in the face: LaMotta and Ray Robinson. (Yes, I rank it above Hearns/Leonard and Leonard/Duran.)

Ahem. Anyway, great news for romance fans: the romance is tight and well-written. The heroine, Cristiana, was pretty aggressive, but impossible not to like. How could the hero (Dante) NOT fall in love with a woman like that? I nearly did, and I know she's a fictional character. Smart, funny, curvy, secure in her femininity, and a stark-raving nymphomaniac. Their chemistry rang true, and the tension strings the reader along perfectly right through the climax. You'll probably see the big "surprise twist" coming, but you'll want it to happen so bad it will be easily forgiven.

Did I mention the humor? The narration is very amusing, even during the sad and tense parts. It's funny enough to cheer you up out of a bad funk--and that's not so common.

I haven't read in this genre as much as some, but I suspect this book is one of the better representatives of it.

Henry Brown is author of the boxing novella Tomato Can Comeback (part of the Fight Card series), as well as post-Civil War tale (with an IR element) Radical Times.


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The Real Thing JJ Murray Books Reviews

Just when I thought I read his best, I found a little nugget in The Real Thing. I loved everything about this story, from the hard hitting nuance of Christiana to Dante's bravado, this story seemed really genuine. I loved that it wasn't cookie cutter; where most stories often "force" their couple back together, I appreciate that Christiana and Dante had to work their way back into each other's lives. What shocked me the most was that while this was a romance, the humor was off the charts! I loved how candid Christiana was in ALL aspects of trying to win Dante's heart and I love the stubborness of Dante. I've never really been a fan of boxing but reading this was such a thrill. I enjoy and appreciate a story that can both teach and entertain. As with all of Mr. Murray's stories, this one had me enthralled from start to finish. I simply couldn't put the book down. Although Renee and Jay and Renee and Jay 2 remain my favorites from him, The Real Thing comes in a close third.

Excellent work, Mr. Murray!
I had hoped that reading a romance written by a man might be more interesting than this. You know something different. I don't understand how an Italian American, a more born and raised in Brooklyn, speaks english like it's a second language. It was annoying! However, I powered through it hoping it would become interesting, and because I paid for it. Never became interesting and it was a waste of money! Boring, predictable plot and boring, one dimensional characters.
This is the third J.J. Murray book that I've reviewed, although I've read all of his works of art. Believe me, this author's writing is phenomenal. His approach is always different and fresh in every one of his books. And, I do not have to wade through tons of misspellings, misused words, run-on sentences or other atrocious writing/editing jobs. The characters are so richly drawn, and they are complicated, just as we all are in the real world. This is a warm and engaging interracial story of two people--a hot Italian boxer and a black female journalist-- --both of whom have issues and some baggage (whether internal or external). However, you will find that they also have depth and heart, which is why I found myself rooting for them.

The book is written from Christiana's point of view--and she is hilarious! Her inner musings are sometimes disjointed, when she is torn about what to do or what not to do. Although she can change her mind at the drop of a hat, Christiana is by no means a "flake" or superficial person. She is very serious about her journalism, and she excels at her job. When she's interviewing what she calls "fake people", AKA some celebrities, she says one thing to placate them during the interview to get the job done. On the other hand, what she really thinks is, well, what many of us may have thought about some celebrities, but just didn't say it. Great, great stuff! I liked Christiana a lot. She is by no means one dimensional; she has layers that are peeled back slowly as the book progresses. I laughed with her, cried with her, got angry with her, and I vicariously enjoyed the hell out of the lovemaking sessions both real and fantasized. I have a very good friend who reminds me so much of Christiana; she sometimes has my head spinning--but, she is a good, honest person with integrity. So is Christiana, her theatrics notwithstanding.

Dante, the boxer, is staging a comeback--only no one believes he will win. He and Christiana first meet when she is trying to gain a 30 minute interview with Dante and permission to use some pictures she shot for a fluff piece for her magazine. What happens next is very entertaining. Christiana must do five things successfully before Dante will grant her an interview. He delivers this message in Italian to his son DJ, who then explains it to Christiana. Good thing her granddaddy taught her how to fish! I won't go into detail here, because there is so much "meat and potatoes" to this very crucial part of the book that I could never do it justice. Suffice it to say Dante has a very strict work-out regimen, and he has staunchly held ways of doing things. It is through Christiana's eyes that we first catch a glimpse of the man, and it is not flattering---her first impressions of him are that he is rude, vain, rigid, distant, and unwelcoming. However, through Christiana's interviews with Dante, and their subsequent conversations, a very different picture of Dante emerges--the real Dante, the Dante on the inside, the Dante with the big heart, with principles. Dante is a man who loves his son and wants to be a hero to him--he is a man who walks the walk and talks the talk. Wow--there is so much to Dante that transcends his good looks and charm. You cannot help wanting Dante to win in boxing and in love, against all odds.

Dante's son, DJ, his trainer/friend/cook, Red, and significant other, Lelani are each very interesting and likeable characters, and add so much flavor to round out the story. The only character that is not so likeable is Dante's ex-wife, turns a simple name Evelyn into "EVElyn." Now that alone should tell you what you need to know about her. But, even she adds another dimension to the layers in this story.

I'll just put this out there for whatever its worth---there is a lot of social commentary about celebrity/stardom, about what is and is not really important in life, for example. Whether we agree with these ideologies or not, there is much to ruminate upon, and it does not detract from the story. I happen to enjoy a bit of profound thinking in romance novels! Also, there is some repetition near the end, as Christiana is writing up and editing her interviews, but that is so minor compared to the overall excellence of the book, that it has negligible impact IMHO.

In a couple of Mr. Murray's earlier books, I lamented that there wasn't enough sexual "heat" between the two main characters. Well people, that is DEFINITELY NOT the case in this book---Woooooo, baby, baby, baby!!!

There is SO much more to this book, that I don't believe any review can capture all of the various nuances in the book and the sheer profundity of it. This book just needs to be read and, yes, savored. I felt so good after reading "The Real Thing" that I wanted to read it all over again (and I rarely do that)! Murray keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering whether Dante will win his "all or nothing" bout and/or whether a happy ending is in store for Christiana and Dante. So, please, why not read this book and find out for yourself? You won't regret it.
For starters, bad news for boxing fans This book has a lot more to do with romance, and the heroine's journalism career, than it does about boxing. And though the author at least knows the difference in punches thrown by a southpaw as opposed to a conventional fighter, there are some cringe-worthy factual errors. For instance, more than once the "great rivalry" between Jake LaMotta and JOE LOUIS is mentioned. Sheeze, how does this stuff make it through the editors? If you don't want to research, at least talk to somebody who knows something about boxing. At least refer to a "great rivalry" between two legendary names IN THE SAME WEIGHT DIVISION. If they ever actually fought each other, maybe you could pull it off. The great Middleweight rivalry of history is looking the author right in the face LaMotta and Ray Robinson. (Yes, I rank it above Hearns/Leonard and Leonard/Duran.)

Ahem. Anyway, great news for romance fans the romance is tight and well-written. The heroine, Cristiana, was pretty aggressive, but impossible not to like. How could the hero (Dante) NOT fall in love with a woman like that? I nearly did, and I know she's a fictional character. Smart, funny, curvy, secure in her femininity, and a stark-raving nymphomaniac. Their chemistry rang true, and the tension strings the reader along perfectly right through the climax. You'll probably see the big "surprise twist" coming, but you'll want it to happen so bad it will be easily forgiven.

Did I mention the humor? The narration is very amusing, even during the sad and tense parts. It's funny enough to cheer you up out of a bad funk--and that's not so common.

I haven't read in this genre as much as some, but I suspect this book is one of the better representatives of it.

Henry Brown is author of the boxing novella Tomato Can Comeback (part of the Fight Card series), as well as post-Civil War tale (with an IR element) Radical Times.