BEFORE E.L. JAMES PUT PEN TO PAPER, THERE WAS ZANE!
Kristina Laferne Roberts aka Zane is a gifted writer of erotica. Her first officially published book was “Addicted” and was released October 2001. I happened upon the book one day when visiting Barnes & Noble. I’ve been a fan of her work ever since. When I learned the book was being made into a major motion picture I was excited and a little on edge. If you’ve ever read any of Zane’s books you can understand my feelings. Zane put the “E” in erotica.
The critics masequered this movie. Lucky for me, I don’t listen to critics and prefer to draw my own conclusions. This movie was very entertaining. Before I rant about the movie, let me give you a little background from the book:
For successful African-American businesswoman Zoe Reynard, finding the pleasure she wants, the way she wants it, is not worth the risk of losing everything she has: marriage to the man she has loved since childhood, a thriving company, and three wonderful children. But Zoe feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction…to sex.
Finding a compassionate woman therapist to help her, Zoe finally summons the courage to tell her torrid story, a tale of guilt and desire as shocking as it is compelling. From the sensitive artist with whom she spends stolen hours on rumpled sheets to the rough and violent man who draws her toward destruction, Zoe is a woman desperately searching for fulfillment—and something darker, deeper, and perhaps deadly. As her life spins out of control and her sexual escapades carry her toward a dangerous choice, Zoe is racing against time to uncover the source of her “fatal attraction”—as chilling secrets tumble forth from the recesses of a woman’s mind, and perilous temptations lead toward a climax that can threaten her sanity, her marriage…and her life.
ADDICTED THE MOVIE
Kudos to the casting agent for this movie. Sharon Leal, who is best known as the wife to Tyler Perry’s character in the “Why Did I Get Married” films plays the lead, Zoe Reynard. Boris Kodjoe was delicious as ever in his role as Zoe’s husband, Jason Reynard. William Levy (Quinton Canosa) and Tyson Beckford (Corey) serve as two of Zoe’s main sexual addictions. Note: in the book there were many more but for the movie they focused on these two. Both actors delivered in my opinion. There was lots of rock hard abs and steamy erotic scenes that were believable. William Levy has so much sex appeal and the chemistry between him and Sharon Leal was phenomenal. As a sidebar, he would have been a strong contender for the lead in the E.L. James movie 50 Shades of Grey. Actress Tasha Smith did an excellent job as Zoe’s therapist. It was refreshing to see Tasha in a role where she was calm. LOL!
There was nothing preachy about this movie, which has been written by so called critics. Yes, there were a few changes in the screenplay from the book but when you only have 106 minutes to shoot a movie that happens. I felt the movie did the book justice.
Emayatzy Corinealdi Kat Graham
Small but important roles were played by Emayatzy Corinealdi as Zoe’s (Zoe & Company’s) assistant and best friend Brina. Kat Graham, who in the book, Zane also had an affair with plays Quinton’s other lover Diamond.
The bottom line: We go to the theatre to be entertained. If you’re looking for entertainment value I suggest you go see Addicted. The movie does a good job of exploring Sexual Addiction which in recent years has been widely publicized mainly because of celebrities. If you want a good read, pick up a copy of Addicted. I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down. It’s been 13 years since I read it. I’m planning on a re-read after seeing the movie.
Author – ZANE
Kristina Laferne Roberts, aka ZANE is an author of Erotica fiction novels.She is best known for her novel Addicted. In 1997, Zane began writing erotic stories to pass the time after her children went to bed. She was living in North Carolina and working as a sales representative. The stories developed a following on the Internet and she self-published The Sex Chronicles before landing a deal with Simon & Schuster. She has since published 17 novels. She is the Publisher of Strebor Books International, an imprint of ATRIA/Simon and Schuster. Under Strebor, Zane is responsible for acquiring dozens of titles per year and currently has nearly fifty authors under her imprint.
Liberty Sands 
It’s now on my To Watch list! Mmmmm.
Let me suggest that you read the book. O.M.G! Of course the book goes into more detail but I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. 🙂