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The Affect of Red
Robert Jordan and Camille Durran both find themselves victims of failed relationships. Robert is a studio manager for successful engineering firm and Camille is a young attorney in San Francisco. They both have consuming jobs that leave little time for romantic affairs.
Camille meets Robert in a bar in San Francisco. She is wearing a red evening dress and she attracts Roberts’ attention. They both quickly realize their connection is a fairy tale of love at first sight. They meet the following weekend in Reno, Nevada for lunch, and then find themselves fleeing to Costa Rica from the Russian Mafia thugs who are after Camille. They fall in love, and when they return to the US, they marry, have a child, and begin living an idyllic life in the wine country of California. But the threat of the Russian Mafia never leaves their lives.
Camille meets Robert in a bar in San Francisco. She is wearing a red evening dress and she attracts Roberts’ attention. They both quickly realize their connection is a fairy tale of love at first sight. They meet the following weekend in Reno, Nevada for lunch, and then find themselves fleeing to Costa Rica from the Russian Mafia thugs who are after Camille. They fall in love, and when they return to the US, they marry, have a child, and begin living an idyllic life in the wine country of California. But the threat of the Russian Mafia never leaves their lives.
460 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
5 people want to read
About the author
Phil Davis
4 books6 followersPhil Davis was born and raised in Southern California. His early years were spent in the artist colony of Laguna Beach, where he developed a deep appreciation for creativity, community, and storytelling. An active sportsman in his youth, involved in football, track, baseball, and surfing. Phil’s writing carries the same energy, focus, and sense of movement that shaped his early life.
Phil’s stories explore the human condition under pressure the intersections of truth, deception, love, and redemption. Through compelling characters and vivid settings, he examines how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances, and what it truly means to heal, forgive, and begin again.
His works include:
Just A Touch – A gripping story of choices, consequence, and the fragile balance between love and temptation.
Lies, Deception – A psychological and emotional exploration of trust betrayed and truth rediscovered.
Exit Wounds – A powerful reflection on pain, resilience, and finding healing after life’s deepest scars.
Raindancer – A lyrical and hopeful story about renewal, faith, and the quiet strength that rises from life’s storms.
Across all his works, Phil Davis writes with a compassionate eye for people caught in difficult circumstances, those striving to make sense of chaos, hold onto hope, and do what’s right even when it costs them everything.
He currently resides in Arizona, where he continues to write stories that challenge, inspire, and reveal the hidden battles within the human heart. When he’s not writing, Phil enjoys time near the ocean, where the rhythms of the waves remind him of life’s constant motion and grace.
Follow Phil Davis on Goodreads to stay connected with his latest releases, reflections, and author events.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 6, 2012
In essence, this had the makings of a promising novel about the heinous crime of human-trafficking, especially of young children. Camille is a young attorney, living in San Francisco, about to expose a huge trafficking operation, masterminded by the Russians, but for her own safety finds herself in a witness protection programme, taking with her a man, Robert, she has just met (love at first sight in a bar, wearing a red dress). When the heat is off, she and Robert return to San Francisco and make a life together. Although deliriously happy together, they both realise that they cannot take their safety for granted, especially when the Russians make their presence felt in a way that touches their lives in a devastating manner.
Unfortunately, I found this book rather frustrating. Camille and Robert’s flee to anonymity was far more public than I would have thought a witness protection programme should be, and they head for proximity to one arm of the Russian operation, which seemed a bit daft to me, nor did you get any sense of fear of the danger of their situation. Robert just seemed to walk out of his job without so much as a by-your-leave; I wanted to know more about why Camille was in so much danger; there just wasn’t enough information about the atrocity of the Russian operation, and most frustratingly, whenever the story was moving towards some action or intrigue, we were cut off and abruptly taken to 10 or 2 or 4 years later. Most regrettably, this novel was seriously under-edited, with misspellings, missing words, and poor punctuation which really marred the reading experience. I kept wanting to say The Effect of Red and it seems even the characters couldn't make up their minds whether it was the 'affect' or effect'.
However, Camille and Robert were very likeable, as was her best friend, Stacey, who had the most expressive southern phrases, and I could almost detect her appealing drawl. Love, loyalty, friendship, courage, goodness and bravery were qualities that stood out in the story and Davis has a pleasant, easy-going style.
Overall, the novel lacked substance and turned out to be a romantic suspense, when I think it really wanted to make an appeal and create awareness about an appalling crime that is a present-day curse. With a seriously thorough edit, though, it would make a pleasant read. With a little extra attention to the plot, it will make an excellent read.
Unfortunately, I found this book rather frustrating. Camille and Robert’s flee to anonymity was far more public than I would have thought a witness protection programme should be, and they head for proximity to one arm of the Russian operation, which seemed a bit daft to me, nor did you get any sense of fear of the danger of their situation. Robert just seemed to walk out of his job without so much as a by-your-leave; I wanted to know more about why Camille was in so much danger; there just wasn’t enough information about the atrocity of the Russian operation, and most frustratingly, whenever the story was moving towards some action or intrigue, we were cut off and abruptly taken to 10 or 2 or 4 years later. Most regrettably, this novel was seriously under-edited, with misspellings, missing words, and poor punctuation which really marred the reading experience. I kept wanting to say The Effect of Red and it seems even the characters couldn't make up their minds whether it was the 'affect' or effect'.
However, Camille and Robert were very likeable, as was her best friend, Stacey, who had the most expressive southern phrases, and I could almost detect her appealing drawl. Love, loyalty, friendship, courage, goodness and bravery were qualities that stood out in the story and Davis has a pleasant, easy-going style.
Overall, the novel lacked substance and turned out to be a romantic suspense, when I think it really wanted to make an appeal and create awareness about an appalling crime that is a present-day curse. With a seriously thorough edit, though, it would make a pleasant read. With a little extra attention to the plot, it will make an excellent read.
December 6, 2012
The characters in The Affect of Red are engaging, as is their plight. Their relationship, while sudden, is definitely believable, and I enjoyed the determination to keep their relationship healthy and their communication open. The majority of the storyline kept me turning pages (and kept me up until 1am to see the end). However, I did find myself skimming through some of the dialogue and low points in order to find out what was coming up next.
The one thing I wish is if there had been more details with the investigation into the Russian Mafia. Perhaps some scenes dedicated to stakeouts or something else to that effect. But, overall, I enjoyed the story as a whole - and I was extremely shocked at one particular instance (which I will not reveal here, as it is a major spoiler).
Overall, P.A. Davis has a wonderful voice and writing style, and dedicates enough to the senses to make the reader clearly visualize the setting as well as the poignancy of fear. I look forward to his next book.
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. There was a bit too much dedicated to slow narrative and not enough to the actual conflict. So, I found myself skimming to get to the next bit of action. I enjoyed the characters and the overall story.
Would I recommend it to others: Yes. The story and characters therein are enjoyable, and the "moral to the story" should be experienced by all.
The one thing I wish is if there had been more details with the investigation into the Russian Mafia. Perhaps some scenes dedicated to stakeouts or something else to that effect. But, overall, I enjoyed the story as a whole - and I was extremely shocked at one particular instance (which I will not reveal here, as it is a major spoiler).
Overall, P.A. Davis has a wonderful voice and writing style, and dedicates enough to the senses to make the reader clearly visualize the setting as well as the poignancy of fear. I look forward to his next book.
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. There was a bit too much dedicated to slow narrative and not enough to the actual conflict. So, I found myself skimming to get to the next bit of action. I enjoyed the characters and the overall story.
Would I recommend it to others: Yes. The story and characters therein are enjoyable, and the "moral to the story" should be experienced by all.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews