If you can allow your imagination to soar, the book Madam President is a fascinating read. Could a woman be elected president a mere 20 years from today? And if so, what are the odds that not only would she be open that she is a lesbian, but she is affiliated with the Independent political party? A little far fetched? Okay, I would not take that bet either, but since the book is fiction we are required to suspend our cynical natures and enjoy ourselves.

While I would have preferred that the book delve more into the political arena - after all, what was the point of placing the characters in the White House if not politics? - the novel is more of a love story.

The writers created the characters in a very true-to-life fashion, instead of falling back on lesbian-stereotypes. The character of the president is based on a woman who has known and lived her sexuality through her whole life. The soon-to-be lover only begins to recognize her attraction for women later in life - at the age of 31 - while falling in love with the president. The underlying dynamics of the relationship are very true-to-life and offer a comfortable depiction of the late-bloomer's fear and confusion. The writers, T. Novan and Blayne Cooper portrayed both women well, picking up the nuances of the very delicate balance of dynamics where lesbian and straight woman fall in love.

Story Excerpt It's the year 2020, and the future is here at last. America has its first woman president, Devlyn Marlowe. President Marlowe, a compelling woman of heart, mind and spirit wants her term in office chronicled, and she wants it done by an author whose voice has always captured her, Lauren Strayer. Lauren's independence and fierce integrity lead her to easily turn down the President's offer. But when she finds herself face to face with this charming commander-in-chief, tempted by the promise of editorial freedom, and the realization that this is the opportunity to write her most detailed and intimate portrait. She says yes. Follow them through this sweet, funny, romantic and original look at two lives, which are ultimately bound together.

The relationship dynamics in the story were a little overly optimistic, rarely exploring the daily discord, tension or misunderstandings that comes between individuals who are living together in a highly publicized fishbowl-type situation.

The tangle of emotions that occurs when family members are non-accepting of individual sexuality is not explored in this novel, which I felt was a real loss. The supportive and accepting parents were in attendance as the president's parents, but the rejecting father of the ex-straight woman went by the wayside without so much as a goodbye. This is an event that happens all too often in everyday life and had the potential to offer comfort and support to those who may be stung by rejecting families.

All of that said the book was very well written and difficult to put down. The storyline moved at a pace to keep me changing the pages to see what would happen next or how things may develop. I give the book a solid A+ and recommend it as an excellent form of entertainment.

Until next time...