A former NBC production assistant who worked at the network when Rob Morrison hosted “Today in New York” wrote a steamy romance novel whose lead character is a violent, alcoholic newsman who cheats on his wife.
Jennifer Rainville said in 2011 that “Trance of Insignificance” is a “juicy and fun puzzle for those who are in the news business.”
“Much of the settings and many of my experiences served as the inspiration,” Rainville told the media Web site Mediabistro.com. “But the characters are invented. It’s fiction.”
The lead character, Jules, falls for handsome morning anchorman Jack Culligan.
He takes her out for drinks and seduces her — and they have a hot and heavy romance that quickly turns abusive.
In one jealous rage, “Jack turned around and whaled Jules straight across the face.”
Jules leaves him when he cheats on her with a newscaster he later marries. The real Morrison also married a fellow newscaster.
Jack then has an affair with Jules, and she writes that Jack’s wife would divorce him if not for “her damn southern pride.”
The book ends with Jack, finally ready to divorce, dying in an earthquake.
Rainville did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the book.