Book Title: Harlow’s Heaven
Author: RaeLynn Blue
Author Blog: http://raelynnblue.blogspot.com/
Genre: Contemporary I/R

Wow! Ok I had to get that out of the way first. To say I liked this book would be an understatement. I really read this all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. From page to page I was trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I learned to never really judge a book by its cover, because what we are looking for sometimes is right in front of our faces.
This is the story of Harlow Shelton who at the age 37 decides to return to school. After raising a child on her own she decides to get her degree in literature. Filled with self doubts about everything in her life Harlow pushes forth, trying to finish what was started fifteen years ago. After signing up for her classes she decides to stop for coffee at the little student run kiosk. This little stop will change her forever. Though not known by Harlow at the time, she is going to meet the man of her dreams. The clerk whose name is Luke Hudson is everything a girl would want. But, Harlow thinks that he could never be interested in her. She liked the way Luke looked but she felt there were obstacles to prevent anything between them.
What she doesn't know is that Luke is thinking about all the ways they could be together. And so we see the lengths he goes to guarantee they end up together while Harlow is finding reasons why they can’t. Harlow feels that no one would want her. Though attractive, she considers her size a stumbling block. But Luke has only one thing on his mind, and that is to make Harlow his.
This is a love story to be read. The anticipation of sex is as hot as the sex itself. You will like this story as much as I did. I give it 5 stars out of 5.

Edward Johns

Book: Magnificent Man
Author: Randall Lang
Publisher: Midnight Showcase
Genre: Contemporary

Rarely do I read books so long. It isn't that I have lost my desire to read; it's simply the fact that between grad school and my own writing, I lack the time and patience to read books that long. Still, I purchased the book with every intention of tossing it in the TBR pile. A strange thing happened on the way to the pile - I started reading it...and couldn't close it. It wasn't that Magnificent Man is the best book I’ve ever read; it was the fact that it is intriguing. Though classified as a romance, the book is so much more than that. Like the movie UP by Disney/Pixar, this book leaves you pondering about life ... or at least it should.

It's not just the good things that you reflect on such as a beautiful and moving romance; it's the unthinkable things such as the way we hurt each other; it's the wretched things such as the way we hurt ourselves; it's the 'well damn' things such as the way we rush through life without really experiencing the whole thing.

There were some facets of the book that I did not like but there were many facets that I simply loved. Reading the book put me in the mood of Dickens' Tales. Not the writing, but the polar opposites that existed. For example, the phrase 'my lady' was used too much in my opinion but then the phrase 'your obedient servant' was used just enough. While 'my lady' was simply a nice address, the phrase 'your obedient servant' was almost religious when Coyote said it.

I hated the heroine Cassie...and I loved the heroine Cassie. In the beginning, I felt for her. In the middle, I wanted to b*tchslap her when she became complainy (yes I know that isn't a word but I'm using it regardless). In the end, I cheered her for how she reacts to Coyote's pain and when she delivers that dissertation on greatness. All along I respected how she attempted to care for her mother (who I never came to like) and her daughter.

When her tale begins, it is easy to identify with a woman whose dreams have been put on hold due to previous decisions, current obligations, and living life with the mindset that 'one day... I’ll live.' You understand her living in the glory moments of her past thinking of how the older you get, the better you were. But you become frustrated with her for doing so. You simply want her to snap out of it because as tempting as nostalgia is, you cannot live there except for in flashbacks.

I almost put the book down as it opened with TOO MUCH. It seemed that life was piling on to Cassie and I wasn't sure that I wanted to read a story about how life can beat the sh*t out of a person, but I knew I wanted to read about Coyote. And I wanted to read more about the places he visited, the America that he called home.

I loved Coyote. It's hard to read the book and not fall in love with his gentleness even as you appreciate his strength. A modern knight, he wears chivalry like he wears his scars ... with honor. Even though it's simply a man on paper, you read the book and only want the best for him. Wanting the best for him led to my frustration with Cassie.

I abso-fu*king-lutely loved Sancho! And I dibsed him. Actually, I had to negotiate with fellow author Drea Riley to have him because she'd dibsed him too. I loved Sancho so much that I wrote the author asking before finally DEMANDING his story. Sancho is the kind of friend that if he has twenty dollars you both have ten. He's the paradigm for friend. He reminded me of Doc Holiday in my fav move Tombstone when he said he risked dying simply because Wyatt Earp was his friend. For all of the things Sancho was (giving, powerful, wealthy, intelligent), I felt that he was searching for something and had yet to find it. I want to be there when he does.

The best part of this book was the description of America, not the America full of concrete jungles, interstates, and skyscrapers; not the America full of resorts, golf courses, and beaches; but the America full of history. The backwoods places, the desolate places, the pristine places, the rarely-traveled gems that have been abandoned in lieu of progress and have been cut off because we have interstates that allows us to bypass those pockets of life/history in order to get us places we don't necessarily want to go faster than we often need to be there. Oh, I wanted to be on the back of Coyote's cycle, holding on to his strength, hearing his melodious voice give me history lessons, seeing the beauty that he saw in the desert.

Coyote moved me even as he broke me with his wisdom. When he explains why he doesn't use the interstate, I gasped. And then I thought...and I was sad because he was so right.

This book was filled with some brilliant prose...so much so that I again wonder why the author doesn't have pieces in those magazines that are filled with snippets of life. You know the New Yorkers, the Sunday Parade, and Reader’s Digest. Some of his prose was simply so brilliant that I felt that he needed a bigger platform. Some of the prose was simply words that left me saying 'da hell?' (but I won't talk about those things here because they are spoilers). It wasn't the 'da hell' moments that resonated with me; it was the 'ahh' moments, the 'oh my' moments; the 'hell yeah' moments that stayed with me, that moved me to tears and to fist pumping like Tiger Woods on the back nine on a Sunday with a two stroke lead.

Just as this book is difficult to categorize; it is difficult to rate. Sometimes it was a five of five; sometimes it was a one of five. Still, in the end I have to rate it a 3.5 of 5.0 because the beautiful, wonderful things far outweighed the negative, 'why the hell is that in here for' things. I'd enjoy a discussion on this book because it's one of those books that stays with you long after you've put it down. And as a publisher, I'd enjoy having a story like this in my inventory because it gets people talking.

Jayha

Book: Tartan Twins
Author: Selena Illyria
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Paranormal


Tartan Twins is a story about finding love in a complicated reality. We are introduced to twins werewolf/incubus brothers Rorick & Lochlan, whom are the last of their pack and considered outcasts in their world. They have hired an assistant whom they both recognize as their heart-mate. Robin, a caring, sensitive but insecure woman of color, has unknowingly set off both the were/incubus's innate need to bind themselves to their life mate. Upon recognizing their mate, Rorick & Lochlan's need to consummate this union is of the utmost importance. Sounds crazy, but toss in some Selena magic and that means get ready for an adventure into the real by way of fiction. We have a woman struggling to see her worth and find her independence, twin brothers whom are caught up in the life struggle of who they are, werewolf/incubus trying to claim their mate and feed the sexual hunger she inspires and prove to her that they need, want, and love only her. I really liked this book. Love comes in many forms and we all suffer insecurities, but outside of really HOTTTT SEX scenes that I did not tell you about, this is a worthwhile read. This book is a ménage, and if that upsets you it shouldn't in this case. These three complete each other. This is an I/R romance that draws you in with conflict, due to unchecked arousal, insecurities and misunderstandings. It takes you on a journey of discovery. Enjoy the story because of the story. Enjoy the sex because it is damn HOT!!!

Thanks Selena....., got it, read it......, IT WAS FANTASTIC......, now Igotta cool down and shower. It really was HoTTTTT!!!! I am not personally into ménage’, but recently these stories have you pondering the possibilities and awed by the imagination of talented writers. This wasn't some b’s three way sex crap. Yes it is fiction, but the issues regarding one’s view of intimacy, personal insecurities, life-mate choices, and possibilities draw you inalong with the HOTTTTTTTTTTTT SEXXXXXX!!!! I rate it a 5 and would recommend it to everyone.

Alcira

Book: Forbidden: Chocolate Kisses
Author: Marteeka Karland
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Futuristic, Sci-Fi, BBW


When I read the reviews for this short story I was anticipating reading it ... and then I read it. All I can say is DAAMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
And um, you probably should be somewhere other than ethics class when you're reading this hot flash because when you start fanning yourself, rocking side-to-side and humming it might be somewhat distracting for the rest of the class. Just saying…………

I wanted the men, I wanted the cake, and I wanted more of this story. I am hoping Ms. Karland pens the sequel. Who am I kidding? I hope she pens a whole universe around these characters and yes, that cake. I give it a 4.5 out of 5.

Jayha

Book: Forbidden: Chocolate Kisses
Author: Marteeka Karland
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Futuristic, Sci-Fi, BBW


Tianna uses every excuse under the sun to be outside when her drop dead gorgeous neighbor comes home. She would give anything to have him ride her like he rides his motorcycle. Eventually Tianna remembers her home training and decides nothing says “welcome to the neighborhood” like a chocolate cake. What a shame the cake hits the floor when Tianna is snatched into Rikardi’s house and asked to strip.

Rikardi has been searching for the perfect woman who can handle him in bed, and Tianna is that woman. Her attempts to convince him otherwise fall on deaf ears, and Rikardi claims Tianna using methods that have her erupting like a volcano.

Rikardi is a cocky man who delivers what he promises and more. I love that! His helper, Damion, plays an interesting role in this story and I’m hoping he has a story of his own. Falling in lust with both men was unavoidable. This short story is a teaser that left me panting for more. I give it 4.5 out of 5.

Von

Book: Mary and the Bear
Author: Zena Wynn
Publisher: Phaze
Genre: Contemporary


It’s official – I love Hugh Mosely the hero of this story.
Mary-Elizabeth Brown is one lucky lady! Meeting the gorgeous Hugh sparks off a sweet and beautiful story that held me captive from beginning to end.
Hugh is both big, brawny and hott (yes – with two ‘t’s) and what makes me totally drool for him is the fact that he tries to deny that Mary-Elizabeth is more than just a passing infatuation and the more he does that, the more he acts the fool for love!
Mary-Elizabeth is understandably wary when it comes to busting out and showing Hugh she’s wanting his bits. But then one just can’t deny chemistry. It will always get the better of you!
Hugh becomes more enamored with Mary-Elizabeth and it all comes to head when Mary-Elizabeth is just a little bit tiddly. Hilarity and hott (yes again with the two t’s) times ensue between them.
There is the added element of a particular character that you just want to bitch-slap and then there is Mary-Elizabeth’s mother whom you wanna drop off the nearest cliff into a black hole. All in all it comes to head and Mary-Elizabeth and Hugh win the day! YAY!
Hugh and Mary-Elizabeth are such a cute couple and I’m glad after all the heartache that Mary-Elizabeth has suffered she finds the right kind of man whom cherishes her as well as encourages her to do as she wants – so long as she doesn’t get herself hurt.
This story gets a BIG whopping **4**. It’s an impressive story and definitely of great quality! WOOT!
THE Jeanie

Like my bambina said...Hugh was the mfing man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything that Jeanie said, now let's fast-forward to the office/dinner scene: OH. MY. DAMNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.

I wanted me some Hugh...In fact, I'm dibsing Hugh right here and right now. Hugh belongs to Jayha. There, I said it.
I give this book a 4.5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeanie said some nonsense about me not being allowed to dibs Hugh. I am totally ignoring that though.

Jayha

Book: Being Plumville
Author: Savannah J. Frierson
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Fiction/Romance

A few years ago I was in a bookstore talking to one of the booksellers. I was looking for a particular book and not finding it, he began showing me similar books that I might enjoy. Being a talker, of course we talked books. I remember him picking up a book and handing it to me. Of course he said that he liked it with his mouth … but his eyes said so much more. His eyes said that he loved it, and not simply in that offhand way that we tend to say that we love things, gods or people, but that real love. I will never forget that look. He closed his eyes as if going into the book itself, and took a deep breath before opening his eyes. Looking directly at me, he said, "It's a perfectly-written book."
That got my attention because I've read a lot of books. And I like books, and even those that are tattered from so many readings, hanging together by rubber bands and grace; I don't think that I've ever considered any of them perfect. Not even the sixty-six of the Bible are perfectly written. Still, I wanted to one day read a book that caused me to have that sort of reaction.
Fast forward to two months ago. I was talking with a librarian and after I'd name-dropped, she asked me if I'd ever read Being Plumville. Although I had read most of Savannah J. Frierson's works, somehow, I had never gotten around to reading that particular story. I asked her to tell me about it (translation: sell the book to me). Being a full time grad student and having a full-time job, I don't get to read for pleasure as often as I'd like to so if I'm going to invest the time reading a book, it needs to have the seal of approval from people I trust. Though I'd only just met the librarian, when she described the book, I knew I had to read it. She had that same expression that the bookseller had: awe. Like the bookseller, she closed her eyes, gathered herself and told me about the kitchen scene. 'I was there,' she said. I was there in that kitchen and I felt that in my bones. Well damn. What do you say to that? As an author, I was jealous. Couldn't help it. That is the kind of reaction you want. It's one thing for a reader to like your work; but there is no higher praise than for a reader to 'get' your work, to be present in the scene/story, to correctly interpret your prose and want to share it with others. 'It's one of my top three all-time favorite books' she said, interrupting my thoughts. Well damn again.
So I called Savannah up (yep, I have her phone number because I'm special like that) and said, "I need an autographed copy of Being Plumville." And she said something like 'what, huh?' because she was asleep and I woke her up. Anyway, fast forward to about two weeks ago. I got it and read the dedication about ten times and set the book on the table. Waiting for my laptop to power up I started reading it … and I got caught up. And when I got to the kitchen scene, I wanted to call the librarian, but I didn't think she'd appreciate a call at four in the morning. So I read on. I put the book in my truck and read it before class and in between classes. That book became like one of those traveling garden gnomes going everywhere I did (to class, to my internship, to the bathroom, to the truck). Where I went, it went.
And when I got to the end, all I could do was close the book and sigh. And I wanted to go to the bookstore and find that bookseller and tell him that I'd found a book that wasn't perfect but pretty damn close to it. I remember emailing Savannah. The subject line said: BP (because I was too lazy to type out Being Plumville) and the body of the email said this: wow. What more could I say? It was just wow. Eventually she called me asking me WTF did wow mean? Was it a good wow or a you suck wow. It was an 'I have too many words' wow. It was awesome Savannah…awesome, and if I wasn't pretty sure that there was a book out there scribed by Jesus, I might say that it was perfectly-written.
Five hundred out of five.
Jayha

Book: Getting Lucky With Luciano
Author: Kelley Nyrae
Publisher: Parker Publishing
Genre: Interracial


I've wanted to read this book for a minute now. Something about it just drew me in. And then finally, I got the chance to read it. About a third of the way through some of my enthusiasm fled for I mistakenly thought this book was going to evolve into one big cliché...but I'm glad I kept reading because the book was so much more than I thought it'd be. Yes, there is a feisty heroine. Yes, there is an alpha hero. Yes, there is angst, but there is also real life. This book is about consequences; this book is about friendship; this book is about forgiveness.

The heroine reminded me of so many women who go through life wearing the superhero cape ... and with good reason. Privy to her pain and her past the reader knows that it's going to take a special man to get her to take it off. It was going to take a man like Luciano - a man who wore his own superhero cape. Not only can he cook his fine azz off; he is a man who is honorable. His honor is evident by the way he cares for his family, the way he loves his mama, the way he loves the heroine enough to put his desires last. Not only does he speak the world's most beautiful language - he speaks truth just as passionately as he makes love. And oh, does this man make love ... not just with his touch but with his eyes, with his words, with his food. There is a lovemaking scene that took my breath away and I cried right along with the heroine. I cried with her because in that moment you see Luciano for what he is: a man in love and you see the heroine for what she is: a woman who is hurting... a woman who is vulnerable ... a woman who is loved the way it is written about in fairy tales.

I enjoyed the book... 4 out of 5
Jayha

Book: A Kingdom Awaits
Author: Annalisa Hylton
Publisher: Wicked Women of Color, LLC
Genre: Fantasy I/R


A Kingdom Awaits has all of the obligatory elements that make a proper fairytale. There is a handsome, wealthy prince (actually there are seven), a powerful kingdom, a beautiful but poor maiden, an evil sibling and a great horse (c’mon what little girl doesn’t want a pony?). What it also has is a secondary love story that I found just as intriguing as the story of Lord Remar Azolith and Kyla Lavender. Though the Remar and Kyla are the hero and heroine of the story, you are pretty sure that Remar is going to find a way to enable him and Kyla to be together. After all, he is not simply the seventh son of King Braxton and Queen Hera, he is also the son that the other siblings agree is destined to be the next king.
What is not as certain is the fate of Lord Faydon and Alayne. It is not merely how others view them that set them apart; it is how they view themselves. You can literally feel their struggle. When they are apart you see them as mean-spirited, nasty, and deserving of scorn. Ah, but when they are together, you see their vulnerability, their humanity, and you ache for them (a little bit anyway). I found myself wanting them to get together, not simply because two mean people deserve each other, but because I felt that these two mean people could redeem each other.
The love scenes are hot. The author does a beautiful job setting the scenes. For me, A Kingdom Awaits is right in the middle. That is, it’s definitely not a bad book; however it wasn’t a great book. Still, I am hoping that the author does the stories of the other brothers. I am intrigued with the way she wrote them. She didn’t take the easy way out and make them all handsome, rich, and perfect. They’re fine, they’re rich, but they are flawed … and I can’t help but like that. This book is a 3 out of 5.

Jayha

Book: Seeking
Author: Bernie Silver
Publisher: Wicked Women of Color, LLC
Genre: Contemporary I/R



Seeking is not an erotic tale, or even a romantic tale in the traditional sense, yet it is an intriguing tale. Just the right length, it pricks at your conscience making you wonder where you’d fit in the world that Ms. Hylton has brought to life. Comfortable with his arrogant streak, the older and thrice-divorced Brandon Millstein is set in his ways. Comfortable with her wants and herself the much younger (and much blacker) Tracy Anjou doesn’t waste time with a lifestyle/things she doesn’t want (regardless of whether society says she should want them) or bullshit.
Taken separately, Brandon and Tracy are just two blips in the realm of ordinary, but together … ah, together, they give good talk. I was fascinated with their witty dialogue. Brandon and Tracy reminded me of yin and yang. In many ways, Brandon and Tracy are the quintessential stereotypes of older, Jewish man and young, black woman. Brandon seemingly adheres to the unwritten rules of society keeping his nose to the grindstone (even after retirement). Tracy on the other hand has metaphorically dumped society’s rules in the paper shredder and turned it on without bothering to read them. Whereas Brandon is quiet, she doesn’t have a filter on her mouth, but that’s what makes her so damn fun.
This is not your average tryst … but that’s what made it cool for me. Seeking is a story that makes you think of the person you are and compare it to the person you present to the world. It makes you consider time and how you want to fill it up. In the end Seeking is a thinking story, making you laugh in places, sigh in others, and in the end leaving you wondering if you are living your life or are you merely living the life that society has told you to. This story isn’t what I expected at all … it is more. Impressive, it falls somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4.0.
Jayha

Book: A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Author: Delilah Howard
Publisher: Wicked Women of Color Press,LLC
Genre: Erotic Contemporary


All Jaleesa had to do was get a Christmas thank you gift for her friends. An easy task yes; until said gift was literally stolen from her hands. Trevor had no qualms about snatching a gift from the sexy Jaleesa’s hands, but what he didn’t expect was to run into her again at a Christmas dinner party.


I like a good erotic novel with a nice dose of comedy and Delilah Howard definitely delivered. Partridge in a Pear Tree sucked me in instantly and had me talking to my laptop screen with a ‘No he didn’t’ and a couple ‘That’s what I’m talking bout’. Jaleesa was a riot and Trevor was a sexy beast. I couldn’t wait till Trevor got his comeuppance and when Jaleesa gave it to him…steamy is the best way to describe it. Great read! I give it a 4 out of 5.

Kelly

Book: Sunday
Author: Kaia Bennett
Publisher: Wicked Women of Color Press
Genre: IR Contemporary


Cameron Flynn dreads Sundays. That’s the day set aside to meet with his psychology class partner Gia Kessler. He feels Gia is controlling and demanding, with a bad attitude to boot. It’s just too bad he finds her incredibly sexy.

Gia thinks Flynn is a world class slacker. He’s not interested in their project and she has to do the majority of the work. She’s determined not to let him keep her from getting an “A” on this project. Flynn’s bad boy reputation isn’t helping Gia’s opinion of him.

Flynn’s decision to teach Gia a lesson and humble her a little has unexpected consequences. Their attraction to one another is undeniable once they let their guard down. Will they be able to stay out of their own way in order to find happily ever after?

This is a great tale of boy meets girl, boy and girl despise each other, and then boy and girl give in to unbridled passion. Gia and Flynn are both strong and industrious characters who are both unknowingly looking for love. Although Flynn gets Gia to submit to him, she constantly stands up to him and fights him every step of the way. Gia’s need to belong to Flynn but maintain her independence is part of what endeared her to me.

With Sunday, Kaia Bennett spins a tale that allows the reader to see amazing growth in both the main characters. To me, this growth is something that is missing in a lot of erotica. It took a minute for me to warm up to Flynn, but once Ms. Bennett started peeling back the layers, it was hard not to like him and want him to end up with Gia. Besides their own stubbornness, there are other obstacles, namely well intentioned friends and Gia’s ex-boyfriend, for the couple to deal with. Sunday is a great book and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Bennett’s work. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Xian

Book: Pure Distraction
Author: Carolina Barbour

Publisher: Siren Publishing

Genre: Erotic Romance/Futuristic


Lana Sinclair has always had to be strong and look after herself since she was a young child and lost her father in an accident. Her mother couldn’t handle the loss and turned to drugs, leaving Lana to raise herself. In the year of 2030 where all things are different, Lana finds herself on a strange planet after being abducted from everything she knows. To make matters worse, she finds out that she has been abducted to be a breeder. Maybe she would be able to survive being a breeder, that is if someone did not want her dead.

Tier Xander Rynoir is strong, sexy, and all Alpha. He has always gotten what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted…… no matter what. Xander has not been interested in being any one woman’s all and doesn’t plan on it anytime soon. He is inconvenienced and temporarily detained on the Sanguine Portal Transport Facility, or better known as S.P.T.F. because a breeder escaped. The very strong minded Xander was not pleased. After gaining information as to where the breeder supposedly was transported, Xander rescues the escaped breeder on the desolate planet Haardrago, where only the dark and evil can survive.

Xander and Lana’s first meeting is not the best situation but the chemistry between them is so strong and tangible that you can feel it all around you. Lana, being the strong woman that she is and always having to take care of herself, does not take too kindly to being told what to do or being manhandled. Xander, being the Alpha that he is and always getting what he wants, wants Lana and will not take no for an answer. He doesn’t take too kindly to a disobedient woman. They bump heads at every turn but when it comes to the hotness, watch out or you might get burned. Xander is on a mission to save Lana from those that want to see her dead and keep her for himself, while Lana is out to survive and still remain her own woman.

Pure Distraction is a story of mystery, intrigue, and passion. There are some light scenes of male on male intimacy, but not enough to take your attention from that of Xander and Lana. It is definitely a page turner, so if you don’t have the time to dedicate to it you will be at a loss. You won’t want to put it down. Readers will be transported into the story wanting to solve the mystery of who wants Lana dead and making a list of suspects all on their own. I truly enjoyed the story and would most certainly put it on my re-read list.

Hot, Hot, and Hot some more! Did I say this story was Hot? I give the story a 5 out of 5.

Stephanie D.

Book: Seeking
Author: Bernie Silver
Publisher: Wicked Women of Color Press,LLC
Genre: Contemporary I/R

Brandon Milestein is ready to embark into a relationship with Tracy Anjou, whom he met through the personal ads of The News, or so it seems. This is the story about their first meeting. And what a first meeting it was! Needless to say they were both taken aback by the appearance of each other. It seems they each had forgotten to add such minor details as to what they looked like. Not that this made any difference. And then it became a really great first date. They even managed to get to the bedroom. From that moment on, Brandon and Tracy knew they were going to be together. Or would they really? You will be surprised to see what happens.
Seeking is very short so your attention should not waiver as you read this story. As much as I enjoyed this story, I was hoping for a little more heat. Nonetheless, I was entertained and you will be too. I give it 3.5 out of 5.

Edward Johns

Book: Georgie’s Beau
Author: Shara Azod

http://www.sharaazod.com/books


There are tales; there are stories; and, then there are sagas. Georgie's Beau is a saga. The journey begins in 1930's rural Georgia. It takes readers to 1940's war-torn France before returning stateside and taking us to New Orleans, back to rural Georgia again, and finally to Hawaii. It is an emotionally-exhausting journey, pulling at our heartstrings, tugging at our sense of righteousness, pricking at our thirst for justice, and a Happily Ever After.
Georgina Willard's story begins like that of so many black women and for a while you wonder if it will end the same way while hoping like hell that it won't. Still, having studied history, one knows that however it ends, there's going to be a whole lot of heartbreak before any kind of Happily-Ever-After can enter. Despite the odds, you want … no you NEED … that Happily-Ever-After not simply because you develop an immediate affinity for Georgie but because Georgie is our history. Just as Chaka Khan sings that she is every woman, Georgie Willard is our grandmothers, our great aunts, our mothers.
Though the book is brimming with characters all of whom have powerful stories to tell, I found that I didn't care about their stories in the same way that I cared about Georgie's story. Their stories have been told by virtue of being the victor, by being male, by being white, by being anything but a black woman in the 1930's and 1940's. Volumes are dedicated to the lives of privileged white males and their families while too often the real stories of ordinary black women are rarely told except how they relate to the elite.
Still, this story cannot be told without telling a little bit about the other characters. Georgie, James Willard, Beau Dupuis, his parents Branford and Lily, their housekeeper Ida Dupuis, the beautiful Marie Dupuis, and the black community all have vital roles in this story. They all evoke powerful emotions although I found myself alternating between pity and fury. None escaped my anger, not even Georgie.
I found myself torn at who I was angriest at. How do you rank the bad things that sprang forth from Pandora's Box? What is worse? Even though you can understand why they are the way they are, is Georgie's envy a lesser sin than Beau's hubris? Is James Willard really a better father and example of manhood than Branford Dupuis? Is Ida's acceptance of the status quo better or worse than Lily's trickery? Is Lucien Roux's avarice worse than Marie's deception? Where does the black community's ostracism/ill treatment of Georgie’s rank against the white community's treatment of black Americans?
While my heart hurt for Georgie (and subsequently every Georgie in the world), I had a hard time liking the other characters. Azod doesn't hold anything back in the writing of them, doing nothing to conceal their faults (translation: their humanness). I liked the fact that she put it all out there and didn't try and paint the characters better or worse than they actually were. That let the reader decide how to categorize them. In the end you realize that there is no one right answer. The characters fall squarely into the both/and category rather than the either/or category. That is, they are both good and bad; beautiful and ugly; wretched and joyous. The length of the book gives the reader time to grapple with the characters. In the end, I was okay with categorizing characters as either good or bad. It wasn't really about their goodness or badness; it was more about their ability to be redeemed.
I had a mouthful of damn you's, oohs and ahhs, sighs, and mmm, mmm, mmm's locked and loaded … and I said every one of them. I wanted everyone around me to have read this story because it's a story that warrants discussion. Georgie's Beau makes you think and it makes you feel – and not just that surface feeling but that deep down in the core of you feeling. And perhaps that is why I reacted so strongly to the characters. It wasn't merely that they perpetuated abominable acts and beautiful acts; it was that they made me confront my own prejudices, and thus my own humanness.
This was a wonderful book. Five out of five.

Jayha