theqissilent's reviews
1059 reviews

I'm glad I read this out of order, because I don't know if this one would've hooked me like The Choir Director. The same great storytelling is there, but I'm not sure character development is the same. Not enough of the Bishop's point of view, maybe. The ending seemed a bit rushed. Or maybe the build up to his choice was too subtle. And Lisa Mae and Loretta really got away with a serious crime! Knowing what I know about one of the other women, considering the role she played in this book, I'm trying to figure out how her character from where she is now to where she is in TCD. Seems odd...

I can't finish this. It's just gratuitous vulgarity, no real character or plot development. Very disappointing.

Eh, not one of my favorites by this author. I didn't feel much of a connection to either Nadia or Jay. It seems that with the past few books I've read, the supporting cast is more fully developed than the leads. Of course, you know how it ends, but the fun is in getting there. This one wasn't as fun. Maybe Nadia wasn't as quirky enough. I expect Mansell's female leads to be extra quirky. And why have that huge thing happen with Laurie and then have nothing come of it?! going back to it with that brief scene at the comedy club with Suze and then dropping it again was weird. Seemed pointless. And considering how the ending felt chopped up and rushed, the book had time to go into that a bit more. The same can be said of the Charles/Miriam/Edward wrap-up also. Nor did I buy Bernie's (?) sudden feelings for Nadia, or why that scene was so drawn out. Did it in any way help her make her decision? I didn't see it...But, the last line about the For Sale sign - too cute!

Hmmm...pacing and some continuity issues. Not too sure about the way the characters were developed either.

I saw Beverly Jenkins and the last name July and knew I had to read this. Having only read her Blessings series, I'm didn't know what to expect from one of Ms. Jenkins's romance novels. But, I loved seeing the rich history of black Americans that I'm used to with her books along side this love story. I've now added her other historical romances to my ever-expanding to-read list.

Would you look at that - I'm reading non-fiction again. That's a testament to Skloot's writing style and the subject. The book focused on the human side of things and didn't get too bogged down in technical, scientific jargon. Its both thrilling and disturbing to think that parts of any of us are out there, possibly helping to cure diseases. But what scientists do ethically in the name of progress is unsettling. How quickly we humans forget the human side of things.

3.5 stars

Here I am, merrily reading along thinking this was going to be a family drama sort of book. Getting a bit bored after the prologue and nothing happens for nearly half the book. Naively believing that the distribution was actually about cars...and then BAM! The 'hood came out. Mafia, Mexican drug cartels, people getting shot all over the place.

I liked this book and I can't wait for part 2. I just wish the narrative would've been a little tighter. Seriously, what was the point of the Trevor situation? Did that have anything to do with the set-up? Why waste a whole prologue on it if it didn't tie in with the rest of the story. Kinda dropped the ball on the Vegas/Maria thing too. But, hopefully they show up in the sequel.

And I'm sorry, but London is not a very well-developed character. Raised in that family, I doubt a woman like that would ever let a man hit her repeatedly. Or be that clingy and desperate to hold onto one like him. Or maybe she just annoyed the hell out of me, b/c women like that piss me off... Nor did it make sense for the family to shut her out of the business, being blood and all.

The rape scene was anti-climatic, but I think I'm glad of that. London emptying a clip in his ass kinda fell flat too. The final showdown with Sal and Harris was also a let down. Just didn't pack a punch. And by the time it got to the last line in the epilogue, you already had Ruby figured out, so not a big shocker. Now I'm just wondering if Remy and Maria are in on that too, considering the line about her brother owing them...

Carl Weber and I are becoming fast friends. This one moved at a great pace. The characters were believable, if infuriating. And though I figured out the truth about Jackie from the beginning (he made a point to never use pronouns like he or she), the twist with Alison at the end got to me. Damn. Puts a whole new spin on her character in The First Lady.

I love when a book draws emotions out of me like this one. I was right there with James wanting to punch Michelle, but calling him all types of stupid over and over. Seriously men-folk, James is the poster child of how not to handle your relationship... I suspected something was up with Sonny, with all the phones calls, and he really scared me. And Brent, I just pitied.