Nervous by Zane

Talk about HOT, FIRE, FIERCE...this book was sizzling! Zane successfully combines a decent storyline and an erotic tale. While there's plenty of steamy and downright freaky scenes she still manages to weave an intricate plot that is not typical or predictable. As an administrator in the mental health field, I especially got a kick out of the main character having multiple personality disorder (MPD)...but trust me, I've never met a patient with a problem anything like Johnquinette's.

So here it is...Johnquinette is a rather introverted, single, attractive young woman who has never had sex or even dated because men make her nervous BUT she sometimes wakes up with the smell of sex on her body and rather sore privates.  Dr. Marcella from Addicted returns as Johnquinette's therapist who delves into her psyche to help her get at the root of her alter ego Jude's antics.  Let me tell you, Jude is something else! Anytime a woman can walk up to a man waiting in a line and can take him to an isolated area, sex him up and than tell him to get lost is a serious freak.  This is definitely a book I would recommend, especially to those who enjoy erotica!

Challenges:

RYOB

African Diaspora Reading Challenge

TwentyTen Challenge

2010 Mixology

Review~ Memories of my Melancholy Whores

Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

To celebrate his 90th birthday, the unnamed narrator decides to go to a brothel so that he can enjoy the evening with a 14 year old virgin prostitute...that concept alone may seem disturbing to some as the basis for a book. Luckily, the author doesn't go into details that would make one too uncomfortable, in fact the focus isn't so much on sexual themes but more on finding love, understanding that unmistakable feeling of longing the one you love, and reflecting on life's accomplishments (or lack thereof). Beautifully written, but brief and to the point. Many questions are left unanswered...it's more like a snapshot rather than a fully fleshed out story. I would have no problem recommending this book to someone, although it's not a book I'd rank in my favorites of this year. I'd give Marquez' book a 3/5.

Other reviews you may like:
The Complete Review
Olduvai

Kiddie Corner~I Love My Hair

I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0-316-52375-5
32 pages
*1999 Blackboard Children's Book of the Year
*A Black Caucus American Library Association Top Recommended Book

My mom has always exhibited a creative streak. She would create wonderful photo albums covered in bright and colorful fabrics and could turn a Renuzit air freshener into all kinds of cute little dolls to decorate your home. From designing greeting cards to helping me build the best class project, my mom was the best. But what I loved the most was the way she would corn row my hair into the most unique designs. One time she even braided my initials into my hair! And if I was really lucky, she would put long strands of beads on and NOBODY could tell me anything. I'd fling my hair loud and proud, click clacking all day long.

I Love My Hair is book that was very touching to me because it speaks to young African American girls about the beauty of their natural hair. As the mother begins to style the her daughter's hair, the child winces from the tugging of the comb but the mom soothes her daughter by telling her about the wonderful things she can do with her hair. The illustrations are amazing as it shows the daughter's hair being spun like yarn into a puffy bun and parted into rows like seeds in a garden. The daughter's even shown with a string of beads in her hair, skipping down the block and looking happy as can be! One of the cutest illustrations is of the little's girls ponytails transformed into wings whisking her away into the air. What's also touched on in this book is the teasing that sometimes occurs when African American girls wear their hair in a natural style. In the story the little girl's teacher provides positive reassurance about her hair and informs her how some hair styles were a symbol of strength and pride.

I tell you, this book really hits home. My daddy picked my hair out into a big wide Afro just like his and then wanted to walk me to the store and I remember feeling that same feeling, like I didn't want to wear my hair like that. But, he talked to me and I remember feeling so good, especially after we took pictures in one of those little booths with the side curtain...he and I with our 'fros.

The story flows nicely; its a great book for reading aloud. The illustrator captures expressions wonderfully and fancifully intertwines the child's hair with various things. I read this story to my youngest daughter on a Sunday night as I was about to style her hair. She and I both enjoyed this book immensely.

Review~ Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Captivating tale of a young woman yearning to be with the love of her life, but who can not because of a longstanding family tradition. There is a supernatural element embedded in this tale which emanates from the young woman's strong emotions and manifests in the 'magical' recipes she prepares. Each chapter encompasses a month of the year which makes for a nice, logical flow for the story. I found this book hard to put down and read it in one night. There is such a complex, yet simplistic writing style that is laced with powerful statements that usually close each chapter. I think the author fleshed out each character on a more emotional level, rather than by physical appearance...so I had to use my imagination on that end. Most memorable in this book is the sensuality in the love scenes where the characters are not even touching other.

I absolutely love this book! My score is 5/5.

(There is also a pretty good movie based on this book but the only clip I could find has some very steamy scenes...too hot to post here where my daughter may see, lol)