Customer Reviews

Actions Speak Louder

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shandra Hill deserves a standing ovation. In her debut novel, she has created a thoroughly entertaining and well written first novel that broaches a subject long overlooked in literary circles: the herpes virus. While many will read this book and proclaim "Not I", there are many, many more who are mirrored by the main character, Jasmine Brown, a sister who loves too hard and takes a hard fall off the romance wagon. While she plays the on-again/off-again dating game with her lovemate Daniel, Jasmine is stung by the herpes virus, an incurable sexually transmitted disease. To further complicate matters, Jasmine is undermined by a jealous co-worker and downsized on her job.

Actions Speak Louder is the struggle of a sister learning how to survive, both romantically and professionally. It's a lesson in love and a lesson in life. It's a fervent calling for sisters to take a responsible stand on sexual relations and a very necessary life lesson in today's dating game. I travelled with this book on the train, in the car and on the bus, eagerly turning pages and wondering what would happen to Jasmine and Daniel. I waited at a McDonald's drive-thru w/this book as my companion and I literally could not put it down. As the facilitator of two book clubs, I am a very avid reader. It is a hard task to find a book that immediately sparks my interest. Actions Speak Louder did just that. Shandra Hill should be proud. With beautifully crafted characters, crystal clear dialogue and a thought-provoking topic, this book is a sure bet for a stimulating book discussion and definitely a must read!

I have yet to read a book (with the exception of non-fiction) which broaches the subject of herpes. AIDS is the focal point of the '90s. But it's obvious that sexually transmitted diseases, particularly herpes, are on the rise. Prescription drug companies and advertising agencies have taken notice of the virus and use commercials to openly advertise prescriptions (Zovirax) to combat the herpes virus. However, in the wake of AIDS, many consider herpes the lesser of two evils simply because it doesn't kill.

Shandra Hill has taken notice of this wide spread virus. Shandra Hill has taken action by bringing herpes from the backdrop of the literary arena to the forefront of the publishing industry. Thank you Shandra Hill for taking notice. There are many who are in your debt.

Shandra Hill does an excellent job in describing what it is like to have "it all" for young black women today. Jasmine is a young, attractive, educated woman who is full of love, however the choices she makes in her love life teaches her about men and makes her dig deep within herself to discover who she is and what she wants. This is a must read novel for young black women. It is about self discovery and what women go through in dealing with relationships. After reading this you will understand that what you want is not always what you need and faith will bring you through the storm.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Actions Speak Louder by Shandra Hill. I read the book in a few days and it was an easy read. I'm sure that most people will be able to relate to some part of the story line. The book touched on relevant issues that we face in today's world. Some of the issues dealt with were not pretty, but an honest portrayal of "real" life. The book also gave us lessons in betrayal, unconditional love, friendship and the consequences of not taking heed to the red flags that we seem to overlook from time to time. The book not only rivets our attention but make us recognize and understand the power of friendship and love!

Actions Speak Louder tells the story of a woman that we probably all have come across. How many sisters have been deceived by the same good looking man more times than she cares to remember? The character of Jazz is real -- a sister who made the mistake of falling for a man who was no good for her. Unfortunate for her, not only did she get a broken heart, but two STDs to boot. But Jazz is a fighter. And although she lets her guard down and is thrown a serious uppercut by Daniel time and time again, she finally realizes, through searching her own soul, that it's time to get things right. Now as far as a nemesis is sheeps clothing goes, the character of Jennifer is one that makes you want to rip a page out of the book! Now who hasn't had a backstabbing, conniving "I wanna be your friend but I really want what you have" person in their life? If you haven't read this book yet, do so. And be ready to roll your eyes at Jennifer, grit your teeth at Daniel, and scream at Jazz to wake up and smell the coffee, girlfriend! I really enjoyed this first effort from Shandra Hill.

When I read the summary of this book, I knew that I had to have it. I read it at a time in my life when I too was experiencing the harsh reality of an STD as well as a lost love. I experienced all of Jasmine's emotions. I was angry, sad and happy. It gave me such a wonderful feeling to know that I was not alone. This book reminded me so much of how life really is. It has so much truth in it as well as the pain that we as women go through trying to love and be loved by a man. We as women must open up our minds as well as our hearts and understand that although we don't want to see what's happening, it is there staring us right in the face. It also shows that some men are still trying to play with women as though they're toys, and not human beings. This book breaks it down and shows what can really happen when and if you let your guards down and give love another chance. It brings you full circle, from grieving, to anger, to acceptance and finally, healing. It also lets you know that YOU CAN MAKE IT through the storm however, you must keep GOD in your life as well. It sends a clear message as well as educate us on other STD's other than the most talked about STD in America, HIV/AIDS. Every female should read this book for her own safety as well as awareness. Every man should read it so that they will know the hurt that they're inflicting on their sisters.

Thank You Shandra for sharing this story with me.

Shandra Hill's debut novel deserves 5 stars for addressing the issues of the STD Herpes. In a time where HIV and AIDS dominates our lives it is good to send a message that there are still other diseases that can be caught and that one still must be careful. However this book seemed to jump all over the pace as if she wanted to get so much infomation in and wasn't sure how to organize it. I give the author her "props" for writing a book and getting published but parts of the plot dragged on and on and at times she jumped from idea to idea. I kept re-reading pages thinking that perhaps I skipped a few lines.

I did like the way she kept Jasmine "real". I felt like Jasmine when I was layed off and when Jasmine got into it with Jennifer at work. However the plot was a bit predictable and the story was a bit boring.

I would recommend borrowing this book from a library or a friend.

Come on now.Lets be realistic. Marcus a healthy man marries Monique who has an incurrable contageous disease, going as far as getting her pregnant,meaning they had unprotected sex. I don't know, but in the real world and especially in my side of town if someone hear that you tested positive for anything, that's it. I'm not saying that Monique,Jasmine and Daniel should be treated like Lepers....after all, we all need somebody. I can understand having a companion but to expose someone to something they din't have, I think it's unfair. I still think this story was an eye opener. It shows that when we are in a relationship no matter what our partner tells us we are still responsible for ourselves. In Jasmine case, she was so naive and trusted so much, It took those two STD that she contracted from Daniel to discover self love. Whatever happen to her last pap result? Like I said, I don't get it.

As a 22 year old single mother living and dealing with herpes, reading this book gave me the hope and courage I needed to leave the man who had infected me with herpes. Although, I left him more than a year later, the fact remains that I did indeed leave him. I think every African American woman will find a similar situation to Jasmine's in this book. It will make you laugh, cry, and most of all give you hope.

This book is great and should be required reading for all young teenagers and those women in their early 20's. I wish someone had written and given me this book when Iwas 25. Although I thought that the editor's could have done a better job with the technical editing, what the book lacked in technical editing was more than made up for in its message and content. Magnificant debut novel and hopefully the author will maintain her style and integrity in future novels.

I have to admit, at first I thought this would be just another boy meets girl book. But it has truely proved me wrong! I couldn't put the book down, even at work. Shandra really put herself out there and showed some true talent! She showed Atlanta in a wonderful light..Thank you!