Customer Reviews

Azùcar Moreno

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What do you get when you put together a group of friends, explosive sex, infidelities and deception? You get AZUCAR MORENO, where we meet Mildred Jisela Nicole Moreno, affectionately called Nikki or Nik by her friends. Nikki is the product of an African American mother and Puerto Rican father. She is 26 years old, lives in Detroit and works as an administrative assistant for a private investigation firm, but dreams of becoming an award-winning actress. Nikki, along with her cousin Rosie, who is also her best friend, and Chico, their childhood friend, all live in Nikki and Rosie's grandmother's house.

Nikki and Rosie have been inseparable since birth. Although they are first cousins, due to circumstances beyond their control, Rosie ends up living with Nikki and her family, and from then on they become sisters. Nikki has made the decision to relocate to L.A. to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. It was a hard decision to make, but in an effort to make her dreams come true, it became a very necessary one.

It will be hard for Nikki to leave Rosie, as well as the life she leads in Detroit and her other very close knit group of friends. Nikki's friends are her heart. They have been together through thick and thin and they do a lot of things together. They are so close that they consider themselves family. As with all families, they have their helping of deception, secrets and sexual infidelities that could ruin the bond they share.

AZUCAR MORENO is a fast-paced, drama-filled novel that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. With an unexpected twist, steamy sex, explosive secrets and a tale of sisterhood, Shelley Halima's first novel is indeed a pageturner that you won't want to put down.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

From the opening chapter i fell in love with this book and finished reading it on one day!! The characters are strong and the stroy is to the point. The Author is not affraid to allow them to make mistakes express their opionions or keep it real. My favorite character is a women who have survived physical and emotional abuse through an emense strength. She is confident with her sexuality and supportive of her family. The strongest part of the book would have to be the loyalty displayed between each character. It makes one evaluate their friends and appreciate the support groups in their life. This book has inspired me as a writter and as a artist. If your struggling with fear, or have questions on truth and loyalty...this is the book for you!!!!

I don't know why but I didn't expect to enjoy this book and I only read it because my roommate left it lying about and I was curious. Perhaps it's because I'm more of Grisham and Turow type of reader. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and enjoyed it immensely. The characters, plot and dialogue was all realistic. I'm looking forward to Ms. Hallima's next book. My only criticism is I'm hoping the next offering will be longer.

Debut novelist Shelley Halima has penned a sassy, sexy, and hilarious novel that demands attention. In Azucar Moreno we're introduced to Nikki Moreno, a spirited young woman from Detroit who is experiencing life changes with her caring family and rambunctious friends. Shelley's strength lies in her strong writing voice - a voice that makes you feel as if the characters exist, and there are many laugh-out-loud one liners that causes the novel to sparkle. There are lots of characters in the story so make sure and keep up with them all -- especially since the sequel -- LOS MORENOS -- will be released later on in 2005 - and based on its predecessor, this will be a book that you won't want to miss.

I absolutely loved "Azucar Moreno". Solid debut from Shelley Halima. The dialogue was funny, the pace was quick, and the main character and supporting cast was very good. This book is for everybody even though it's told from a biracial - Puerto Rican and Black - woman's point of view. It's about following your dreams, living your life for yourself and no one else, friendship and family. You'll read this book quick as it is only about 150 pages or so but it will leave you wanting more. I can't wait for the sequel!!

Without giving the story away, I'll say this book is one you can relate to. Shelley Halima brings a voice the literary world needs to hear. This is an outstanding read and by far the best book I've read this year. I could relate to Nikki Moreno and saw a lot of the same battles I had to face and deal with were similiar to hers. This book will give you a reality check all of us need. Shelley as my grandmomma would say, YOU DONE DID GOOD GIRL!!! If you are looking for a book you will love and be able to relate to, this surely is the ONE.

Harold L. Turley II
www.haroldlturley2.com
Author of Love's Game - Oct 04

I loved Azucar Moreno! I couldn't put it down! I laughed, I cried, and to not mention the very steamy love scenes would be a crime! I do believe Ms. Halima has a very bright future ahead with her writting. She has a loyal reader in me. I just can't wait for her next book to continue the lives of all the characters that I've missed so much!

THIS BOOOK WAS OFF THE HOOK,FUNNY,AND SAD.THIS STORY IS ABOUT A YOUNG FEMALE NAMED NIKKI,NIKKI IS A YOUNG 26 YEAR OLD THAT WANTS TO BECOME A ACTRESS.NIKKI FACES ALOT IN HER LIFE,FROM LIVING WITH HER LESBIAN COUSIN,AND TO HAVING FRIENDS THAT LOVE HER A WHOLE LOT.IN ORDER FOR NIKKI TO BE INSPIRED BY HER DREAMS SHE HAS TO MAKE A DECISION...AND IT HAS TO BE A GOOD ONE.IF YOU HAVENT' READ THIS BOOK YOU SHOULD BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD ONE,AND IF SHELLEY HALIMA IS READING THIS BOOK YOU DID A GOOD JOB.

Go head with your bad self Shelley. You wrote a compelling store that kept me both laughing and entertained the whole time. I wanted more and can't wait to see what you come back with next. I broke my cardinal rule of not book sharing and let it creep around the offie and they all loved it. This is my 2nd time posting a review. I don't know what happened to the first one. Tina Brooks McKinney, your road dawg, author of All That Drama.

This book is GREAT! It is a short read, but packed full of relationships, sex and fun. It is also shows the "humanity" of the characters. I am anxiously awaiting part two!! Ms.Halima is a truly gifted writer. I look forward to her work for years to come.