Customer Reviews

Chocolate Lemons and Peppermint Tears: The Bittersweet Life of Xena

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Born and raised in Sacramento "Sac Town" California, as an only child, Xena Quay Vaughn would often lose herself in her creative writing. Her aspiration is to move to Los Angeles and become a successful writer in novels and screenplays. Once she arrives in LA, she embraces all the excitement and the promises it has to offer. At twenty-three years old, Xena fulfills that dream and never looks back.

Ten years later, Xena finds herself back in "Sac Town" and accidentally bumps into Adam Warren, the most handsome, sexy man she has ever seen. They thought about each other all the time and fell in love but a deep dark secret may spoil their relationship. Xena, along with her BFF, Renee return to Los Angeles.

Creatively written with humor, sauciness, and a sexy edge, CHOCOLATE LEMONS AND PEPPERMINT TEARS: The Bittersweet Life of Xena will keep the reader quickly turning the pages. The novel is set in Los Angeles during the 1990's; the reader will take a ride on a fantastic voyage down memory lane. The characters are relatable, intelligent, sexy and funny. Xena is attractive and successful; has issues with her weight; wears her hair in a short afro and dares anyone to say something about it. As a matter of fact, Xena's character takes on a lot of the author's appearance and her life...hmmm! Renee has a love for younger men, full of life and doesn't have any problem speaking her mind. Energetic and hilarious, this debut novel is sure to put a smile on your face.

Reviewed by Sharon Lewis
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

In the debut novel by Robin R. Robinson, readers meet Xena Vaughan a beautiful, successful, and confused woman, who cannot get over the married man that betrayed and deserted her. As she works through bouts of depression, she decides to start loving herself, to stay celibate, and start her life over in a new city. However, when she feels she has gotten her former lover, Adam, out of her life, she receives a phone call with his familiar voice, which starts the palpitations in her heart and butterflies flittering in her stomach.

Renee, the out-going best friend, convinces Xena to go out, which leads her on a search for her true love. Eric Braverman, who Xena believes was sent from above, is everything she is looking for; he is intelligent, good looking, and treats her like a queen. Is he too good to be true?

Chocolate Lemons and Peppermint Tears: The Bittersweet Life of Xena, is a quirky story that will make you laugh as you go along Xena's ride called life. The book has a slow take off but once you get to know the characters, it picks up with witty phrases and scenes. If you can get past the over-the-top descriptions than this is the read for you. I do recommend this book to others.

The book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley
APOOO BookClub

Since I've picked this book up... I just can't put it down. I'm from Sac Town, so this book really hits close to home for me. It is phenomenally written and the characters are hilarious and very relatable. This is definetly a favorite in my collection and I am telling all my girlz to buy it. Bravo Ms. Robinson!!!

Put on a comfy robe, pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine, curl up and be thorougly entertained by the hilarious, in-your-face-with-just-the-right-amount-of-raunch, "Chocolate Lemons and Peppermint Tears: The Bittersweet Life of Xena." Robin R. Robinson has a way with words and in the tradition of Terry McMillan, she takes no prisoners in this tale about the trials and tribulations of Xena, a righteous, together sista, and her quest for a man. And not just any old man will do either. See, this sista has set the bar very high; she knows her queenly worth and refuses to let desperation, or lack of the big "D" (as she so eloquently puts it), force her to settle for anything less than what she deserves. Alas, her Prince does arrive, but ultimately turns out to be a frog with a devastating secret. So, accompanied by her road-dog, Renee (a "Cougar" long before the term was coined), Xena moves to Los Angeles in an effort to purge him from her mind, body and soul, and find her real soulmate. The author does an excellent job of capturing the mid 90's single scene in Los Angeles. I know because I was there around that time. Trust me when I say: it was a bleak and desperate landscape! I fell in love with Xena. Her story is so relatable--you'll find yourself shouting out "amen" every couple of pages. I could tell you how the story ends, but I won't. Buy the book and see for yourself; you won't be sorry. As a matter of fact, I can't wait for a sequel. I'm telling all my girlfriends about this bold and sexy treat!

This book is a whole bunch of fun. I enjoyed it from the first few words. If you like honest, real, extremely funny, in your face dialogue and you don't mind a little profanity with some sexiness thrown in, then you will love this book. It's a quick read and Xena's issues are very relatable. Her best friend Renee is a hoot and the men in the story, Adam, Sam, and Eric are simply delicious. A real plus is that the story is set in the mid-90's in Los Angeles, so many of the references will surely have you skipping down memory lane with a big smile on your face. Pick it up, start reading and you will have a blast. I am the author so I may be a bit biased; however, I'm an avid reader and I believe my book can stand along side other authors who write in this genre. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Check out my website: [...]

This book was a page turner for me and hard to put down. I loved the fact that Xena is from Sacramento as I am and she's a go-getter and knows what she wants. Xena was bold and uninhibited. I can't wait for the next book to come out Ms. Robin.

Well first I would like to compliment the cover that's what made me want to purchase this book just love the title and the cover is really nice!!! Xena and Renee were funny and basically 2 woman wanting to be loved I love Xena's chracter strong black woman very independent knew what she wanted she reminds me of a friend of mine!!! she cut all of hair and her attitude so free of herself and does nt care what people think..Great novel and was really impressed with this being her 1st novel can't wait for the next one