Customer Reviews

Chocolate Sangria: A Novel (Strivers Row)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Tracy Price-Thompson is back and proving that she's more than a one-hit wonder. I couldn't get enough of Chocolate Sangria. I read at home, at the red light, waiting in line...I just couldn't put this book down. The characters were so vividly written, you felt their pain, their joy, their sorrow. I especially enjoyed all the various elements (racism, cultural awareness, homosexuality, etc.) Good job Tracy and I can't wait to get "A Taste of Hunnie!"

Tracy Price-Thompson has done it again! I loved this book because it covers it all --multicultural & racial issues, sexuality, age, family, manipulation, kindheartedness, identity struggles, success, friendship and much more! But not to worry, it all flows so that her readers will identify with one or more characters. A very easy and must read. Tracy, thank you for writing such an enjoyable novel. I can't wait to read Proverbs for the People. Keep up the great work!

Tracy Price-Thompson has definitely without a doubt done it again. The story, what can I say so real, told in a way that kept you wanting more. The characters, Juanita ( a young woman finding out who she is), Conan ( a guy trying to go somewhere but can't rid himself of the past), Scooter (a very naive individual but a true friend), Aunt Hattie & Uncle Herbie( two loving people who did what they had to do in order to survive), Jorge (an underhanded sneaky conartist, when friends like him who needs enemies). This is a page turner! The book is about love, friendship, trust, deceitfulness, color and most importantly learning lessons. There is one sentence from this book that I will carry with me, "Learnin' to leave the past in the past, and instead look at people for who and what they might be today."

Just like a steaming cup of black coffee, Tracy Price-Thompson's writing is strong, potent, and a quick shock to your senses. In her sophomore effort, Chocolate Sangria, Price-Thompson displays the craftsmanship of a wonderful storyteller using intriguing scenes, unforgettable characters, and a lesson to be learned and paints a vivid picture of friendship and relationships and the love and pain that can be found within each one. Backing this theme is one of self-identity as the characters search to accept and love themselves instead of relying on the thoughts and comments of others to determine their self worth.

Chocolate Sangria brings together two sets of friends with a supporting cast that makes this a well-rounded read. First we have Juanita and Scooter who we watch grow from being the outcasts in their projects to young adults on the move. Juanita "Nita" Lucas grows up being teased because of her light skin and good hair and is working to define herself and bounce away from using the comments and thoughts of others to determine her self worth. Her best friend, Socrates "Scooter" Morrison is in a similar situation, yet, it's his sexual identity he's not so sure about. Naturally the two of them connect and become inseparable as they mature from young children to adults. The scenes of their childhood extend from funny to sad, over to the realm of happiness and touches on downright scary, all drawing out the emotions that most of us experience as children. The second set of friends is Conan Lopez and Jorge. Though both are Puerto Rican and live under one roof being raised as brothers, they are as different as night and day. Conan is a giver to not only his family, but to his community, and spends his time juggling his life with the feelings of guilt he has over his brother's death. Jorge quite frankly has issues. He hasn't handled the curve balls life has tossed his way and as a result has turned into a very selfish, manipulative and confused young man.

The two set of friends meet, and from that moment on, each of their lives change. At this point, the book takes on a seriousness as it deals with the comings and goings of each character, the impacts of their decisions on each other and comes full circle when it seems as if things are looking up for all of them.

Price-Thompson weaves in the intricacies of both friendships and relationships in a manner that's bold, compelling, and insightful. It is riveting and graphic, yet exceptionally moving. Her characters and the storyline range from loving to hateful, yet they are all revealing and evoke many of the feelings we encounter in real life. This is a definite must-read, so clear your calendar, find a cozy spot and prepare to taste completely, savoring each word as if you were sampling a rare blend of smooth-tasting chocolate.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Book Title: Chocolate Sangria
Reviewed by: LottaHoney

Tracey Price-Thompson's Chocolate Sangria is a heartfelt novel of the haunting, skeletal secrets of families and the effects on their offspring.

The novel's setting is in the tenements and projects of New York; the African-American community and the Latino community. Love between two individuals of different cultures sets the story in motion to unearth forbidden secrets of the soul and latent lusts of the flesh.

Juanita Lucas is a beautiful, fair-complexioned African-American woman who has been raised by Hattie Lucas and her brother, Herbert. Juanita is never told about her true parentage, and wonders why her ivory skin and green eyes are such a sharp contrast to her family members. When Juanita's book bag is stolen and retrieved by an admirer from afar, the Latino Conan, she develops her first romantic interest and a relationship evolves between the two.

Conan has an adopted brother, Jorge, who is a troubled young man abused as a child, and abusive as an adult with a strong penchant for violence, deceit, and murder. Scooter is Juanita's childhood friend who has witnessed an unspeakable murder by his mother and renders the vision to the recessed archives of his mind.

Through life's choices and a series of events, the skeletons are unmasked to release answers to many unanswered questions.

Chocolate Sangria is an emotionally felt novel depicting the decisions that we make, and their outcome. I highly recommend this novel as a beautiful, well written, and finely crafted journey of friendship and love, broken trust and deceit.

Reviewed by LottaHoney
Lotta's Bookshelves

I loved this book. The characters were so well-developed and the plot so compelling, I had a hard time believing that I was reading fiction. There were times when I wanted to reach in and slap Conan for not kicking Jorge to the nearest Dumpster where he belonged--especially when he lied and tried to steal his homeboy's job, but I did felt sorry for Jorge in some ways. And the situation between Scooter and his boss could be a whole book by itself and I hope that the author will continue this story. I cared about these young characters and would like to know what happens to them as they mature. The theme of this story is universal: everybody just wants to be loved. Tracy Price-Thompson was already one of my favorite authors, but this book put her on my list forever. Great job, Tracy!

I ENJOYED CHOCOLATE SANGRIA. IT WASNT MY FAVORITE BOOK, BUT IT WAS A GOOD READ. EVEN THOUGH I LOOK A LOT LIKE JUANITA, WE ARE NOTHING ALIKE!! THERE WAS A LOT OF DETAILS IN THE BOOK BUT THE CHARACTERS LACKED SOMETHING. ALL AND ALL AN ENJOYABLE READ!!

Ms Thompson, I loved this book to death. The mystery, the trials, the deseption, the whole book was just AMAZING... Kudos!!!!!!! I have pass this book on to all of my friends, they LOVE it. So when can we expect a new novel??? I will be sure to pass that one on too.

Such an engrossing and powerful tale, Chocolate Sangria intoxicates its reader with the tragedies and complexities of life that plague us in one way or another.

At its core are Juanita and Scooter, childhood friends who bond because of their early heartbreaks. Scooter, at the tender age of five, witnessed his mother kill his father, although he quickly buried the memory in his subconscious. Soon after he was brought to the New York neighborhood by his elderly grandparents, and became fast friends with Juanita. With her fair skin and piercing green eyes, Juanita doesn't really belong anywhere. She doesn't resemble her Aunt Hattie or Uncle Herbie who raised her under false pretenses; she isn't accepted by the darker-colored sistahs who berate her because "she thank she cute"; and her full-figured body won't fit in the White-washed world with the "beautiful people." Yet, Scooter and Juanita become each other's world, comfort, and resting place to lay their burdens down.

It's only when Juanita finds true love with Conan, a respectful young Hispanic man, that the fast-paced, dramatic climax of the novel takes shape. A titillating read, Tracy Price-Thompson knows how to weave a tale of intrigue and forgiveness and learning to love one's true self. Highly recommended!

I don't even know where to start with my review for this book. I had no idea what to expect when I ordered it off line. The first chapter was a little slow and confusing...JUST THE FIRST CHAPTER! But after the first chapter you will indeed need to buckle your seatbelts and get ready for a rollercoaster ride!

This was a well written story about three charcters who you will remember long after the story has ended.

You have Juanita who is so light she can pass for white, but you better not call her white! She often brags about being a black nubian queen to her peers even though they tease her about looking like a half breed with her fair complexion and green eyes. Juanita does not know who her mother is and has been raised by her grandmother her whole life, but when she finds out who her mother is she will no longer be the confident, proud person of her heritage.

Scooter is Juanita's best friend. Scooter is an intelligent, smart, gifted person, that is until he mets a street-talking, thug by the name of Jorge. Your mouth will literally drop when Scooter and Jorge met! DRAMA!

Last, but not least you have Conan who is a hard-working man that has nightmares over his brother's death and tries to stay loyal to his best friend, Jorge.

This story was so good I would not have had a problem paying full price for it! This is a book that is not be borrowed by your friends. Tell them to get their own copy! I HIGHLY recommend Chocolate Sangria to book lovers. You will not be disappointed!