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Dare [Paperback]

Abiola Abrams
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 11, 2007
Meet Maya Hope. Double-dipped in cocoa with brick-house curves, she's a lover of jazz, a political poet, and a sociologist. Her best friend and roommate, Athena Jackson, is her opposite in every way -- a petite ex-cheerleader who's always blaring rap, grinding out rhymes, and ready to take the next man home. When Maya is forced to pinch-hit in an audition and bust Athena's rhymes, she finds herself on an undercover escapade in the wild world of hip-hop as the raw, sexy, roughneck Jezebel. After striking a deal with her own personal devil, Maya sets off on the tempting roller-coaster ride of a lifetime -- finding music, more fun than she's ever had, and even a man or two...but not without consequences. Brimming with electric sensuality, Dare is an unforgettable, envelope-pushing odyssey of two gutsy women playing by their own rules.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Abiola Abrams is best known as the host of BET's The Best Shorts. Her first novel, Dare, is a Faustian tale set in the world of hip hop. Abrams has a keen ear for dialog, and though almost outrageous at times, her characters are believable and often fascinating. Dare may end up in several nooks of your bookstore, filed under "chick lit," "African American literature," or even in the burgeoning "street lit" genre. Don't be fooled by the labels, this is a promising and enjoyable debut." -- David Gutowski, Large Hearted Boy

"Abiola Abrams' debut is like a breath of fresh air for young fiction and the depiction of women in hip hop. Finally, the world will see the conflicted struggles of ladies in the rap biz in a way that women in hip hop have known and understood for years." -- Raqiyah Mays, Writer/Radio Personality on Hot 97 & 98.7 Kiss FM

"Abrams uses the mystery, bling and oft times violence of the hip-hop world, the rapper's delight, if you will, as a backdrop for a strangely twisted coming of age story. Sometimes lovers, both old and new, don't know what to make of a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly. Neither do friends, for that matter. But what happens when a woman looks around, finds herself hiding in a corner, and coaxes herself out to play? Now that's the stuff good books are made of. Taking a DARE doesn't get any more enlightening than this." -- The Rawsistaz Reviewers

"DARE is the first novel by Abiola Abrams, who is also a filmmaker and a pretty dynamic sister. The book is a hip-hop retelling of Faust, but as Abrams acutely describes, it's about "finding love and finding yourself." I thought this book was dope for several reasons. Including: 1) It represents what great hip-hop fiction can be: smart, edgy, hip-hop inspired, but not just hip-hop, empowering, and provocative. 2) It's a great story about living life, not just existing, and makes you think about your own journey thus far. 3) It's fun and entertaining." -- AOL Black Voices

"Filmmaker Abiola Abrams blends literary and hip hop sensibilities for a daring debut." -- Upscale Magazine

From the Author

Thank you so much to all of the wonderful readers, book clubs, magazines, book stores, radio shows and students who have embraced my debut novel Dare. I wanted to present this audience with something unique, poetic, well-written, and different than the fiction that we are used to. Someone asked me if readers were ready for a fun, smart and satirical adventure about friendship, drama and love that happens to be set in the world of hip hop; a story, as one Amazon reader put it, that is not about "gangstas, pimps, hustlers or hos," and the answer is a resounding yes! Thank you readers, for showing with your many enthusiastic letters that crashed my site that Dare is the book you were waiting for, and that their are many different kinds of books to serve our audience, and all are valid and necessary.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Gallery Books (December 11, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416541667
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416541660
  • Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 5.5 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,000,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Passionate Living Coach, Author and Media Personality Abiola Abrams writes, broadcasts and gives advice about self-esteem, wellness, relationships, lifestyle, empowerment and how to live with passion. In the past year the Lifestyle Expert & Love Interventionist has: been a featured Love Columnist on sites like Yahoo Shine and gURL.com, an MTV Teen Dating Empowerment Coach on the docu-reality series "Made," reported on celebrity relationships as a BBC Radio Entertainment Correspondent, talked about and written about love for Essence, blogged on her lifestyle site "Abiola's Passionista Playbook," and hosted/produced her award-winning "Abiola's Kiss & Tell TV" web talk show and advice vlogs. In addition, she is a recurring Love, Self-Esteem & Lifestyle Guru on talk shows like the CW Network's "Bill Cunningham Show."

Abiola has hosted lifestyle TV shows like BET's "The Best Shorts," HBO's "The Buzz" and NBC's "Source: All Access" and appears as a pop culture talking head on networks like FOX. As a social experiment the lifestyle journalist most notoriously went undercover to star as "Miss Picky" on VH1 matchmaker "reality" series "Tough Love." As a part of her ongoing safe sex education initiative she directed the award-winning and critically acclaimed feminist erotica art film, "Afrodite Superstar." Her social issues short films and documentaries about race, gender and relationships have been shown in festivals, museums and universities from Berlin to New York City.

Abiola's upcoming book, The Official Bombshell Handbook, is part humorous memoir, part fun handbook, about using the power of the feminine to live with passion. She is reclaiming the word "bomshell" to mean a woman who owns herself. Dare (Simon & Schuster), a hip hop love story, Abiola's popular debut novel was taught at Amherst College and her provocative writing has been published in anthologies such as Behind the Bedroom Door, Dirty Words, Say Word: Voices from Hip Hop Theater and Eve Ensler's A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer.

Abiola Abrams talks love, dating, self-esteem and lifestyle in documentaries such as Michael Baisden's "Do Women Know What They Want?," Therese Shechter's "How to Lose Your Virginity" and "In Our Heads About Our Own Hair" directed by Hemanset Angaza. Abiola has also given keynote addresses on empowerment at many schools such as NYU, The New School for Social Research and Howard University and for women at conferences like Single in Stilettos and the upcoming Momentum Convention.

Abiola Abrams has a BA from Sarah Lawrence and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Abiola is also a Certified Wellness Coach. She created and curated the Chashama Gallery Manhattan exhibit "Hos, Putas and Dragon Ladies: Our Sexuality Remixed," "The Goddess Factory" at Rush Arts and VDay's "Until the Violence Stops Film Festival" at the Museum of The City of NY and the Museum of TV and Radio.

Customer Reviews

I really felt for the characters and their ordeals. Dana Holland  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
I couldn't put it down and ended up staying awake all night just to read it in one sitting. Forrest D. Taylor  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Maya and Athena have been sisters of the heart since gradeschool days, but they're nothing alike. Maya's a Masters degree level sociologist, a poet, and a political activist. Athena's a cheerleader, a rapper wannabe, and though Maya loves her--she thinks her roommate's 'easy'.

But love is thicker than disagreements and the bonds of sisterhood are strong between these two sister-friends. When Athena's Mom becomes ill and Athena cannot make the rapper audition of a lifetime, Maya comes and does Athena's audition.

When Maya's audacity causes her to win, Athena convinces her to take a sabbatical from her job and continue the ruse until they can get things straightened out and get Athena her chance to shine.

Maya thinks she's crazy, til Athena DARES her. Now, these two women aren't children, but Maya can't refuse that dare.

"Dare" is a beautifully written book by a woman whose soul is full of light and who obviously wants to brighten up her reader's lives, too. You not only get a heart-rending tale of a strong woman's life, you get life lesson's as well. Abiola Abrams has filled "Dare" with personal dares that will change your life if you open yourself up to them--one of these is a "Beauty Day". No, this isn't pampering at the spa, it's noticing and acknowledging beauty everywhere.

Ms. Abrams writes with the rhymic beauty of both a musician and a poet. Her imagery is strong with color and sensory impressions. Scenes from "Dare" will bring tears to your eyes and leave you laughing and cheering.

You don't have to love rap or hip hop to love this book. You do need poetry in your soul and be willing to open up and learn--because Maya does have some amazing insights into life in general.

Go on--read the first chapter on this page. I dare you. Bet you won't put the book down til you're done. I also bet you're going to keep the book for the rules and the inspirational material in between the narrative.

Rebecca Kyle, April 2008
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A Daring debut! December 21, 2007
Format:Paperback
Sociologist Maya Hope is re-united with Hip Hop culture when she reluctantly agrees to stand-in for her best friend Athena at a nationwide talent search for the next emcee. After confronting Hip Hop mogul "Shell" at the audition, Maya is rewarded for having "cojonés" with a recording contract from the hottest Rap label in the industry, Camp Hustla. Athena dares Maya to accept the offer and sign the deal with the intention of making the switch in a few weeks--but their song and dance gets remixed when Maya morphs in the limelight from would-be fan to famous. Her swagger subdued, Athena is reduced to mere hype-man status, while Maya succumbs to willing victim in her own social experiment. Tension builds when Maya's ex-fiancé Rob is introduced as her new manager, proving once again that revenge is the best therapy when your ex-man faces the next man.

Maya clashes with superficial celebrities, deceitful insiders, the media machine and her own self-esteem on a sordid Hip Hop tour of self-discovery from the female perspective. The truths among the lies in the Rap game have never been disclosed so insightfully--with thought-provoking portrayals and captivating narrative. Abrams' breakaway debut novel is a chart-topping, champagne popping, heel-clicking adventure you wouldn't Dare ignore!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Dare to Have Fun January 30, 2008
Format:Paperback
Ms Abrams does a wonderful job of portraying the behind the scenes world of hip-hop in between the pages of Dare. With two unforgetable characters and non-stop drama, DARE is an easy and fun read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!!!!
I had to read this for a class believe it or not! And I actually loved it. I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone its one of those books that you cant put down. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Lover of Books
4.0 out of 5 stars SEXY AND SEDUCTIVE
Maya Hope was hopeless. After she left her fiancé, her world and her life seemed doomed to failure. Read more
Published on August 14, 2008 by Authors On The Rise
5.0 out of 5 stars So good I had to write a review NOW.....
I ordered this book, not really knowing what to expect. I LOVE it! I haven't finished yet, and I had to stop long enough to write this review. That's how good the book is. Read more
Published on July 26, 2008 by T. Griffith
1.0 out of 5 stars You couldnt DARE me to read this again
WHILE IT HAD A SOMEWHAT GOOD SYNOPSIS AND THE CHARACTERS WERE PAINTED PRETTY WELL AND WITH GREAT IMAGINATION, THIS BOOK IS A MESS. Read more
Published on April 11, 2008 by NM
3.0 out of 5 stars Shaking my head NO
This cover of this book is nice and so is the title, but Dare didnt do it for me at all. The characters are colorful and this book had so much potential to be good. Read more
Published on March 22, 2008 by Dimples
4.0 out of 5 stars Be Careful What You Dare To Do
Abiola Abrams' debut novel, Dare, is a spin on a German tale in which Faustus, based on magician and alchemist Dr. Johann George Faust, made a pact with the devil. Read more
Published on March 18, 2008 by D. Frazier
4.0 out of 5 stars Dare To Read Something Different.
Maya Hope a jazz lover, sociologist, and political activist. Her roommate and best friend Athena Jackson likes hip-hop music and is trying to desperately break into the music... Read more
Published on March 5, 2008 by Urban Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Dare to read and love this book!
I've been a fan of Abiola's since her podcasting days. When I heard she had a novel out, I wasn't surprised - her creativity sprouts in so many directions! Read more
Published on February 20, 2008 by Kathy Cano-Murillo
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ IF YOU LOVE TRUE HIP HOP
I was throughly intrigued with this book...It is very visual as well as tasteful. The writer made me get a better look at how packaged some of what we hail as artist but at the... Read more
Published on February 5, 2008 by K. Mosley
5.0 out of 5 stars Dare to Read a Great Book
I don't think that I have ever written a review before but this book was completely different from what I expected. Read more
Published on January 30, 2008 by Dana Holland
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