Customer Reviews

Denzel's Lips

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

 

 

Anita Diggs' latest novel, Denzel's Lips, reads like the pages of a soap opera. Diggs reintroduces us to Asha Seabrook and Sandra Brown, two sisters from her previous novel, The Other Side of the Game. Asha has married a soul food heir and they have relocated to the illustrious town of Hercville, Long Island, where glamour reigns and keeping up with the Joneses is a way of life.

Along with Asha and Sandra, we meet Nancy Rosa St. Bart, a soap opera star that has a fixation to Denzel Washington hence the title; Shareeka Ellison, wife to a movie producer/ex rapper who yearns for her old life in California; and Penelope Brewster, a snobby psychologist and single mother who seeks refuge in Hercville through her mother after she is shunned in Georgia where she previously resided. Eventually, all of these women's lives, as well as a host of other characters, become intertwined in a series of events that are so chaotic, the reader is not only left dazed but totally confused.

Overall, this was a very disappointing read. I felt that Diggs had way too many characters and this compromised the storyline of the novel. The story came across as very unfocused and unedited. There are several areas where the wrong character is mentioned and an instance where a name is given that is not even within the story. Some chapters are very short - 2-3 pages and told by minor characters. Also some chapters are told in first person while others were told in third person. Since this is Diggs fourth novel, I expected her writing to be a bit more polished. I very much want to continue to be a fan of Diggs as I enjoyed A Mighty Love and The Other Side of the Game but if she does not step up her writing game to where it should be, I cannot honestly read another one of her books or recommend it to others.

Angelique
APOOO BookClub

This was an animated and swift read. The pages of "Denzel's Lips held the lives of some fascinating characters: Nancy, Shareeka, Asha, Saundra and Penelope. I will admit that the book was sort of odd but I did enjoy reading it.

Poor Nancy and her obsessive behavior. It wasn't until the end of the book that I realized she had a disturbing childhood. Her obsession with Denzel was hilarious.

Shareeka certainly brought the "hood" into the suburbs. She was indeed ghetto fabulous. The party scene had me in stitches.

I didn't care for Asha's character. She was a manipulating adulterer. She'd step on Mother Theresa's toes to get what she wanted. I did appreciate her dedication to her sister, Saundra.

Penelope was a conceited, insensitive, miserable old maid. I couldn't grasp the fact that she was actually in the field of helping others. She needed work herself.

Overall, I'd give the book 3 stars. It wasn't the best read of 2006 but it was decent.

I actually started reading this book but then became uninterested when trying to keep up with all the characters. Not want to totally take the zero, I picked up the audio version. Boy am I glad I did. I would have hated to waste all that time reading. I felt as if she was trying to tell all her stories in one with leaving all except for one incomplete. Ending definitely left me wanting closure. I was disappointed with this read.

A cast of characters who for the most part live in an upscale Long Island town called Hercville have interwining issues causing them to need one another.

One of the particular & peculiar major character, Nancy, had majorpyschological issues. But the way the story ended, I began to wonder if the author had a pyschological disorder???

The story is very well written. It's fast paced and attention grabbing.

It's possible to have a continuation - but then again - the story can end as it was written.

Another one for Anita Diggs, although I can see how readers are disappointed with the wrap up of the book.

What a waste of time and money...character development was ridiculous. The story line was ridiculous. I have enjoyed her other books but I feel tricked...someone else wrote this..someone who certainly can't write..and put this author's name to it.

Save your money! Typos! Three page chapters. Story-lines that went no where?!? The rating won't allow you to give negative ratings..If I could this one would get -10!

Hercsville, Long Island (founded by the legendary creator of hip-hop DJ Kool Herc) is a small town with a lot of drama right now:

Asha Mitchell Seabrook. has married the man of her dreams, Nick, whose family owns a chain of successful restaurants. They have money, but not enough for the bored housewife.

Dr. Penelope Brewster is psychologist to the town's troubled youth as she struggles to keep her own teenage daughter under control.

Shareeka Ellison is married to former rapper Dayshawn "Bustacap" Ellison. Dayshawn has made the transition to a very lucrative movie career, but Shareeka longs for the simple life of South Central LA.

Soap opera actress, Nancy St. Bart is finally in a happy place, thanks to the protection of her idol (obsession), Denzel Washington, but danger threatens to make her finally confront her demons.

Although the ending left me a little disappointed, this was a quick "Desperate Housewives"-type read.

DENZEL'S LIPS is the very worthy sequel to Diggs' THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GAME. Why didn't the publisher make that clear on the cover? I can see why readers who never read the first book would be totally confused by Denzel's Lips. I loved it. Asha is her usual self absorbed, opportunistic self and Sandra finally finds peace after a truly heartbreaking loss. Can't wait for this author's next work.

"Denzel's Lips is an exhilarating read. Interlocked with warm interesting characters that sizzle. An incredible story about five women and all of the obstacles they are facing."

"Asha Seabrook and her husband Nick are newlyweds and have recently moved to Hercsville, Long Island to a premiere neighborhood for the elite and wealthy. Asha is enjoying living a life of luxury yet is eager to start a career of her own making."

"Nancy Rosa St. Bart is a soap opera star that harbors an obsession for Denzel Washington. She is being harassed by someone and has some other issues that are bound to surface."

"Shareeka Ellison is the wife of an ex rapper now actor. She longs to move from New York and return to her hometown in California. She misses her old lifestyle and tries to surround herself with interesting people to keep her occupied. Shareeka's son Crenshaw is dating Thelma Brewster who happens to be the daughter of Dr. Penelope Brewster."

"Dr. Penelope Brewster is a psychologist. Most of her patients are the children of Hercsville residents. She works hard to help these troubled children although she has issues of her own. She doesn't want her daughter involved with Crenshaw or his family. She considers them of lower class."

"Saundra Brown is Asha's sister and is experiencing a change in her relationship with her husband. Some heartbreaking news eventually alters her life causing her to depend on Asha for support."

"All five lives are intertwined, exhibiting a powerful story that will stick with readers long after the book is finished."