Customer Reviews

Diva Diaries

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Sucked in by the byline on the book cover, I recently picked this up from the library...thank God I didn't pay to read this! Although I am an avid reader, I could not bring myself to finish this book...and I tried several times. LOL. The storyline could have been good IF it had been developed. As mentioned by another reviewer, the chapters were too short and often seemed pointless. I also got irritated by the author's constant plugs of her own radio stations (she's a Music Coordinator for such stations as Hot 97 and 98.7 KISS FM)...yes, it is advised to write about "what you know," but it got a little ridiculous at times. Overall,this author did a poor job of imitating well-written multi-character narratives such as Waiting to Exhale or The Dirty Girls Social Club.

Whew! I thought this book would never end!!! It just kept going, and going and going. I agree with other reviews - too much information was repeated. I did finish the book but would not suggest this book for anyone. The book could have been completed in half the number of pages.

This book could have been better. The story went on and on, and I sware she repeat things from previous chapter. At one point, while I was reading a new chapter I thought I was reading a previous chapter. The author kept switching from third perosn to first person. I was so confuse. When speaking about Dakota the author would repeat things about her character over and over again. Dakota and chrasey had a job, and although their job title was mentioned, I still dont know what their work entailed. I managed to finish the book my skipping pages and just scanning a few words, but I didn't like the ending of the story. It's like leaving the readers unhappy about the hope of the characters.

Diva Diaries is to long and I didn't like the Diva's at all. The hardest 419 pages I have ever read.The story could have been told in at least 300 pages. I couldn't relate with any of these characters.

This book kept me reading and I felt like I started to know the characters. I could relate them to real people I've known and situations I have had or seen happen. The friendship that Dakota, Chrasey and Jordan share is deep. They are always there for each other for the good times and the bad. These three strong women held their own through the trials and tribulations life dishes out. You never know what will be around the next corner. I like the writing style of Janine A. Morris, enough detail but not too much, short chapters to keep the stories of all three women going at the same time and real believable situations. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to seeing more by this author.

Diva Diaries is a remarkable story about three strong divas helping each other over the humps of love, life, career and family.
Dakota is a smart sexy publicist that lives life in the fast lane. Dakota finds it necessary to keep a few men on the roster. When one acts out call the next one. Love never crossed her mind until she finds herself sitting around waiting on Tony, her on again and off again man with his own roster of women he tries to hide. When a tragic loss hits Kota hard she re-evaluates her lifestyle, her relationships finding what is really important.

Chrasey is a little over weight and stuck in a dead end marriage to Keith who she loves. Married with children Chrasey suddenly finds life exciting again when she meets a younger handsome Trevor that reminds her she is a diva and a worthy woman. Riddled with guilt Chrasey finds out that her husband Keith has more problems than she thought and those problems will change her family and marriage forever.

Jordan, a hard working entertainment lawyer struggles to balance a high demand career and a husband who doesn't like the spotlight that comes with his wife. When her husband Omar decides to teach Jordan a lesson about her responsibilities as wife and mother his approach backfires and Jordan turns to her long time friend and colleague Jayon. Life for Jordan and Omar will never be the same.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this story. Once you start reading, you can't put the book down.
A story so real- you know these divas. One might be you. I found I was a little bit of all three of them.
This sexy, heart felt novel was all that! A top pick for 2006.
A Sex in the City meets Girlfriends with a twist. Check it out July.

Mahogany Media Review
Dawnny

The storyline was good, but between the characters, problems, descriptions of un-necessary items, I just put the book down and moved on.

Sorry...

Jordan, Dakota and Charyse have been friends since college. Together they have experienced trials and tribulations; sorrow and pain; joy and happiness. Now in their 30s, juggling careers, marriage and motherhood, something has to give. Professionally they are all thriving but their personal lives are in shambles. The men in their lives are giving them the blues.

Jordan is a successful attorney with her own private practice. A mishap with Jayon, a male friend and fellow business partner might cause an irreparable riff in her already troubled marriage...if her husband, Omar, finds out. Omar has always been slightly jealous of Jayon as he believes that Jayon has always been the one that Jordan turned to when she had relationship problems. Omar does not appreciate that Jordan is a workaholic who spends long hours at the office with Jayon rather than at home with him and their son.

Dakota is attractive, intelligent and proclaims to be happily single by choice. Her current fling, Tony is the man of the moment, as Dakota vows to only live for the present and to never fall in love and end up in marriages similar to girlfriends, Jordan and Dakota. But is she really any different from the other two? When too many negative encounters with Tony, leave her cold, angry and lonely, she wonders why she continues to allow him to abuse her by taking her for granted. When a `knight in shining armor' enters her life, she wonders if he is enough to make her move on and experience the joys and goodness of the right relationship.

Charyse married at a young age and while she still takes her marriage vows seriously, she cannot remember the last time she experienced `for better.' Slightly overweight and lacking self esteem, her confidence is at an all-time low. `For worse' seems to have moved in and become the norm for her marriage. Her husband barely acknowledges her, except when he wants to use her as a doormat for dinner, beer and as a built-in babysitter to their children. He never takes her anywhere and she believes it is because he is embarrassed by her weight and he does not want to be seen with her. She also believes that her husband is having an affair and leading a double life but cannot prove it. When a young man--seven years her junior--flirts with her and wants to spend more time with her than her husband does, she wonders if he is worth the risk. Seeking attention and not receiving it at home, she ponders if stepping outside of her marriage will give her the pleasure she seeks and desires.

Diva Diaries by Janine Morris is an engaging read and an ambitious undertaking. Morris takes a familiar storyline and adds her own unique spin with startling plot twists and turns. She does a good job of giving each character their own voice, although sometimes, there was too much telling and not enough showing. At times belief was suspended and credibility lacking. The shortcomings were not enough to distract from the overall enjoyment of the book or continuing to read to see what the outcomes would be. Fans of contemporary fiction and sister friend themes will enjoy this debut novel. Morris has a budding writing career and I look forward to reading her future works. APOOO rating: 3.5 stars.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org

I absolutely loved this book. I could identify with each of the characters in so many ways. It was a great story, I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read other titles by this author.

Well written, long but well written. By the end I was disturbed by the messege I took from the book. I could not relate to any of the characters. All of them have an annoying dependence on male companionship; not a single stong minded, well rounded, relationship ready female exists in this book. Dakota is looking for a man to complete her, Jordan defines herself with material things and her family-she has no true sense of self, and Chrasey is too complacent. Maybe if the characters had grown much more throughout the book I would have enjoyed it more but overall I would not recommend.