Customer Reviews

Double Dippin'

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Marguerite Batista is mentally trapped by demons. She's in a race to outrun the evil spirit in order to save her and her four-year-old twins, Shane and Tariq. Without a safe haven, Marguerite converges with a commoner and in a fog of lust, the misplaced Batista family would witness a first hand account of murder. How would this affect Shane and Tariq?

Shane is the devil. Or at least that's what everyone keeps saying. Only older by five minutes, Shane is expected to behave as the oldest. After watching as his mother is brutally killed in the streets like a dog, he goes into protector mode and keeps a careful watch over younger twin Tariq. In and out of different homes, Shane is wreaking havoc on his guardians. Gambling, smoking, drinking, hustling and sex almost always occupy Shane's time. But sometimes the attention just isn't fulfilling enough and he longs for his mother. Although he goes to great lengths to hide the needy, loving and sincere side of his self, will he be able to keep his grip on reality?

Tariq is sweet and very emotional. He is often times vying to keep his older brother out of trouble. He can't remember much about the last moments of his mother's life, but he knows that Shane will always be there to keep him from harms way. Tariq becomes depressed, withdrawn and longs to be in his brother's company after they're separated. In an attempt to keep himself drug free, he pretends to be okay and is placed in a new home in a new surrounding. Like a lost little puppy, Tariq meets Janelle and is instantly drawn to her bravado. Desperate to keep two people he loves happy, Tariq is wedged between his brother, his hero and his wife his savior. Will he chose sides?

After living separate lives, the twins soon discover that there is more than just a physical difference between the two. Tariq is a devoted husband and doting father. His main agenda is to maintain a comfortable family life. Shane is as always devious and all about himself. After a short stay in reformatory school, he's back on the scene with his sinister sidekicks, Bricks and Misty, who offer even more of a disturbing twist.

DOUBLE DIPPIN' is so off the wall with its oddity, desperation for any semblance for love and understanding of anomalous behaviors/relationships that readers will quickly become drawn into each page. Allison Hobbs doses readers with a deafening shrill of insanity as well as the damaging effects that ensue because of it.

Sick, twisted and good. How is that even possible? Well it is and it's the case with Allison Hobbs' Double Dippin'. It's the story of twin brothers orphaned at the tender age of four after their mother was killed. Having no one but each other, the boys' bond strengthened. Circumstances tear them apart geographically leaving them to fend for themselves. No longer there for each other, have things, including their relationship, changed while they are separated.

Double Dippin' took my mind places it's never been before. At times it was disturbing. DD is not for everyone, but it's definitely worth reading and you'll be talking about it for days to come.

Allison Hobbs' latest novel, Double Dippin', is an action-packed, fast paced read that starts and ends with a bang. Twins Tariq and Shane Batista are only four-years-old when they witness the brutal murder of their mentally unstable mother by Philadelphia policemen. It is a death that will create a void and one that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Their mother's death will also cause them to experience unpleasant flashbacks. After their mother's tragic death, they will remain together (until their teen years), but bounce from one foster care home to another due to Shane's behavior. Fraternal twins, they are as different as night and day. As brothers, bond by the same genes and lacking contact with any other family members, they are extremely close and the brotherly love and bond they share is very strong. They are also as different as oil and vinegar. Tariq is shy, quiet, and timid, slightly learning challenged but he is the child that any parent would love to adopt. Shane is manipulative, sinister, evil, the spawn of Satan and when he is around no one is safe...except his brother Tariq who he loves fiercely and will do anything to protect. Tariq is happy to follow Shane's lead just as long as they are not separated. Shane is all about self and there is no risk or consequences too great for him to entertain. His deviant behavior and deeds will produce negative repercussions and potentially tragic outcomes for everyone involved.

Double Dippin' is a wild and bizarre drama-fabulous read. In a twisted kind of way, the outrageous characters--primary and secondary--as well as the creatively crafted plot kept me quickly turning the pages to see how the story would end. I have never met any character as deviant or twisted as Shane Batista and I hope he is only a figment of Hobbs' imagination. He truly gets the award for Bad Boy of 2006...maybe even the New Millennium. Although at times his over-the-top antics were not only shocking but appalling and took away from the enjoyment of the book. Additionally, the mental illness storyline was not adequately flushed out and I walked away with more questions than answers. Despite these shortcomings, I enjoyed that Hobbs' worked it out by giving me a storyline with a distinctive style and one that will not be easily replicated. Readers of the erotic and street genre, especially fans of Zane and Noire, will appreciate Hobbs' latest endeavor. APOOO rating: 3.5 stars.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org

Ms. Hobbs loves writing about the Crazies, and I love her for it. She speaks about it and it makes us LOVE them. In this one we have Shane and Tariq. Shane was always labeled the bad one. But, in reality he just had some issues. Issues he never got to deal with that made him do some awful things. But, he was ohh soo fine and scrumpous while he was doing it..Through life he only had one love and that was his brother Tariq..When he got popped(arrested) they got seperated. Then the story flew From there...That Jenelle was one ugly BIATCH.. But, that's all I'll give away about the story....Pick it up..It's GrEEEAAATT....

I am a big Allison fan but I thought there was no way she could top Insatiable which is still among my top favorite books, but Allison showed me the best is yet to come. I started reading this on a cruise out of the country and could not, would not put it down until I finished every twisted word! I loved it so much, I had to call her from the ship. I wish for a moment I could wander in Allison's mind cause she can come up with some good ones. This one needs to be a movie for real! In fact all of her books do and thats the honest truth of the matter. If your tired of reading the same ole same ole, I recommend this book. It's in my top five favorite books in my life and I read a lot! I can't wait to read her next one!

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It will keep you in suspense. Once again Allison Hobbs does not dissapoint.This book tests the bonds of love, as well as opens readers eyes to some disorders that really do exist. Although, this book was so sick, there were a couple of times I had to put it down. However, it was a very good book, and you have to hand it to the author to be able to even come up with a story on this level. Job well done, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store.

OH My!!! This book was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed every moment of visualizing the twin boys growing up. This book really made me reflect on my own personal life. one concept I pulled from the book was that if we are missing some form of love, affection, or attention, we will search and try our hardest to find it elsewhere. I am currently recommending this book to all my friends and family, but especially to young brothers and sisters to teach each other about forming strong bonds.

This book was totally different from anything that I have ever read. It is very dark but real none the less. A lot of people have mental illnesses that are avoided or overlooked. It was great Allison I am in awe at you took such a risk and it really did pay off

This book was an okay read. I liked her other books more. Its scary to think there are people who go through stuff like this. I'm still trying to think of which one was crazier - Shane or Janelle.

This was the first book I read from Allison Hobbs. I thought the book was well written, and a definate page turner. Needless to say, I will be reading more of her books. This author is unlike any other I've read. It kind of make you wonder how someone could come up with a script like this.