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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Wonderful, August 29, 2001
This review is from: A Family Reunion (Mass Market Paperback)
This is Brenda Jackson's debut book to mainstream fiction. She follows behind some of the great romance writers, such as Donna Hill and Francis Ray who have embarked on the arena of mainstream fiction. Brenda seems to have choosen something that is quite fitting for her, and that is a book about "Family". Yes, this debut book called A Family Reunion revolves around The Bennett Family. I think most of us who have ever attended a family reunion or more or less apart of a family period will be able to relate to this book. You know in any given family there always seems to be secrets and revelations that occur during family crises. Well this book does not fall short of that, it has all those components and even a few surprises and moments of tears too! In any book you read there are major characters to a story, well this one is no different: There's Poppa Ethan, the grandfather, and four cousins who of course grew up together, Taye, Michael, Alexia and Rae'jean. Now there are many supporting characters that add to this story which of course makes it an outstanding book to read. After many years from Grandma Bennett passing, Poppa Ethan wants to have this family reunion, which he allows his cousin to plan and get it all together. Now, Poppa Ethan is close to 90 years old but his memory is definetly in tack and he is not short on his stern words either!! What I found so enjoying about this book, I could relate to it and actually recognized some of my own family members. So is this a book you can relate to? Yes. Is this a book that is an easy read that will keep you up all night? Yes. Do I recommend this a book to read? Yes!!! Does it have sizzling love scenes? Oh, my, my...yes it does!!! Now, some may think that it is quite a transition for an author who has written 8 romance novels and single stories for 3 novellas. No, it seems it has not been a hard task for Brenda Jackson. Actually she seems to demonstrate in her writing of this book that she is able to be like a master chef. She has managed to mix and blend both fiction and romance in this debut book and come out with a tasty treat. Oh yeah, to Brenda Jackson's most loyal followers of her romance books, she has not disappointed you by no means. This book, although it is her first women's fiction has all the components of sizzling love scenes. Actually I think they are hotter in this book than her romance books. Now figure that one out?? Again, to my namesake and friend...you done good girl! And by the way, I am very proud of you!! All of us here in Florida are very proud of you!! For those who are being introduced to Brenda Jackson for the very first time, please check out her other published work, I think you'll be hooked just like the rest of her loyal readers and friends. Her other published books: Tonight and Forever, Cupid's Bow, Whispered Promises, Eternally Yours, One Special Moment, Fire and Desire, Truly Everlasting from the anthology Something To Celebrate, Secret Love, True Love, Surrender, and Welcome To Leo's
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A real treat., September 21, 2001
This review is from: A Family Reunion (Mass Market Paperback)
Fans of Brenda Jackson will relish in this tale of the Bennett family's reunion in Macon, Georgia, and the stories that will keep this family in your mind and heart long after finishing. Ethan Bennett, the patriarch of the family and approaching ninety years old, thinks it is time for a reunion, since the last one was fifteen years ago when his beloved wife Idella was alive. He is concerned that his brother's grandson, Michael has turned his back on the family when he found out he was actually adopted. Meanwhile Michael has realized his mistake and acknowledges he needs his family to help him raise his teen-aged daughter, since his wife died several years ago. A pilot, he decides to relocate to Atlanta to be close to the homestead. His cousin Taye, a hairstylist, the mother of two girls, is having her own drama, still trying to prove herself because as the smart one, she was supposed to have done great things. Rae'jean, the pretty one is a doctor who is involved in an interracial relationship, and Alexia is now a famous singer, a swan who was once an ugly duckling. The four cousins were tight at one time, and this reunion promises to renew their bond. But can Michael hold back his feelings for one of the cousins? What would the family think? There are plots and subplots and plenty of characters that make up a middle-class African American family and the joys, trials and tribulations that keep them loving each other despite their problems.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!, September 10, 2001
This review is from: A Family Reunion (Mass Market Paperback)
Brenda Streater Jackson is famous for the sizzling tales of a well known family and the friends that surround them. She seemed to pour love, adoration, and respect into this family. Now here she comes with her debut Mainstream book A FAMILY REUNION. They call the book mainstream, but I really didn't seem to see a big difference except this book was longer. Ms. Jackson just continues to prove to the world that she is a wonderful writer. She tells a story so true to life that we can't help but relate with her characters and put actual faces to them. This book drew me in and I didn't want to put the book down until I was done. I started reading this book with the expectation that it was going to be a good book. Why? Because it is written by Brenda Jackson of course. A FAMILY REUNION is a not a tale, but reality. It speaks on families and how the people in them relate to each other. While reading, I couldn't help but reflect on situations within my own family. The way the grandfather knew the children so well. The four cousins who are the focus of this story remind me so much of myself and several of my own cousins. Rae'jean, Taye, Alexia and Michael were all wonderful characters. Grandpa Ethan was the bomb! He reminded me of my own grandfather. I loved the way Alexia gave her grandparents the praise they deserved when she won her award. They were the driving force for her to keep singing. I no longer have any grandparents, I lost my last grandmother in March of this year. I will never forget all those lessons taught to me by her and my other grandparents. I also believe that scripture that states "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. If you have not purchased this book, please do so, you will not be disappointed. I am not sure what my favorite Brenda Jackson book is because I love them all. I will say: Eternally Yours, Cupids Bow (A Valentine Kiss Anthology) are right at the top.
Great Job Ms. Brenda!!!
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