Customer Reviews

Fannin' the Flames

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

 

 

This book was absoutely more than i expected. I was so hurt when Jerome's wife was injured in an accident. The love that they had shared since childhood was so real and pure and believeable. I was even more happy with the outcome of Jerome's life and the maturity that he recieved when the love of his life was injured in that wreck. All of the characters moved you! I was especially enthused to hear more about the Naylor girls because I wondered what there outcome would be after the funeral! But even more so I was excited to see Jerome's faith increase in GOD. That in this book it shows that it pays to have faith in GOD. I am impressed with the writings of Ms. Ebony Satin and look forward to many more publications

The men assigned to the "C" shift at firehouse station 27 have a lot going on in Parry "Ebony Satin" Brown's newest offering, Fannin' the Flames. The "C" [colored] shift is made up of all minority firefighters. They are having a problem with someone lurking around the firehouse sabotaging equipment, creating a very dangerous situation for the men and the one woman who work this shift. The mystery of finding out who is behind the mishaps and what will happen next is just one of the reasons this read was so enticing.

Reading about positive black men was another reason to keep the pages turning. Jerome Winters married his childhood sweetheart right after they graduated from high school. Nicolle has always been the woman for him and he never had the need or desire to look at another. Mychel Hernandez, the lone female firefighter on the "C" shift, set her sights on Jerome, despite his rebuffs. Chief Lloyd Frederickson was blindsided when his wife stated she wanted a divorce. He refused to give up on his marriage and agrees to counseling. The chief has to divide his time between taking care of home and ensuring the higher ups conduct an investigation into the mishaps that plagues the station. Young, blue-eyed soul brother Andrew St. Vincent has a lot to learn about women and racism in the 21st century. Some frank conversations with his father, a female attorney and a visitor from Baltimore helps him grow up and see things in a different light.

Brown's novels have always portrayed positive black men and again in this novel she does not disappoint. Not all men are bad, some believe in God and in doing what is right. Other learns through examples and circumstances that doing right is all right. As a special treat, the readers who enjoyed Brown's last book, Sittin' In The Front Pew get a chance to catch up on the Naylor sisters. Glynda is the civil rights attorney hired by the Chief. She speaks of her sisters and their continual antics and Dawn makes a trip out to Los Angeles. However, the most important thing one can take away from reading this novel is that still in the 21st century racism still exists. Firefighters all over the country are facing subtle acts of racism, but these men and women are committed to saving lives in spite of the actions of an ignorant few. This is a good book with a strong message. I think it can be enjoyed by anyone. An excellent gift for a firefighter.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

This was one emotional ride!
Between the dangerous pranks that kept happening on the "C' shift and the emotional ride into the lives of Jerome, Lloyd and Andrew I was holding my breath! I never knew what was coming next and the thought of any of the characters dying left me on the edge of my seat. I found it very emotional when Jerome's wife got hurt. The letters from the Firefighters in the back of the book were touching. This story is snappy and full of wit. It was well balanced between emotions and spice.
Fannin' the Flames was a 4 alarm fire of emotions. Captivating.

This book was about an all colored firefighter shift who experience some racist guy sabatoging and doing racist stuff to them. It is also about their lives. I mostly did not like the way the author describes Nicole and Jerome. He describes them as having 3 kids, a house with a white picket fence and a dog. How so very trite!!Nothing really interesting happened in the book. It was kinda boring and left me wondering what the point was.

I LOVE JEROME WINTERS!!!! This book is an awesome story centered around a group of LA firefighters. With professional and personal traumatic situations affecting them all, the author shows us how prayer, will and determination can get you through anything. I would have liked to see Andrew's character involved a little more. I think the author's focus on Jerome and Nicole took his place. I even asked myself were he was. He sorta dropped off. Other than that, it still a great read.

This book was a joy to read because it was fast-paced, the characters were interesting, and I liked the storyline,although the ending was a disappointment. I also enjoy Ms. Brown's style of writing. AT LAST!!!female characters with meat on their bones. I'm glad when I can say that so and so has been added to my list of favorite authors. Well Ms. Brown you have been added.

How elegant and powerful the words flow. How passionate the meaning of life becomes through the words written in this magnificent novel of God's merciful grace and that wonderful undeniable unseen strength we call faith! I found courage through this novel to "Fan the Flames" when life throws me a curve! Your words are absolutely beautiful and intoxicating through visual consumption as you leave the reader craving each word. I've read all of Parry's books to date and I have not been disappointed yet.

Much Respect, Linda Washington-Johnson,
Jackson Mississippi Readers Club Reviewer

This is a book that every avid AA reader should have on their bookshelf.This book made me go through all different types of emotions. The relationship between Nicolle and Jerome was a beautiful one that was definitely joined by GOD. They reminded me of my husband and I. I really felt like these characters were real. I felt like I was lost and also EbonySatin taught me a few things about firefighters that you never really think about. Like for one they are not fighting three alarm fires all the time but are mostly taking car accident calls as well as health calls. Even though I work in health care I never really thought about it. I learned other very important facts and history as well. But GO BUY THIS BOOK AND SEE WHAT PARRY BROWN IS UP TO.....I see why Parry Brown is a motivational speaker because she has motivated me with each book that she has written.

It's a good book. The one thing I love about Parry Brown's books is that she has such positive strong black males. And Fannin the Flames is no exception. Meet Capt. Lloyd Frederickson and Jerome Winters, two firefighters with the L.A. County Fire Department Station 27's C-Shift. The C-Shift, comprised of all minorities, is experiencing pranks of sorts believed to be racially motivated. As if that isn't enough both men, who think they have perfect marriages, find themselves fighting for them. Lloyd's wife of thirty years tells him she wants a divorce. And Jerome's wife is involved in a very bad car accident, leaving him to care for himself, their children and home. To make matters worse, the pranks during the C-Shift are getting more serious and dangerous. Can they find the prankster before it's too late? Will Lloyd and Jerome be able to save their marriages? As a bonus we get an update on the Naylor sisters of Sittin in the Front Pew, as Glynda plays a role in getting to the bottom of the trouble at the station house.

As a firefighter, Jerome Winters has seen it all, endured it all, and has learned to emotionally detach himself in order to expertly perform the job at hand. When he and his crew are called to the scene of a head-on automobile collision, Jerome is shocked to find that his wife Nicolle is one of the victims. No amount of training prepares him for the sight of his wife's battered and bruised body, whose chances of survival are slim at best.

As Nicolle balances precariously between life and death, Jerome finds that his faith is being severely put to the test. Not only is Nicolle's accident a test of his faith, it also causes Jerome to draw upon a well of strength he didn't realize he had, a strength he needs to be there for both his wife and his children.

FANNIN' THE FLAMES was a very emotional, heartwrenching and realisitic novel. While Jerome and Nicolle's story was the most prevalent, there were several other characters and storylines that combined to create a novel that will resonate within the reader long after the last page is read.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers