Customer Reviews

Full Figured: Carl Weber Presents

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Full Figured: Plus Size Divas" is what appears to be the first of a series of books in which the heroines are full-figured women. For that, I am hopeful and appreciative as too many books today aren't practical as the average American woman is a size 12, but according to some reports now a 14. So with the first of more to come, Carl Weber went with two authors with resumes guaranteed to bring the drama.

Brenda Hampton's `Who Ya Wit' features Desa Rae Jenkins. At forty and recently divorced, Desa Rae is getting accustomed to life as a working divorcee and parent of an almost grown son. Her world is shook when she meets a 24-year-old man/child, Roc. Tall, dark and delicious, Roc awakens in Desa what she's been missing with his thug passion. But he also introduces her to a darker world she doesn't want to know. Does this May-December romance stand a chance?

LaJill Hunt's `Seven Year Itch' according to the synopsis was supposed to be about Etienne and Major (and Vaughn); however, the characters in the story were Avery and Duke (and Kurt). C'mon now, Urban Books! Really? Anywho...Duke used to run the very streets where he and Avery now reside. A good girl on the right track, Avery made Duke give up his street ways and go legit if he wanted to be with her. And he did. Now, seven years later, as Avery is still moving upward with higher education and a promising career, Duke seems to be complacent with where they are. Moving in different directions, has their relationship run its course?

What makes an anthology good? For me, first, I would say a central theme that runs through all the stories. Though this is presented with a full-figured theme, that fact seems to either have gotten lost under other themes and drama or was a second thought. Yes, both authors featured plus size divas, but it was not as prominent or key to the plot as I would have liked. This book could have easily, and probably more appropriately, been billed as being about relationships where opposites attract.

Disappointingly, "Full Figured" is not what I expected or hoped for. I have read better by both authors. One story had too many variables, while the other didn't come full circle, leaving this reader with questions about what wasn't addressed and why. I could not connect with the characters of one story, neither admiring nor pitying them, while I didn't learn enough about characters in the other. One story had too much drama, while the other may have not had enough.

Neither story is a bad read, but they are nothing fresh or new. I don't see myself recommending this to others. As I stated before, I've read better by both authors and look forward to each of their own next full-length novels.

Kudos to Urban Books for taking a step to practicality, but tighten up the editing (coworkers), make sure the stories are more cohesive and get some better covers.

Reviewed by: Toni

I just loved this book, but Brenda Hampton story really sold me. This book was off the hook! Not to tell it all, but just imagine, the husband that you have been faithful to for years just up's and divorces you. Dez being that strong woman learns to deal with it as she moves on. Then suddenly she meets Roc tall, fine, with lots of swagger, although younger than Dez can still carry his own. Oh, what's a woman to do and don't let me forget how he pursues her, not the other way around. Not to mention their sex life was um um good, now be real, if this were you, what would you do :) Reading this book I felt as if I was watching them on a screen, everything about the book was so real, current and up to date, that you can relate. But seriously, if you want to read about having some spice added to your life, here it is. Now does Dez and Roc have a chance with their new found relationship, despite the trials, oppositions and just plain haters, get the book to find out. This book is definitely a keeper, so don't loan this one out, you might not get it back. Brenda, I am waiting on you sister woman for part two or a full version of this book. Until then, continue to do your thing.

Overall, Full Figured was a solid read. I thoroughly enjoyed Brenda Hampton's Who Ya Wit. Not only is Desa Rae a plus-size diva but also a cougar as she finds herself between the sheets with Roc, a young and sexy twenty-four year old. While Who Ya Wit offers drama and steamy sex scenes, La Jill Hunt's Seven Year Itch is rather tame in comparison, less captivating and has its fair share of editing issues. Moreover, I do have to agree with previous reviews that the book treated the fact that the two central characters were plus-size as an afterthought. I will give Full Figured 2 a chance and also recommend Hot -N- Heavy by G. A. Peach for those of you looking for more storylines featuring plus-size heroines (the author intertwines the characters weight struggles amongst all the craziness and drama in their lives...it's a pretty good read!).

Seriously the book was very entertaining, the story of Desa Rae. Never got to the second story, but I am definitely looking forward to a part two to "Who You Wit". The story kept me attached to the book until I finished the story. Desa Rae was a little bit too unrealistic to me, but I guess that is what made the story a good read... just looking at how she handled things. I will patiently be waiting for part two and make it a book of it's own... don't need to share the spotlight with another author.

"Full Figured: Plus Size Divas" is supposed to be about women of size showing the small girls how we can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, make a sandwich out of it and never letting the men in our lives forget that we're still all woman while taking care of business in and out of the bedroom.

Brenda Hampton's `Who Ya Wit' features Desa Rae Jenkins. She's forty, recently divorced and is faced with a tempting offer to get with a 24 year old stunna named Roc. She has her standards and feels that Roc is too young and inexperienced to handle a woman like her. After much coaxing from her best friend, Desa Rae gives Roc a chance and a relationship or something like it, is formed. Although Desa Rae Prides herself on being a no nonsense type of woman, she compromise so much of herself just to be with Roc. Being young is one thing, but to be a drug dealer, drug addict, womanizing rapist you would think she would kick him to the nearest curb. Throw in the pimp'n uncle threatening to kill her that Roc takes a bid for is more than any sane woman should he willing to take. I expected more from Ms. Hampton, I'm a huge fan and by saying that I don't believe she gave this story her best. It seems like something she just threw together.

LaJill Hunt's `Seven Year Itch' Avery is a plus sized diva that's moving up the corporate ladder. She's in school, but is afraid to live the life her income affords her because she don't want to upset her boyfriend Duke. Duke inherited a house from his uncle located in the hood that's now ran down, undesirable place to live, but since Duke is content and don't want better, he expects the same of Avery. Duke feels Avery should be loyal to him since he gave up his street hustling and became legit all to make her his and she feels staying and putting up with his madness is the price she has to pay. Avery's coworkers also play a major role in her life, but one is not being upfront with their true intentions. Also, a childhood acquaintance steps in as the new boss and throw a curve ball so wicked, that it takes this story to a bizarre level of WTF.

"Full Figured: Plus Size Divas" lived up to the expectation that people especially men, have in mind when it comes to women of size and that is that we're desperate and will tolerate anything just to hold on to a man. I was highly disappointed in this book. Two talented writers that I know can bring it just didn't give it they're all. To write a book where the heroine is supposed to be a plus sized diva, please by all means paint a diva as a diva. Divas are self assured, intelligent, vibrant women who know what they want and how to go out and get without settling for a damned thing.

I enjoying reading Full Figured. I think Brenda should continue Who Ya Wit in another book. It was great. I also enjoyed Seven Year Itch, except for the errors. On several pages throughout the story, the word coworker is used instead of the word fine. For example, on page 258- Get some rest and you will be coworker, 272- Coworker as hell.

I love both short stories in this book. Brenda Hamption Who ya Wit...was great DEZ and ROC really was an eye catcher in the story...I wish it was a PART TWO this one. For the second story with Hunt, this story was amazingly good no sequel?

I enjoyed all the stories except for the last story was so confusing ???? But overall I still gave it 4 stars !!!! I wonder did anyone else find the last story confusing ???

Even though the synopsis on the back of this book had nothing to do with LaJill Hunt's story,I actually thought both of them started off pretty good but both endings seemed rushed and fell flat.Nothing came full circle..something would happen then all of a sudden everything would be back to normal with no explanation how.

I was very disappointed because I know that these 2 authors could have done a better job. Both stories had the potential to be very good but in my eyes fell short.

I will give part 2 a chance.

It was a gift for my friend Luz and she says...It was a good book from the begining to the end...never wanting it to finish!