Customer Reviews

Help Wanted: An Inexperienced Job Seeker's Complete Guide to Career Success

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

 

 

"Absolutely an amazing story describes Help Wanted by Shawan Lewis. This book reveals the intricacies in the lives of four women, Hailee Shaw, Onyx Devoe, Paris Parker and Effie Peters. These individuals are in the mist of enduring some tumultuous times in their lives. Unbeknownst to these unsuspecting women, there is a divine silver lining in store for each of them, as they overcome their adversities and realize the wonderful miracles that are bestowed upon them. Ultimately linking them to a love unlike any other."

"This novel is a fast paced read that will have you hanging on every word. Shawan Lewis has incorporated four unique stories with just enough intrigue to mesmerize you and then manages to connect each characters story. Thereby, creating a remarkable debut with Help Wanted."

Anela and Gabriel Grace have been married 25 years. Anela longed for her first love and Gabriel lived a secret life. It is what happens next that shape the crossroads.

The Rainmaker, Hailee Shaw, has been plagued by the recent rash judgment on the part of her mother Pashen, an ex-cop who was now working the wrong side of the law. No life, no love, no pass, Hailee has made the deal of all deals in an effort to save the only person she truly loves. Can Pashen empathize with the commitment her daughter has made on her behalf?

The Depressed Diva, Onyx Devoe is a singer stuck in the position of a claims representative. Although she's working on her demo, she's a little lifeless. A chance meeting with a client will alter her life, but is the sacrifice more than she's willing to give?

The Working Girl, Paris Parker, is a student, single mom and live in girlfriend. Paris is convinced that she's destined to do better, especially for her son Maceo. He deserves it. Her man has more game than Iverson. The funny thing is Paris isn't tripping on dude. Will her thunder be shortened by a faulty competitor?

The Virtuous Woman, Effie Mae Peters, is a housewife living with her husband Clarence of 40 years just waiting to move into the last phase of their lives together. Clarence finds that he needs a change and Effie Mae doesn't fit his needs all of a sudden. Love doesn't end because the door closes. Conflicted but committed to her vow, will she allow herself to answer?

Four different women set out to grieve the loss of their friend Anela and find that they all shared in the fulfillment of her love, comfort and understanding as their lives wavered.

Somewhat inconsistent with the characters in certain places, but it was a different story that allots you to savor in silver linings.

Anela's a young woman that has had her share of struggles. Due to these trials of her own, she's fortunate enough to offer assistance to four others who are in desperate need with no promise or prospect of hope.

Hailee Shaw, a college student, is besieged as she's trying to handle her studies and tackle her mother's dilemmas. There is a debt that seems to become more and more difficult to pay off.

Onyx Devoe is stuck in a dead end job and all she really wants to do is sing. Wayne Cartwright is everything she's ever wanted in a man, and she quickly falls head over heels for him. It's not long before his selfish ways are revealed.

Paris Parker is a struggling young mother trying to maintain a happy home with her man Russell while dodging advances as she's trying to pay the bills. Russell is lazy, inconsiderate and a womanizer and someday his ways may cause her to lose her job.

Effie Peters, a middle aged married woman, has been married a lifetime to her love Clarence. A single venture to the store has him returning with his resignation to her. Believe it or not Effie is accepting of his middle age crisis.

This was a different type of read for me. Each story is relatable. I don't know about others, but I have wished on many occasions some additional help was available in my life. This is a really good book.

Reviewed by: Carmen

I was very excited about receiving this book, by the way big upps to lupo997 for getting my book to me in a timely fashion. After reviewing the book further I realized it was like Touched by an Angel, and I don't like that show at all, but I decided to read it anyway cause it looked good. That was a mistake, the character's were two dimensional and truly unbelieveable. In the first story - Rainmaker - The Professor was sooo in love with Hailey he didn't care about getting killed or putting his own child's life in danger - come on now. He would rather see his blind daughter killed for this woman he barely knows. I didn't even read the second story, maybe I'll come back to that. The third story was totally ridiculous as well. Paris is so sick of Russell - he doesn't have a job, money and no ambition, yet she stays with him. He cheats on her, she has the broads up in her house and sells them Mary Kay!! Yet she stays with him. He has given her an STD!!! She stays with him!!! She doesn't even like making love to him. During all of this nonsense her fi-one boss is pushing up on her, and she resists. She won't cheat on her man. What!!!! If you like reading fairy tales then this is the book for you. For everyone else who likes a little believable drama in their fiction - DO NOT GET THIS BOOK!!

I read this a few months ago. I can't remember too much about it but i know it was'nt that bad.

Need a change from your usual read? Sit back and enjoy Shawan Lewis debut novel "Help Wanted", where a higher power has the final say and if you believe... then all will prevail.

I enjoyed the four stories in this book. I was especially partial to the stories "The Rain Maker" and "The Working Girl". In "The Working Girl", I appreciate that Paris was able to resist her boss's sexual advances, even though she could have gotten payback for Russ's cheating a**.

An enjoyable read; let's see what Shawan has in store for us next. Well done!

Locksie

ARC Book Club Inc.

In her first novel, newcomer Shawan Lewis plunges deep into the lives of four seemingly unrelated women in HELP WANTED. Hailee Shaw, desperate to show her mother how much she loves her by keeping her alive, makes a pact with the devil himself in Lucas Blacke. Onyx Devoe is left broken-hearted and pregnant after a disastrous relationship with a professional basketball player. Paris Parker, a single mom with a goal, lands an impressive internship that puts her on the brink of realizing her dreams; however, a bed-hopping boyfriend and a jealous co-worker threaten to jeopardize all that she has gained. Effie Peters loves her husband of forty years, but a young gold-digger manages to come between them. What do these women have in common? They all need help in the form of assistance from Heaven.

Shawan Lewis adequately constructed four stories about four rather ordinary women. Each story is told separately and independently of one another and could possibly have been expanded into separate books. Ms. Lewis manages to depict many of the harsher realities of life. These are the stories that often go untold. She delves into the magnetism and the destructive nature of drugs. She highlights the appeal and the downfalls of living in the glamorous lives of the rich and famous. She also touches on the trials and tribulations Black women suffer in the corporate world as well as in their family lives. Although I loved each story, I felt that Effie's story was a bit rushed and not given the attention the others were given. Often times, the transition between scenes was not as smooth as I would have liked. But all in all, this was a worthy accomplishment as evidenced by its ability to hold me captive throughout.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon

of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I am an avid reader and I must say that Shawan Lewis' debut novel is a phenomenal effort! Her characters are realist and the story lines also ring true. Incorporating the Christian theme was an excellent idea because it reminded each character (and the reader) that no matter what they may be experiencing, there is always a higher power looking out for you.

Help Wanted was not only a page-turner but also a book that enabled you to visualize and feel what each character experienced. I couldn't put it down. Once I completed it, I had to tell everyone about it because it was a great read! I enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait to read her next book. Shawan Lewis is someone to support and watch because she will only get better with time. Great job and I highly recommend Help Wanted!

D. Moore

Help Wanted by newcomer Shawan Lewis is "Waiting to Exhale" meets "Touched by an Angel." Like Terry McMillan's bestselling book, Lewis' debut novel features four women who are dealing with their respective life struggles and relationship woes. Like on the Emmy-nominated television show, "Touched by an Angel," characters in Help Wanted are blessed to have an angel on earth and they don't even know it.

 

Hailee Shaw is a college student having trouble focusing on her studies because she always has to rescue her mother, Pashen, a former police officer turned drug addict. After a drug deal gone bad, Pashen's boyfriend/supplier threatens her life. To keep her mom alive, Hailee offers herself to the drug kingpin and he graciously accepts. Hailee moves in with him and her mom and becomes his sex slave until he feels the debt is repaid.

 

Onyx Devoe dreams of becoming a famous R&B singer. By day she works as a claims adjuster and by night she works on her demo. One of her new clients happens to be NBA player, Wayne Griffin, whom she quickly falls for. He's attractive, charismatic and shares her love for music. Before she knows it, she's pregnant and living with him. She suspects he's cheating, but nothing could prepare her for the devastation to come.

 

Paris Parker is a single mother with an out-of-work boyfriend. The respect level in their relationship has dwindled to nothing. When she lands an internship, her boyfriend is the least of her worries. Somebody at work is trying to sabotage her projects and get her fired. Meanwhile, her boss, a married man, has made more than one pass at her. When she comes home early from work and catches her man having sex, all hell breaks loose. What's disturbing is the identity of "the other woman."

 

Effie Peters has been married to Clarence for forty years. They've experienced many ups and downs. So when Clarence announces that he is leaving Effie for a younger woman, she laughs it off. However, when he moves out, reality sets in. Clearly, the young girl is only after Clarence's settlement money, but he mistakes the attention for love. When he becomes ill, guess who's at his bedside?

 

All of these women, though weathering different storms, share a common link. Discovering their heavenly bond will forever change their lives.

 

Help Wanted is a dynamic debut. At a time when street fiction is ever popular, this novel provides a nice change of pace. The author mixed Christian themes with urban issues and in so doing created a refreshing read. At times, the transitions from one characters voice to the angel's are abrupt and have the potential to confuse readers. That withstanding, I highly recommend this book. Shawan Lewis is definitely an author to watch.

Reviewed by Joan Burke Stanford for Loose Leaves Book Review

I couldn't stop turning pages to find out what happened next! Shawan Lewis did an excellent job engaging you with very interesting characters and the lives that they lead. I definitely recommend this book.