Customer Reviews

Island Beauty

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Island Beauty by Marlene, Sage Churchill grew up thinking her mother had died when she was a baby. Her father raised her and she lacked for nothing. When her father becomes sick, he confesses on his deathbed that her mother is in fact alive and living in Jamaica. She is so hurt to find out that her father had lied to her all these years. Sage decides to seek a relationship with her mother.

Growing up Sage has always had her girls by her side. Trish, Nicky, and Lace, Nicky's little sister, have all been friends since they were little. She needs them now more than ever but they all have their own crazy issues . And when their drama quickly starts to involve Sage, things go downhill from there. Nicky accompanies Sage to several trips to Jamaica. She is supposed to be there for support but instead gets caught up in a web of trouble. Will all her dreams come true when she finds her mother? Or is this a disaster waiting to happen?


Marlene created an interesting story. I also enjoyed the character's realness. This offering was no different and very in your face. The characters all have their own storylines going that will keep you deep into the book. I recommend this one for a quick read.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub
Sista Talk Book Club

Sometimes we're missing something or someone from our lives that we think we need because everyone else has one. We think about it, dream about it and are excited when we can finally say YES we have one of our own. But what a devastating shock to our emotional mind when what was supposed to be happy ever after turns your life into a living nightmare! And what's even worse is your best friends who are supposed to be a source of support are busy using you behind your back and keeping secrets.

The main character Sage Churchill has plenty of emotions going on when she finds out that the mother that's supposed to be dead is alive and kicking living in her native Jamaica W.I. Confusion then gets added to the mix causing the police to show up at her door to arrest her!!

Open this latest novel from author Marlene and discover a tale that will have you shaking your head wondering how people can live with themselves after knowingly deceiving you.

An enjoyable story where the author shows her talent for bringing a story full circle.

Locksie
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5

Twenty-one-year old Sage Churchill's life was practically perfect; a college student with a doting father who was not only paying for her college education but also footing the bills for her apartment. Donovan Churchill intentionally spoiled Sage to compensate for the loss of her mother who died when Sage was an infant. Sage is a well rounded young lady maintaining a high grade point average and a close knit group of girlfriends; Tish, Nicky and Nicky's eighteen-year old sister Lace who's has been tagging along since preschool.

Sage's life is thrown into turmoil when a brush with death convinces her father to confess that Sage's mother is still alive and residing in Jamaica. Sage is filled with anger at her father for his deception even though Donovan was only attempting to shield Sage from her mother's abandonment. Sage has anger and resentment towards her mother for her desertion, but Sage also can't deny a part of her wants to forge a relationship with her mother in spite of it.

Ignoring her father's warning Sage decides to venture to Jamaica to confront the woman who walked out of her life. Sage secretly hopes that the confrontation will eventually lead to the mother daughter bond Sage has desired all of her life. But her newfound relationship with her mother will only wreak havoc in Sage's life. What's worse is the havoc found in Jamaica makes its way back to the states with Nicky, who accompanied Sage to Jamaica for moral support.

Also stateside, there's ensuing drama between Tish and her new lover and the wild antics of Lace, who is quickly spiraling out of control. Marlene does an excellent job in depicting just how easy it is for friends and family to manipulate loved ones for personal gain, all while making ISLAND BEAUTY a pleasurable read.

Reviewed by Delonya Conyers
For The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Imagine going your entire life believing a lie. Imagine growing up thinking the woman who carried you and birthed you was dead and after over twenty years your dad tells you on his deathbed that she was alive and the truth is she walked away from you when you were a baby. Sage was a young woman with a loving father and a set of close girlfriends that always showed her love, even though she longed for the love of her mother. After finding out her mom was alive she was determined to find her and try to get her side of the story and hear the truth of why she left. Even though her daddy warned her and the signs were there, she didn't want to believe that the woman she had long to be with her entire life was a woman she would have been better off not knowing.


After a couple trips to Jamaica to connect with a woman she never knew, she realizes that her daddy did what was best for her by protecting her from her estranged mother. After being back-stabbed by the closes people to her, Sage gets a rude awakening about her best friends and her mom and life spirals downhill from there for her.


Island Beauty is a book about friendship and family. It had parts in it that were a little over the top, but still a good story. The deceit, backstabbing and drama met my expectations very well and I enjoyed the story. Although this is the first book I've ever read by Marlene, it definitely won't be the last. She brought the drama in Island Beauty and she didn't hold back on the twist. Great job Marlene, Island Beauty was an enjoyable read.



Anna Black

AAMBC Book Reviewer

Sage Churchill was raised as an only child by her single father. Sage was told that her mother died when she was an infant and her father compensated for the loss of her mother by surrounding her with love, finances and education. Sage also had her mother's three best friends to help in her development but Sage never lost the desire to have a mother of her own. After her dad becomes sick he confides in her that her mother is very much alive and in Jamaica. After Sage struggles to find out the truth about her mother it seems that drama follows her. Even her friends are wrapped up in some kind of drama.

I enjoyed the way the storyline flowed seamlessly tying in the characters to each other. I also enjoyed how the book did not focus on a sexual relationship. It focused on her relationship with her mother, friends and other people in her life.

Sage was somewhat naïve and it seems far fetched because she grew up with her friends who were far from naïve. I also feel like Lacy's problems were brushed under the rug and not elaborated on. Overall this was a great read and I definitely would love to read more of her books.

Reviewed by:
Angie
rwabookclub@yahoo.com
[...]

Oh my Goodness. Island Beauty was a magnificant read. I read this book in 1 and half days and couldn't put it down. I read it at work, in the bed and on the bus until i was finished. The characters in this book just stand out on their own. The story flowed with realism and emotion. I was immediately drawn into the characters lives as if i was a family member watching the drama unfold. It was so good i didn't want it to end. Marlene you push out another classic and I will definately be pushing this work of art. Thanks for the good read and keep up the good work.

Sage Churchill is her father's pride and joy. Being an only child, Donovan Churchill showered his baby girl with plenty of love and affection to make up for not having a mother figure in her life. Life for Sage is wonderful until her dad drops a bomb about her mother that might change her view of daddy dearest. The question is, will she venture to Jamaica to meet the mother she never known and get the answers she been searching for?

Sage has been friends with Tish, Nicky, and Lace since they were knee high. Their friendship seems to take a turn when mishaps and mayhem interfere landing at Sage's doorstep. Tish is having mad issues with her undercover lover and is very hesitant on revealing her companion's identity knowing the havoc it will cause amongst the friends. Nicky is living lavishly and dangerously; she is caught up in the drug game. Lace will do any and everything to make herself happy, but at what cost? Will the ladies' friendship survive all the drama?

"Island Beauty" was a quick read. It had a very interesting story line that was enjoyable. I really love the father/daughter relationship between Sage and Mr. Churchill. It showed that a man can step up to the plate and take care of his responsibilities.



Reviewed by: Tange

Growing up without a mother in your life is never easy regardless how loving and supportive your father may be. Sage Churchill knows this all too well and after twenty odd years of believing her mother departed this earth, she is confronted with one hell of a shock at her father's sick bed. Not only is her mother alive and well in Jamaica, WI, but apparently she voluntarily abandoned Sage. Unable to understand the many years of deceit, Sage travels to Jamaica to confront her mother and learn the truth...and this is where the drama begins...

Sage's BFF Nicky joins Sage on her many trips to Jamaica however...she has concocted an ulterior motive that threatens to tear their friendship apart. Nicky's sister has an unsuspecting new love in her life that is sure to shake things up. Tish, the fourth musketeer in this circle of friends has been hiding something - but as we all know, whats done in the dark will eventually come to light.

Once again Marlene has penned an excellent story that will leave you shaking your head like "She did what?" The way the action unfolds is very unsuspecting and real and the descriptive details of how things are on the island made me feel as though I got a free mini-tour. Island Beauty is an EXCELLENT summer read that is sure to leave you satisfied at its completion.

English
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

Sage Churchill lost her mother to a tragic accident when she was just an infant. But her father more than made up for the loss by doting over and spoiling his only child. Even so, Sage couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a mother. It isn't until her father lands in the hospital that she learns the story that her father told her was just that - a story - and that her mother is in fact still alive. Sage is torn. Should she search for her long lost mother or leave well enough alone?

Adding to Sage's emotional struggles are her best friends, Nicky and Tish, and their drama. Nicky's lifestyle as wifey to a notorious drug dealer hits a little too close to home. And Tish is involved in an explosive relationship with a lover whose identity she keeps secret.

As with "Baby's Daddies" and "Making It On My Own," Marlene is at her best when she is able to play off a strong heroine facing emotional struggles. She deftly mixes Sage's own weaknesses with her strengths to create an emotionally and drama driven novel.

Marlene has put together an engaging account for readers while painting a vivid portrait of Jamaica as a backdrop. "Island Beauty" is well-written, well-plotted and contains characters that grab our interest. It's a good read.

Also recommend:
Babies' Daddies
Making It on My Own