Customer Reviews

Jealousy

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

 

 

Author Marsha Jenkins stated her sophomoric novel, Jealousy, is a fictional account of a true story. She also stated jealousy can make people do strange things and thanks to a jealous cousin who made her life miserable for many years, she was able to write a novel that will intrigue many readers.

Dakota North lived the glamourous life. She invited her cousin, Rochelle Jackson, to be a part of the scene. Rochelle, one who describes herself as not having the "pretty genes" latches on to Dakota and the glamourous life. Rochelle is makes herself over and with the help of makeup, she enhances her face. With money that does not necessarily belong to her, she also buy clothes to make herself more fashionable. Rochelle enjoys being a part of the "in group"; then Dakota falls on hard times. With her marriage over, Dakota has no choice but to return to Michigan and live with her father.

All along, while pretending to be Dakota's sisterfriend, Rochelle
secretly harbors resentment towards Dakota. Once Dakota returns to Michigan, she begins her plot to attack her. With the help of her mother,Val, Dakota's sister-in-law, Elly, and her best friend, Tara, Rochelle puts her plans in action. Unbeknowst to Dakota, Rochelle has her home bugged and uses all the information she over hears to ruin Dakota's friendships and her relationship with her boyfriend, Chauncey.

There were many different storylines in this novel that captivated this reader. Dakota and Chauncey's developing relationship, Rochelle's exploration of her sexuality, and Chauncey's many, many secrets, to name a few. While the writing could have been tighter, (sometimes the author was narrating other times giving a play by play account.) the story was good. If you are looking for a summertime suspenseful read, you may enjoy this one.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club

I loved Dakota. Beautiful and kind, she is the kind of person who could charm a snake without trying. With all the changes that took place, she remained the most positive character in the book. I thought she could have still met Chauncey without having to be so down on her luck. I felt like she needed an ally against everyone else (even strong people don't cut themselves off that much). But the message that was being portrayed was well received. Now, Ro was the character we loved to hate like Joan Collins on Dynasty. Just when you start to like her she does something evil. I would have liked to see more development on Dante just because a lot of people might not have picked up on the fact that you just don't cross a gay man! When you are good to them, they are good to you. But if you cross them, you are in trouble! Of course, I hated Val, because she was just an evil bitter woman and she took it out on her child. Rodney for just the opposite and not taking up for his daughter. But these things made Rochelle who she was and moved the book along very well, so I wouldn't have changed it. I did want to find out if Rochelle went to jail or the mental hospital, but I'm sure we'll find out in the next book. Same thing with Chauncey. And what about Elly, the brother's wife and the brother and the other contributors to Ro's evil campaign, they need to be dealt with. I can't wait. In the end, though, if you notice, everything I have mentioned was what we were supposed to get from the book. So, I don't think changes can (or should) be made. Hopefully, when people read it, if they have self-esteem issues, it will help them see how being jealous can turn into an illness. The book can help shine a light on several topics: domestic abuse, child abuse, insecurity and still entertain. What a great read!

This book is about family relations, the good the bad and the "jealous". Dakota was a young woman who most believed had it all and they were sick of watching and hearing about it. However, their was one family member named Rochelle who wanted Dakota to pay for getting all the attention and she was going to do anything and everything to dethrone her into misery. There are numerous reasons why Rochelle "hated" her cousin and I can't give them away but, feeling less than, being lonely and struggling with the fact that without makeup she could be mistaken for a man are a few!
The book in some parts are just plain slow. Rochelle's antics went on too long for my taste. After awhile I just didn't care and wanted all of it to end. The book could've been about 50 pages shorter and would've been kept tight and concise. The premise of the book is excellent. This kinds of stuff happens everyday and people allow it to, like it's okay to hurt others by gossiping or plotting because of their own inadequacies. All in all it was a good read.

A disturbing look into how jealousy can destroy your whole life. I never thought that someone and in the case of this book, darn near everyone could be so jealous that they would spend their time plotting the down fall of another. My God, Rochelle was ruthless and crazy as a bedbug. DaKota's father was so guillible and easily fell for the lies fed him by his family. I felt sorry for DaKota because everyone in her life was lying to her. I wanted her to wake up and fight back! And even though she settled into a happily ever after ending it's still jaded because at any given moment the po-po could show up and ruin everything!

The book was entertaining but the end left me hanging perhaps as someone else said it opens the door for a sequel but I won't know until I've spoken with the Diva herself (Marsha)

Good job Marsha!

In Marsha Jenkins-Sanders new novel Jealousy-A Strange Company Keeper, tells the story of two cousins. The beautiful Dakota, who is the social butterfly, who turns heads as soon as she walks into a room, who mingles in all the right circles. Then there is Rochelle, the ugly duckling, the one who unfortunately looks exactly like her father, who most mistake as a man. Who also is battling her own sexual identity.

Dakota takes her cousin under her wing and takes her to all the hottest parties and shopping sprees, but with repeated warnings to Rochelle to quit with her gossiping and lying to everyone she ends there friendship. Causing Rochelle to become angry. Not wanting to see her cousin Dakota be happy she is determined to make her life a living hell and she will do anything to accomplish this.

In reading this story, it flows well but it just seems to go on and on about all the ways Rochelle comes up with to make Dakota miserable. The ending was disappointing, leaving room for a sequel???? Hmmm!

I agree villeinage with all the reviews to a point! The book concept was really good and grabs your attention (especially if you enjoy reading the step by step actions of a vicious female, meaning me lol).

Where do I start?.

I just finished reading this,so giving my brain a break, I will list and provide some points I liked and dislike:

1. The narration format

a. VERY confusing when you first start reading. I didn't really start to understand the flow till a little more then half way through this VERY VERY LONG BOOK. Throughout this whole book the author jumped from first to second to third point of view. I had to remember that ALL the events in this book is being told by Rochelle point of view. I always found myself forgetting that because I was reading a lot of details that Rochelle WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN happening with the characters.etc

PS: This is not the book to read if you take breaks between reading lol, After reading 4 chapters on day one, and trying to continue on day three was unless, so I started from the beginning. That being said, it only took me 3 days to read. The drama is on point!

2. The endless flow of useless character introductions

a. I FULLY AGREE with the reviews comments pertaining the characters. I felt like the author had ADD. She would would jump from character A to character A back story stopping the flow of the MAIN storyline. She jumped around from character to character back story so much I got queasy lol (just playing)..............I LITERALLY had make a character list for me to refer to, so I can keep up with the story line.

PS: I listed 20 plus characters who were introduced with a back-story.......NO LIE!

3. This book take some extra brain power

a. This book has some juicy drama, but you just have to understand the book format and remember its narrated from Rochelle POV (it will help with any confusion). For example, when when a sequence with two characters is taking place, Rochelle may throw in her random comment, which remind you that she is the narrator.

4. Dropping the ball

a. the story had me hooked, but like everyone else, the ending was not rewarding. If the drama in this book wasn't as great as it was, I might have been mad, but instead patted myself on the back for reading this whole book (3 days).

this book took me a while to read it bcuz I was puzzled in some sort of way but I gave it a 4****

The premise of the book is juicy and exciting. I got the overall storyline but I just wish it'd been written better.

Dakota North is supposed to be a strong, take no mess woman yet not once did she assert herself or confront her cousin, Rochelle. Also, the author would introduce a character while you're in the middle of reading about something else and I'd have to flip pages back and forth wondering if I'd missed something somewhere. The continuity was awful; there was no real flow. When you read something like this that's supposed to be exciting and get the adrenaline flowing, it should be an easy read and this was anything but.

I agree with another reviewer who said it could be at least 50 pages shorter and much tighter and concise. It took everything I had to finish this book. The only reason I did is because I did enjoy the overall subject matter. Even the ending, which left the door open for a sequel was terribly done. I haven't checked to see if there was a sequel but I know that I most likely would not read it.

I really did not know what to expect when I ordered this book, but it went beyond what I could have expected. This books has so much drama it leaves you breathless at the end. The characters all took on a life form and kept me entertained from beginning to end! Marsha D. Jenkins-Sanders you have a hit on your hands!

Who knew Jealousy could be so deep & full of deceit?? I read this book with that thought in the back of my mind.... I enjoyed the book to the very end... Rochelle definitely needs help.. I guess it's true when they say keep your enemies close, because when they're not in plain sight, you better watch your back!!!