Customer Reviews

Kiss the Year Goodbye

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

 

 

Everyone looks at the end of the year with great anticipation. Many resolutions are made about love and life. This is no different in the four-story anthology, Kiss the Year Goodbye.

Four authors pen four unique stories where the end of the year is fastly approaching and changes in their lives are inevitable. In Brenda Thomas' contribution, "Every New Year", a young doctor, newly engaged, is more dedicated to her work than her fiancé. In a random shootout, she loses her memory and opens her heart to another. In "Whatever it Takes", Tu-Shonda Whitaker plays out a May/December romance to the background of a Jill Scott song named "Whatever." Crystal Lacey Winslow shows another side of love with "Dangerously in Love" proving nothing is ever as it seems. And "My Boo" by Daaimah S. Poole, gives insight to the effects of long distance relationships.

Out of the four, this reader enjoyed "Whatever It Takes." This was an engaging story of a thirty-six year old woman who is forced to consider a twenty-three year old man as her possible Prince Charming. Adding to the issue of age, the young man is the son of one of her friends. This story was intriguing to me for a few reasons. Ms. Whitaker deals with the struggle of age differences realistically while not sacrificing the electricity that is evident between the two characters. She was also able to share the comedy that is surely going to come from a situation like this. My only issue is that there were some points in the story where their behavior made me wonder who was actually thirty-six and who was twenty-three.

With the remaining three, while I was entertained, they did not engage me like the aforementioned. In "Every New Year" I was not convinced why the character was dissatisfied with her fiancé or her fascination with the new man. In "Dangerously In Love", it was a story designed to have an "oh my" twist which was a bit predictable and contrived. And in "My Boo" there was quite a bit of drama and trifling behavior in a short story and I had trouble believing its resolution.

With all that said, I will say that the stories were readable and entertaining enough. It would be a good commuter read.

Kotanya
APOOO Bookclub

This book was excellent. This was the first time I've read a book by Tu-Shonda L.Whitaker, but she is truly a gifted writer. Her book focuses on the relationship between a younger man and a older woman, it was good from beginning to end. Brenda L. Thomas's book was good, it could have ended differently, but maybe that means the story will continue. Her story focuses on a doctor that ends up in the hospital, and develops feelings for the doctor that's attending to her. Crystal L. Winslow's book was very good, it focuses on a female that has some serious mental issues, but devolps a relationship with a guy who has been hurt before. The ending will suprise you. Daaimah S. Poole's book was good also, it was the story of a female and male involved in a long distance relationship, when the female starts to feel lonely she seeks pleasure outside the relationship, and soon learns, sometimes what you need is right in front of your face, if you just exercise a little patients.

Tu-Shonda's, "Whatever it Takes" was absolutely hilarious! I'm a huge fan of Tu-Shonda. Her writing skills are magnificent.

Brenda's "Every New Year" was pretty good. I wanted just a little bit more to happen at the end.

"Dangerously in Love" was spooky to say the least. Crystal did a brilliant job writing this one. I loved her other two books as well. I can't wait until Sex, Sin & Brooklyn II is released.

Daaimah S. Poole's, "My Boo" was good too. Those long distance relationships can be awful.

India Parker is determined not to ring in her new year with collard greens and black-eyed peas. She's willing to accept that she's going to be alone; that is until her crazy girlfriend, Joan, is in need of her digital camera to catch her cheating husband in the act. India goes to return the camera and comes home instead with flashes of Devin, Joan's 23-year-old son. He's not a boy anymore and he wants to prove to India that tricks are for kids. "Whatever It Takes" written by Tu-Shonda Whitaker has all of the elements making for an entertaining short read. I absolutely couldn't stop laughing at Mr. Marcus, Ju-Ju, Joan and Tracy . I also really enjoyed the lesson that young blood Devin teaches India.

Dr. Cynthia Lampley takes her job as an urologist serious. While most people love their jobs, I'm sure Dr. Cyn takes a little more pride in doing her job well. So well in fact, her patients mostly always leave with a smile. Work seems to take over every aspect of her life. Her fiancée Terrell is not happy with her career or her schedule. He'd like nothing more than for Cynthia to allow him to do what he does best, control the rest of their lives. Cynthia loves Terrell. On the other hand, she finds herself questioning if he's truly the one. "Every New Year" written by Brenda L. Thomas was a tolerable read. I think that the story itself was deficient except when it came to the male anatomy and sexual romps.

Jovie and London have a lot in common; both are single, creative and have already spent the New Year together. Thanks to alcohol consumption and a broken heart, London may not recall the encounter. As London pursues Jovie, a quality woman who is worthy of so much more, he's quickly caught up in the essence of her uniqueness and soon finds it hard to stay away. Unfortunately, he meets Jada, her cocky, disrespectful identical twin, who appears hell bent on destroying their newfound relationship. "Dangerously In Love" written by Crystal Lacey Winslow is riveting and wild. I liked the way the story materialized.

Gina is by far the definition of I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T! She has her own house, her own car yet the distance between DC and Philly has her wishing that they were one in the same. Chris, her long distance boo, lives in DC. While they've been dating a year, it's still hard to come home to an empty bed and have to survive until they can both coordinate the time to spend with one another. Jealousy seeps in as Bianca, her best friend and roommate, seems to be hittin' the high notes on a regular basis. "My Boo" written by Daaimah S. Poole was just okay. While I got the point of the story being that you should cherish what you have, I felt that there were just too many other unnecessary things mentioned in the book.

I've mentioned on more than one occasion that I'm not a fan of anthologies; I do exploit them when I can to see if the contributing authors may be ones I'd like to check out in the future. Seeing that I already enjoy Crystal Lacey Winslow and have read Brenda L. Thomas, I will now have to add Tu-Shonda Whitaker's latest work to my to be read pile.

This was a great collaboration for a talented group of writers. I enjoyed all of the stories, and out of all of them Brenda's and Tushanda's were my favorite. Over all, good job ladies!

Well, I thought that anthologies couldn't get any better than Cream, but the four divas of good writing has gotten together and created a blast to send this year out with a bang!!

Tu-Shonda Whitaker, takes the lead in this book with the story, Whatever it Takes, setting the stage for an older woman and a younger man. She introduces Mr. Marcus and he will have you in stiches, all the while you will be rooting for true love, will it happen this year? Tu-Shonda, as usual does a great job penning a great story. I was impressed with the fact that out of the four authors that she is the newest author, but pens a tale that leads the pack of good stories and writers. Kudos to you, Ms. Tu-Shonda.

Brenda Thomas, does what she does best and grinds out a story that is off da hook. Every New Year, is told Brenda Thomas style and is a good read. Will size mean anything to you after this read???

Crystal Winslow, Dangerously in Love, shows the dangers that just can happen when we think love comes a knockin'. Can you trust it, is real love what it seems? Find out in this story of twists and turns as the New Year comes thru again.

My Boo, by Daaimah Poole takes us on another journey but will have you thinking twice about that long distant love and ya friend's jump off! Sometimes you just want to hurry and kiss the year good bye, and good riddance!!!

This book is a great end to the Old Year and a great way to begin the New Year. Good read, quick read, great combination of authors as we Kiss the Year Goodbye.

Kudos to all the authors for a job well done!!!

P.S. To Dat Girl Ashley,
In Tu-Shonda's story there were two different chicks named Monique one was his ex-girlfriend and one was the jeweler. Both chicks probably had the same name, so it would make it believable when India thought he was cheating on her. Remember she found the number with just a name, and thought it was his ex girl and then it turned out to be someone totally different. Things like that happen in life and we as women when suspicious can't see pass anything. Also remember these are short stories, perhaps when they become books, if they do, they will probably answer all those questions we, as readers, think about.

I love this boook for beginning to end! For anyone who loves romance get this book!

4 Great stories .........As always Tushonda storie was funny !!
I enjoyed them all they all tugged at my heart strings Smile

I think I enjoyed The story about Jovie and London the most , I like the way it was written with the lil facts thrown in here and there. I also felt like I was counting steps with jovie as she was walking Smile Very well written.

I'm kinda of late on this one but if was good.

If you enjoy various stories from various authors - please read this book. It is very interesting and a page-turner.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

If you you don't have a lot of time and want to get in a quick story, this is a good book.