Lawd, Mo' Drama [Paperback]

Tina Brooks McKinney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2007

Tina Brooks McKinney is back with the hotly anticipated sequel to All That Drama--with Leah and Sammie returning with ten times more problems and issues than before.

Leah and Sammie are two friends just trying to make it. They try their best to avoid drama, but somehow it alwys returns--and each other.

Leah thought she had found, and married, "The Good Man." Now, after a few years of marriage and three small children, her "good man" has eyes that are constantly roaming. Her bad turns to worse when she finds out that one of her children is autistic, and her house is soon to be foreclosed upon. In her lowest moment, she calls someone she knows will understand her plight--Sammie. Sammie hasn't changed much since Marie passed away--she's still looking for love in all the wrong places. Knee-deep in drama, Leah and Sammie finally realize that they can only count on themselves--and each other.

Brimming with juicy drama, betrayal, and family secrets, Lawd, Mo' Drama is funny and moving, heartbreaking and hopeful. Ultimately it offers a moving look at women's issues and the sisterhood that can also sustain us through life's toughest times.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

McKinney's mediocre sequel to All That Drama (2004) checks in on wily Sammie Davis and introduces her friend Leah Simmons just as their lives get problematic. Facing the foreclosure of her home and an adulterous husband who abandons her, Leah is forced to go back to work after an extended absence raising three children, one of whom is autistic. There for her is her friend Sammie, the protagonist of McKinney's first novel who, as before, has a knack for catching the wrong men (married, abusive). Sammie's embroiled in her own drama: as she suffers through another abusive relationship and grieves for her deceased friend, Marie, she learns she has a half-sister. Despite the histrionics-implied title, the story and writing are weak and the characters' plights halfheartedly constructed. A few creative sex scenes add some sizzle to a story that's mostly fizzle. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Readers first met best friends Sammie Davis and Leah Simmons in All That Drama (2007). Having survived bad treatment from men in general, including a marriage separation, the murder of a friend, jealousy, and other relationship fiascos, the women are back with more crises. Several years have passed, and Leah, with three children in diapers, one of whom is autistic, has been dumped by her two-timing husband. Since he refused to let her work during their marriage, she has no marketable skills. At the end of her rope, Leah turns to her once-estranged mother for help with the kids. For her sanity, she relies on the power of friendship and Sammie's support.Lawd, Mo' Drama, isn't only about the trials and tribulations of black women--it's about challenges faced by all women. Readers who like fiction that takes them on a emotional roller coaster will definitely go for McKinney's angst-filled novel. Although her latest works well as a stand-alone, it's even better paired with the first volume. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Strebor Books; Original edition (April 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593090528
• ISBN-13: 978-1593090524
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,121,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A native of Baltimore, Maryland currently residing in Covington Georgia, Tina wears many hats, as she balances her time between that of wife, mother, talk show hostess/interviewer and creative force behind the drama trilogy -- All That Drama, in 2004, Lawd, Mo' Drama, 2007 and finally Fool, Stop Trippin' - 2008. All published under the imprint of Strebor Books, a division of Simon & Shuster Atria Books.

In late 2008, Tina started her own publishing company called Taboo Publishing and produced her first novel, Dubious. To learn more about her publishing company and her latest book visit www.taboopublishing.com.

Tina's newest novel--Deep Deception 2 is now available. For a listing of all her books, please check out her website, www.tinamckinney.com.

Tina uses fictional characters to address real issues occurring in the world. Known for her 'tell it like it is' banter, Tina hopes to enlighten and entertain her reading audience. Thus far, she has been successful.

As Tina reflects on the success writing has brought to her, she embraces it with the same passion and determination she invests in her characters and her writing. Writing allows her the opportunity to address all of the things that pass through her head on a daily basis. And with her novels, she has invited the reader in to her thoughts and views of the world.

Tina loves to interact with her readers and is always interested in meeting more of them. You can contact Tina at [e-mail]. She is also available for book club meetings, chats and conferences. Check her tour page to see if she is coming to a City near you!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How do you find peace when your faced with Mo' Drama, Mo' Drama!, April 5, 2007

By 

CHayes "Cheryl" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lawd, Mo' Drama (Paperback)

Lawd, Mo'Drama by Tina Brooks McKinney is about the plight of two sister girls that are looking for love in all the wrong places.

The main characters are: Leah Simmons, stay-at-home mom, wife, and in love with the wrong man. A man who tells her he is the man-of-the-house and does not want his woman working or worrying about any bills, but wants her home tending to their three small children. After countless affairs, her husband then leaves her for another woman. Blow after blow, Leah is fighting to stay above water. Where do you turn when the man that was everything to you has taken it all away? Will Leah prove to us and herself that she is every woman and does not need a man to persevere?

Kentee Simmons: Hard worker, even harder playa, missing-in-action father, not to be devoted nor trusted husband. When this man took his vows it must have been on April Fools Day, because he cannot remain faithful or even honest, for that matter, to the woman he vowed to love, honor and cherish. Kentee is a smooth-talker who has yet to grow up to be a man. He wants a family by day and to be on the prowl at night. Leaving his family to venture forth alone means nothing to this heartless man, until he sees that Leah might be able to do it all by herself.

Sammie: Leah's best friend, and sister girl have been through some ups-and-downs together, and tend to lean on each other when in the midst of a crisis. Sammie is looking for love in all the wrong places; from one night stands to having sex with her boss. She does not have the best relationship with her mother and she just found out that her father was not who she thought it was. Also she finds an estranged sister lurking about. What does this all mean? Can she actually have a good, healthy relationship with her mom after so many years apart? Will she forgive and forget and embrace the family that is welcoming her? Can she have love and be loved like she deserves?

This book is filled with twists, turns and the unexpected. Hold on to your booklights because this is an all-nighter. This story is well told and it has a no-holds barred kind of attitude to it. Anything goes and it does. From cheating husbands, to one night stands that become stalkers, to losing everything you believe marriage is all about.

I recommend this book to readers of contemporary fiction and those who enjoy relationship novels. The author tells a story that I am sure many can relate to or have heard from a friend. I am looking forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lawd Mo Drama! McKinney is an Author to Watch!, April 11, 2008

By 

Terri E. Williams "Sisters Sippin' Tea - Tuls... (Tulsa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lawd, Mo' Drama (Paperback)

Tina Brooks Mckinney, Best selling Author of All That Drama brings us the continued sagas of Leah and Sammie; two friends with plenty of drama. McKinney is my kind of story teller because she speaks in my language. Lawd Mo Drama is a tale too many can relate to.

The Drama begins as we discover along with Leah what a true dog her husband is. He has left her high and dry to care for their three children. If that's not enough the brother does it in true dead beat dad fashion and adds insult to injury. (You'll have to read it to find out how low he was - It made me want to holla!) As Leah struggles to put the pieces of her life together she discovers that one of her children is not just in need of extra attention but in fact has autism and must decide what is best for her. In the midst of all this drama Leah meets a mysterious officer - Coy, who rocks her world! Coy, the brother was not and alas- eventually he brings his own brand of drama.

Through it all Leah turns to Sammie for support. Sammie is sexy and sexual and seemingly confident. However, the baggage she carries with her from her past has darkened her soul and tainted her relationships with friends, family and her many lovers. All that changes when one night in the club she comes face to face with her past, present and future. Questions about her past begin to be answered and she begins the difficult path to healing.

In the end Tina leaves us wanting more. We want to find out what happens to Leah's no good husband Kentee. Is Coy who he appears to be? Will Leah find love in an unexpected place? Where will Sammie go from here? We'll have to find out in "Fool Stop Trippin' "- her next offering under Strebor. I'll be adding Tina Brooks McKinney to my bookshelf.

Reviewed by
Terri E. Williams
Sisters Sippin' Tea Literary Group - Tulsa Chapter, Inc.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the "drama" in mo Drama, June 25, 2007

By 

carmen (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lawd, Mo' Drama (Paperback)

I read this book in one sitting! I just could not put it down. I admire Tina for pushing the envelope. She writes about situations that really happen without all of the extra unnesscary "fluff". I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about REAL LIFE!