Linkage [Paperback]

L. B. Ransom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

Four college friends. Four bright careers. One tragic past. Still haunting them after all these years is the blood on their hands. However, the men who love them won be deterred by the walls they have constructed to keep love out, but instead offer the promise of a new beginning.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

L.B. Ransom is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA and her MBA from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, and has worked in Corporate America for over ten years. L.B. Ransom is happily single.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

LINKAGE by L.B. Ransom

Chapter 1 Sable
1997-Chicago

"What on earth should I wear?" I exclaimed as I reviewed the selections lying across my bed.

I couldn't decide which one of the three outfits would give the image I wanted to project. I didn't want to be too conservative, which is what would have happened if I'd worn my apple-green, wool Anne Klein pantsuit. I looked good in apple green too. It blended perfectly with my cappuccino-brown complexion. On the other hand, I certainly didn't want to appear too available, 'cause homeboy sure wasn't getting none, at least not tonight. That eliminated the cat suit-which left a nice, fitted black dress, just above the knees and not exposing too much cleavage.

"This is perfect, the ideal dress for a first date. I think I will make this my official first date dress," I agreed. My hair was my next worry.

"What a woman has to go through to look good for a brother! MERCY! Let's do this girlfriend," I encouraged myself, getting a burst of energy to finalize my preparations for my date. It had been four months since I had been hit with the bombshell that Raffia was getting married.

After three years of playing wait and see, wait until Raffia is ready and see if he picks me, then the bastard married someone else. Some arranged marriage-set up back home in Africa. Well, he never promised me a rose garden, but he sure let me hang around long enough to smell the soil where the seeds were planted.

Winter, my lifelong girlfriend, had warned me. "Girl, he is too secretive, something is not right; you have to watch those foreigners," she said, trying not to hurt my feelings.

But nawww, I wouldn't listen, was always making excuses for him. His job required him to travel fifty percent of the time. As one of the best computer software developers in the industry, his employer, Net-It-Up Enterprises, a leading Internet provider, kept him on the road.

With the Internet becoming the information highway of the 21st century and with all of the Y2K issues coming due, Raffia lived out of a suitcase. If it wasn't Asia or South America, it was Mexico. The world was the boy's playground, with him hopping all over the world, with maids and drivers at each stop. The boy was living the life, and I'd thought it was a lonely one. Obviously it wasn't as lonely as my dumb ass thought. As he was jumping from continent to continent, I see he was jumping his ass back home. How was the girl pregnant when he went home for the wedding if he wasn't hittin' it?

Stupid me! But you know what, it has taught me a little more about my brothers and their behavior. He sure has made it hard for the next brother, but I will try not to take old baggage to new relationships. It's not fair, to me or thee. And I will practice what I preach; it is not what happens to us in life that matters, but what we do about it.

The ringing of the phone startled me. I had drifted into a daze, heart broken by the way I had found out about Raffia's marriage.

As I reached for the phone, I noticed I had chipped my nail. "Hello," I spat out. "Damn!" I said under my breath, pissed about my freshly manicured nail.

"Hi Sable, this is MeHarry. Did I catch you at a bad time?" he asked.

"Not at all, MeHarry. Good to hear from you."

A call an hour before he was supposed to pick me up could only mean that he was canceling. Well, at least he called and didn't just do a no-show, I thought.

"No, Sable, I'm not calling to cancel," he said, reading my mind. "I'm stuck at work and will be running a little late. I can be there by eight. Is that okay?"

"That's fine. See you when you get here, and thank you for calling."

"See you soon, Lovely Lady."

"Okay, bye," I replied, blushing like all get out.

Good, I thought, that gives me an hour and a half, just enough time to shower, dress, make my face and deal with this nail. I had left work an hour early to get a manicure and pedicure, a luxury I was committed to giving myself once a month. I usually go on Saturday mornings but changed my appointment to have it done in time for my Friday date, the first date in what seemed like years. Running late myself, I knew I could use that extra thirty minutes.

I love my job as an Event Planner at Net-It-Up Enterprises. I'm based out of corporate headquarters in a northwest suburb of Chicago. My job enables me to travel, which I love, plan parties, and meet people. Planning parties and playing hostess for the company's top brass is definitely a gift and is easy with my magnetic personality.

Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing.com (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0741405180
• ISBN-13: 978-0741405180
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,414,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sisterhood, August 1, 2001

By 

Cynthia (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linkage (Paperback)

An absorbing, well-written tale of four African-American women who share the bonds of sisterhood, friendship and loyalty. Due to an event that occured over 10 years ago, they will forever be "linked" together. Completely reflective of the times, places and situations they experienced. I found that I could relate to their friendship and the challenges they faced in their daily lives and especially in their relationships with men.

A must read for anyone who has experienced a life changing event and trying to bring closure in an effort to move on with their lives.

Provides many other life lessons as well, if you want to know what they are, I STRONGLY suggest you read this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LinkAge- An exceptional read, April 9, 2001

By 

NECIA N.L.M. WIGGINS (WAUKEGAN, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linkage (Paperback)

As a first time author, LB Ransom does an exceptional job creating a novel that flows easily and expertly addresses troubled relationships. LB's development of the three leading characters and their male counterparts examines how a random incident can, and most times will, deter an individual from reaching their full potential. However, with love and dedication anyone can overcome the obstacles that are placed in their way. This book also does a fine job of depicting the experience of attending a HBCU (Historically Black College or University)- the dedication, sister/brotherhood, pride, and discipline that one receives from this type of education is to be remembered and honored. Her knowledge and description of the Louisiana and Chicago areas in her book made it more believable, more real. I would recommend everyone to take the time to read this book and experience the soul cleansing one will experience after reading this book.

LB, you have done an EXCELLENT job and Noire Book Club thanks you for taking the time to discuss LinkAge with us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Linkage, March 5, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Linkage (Paperback)

I found the book very exciting. It's about 4-friends from college that experience something that changes their lives forever.The people within the book will remind you of friends and family, that have gone through similar situations. The chapter seem to flow, because each character had a life of their own.For a first time author LB Ransom packs a big slam dunk with this **** four star book....I can't wait for the sequel book or movie to follow.