Customer Reviews

Living Large

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me say off the bat, I am not a romance novel reader. For whatever reason, they aren't my type of reading; but, I don't knock those who do. My joy is seeing people read ... period.

I picked up LIVING LARGE because of its unique theme that the main female characters in each story were plus size. This book is complied of short stories written by some of the busiest black authors in the romance field. While I won't go and give a descriptive synopsis for each story, I will say that I found something positive in each one.

If I had to choose a story as a stand out it would be STRICTLY BUSINESS by Francis Ray. Her writing is crisp, clear, and concise. I related to the main character and found her to be approachable and realistic. Coupled with the fact that to me she was the one, out of all of the main characters in the stories, who most fit the description of a full figure person. Being an avid reader, so often you get a little tired of the main characters being "perfect" in all different ways. So it was refreshing to see the stories written from a different angle.

I can only hope that this is the beginning of a trend, where the main characters represent the many different makeup of people .... Pus size, small, corporate, blue collar, etc.

"Reunion" by Rochelle Alers. After over two decades of marriage, her husband Dwight left her for a younger much thinner model. Though Dwight is just about the only man she ever seen having dated him in high school, real estate mogul Elaine feels surprisingly free especially after seeing scientist Ruben, home for the high school reunion.

"Surprise" by Donna Hill. She is fifty. Her husband of thirty years is fifty-five. They raised two children, both adopted. She has a grandchild. So how will the family cope with her being pregnant when she struggles with acceptance of this miracle?

"Bare Essentials" by Brenda Jackson. Dominique and the hunk first see one another while both jogged at o'dark in Simon Park. Each is attracted to the other, but he practices law at the court in which she sits on the bench as a judge.

"Strictly Business" by Francis Ray. Garret watches Monica dump her cheating boyfriend while wishing she were his. He gets a chance when her father assigns her to work with him on a project, but Monica demands their relationship remain strictly business.

All four tales in this delightful collection star strong protagonists who make for an entertaining anthology. Fans of contemporary romances except Twiggy clones will enjoy each contribution in which the road to love is filled with detours especially when the full size female characters fear the hunks will philander with thinner women.

Harriet Klausner

The main reason I picked up this book was because three of my favorite authors were in it. Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill and Brenda Jackson. Having these three authors in one book is such a delightful treat. Living Large is a collection of four short stories about full figured women who not only exemplify sexiness, but these sisters are intelligent and very loving.

Reunion - Rochelle Alers (Rating of 5)

Reunion finds Elaine Jackson Stewart meeting up with an old friend, Reuben Whitfield. Reuben was the school nerd nick named "The Scientist" who grew up to be a very handsome successful dentist. A man who is sparking flames in Elaine she thought was long put out. Reuben has always loved Elaine because she was always so nice to him. Now that she is divorced from her college sweetheart he wants to let his old friend know how he feels and hopes she will open her heart to feel the same.

My favorite part of the story was when Dwight, Elaines ex wants to get back into Elaine's life. When Elaine shows him what he will never get again all I could do was shout "You go girl!!!!"

Surprise - Donna Hill (Rating of 5)

Elizabeth has returned from a two week spa trip to put the spark back in her marriage. The surprise she has will change their lives forever and is very unexpected. This story is really sweet. The way her husband dots all over Elizabeth is wonderful, but at first I was very angry at his initial response. When I thought about it I had to realize that it was a shock, so his reaction is not too far fetched. During the exchange between Elizabeth and her adopted daughter I had actual tears in my eyes. It was also nice to see an older couple still living life to the fullest and so very much in love. I hope when I'm in my 50's I'm that lucky to still be very much in love, minus the surprise of course. This story was very sweet and very touching.

Brenda Jackson - Bare Essentials (Rating of 5)

Brenda Jackson has yet to disappoint, and let me tell you this story is hot, hot, hot, and did I mention this story is hot!! Judge Dominique catches the eye of la handsome lawyer. Feelings she thought long gone have come back to turn her life into a tail spin, and she goes out of her way to avoid this handsome gentleman. Jordan wants to see her again, and when he realizes she is a judge for a case he is looking into he sees that as his chance to approach her and let her know he is very interested in her. The thing is he vowed never to get involve with someone he works in law, but he finds himself drawn to Dominique.

The love scenes in this story had me screaming "Order in the court!!!" I would not mind having a personal training session like this one!!! This story was very nice, and was very sensual. When it comes to a Brenda Jackson story, you know it will be awesome.

Strictly Business - Francis Ray (Rating of 2)
Monica Jones works at her fathers firm, and just broke up with her untrusting boyfriend when she caught him with another woman. Monica has decided no more business mixed with pleasure and is concentration on her career and her upcoming trip to Rome. Enter Garret McKnight. What he wants, he gets, and he wants Monica. He has to convince Monica that he is action and not just full of talk. Monica wants to keep their relationship strictly business. Her sorry ex keeps trying to get back into Monica's life and it takes Garret to tell Bryn to step off!!! This was my least favorite story. With Francis Ray her stories are hit or miss, and I don't like a lot of her stories. This is the only story I won't be reading again.

The stories by Rochelle, Brenda and Donna are simply awesome. You have characters who are various age ranges, all the women are successful professional women, and all of the women work out which is excellent. You even have one character who is a virgin, which I know many people won't believe, but they do exist. This is a book I will read over and over again with the exception of Francis Ray's story. This book is worth owning and adding to your personal book collection. I gave the book a rating of 4 only because I gave Francis story a 2 rating. The other stories I rate a 5.

Heroines: statuesque, plump, voluptuous, abundant

Four professional women of various ages and sizes try to find ways to fit love into their busy lives.

What worked for me:

It was a toss-up for me to choose my favorite, particularly between Donna Hill's joyful "Surprise!" and Francis Ray's well-written "Strictly Business", but in the end I give my vote to Donna Hill because the plot twist in her story was most definitely a surprise! Then too, there's the fact that the hero and heroine are a long-married couple. As a wife myself, I just adore stories about long-time twosomes who still have that magic spark!

What didn't work for me:

Short stories aren't my favorite format to read, mainly because the limited amount of space requires authors to heap background information on the reader in large clumps, which gives them a more contrived feel than that of a full length novel.

Overall:

Fans of contemporary short stories and African American romances are sure to enjoy this delicious collection about love, lust, and passion.

Warning: there are some steamy passages, an occasional coarse word, and one weight-loss scenario in this book.

If you liked "Living Large" you might also enjoy the "Tales from the Heart" and "At Long Last, Love!" anthologies.

I am not a big fan of the whole "novellas" format, but since I'm working my way through all of Brenda Jackson's books, I got this one. Her story "Bare Essentials" is the only one I kind of liked -- except for the ending. The love scene alone made me really look forward to my next workout session with my husband! :) However, the plot was thin and the editing was non-existant.

I guess I'm tired of everything ending in these rushed weddings. Come on! Maybe since I've been reading romance novels for less than a year I'm a bit more critical, but I do expect character development. How can each and every hero and heroine go through the same thing "I've never felt this way before", "no man has EVER kissed me like that", "I knew from the moment I saw her that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her". Give me a break!

The one saving grace is that the women in this book aren't a perfect size 6 and are able to show a sexy confident side. I just got Welcome to Leo's so I hope that collection of stories is better.

Living Large is the first of three anthologies dedicated to and focused on the joys and passions of plus sized women. Sexy has no limits as these four bestselling authors show through entertaining short stories.

Rochelle Alers' Reunion - Elaine Jackson Stuart is looking forward to her upcoming 25 year class reunion. The beautiful real estate broker with a "size sixteen frame was certain to turn at least a few heads." She is a little nervous though. Her perfect marriage to her high school sweetheart recently ended in divorce. This will be the first time facing her old classmates alone. Or will it? Elaine may have found a date with whom she least expected.

Donna Hill's Surprise - Restaurant owner and caterer Elizabeth Howell lives by the motto: "Live large, and not just in size, but attitude." At 52, she and her husband are in their prime. Their two children are grown and living their own lives away from home. Business is great. Now they have time for themselves as a couple. Or do they? Elizabeth has a surprise that will shock her family and friends.

Brenda Jackson's Bare Essentials - "Full-sized and stacked," Judge Dominique Kincaid is in control. Inside and outside the courtroom. Judge Kincaid soon finds herself loosing control as a handsome jogger catches her eye. What happens when the jogger, attorney Jordan Prescott enters her life, inside and outside the courtroom? Can she maintain control?

Francis Ray's Strictly Business - "Curvaceous" Monica Jones is the vice president of her family's business. Her father has contracted with Garret McKnight's company. Garret also happens to be irresistibly attractive and Monica's new neighbor. Determined not to make the mistake of mixing business and pleasure, Monica has her work cut of for her as the two will be working very closely together. Can Garret break down the barriers Monica has erected around herself? Business has brought them together, can love keep them together?

Reviewed by Toni Mac
For BBW Reviews

This anthology is a reality check and addresses that fact that all women are not small and petite and just because they are living large does not mean they do not deserve to be loved-as is. These women are living large but they are also beautiful women who carry themselves well.

Reunion by Rochelle Alers*****
Another great love story giving us the awareness that love can be found at any age. Too bad her ex-husband did not realize he had a good thing until it was gone. Oh well, more room for the Scientist to make her aware of his attraction.

Surprise by Donna Hill****
Imagine being over 50 and pregnant, my goodness. Though the road gets rocky, this couple is so in love with each other after 30+ years of marriage, that they can handle any surprise.

Bare Essentials by Brenda Jackson*****
Best out of the four short stories. Jordan Prescott saw what he wanted and went for it. Wow!!!! Jogging in park for Judge Kincaid was nothing like having a personal trainer.

Strictly Business by Francis Ray****
This story was good but could have been better; it just took too long for Monica to give Garret the benefit of the doubt. He's a real gentleman, very open with her and determined to have her inspite of her desire to keep things strictly business.

This novella is beautiful. It's about time someone shows that full-size women are sexual, romantic and lovable. Like one of the stories said, men like a little meat on their women. Something you can hold on to. All 4 short stories made me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. Brenda Jackson's "Bare Essentials" was my favorite story of a judge and attorney falling in love and the passion between them was pretty obvious. The two of them making love on the home gym equipment was pretty sexy and did leave something to the imagination.

I loved every story in this book! They were realistic and well written I can't wait to read them all. :)

to anyone that is a brenda jackson fan.bare essentials is off the chain
is was good from the moment i started reading,i did not want to put it down.if you want to know about real love just read this ummmm good!!!!