Customer Reviews

MRS. BLACK?

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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It has been some years now since I was first introduced to the sophisticated writings of Angelia Vernon Menchan. When I first read something she had written she went by acVernon Menchan, a pseudonym if you will. She was hiding in plain sight. I thought she was a man at first. Every time I heard she had another book coming out I wanted to be the reviewer to dive into the lives of these characters. I was introduced to new names and faces, but most of all the citizens of Center City had returned. Although their lives were joyous, for the most part, something always happened that made me want to beat fire out of someone for messing with the people who were important to me like family. Yes, I know it is only a story. Mrs. Vernon has done it again with my emotions with Mrs. Black?, not like I expected anything different from her.

For years, Cinnamon has been dealing with the cards dealt to her. Has she been playing them in the correct order? Some may say no while others would be quick to judge; from her mother-in-law to the other citizens of Center City, who walked around criticizing and judging her from the outside looking in. Love is a funny thing when you don't understand how it works. One thing I know for certain is that she loved her family, children, and friends wholeheartedly. Somewhere along the years she forgot to live by the words she taught to the teenage girls she mentored. She was not empowering herself. Cinnamon allowed William, her husband, to do as he pleased; having indiscretions one after the other. She had given him an ultimatum two years ago, and now it was on William to do the right thing. Would he screw up again and watch his wife walk away?

Malcolm has been in love with Cinnamon from when they were children still trying to define the meaning of true love. Like Cinnamon he gave William an ultimatum; that if he messed around on Cinnamon again he would be there to pick up the pieces and claim her as his one and only true love. He has been celibate for two years, waiting for William to mess up. Will he finally get his chance to call Cinnamon Mrs. Black, or will another woman come in and steal his heart away?

When I thought I knew what was going to happen in the lives of Cinnamon, William, and Malcolm, a sneaky twist was mixed in to make my mouth gape open in wonderment. For readers who have been following the lives of these three friends, this will be a great closure. For new readers this will be a great stand-alone book, introducing them to wonderfully developed characters. I recommend Mrs. Black? to readers looking for mature characters and a great contemporary fiction storyline.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

"Mrs Black?" was entertaining, real, well written, fast paced and captivating. It will resonate with any female especially if married. There is a part of Cinnamon's plight that you will relate to no matter how little. Most women will have at least one point in their marriage when they will want to call it quits, whether early or late in their years and no matter how fleeting. You just feel you cannot go on. How will yours play out? Join Cinnamon on her journey at this point in her life. She is that woman we all wish we could be, even if only for one day!

This book had me on the edge of my seat and I wasn't totally sure which way it would go till the very end. It was not predictable at all.

Loved it. All of it. Highly recommended. Pick up your copy!

I picked up the book, fanned the pages before I began, breathed in and let my eyes get to work. I read the book in 3 days. From the beginning to end, this story was engulfed in a passion that almost every woman desires. The desire of that timeless love that will wait on her and treat her like a queen. In reading the book I understood the need for forgiveness of others and self, the need for peace of mind, the need for calm and the need for courage, to be able to love again. And the support of family to make it through.

The characters were eloquent and graceful in age, yet playful in love. Though this wasn't a plot with the typical drama 20 something to 30 something year olds in love, the story reminded me that there is love at the age of 50 and beyond.

Menchan definitely gave me an all new insight into love and love after being broken. And that being adult through it all supercedes any revenge one can seek on the heart.

I totally enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a rainy weekend day read.

Mrs Black was a beautifully told story. Cinnamon has two men who love her but only one can give her the love she deserves. With decisions that will alter the lives of those close to her, Cinnamon frees herself so that she can live again. Menchan has become one of my favorite writers and I hope to read more books by this author. Mrs Black is the perfect ending to characters I've grown to love.

I read Mrs. Black in one day. It had many unexpected twists and turns that I couldn't put the book down. I had to know how things were going to turn out. I love the series, I love Cinnamon. I hope Mrs. Menchan continues to write about the lives of the Center City residents. There's something for everyone to think about in our lives in Mrs. Black. In Mrs. Black, you see first hand how not reacting to situations and allowing God to work is more beneficial than seeking revenge. There are plenty of life lessons to be learned in this book. If you're new to Mrs. Menchan's work, I suggest that you start from the first installment, Black's Obsession, part one of the trilogy. As always, Mrs. Menchan, you hit this one out of the park.

"Mrs. Black?" by Angelia Vernon Menchan is a truly enjoyable book. At the center of Mrs. Black? is Cinnamon Brown. Cinnamon is a complex woman who is embroiled in a love triangle with her husband of more than thirty years, William, and family friend, Malcolm Black.

Cinnamon's marriage to William is stressful to say the least. William is continuously creating problems in their marriage. William is slightly envious of his wife's achievements, coupled with the fact that he has had several indiscretions in their marriage. This makes Cinnamon vow that the next time will be the last. When William does the ultimate, will Cinnamon finally leave?

On the other hand, Malcolm Black has been patiently waiting in the wings for the lovely Cinnamon. Malcolm loves Cinnamon unconditionally and he supports all of her business ventures. Malcolm seems to be the ideal man, but Malcolm has some drama of his own. Will a secret from Malcolm's past affect his future with Cinnamon?

Ms. Menchan did a terrific job of creating believable multi-dimensional characters. Mrs. Black? was a pleasure to read and I was all too happy to review it. I see big things in store for Ms. Menchan. Congratulations on a job well done.

Reviewed by: Anna

Mrs. Black By Angelia Vernon Menchan grabbed my attention from page one.What I really liked about the story it's characters were older and mature, in a love triangle. Cinnamon is wise,sophisticated and well rounded, loved by both men. William , was warned by Malcom who loved Cinnamon since childhood, he would take Cinnamon if William every did her wrong. The book has a lot of twist and turns and a satisfying story line. I give this book 5 starsWhat's Past is Not ForgottenYou Might Get Lucky

MRS. BLACK? by Angelia Vernon Menchan, had me wanting to write the review before I even finished the book. She has written a page turner that had me laughing out loud at the antics of William Brown, "talking out loud" to Cinnamon, cheering on Malcolm Black, and shaking my head at times at other characters in this fun-filled read which has me looking forward to her next book in this series.

Cinnamon has decisions to make and the two men in her life are not making those decisions easy. Both love her but they express their love VERY differently. In addition, her children have issues as well, yet she handles those issues with grace. I also admire this character as she is a mentor to young women and opens a center for them called The Empowerment Place, something that is near and dear to my heart. I so look forward to more stories about this character.

This is a feel good story you can curl up with and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a mature theme and folks you can relate to. Thanks Angelia Vernon Menchan for sharing your stories with us!

Reviewed by Linda Chavis
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Cinnamon has been married to William Brown for over 30 years, has two adult children and a grandchild she loves dearly. Cinnamon's marriage to William has been anything but uneventful. In Mrs. Black?, Cinnamon Brown just may be the one that ends up with the cake - eating it right in front of William Brown. Or, just how do things turn out for Cinnamon?

The plot of this novel is very different in that it reads more like a love circle instead of a love triangle. While reading Mrs. Black?, I enjoyed the twist within the relationships of Mr. Black and the Browns. I love the way Ms. Menchan shows the complex nature of lovers and friends. Not only does she show this complexity in relationships with both William and Malcolm, Ms. Menchan also highlights relational issues experienced by Cinnamon's daughter and son, Aura and Muha. Aura is independent like her mom and one can only wonder if Muha will be like his father. I could also appreciate that Cinnamon was from a lineage of strong women. Topics that come to mind for this selection include friendship boundaries, marital bliss or lack thereof, and alternative lifestyles.

This was a very fast and entertaining read. Cinnamon Brown was a piece of work. She kept me laughing. She is a woman that knows what she wants, and always seems to get it. I would definitely consider other works authored by Ms. Menchan.

Review by Tavares S. Carney