Customer Reviews

Preconceived Notions

5 star:		(173)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

As an active member of Circle of Friends II, a book club in Atlanta, recently I had the honor and priviledge of meeting the author of "Preconceived Notions, Robyn Williams, at our first annual joint meeting of COFI, COFII and COFIII. I found the author to be inspiring, talented and truly down to earth. It was a pleasure to meet the person who had penned such a well written, descriptive and highly entertaining story. And...this is only her first novel! After finishing the book in record time, I felt as if I personally knew the main characters and I could vividly picture each and every scene. If you love novels dripping full of drama, hidden secrets, romance and hot and sexy bedroom scenes...then wait no longer. Read, please read "Preconceived Notions!" One positive note to be taken from the storyline is that no matter what childhood abuses we may have suffered, it doesn't matter, we can rise above the past and elevate ourselves through strength, faith and determination. Secondly, there are "strong black men" out there. Elliott is not a myth; men like him do exist. Kudos to Robyn William; I am anxiously awaiting "A Twist of Fate," her second novel.

I have read over 250 romance books by African American authors but this one is the best one ever! Robyn, you have truly been blessed with the gift of writing and I am so thankful that you take this gift seriously.

One of the things I enjoyed was reading about Chicago, a place I had the pleasure of living somewhile back and about life at a black college. I have already shared with you that factor we share of both having attended black colleges in Tennessee, so every phase that you shared brought back some good memories of those days.

I can actually say this book deplicts a real romance story that provides us with the beginning development of the relationship with the ups and downs and the outcome, a book that you will read over and over because its like food for the soul. One of the things I have noted about Robyn, you seem to draw your readers into the story so well, you feel yourself being in the story, with feeling every word. Your characters are all so well developed and the overall plot you selected, if it was not real, it sure felt like it.

I loved the way you developed the relationship with Imagany and Elliott along with Caprice and Carl. Women need to check out the Anthony character and pay attention as to how we can not fall into his trap. The family life that Imagany and her sister Zabree went through, well its still an area today that people still won't discuss. This is a book about love, trust, faith, domestic violence, abuse all wrapped up into one of the best novels I have had the pleasure of reading. I noted something, you left something unresolved here in this book, what ever happens to Zabree? Could that be another story down the road? I hope so, because I sure was cheering for her and I hate to not ever find out what becomes of her.

Another thing I want to note, I commend your publisher, because I don't think I saw many typo errors if not any, that I have found in the other romance novels. So hats off to whoever does the editing because they did an outstanding job.

Robyn, I am very proud of you with this novel, you have demonstrated to the world that you have just what it takes to be one of the best authors ever. I strongly, recommend this book for all to read and even for those who are aspiring to write it is an excellent learning tool.

I also want to recommend to all the readers to please read Robyn's "A Twist of Fate". Just when I thought this one was the best, she moves to a higher level with that one. I look forward to your third novel!

Robyn, I wish you nothing but many blessings and lots of success.

This book is a keeper. I enjoyed the story line, the characters and the flow. It definitely kept me reading. Imagany is some kind of woman and Elliott is some kind of man. If you are looking for your next pager turner, here it is. Good work Robin. I am on to your next book!

For our annual meeting, the Book Circle Friends Book Club selected Preconceived Notions. The author, Robyn Williams, came to our meeting here in Indianapolis and we truly enjoyed having her. We found Ms. Williams to be warm, sweet, gracious, and very down to earth. Upon reading her first novel, Preconceived Notions, all the members of our group were in agreement for the first time ever: We finally found a story that every one of us loved! All thirty five of us fell madly in love with Elliott Renfroe, the male lead character. As a man, he was sincere, genuine, intelligent, compassionate, and very empathetic. As a lover (Oh my gosh! Whatta man!) he was a very considerate, passionate, sensual and gentle-but-demanding "strong black man"! We found it pleasurable reading about a handsome brotha who was neither gay, on drugs, or in jail. But instead who was trying to do right by his woman, his family, and himself. Preconceived Notions is a story about people trying to find happiness amidst their struggles and pain. It's about people learning to love and trust without judging or holding on to their past. It's a love story that's filled with endearing friendships, implicit romance, and unexpected tragic circumstances that keep you hoping that everything will turn out well for everyone involved. We loved how the author paints for us a crystal clear picture of each of her character's lives, one that allowed us to feel all their pain, their happiness and even their confusion.

In reading this book, readers will know true love, passion, pain, and eroticism because the characters have such depth to their personalities. Ms. Williams has literally captured the essence of romance. She clearly has a true gift for writing moving, sensual, and wildly seductive stories that are filled with hope, passion, and self-discovery.

Ms. Williams, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your time. Success is yours for the asking. Oprah, you'd better grab her while you can!

When Miss Williams read a review on another author that I did, she e-mailed me and asked me to read her books and review them, and I am here to say that I'm very glad she did. Preconceived Notions is one of the best written love stories that I have ever read. The emotions are intense, raw and wonderful. Her characters are very well developed and the relationship between Imagany and Elliot is written in such detail, that you'll feel every emotion and vulnerable feeling that they share. Imagany has a tormented past, Elliot accepts this and loves her beyond all of her 'hangups' and past problems. Their love is unconditional and will suffer many drawbacks, but they will persevere and together will make a future so bright that you'll wish it were you.

Take it from me, you don't have to be a black reader to appreciate African American Romance. Robyn Williams' writing transcends all race barriers and you'll want to read it all over again. Keep up the great writing Robyn!

I would just like to say. Robyn, this was really a good book.I really enjoyed how you put not one but 2 sets of soul matestogether. My heart ached for Zabree and it is so sad how a Mother could look the other way when all the time knowing what was happening. I really recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a good love story ... Keep writing Robyn!

FIRST LET ME CONGRATULATE THE AUTHOR ON A JOB WELL DONE. I TRULY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. IF YOUR ARE LOOKING FOR A GREAT BOOK TO READ THIS SUMMER AND YOU BELIEVE IN AN OLD FASHION LOVE STORY WITH A NEW MILLENNUIM FLAVOR THIS IS A MUST READ. THE CHARACTERS WERE ALL THAT. THE MEN WERE POSITVE, MOTIVATED, EMOTIONALLY INTACT. THE WOMEN WERE HOLDING THERE OWN AND DEFINETLY IN SEARCH OF A GOOD STRONG BLACK MAN WHO COMPLIMENTED THEM.

LOOKING FORWARD TO READING "A TWIST OF FATE". GODS BLESSING MS WILLIAMS WITH YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

I read Preconceived Notions prior to reading the author's second novel, A Twist of Fate. As much as I enjoyed the second one, I think Preconceived Notions is still my favorite of the two. This book was just too, too, good! Imagany and Elliott just sizzled on these pages. In my opinion, every woman needs to be loved the way Elliott loved Imagany. I found myself really cheering for this man. I wanted him to find happiness with Imagany but it seemed like she couldn't make up her mind about what she wanted not just in life but also in her man. At times, I found myself not liking Imagany very much. Mainly because I didn't agree with how she just left her sister in such sad surroundings while she was living the good life with the likes of her sugar-daddy, Anthony.

But yet again, here comes Elliott to save the day. Not only was this man gorgeous, but he was so accepting of Imagany's flaws and fickleness. All in all, I loved Preconceived Notions and I would rate it as one of the best, if not the best, love stories I have ever read. I look forward to reading the author's next novel.

Robyn Williams' Preconceived Notions is superb reading! For a first-time author, Ms. Williams is undoubtedly a master-weaver of words because the dialog between her characters is rich and colorful. Passion and emotions run high between the main players in this story as it's slowly revealed that each of them appear to have something to hide. This gives way to chance encounters and secret meetings that leave the reader in stitches as Imagany tries to weave her way out of every scrape she unwittingly falls into. Preconceived Notions is full of twists and pleasant surprises. Just when you think you know where the storyline is headed, another twist is introduced. I appreciated the way Ms. Williams took serious topics of abuse, incest, and even drug use and blended them in such a way that the characters still were able to come out on top. If it were possible, I'd rate this novel more than five stars! Robyn Williams surely has a marvelous future ahead of her in the literary field.

I truly enjoyed this book. This was the first time I had ever read anything by this author, but I am so glad that I did. I had never heard of this author or this book until I received an e-mail from her. Boy what a powerful book for her first attempt. I enjoyed all of the trials and errors that Imagany went through. You watched her grow and develop in her day to day life. When she first starts out you can see a person who pretty much has a lot going for her but beneath that you sense a certain level of immaturity. As the book progresses the author allows you see how her relationship with Elliot forces her to grow up and accept him as someone who geniunely loves her for all her good and bad points. I like how she went through her internal battles that were all too human. It makes you realize that keeping too many secrets can't be good because it could very well blow up in your face. This novel shot from the hip and was sometimes very raw and very powerful. Keep up the good work and I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for future works. Now on to Twist of Fate. Anxiously awaiting this one!