Customer Reviews

Revelations (Indigo: Sensuous Love Stories)

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

 

 

In Cheris F. Hodges's Revelations, life is shown to be unpredictable. Shari Walker is a reporter for Essence Magazines, doing an article on the head woman in charge of DVA Inc., an Atlanta based company. Malik Greene is a "playa-playa" executive who immediately assumes that all women want him, including Shari. Shari's heart is not available for any man since the death of her fiancé. When Malik lays his charm on she rebuffs him making him to become increasingly intrigued. It is not until Shari's memory of her fiancé slips off the pedestal that she had placed him on, that she decides to give Malik a chance. Unfortunately a sexual harassment lawsuit is filed against Malik that has the potential to ruin their relationship before it even gets started.

I enjoyed the romance in this story. Shari and Malik genuinely develop a friendship. As a result of that friendship their relationship was a refreshing spin of honesty and support between these characters. Unfortunately, sometimes without the conflict of lies and deceit, it lends to a less dramatic storyline. The sexual harassment aspect of the storyline began with great potential for conflict but fizzled out and left this reader disappointed. Also each character had issues with their parents that offered great potential with powerful situations and scenes. However the resolution of these complex relationships left me unsatisfied. A fan of character driven stories will enjoy this romance.

Kotanya
APOOO Bookclub

Since the death of her fiancé in a tragic car accident, Shari Walker has given up on love and has decidedly focused her energies on her career. As a writer for Essence magazine she has finally achieved some degree of success professionally, but her personal life is lacking. With no perspective love interest and strained relationships with both her father and mother, Shari's life epitomizes all work and no play. She is working on a story about the top ten African American business women in Atlanta. While completing her final interview with Jill Atkinson, she meets Malik Greene and Shari's life as she knows it is shaken to the very core.

Malik has a history of his own, as a marketing executive at the young age of 25, he has also experienced professional success. Between his good looks, charm, and money he can generally take his pick when it comes to women, that is until he meets Shari. Malik is not looking for a long term relationship and pities his married friends for being tied down. When it comes to women, he wants sex with no strings attached. When he meets Shari he is immediately drawn to her. Malik turns on the charm and sets about to get Shari into his bed. When his cocky attitude and flirty lines don't impress Shari, she becomes somewhat of a conquest for him. No one is more surprised than Malik, when he realizes he wants more from Shari than meaningless sex. But will his past prevent him from having a future with her?

REVELATIONS is a complex love story in which both of the main characters are plagued by their pasts and insecurities. As Malik and Shari spend more time together, they are forced to not only face their respective pasts but also to actively deal with the things that have caused lifelong scars. As the two navigate through their difficult pasts individually, they begin working together to build a relationship that can last. Will the couple prevail? Cheris Hodges has done a masterful job with this novel. The story will appeal to anyone who loves contemporary fiction, and not only to fans of romance. The complexity of the characters coupled with an interesting plot make this a book you don't want to put down. REVELATIONS has characters that readers will feel for and is a story that many can relate to.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I will say this was a book that I could not put down until I was finished. Hodges really explored the relationships between men and women in the way that we all envison them to be but they never seem to happen.

After having to deal with the death of her first love Tyrell, Shari meets Malik and has to deal with lies form those that are supposed to love her while dealing with whether or not to allow Malik into her heart. There is a catch though, will the one thing that is she fears the most about Malik drive her away or pull her closer?

Got to read the book to find out. I promise U will enjoy this book from beginning and be left with what can she think of next. I did. :)

;)

This Cheris Hodges novel was my first glimpse at her work. Although I gave it a three star rating, 3.5 would have been more accurate. "Revelations" told us of the trials and tribulations of main characters, Shari Walker and Malik Greene.

Shari, a writer for Essence magazine, has been devastated by loss and betrayal of her fiancé and true parental affection. Malik, marketing vice president and player extraordinaire, has a few issues of his own. He's dealing with a sickly mother and trying to come to terms with an absentee father who pops up from nowhere. He views women as entertainment and wants nothing serious. Unfortunately, his player ways start to catch up with him.

Although commonalities brought the couple together, further exploration of their future-shaping bonds, would have added depth to their growing relationship. It would have been helpful to dig deeper (and not rely on the obvious) into what made Malik quit his player ways, forsaking all others and suddenly falling in love. For years, Shari has been mourning the loss of her fiancé and was dead set against a relationship. Yet within a few weeks, the couple declare their love.

The character development, which was somewhat one dimensional, could have been brought to life just a tad more. It was kind of like admiring a sketch pad drawing that's just one stroke away from becoming a true work of art.

The chemistry between the two was doable, but I didn't "feel" the life-changing spark or passion that should be present, when two people embody one another -- mind, body and soul. There wasn't enough of the human emotion that truly brings about an epiphany or revelation -- where one would shout, "By George, I think I've got it!" (or something along those lines!)

Overall, it was a nice read. I will read Ms. Hodges' other books because she is a creative talent, seemingly with a lot more to share.

While this is a romance novel, the story is complex and engaging. Malik and Shari are complex characters who have a love hard and have underlying pain in their lives that make them the way they are. This is a great book and all fiction readers will love it.