Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story about real love and true friendship!, May 22, 2001
"Many brothers are good . . . Some are even great . . . Only a few will give you . . . The shirt off his back." The passage above taken from the beginning of Parry "Ebony Satin" Brown's latest novel, THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK, pretty much sums up what readers will come to love and appreciate about the main character, Terrence Winston. Terry is a handsome man with some serious "skills and benefits" that makes him an ideal catch for any sister looking for Mr. Right. Besides being kind and generous to a fault, what adds to his appeal is the fact that he stepped up to the plate and took full responsibility of raising his twin daughters, Ariana and Alisa, as a single parent during his third year in college. No, he wasn't forced to do this, but wanted very much to raise the girls when their mother Catherine Hawkins deserted them for a glamourous and lucrative career out of the country. With the help of his mother, Teresa, his sister, Veronica, and best friend, Roland Carpenter, Terry has been able to raise his daughters for eleven years in peace without any interference from Catherine. Now that he is about to marry the love of his life, Jackie, who is also a single parent to twins, Catherine shows up from Spain demading custody of the girls and respect for her role as their mother. Refusing to let her take his girls and disrupt their lives, Terry and bestfriend Roland, who happens to be a powerful and respected attorney, put their heads together and come up with a plan that will keep Catherine out their lives forever! THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK is an engaging book filled with humor, true friendship, love and feel-good romance. I commend author Parry Brown not only for writing an awesome story about a man who is obviously a good son, a wonderful brother, and true best friend; but for writing a story about a black man who is a loving dedicated single parent. This was a fun book to read . . . and one that I would gladly read again and again!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A WONDERFUL book that holds BLACK MEN in a positive light!, January 13, 2001
First and foremost, I have to give Ms. Brown MADD PROPS for writing a book that depicted GOOD, LOVING, HONEST brothers. Unfortunately in my reading of contemporary novels, I rarely come across books that make you go, mm mm mm, I want one of those...and Ms. Brown's novel, "The Shirt Off His Back" did that and a whole lot more. "The Shirt Off His Back" is the story of Terry, a good, kind black man who is raising his 10-year-old twin daughters. Since their birth, he has had custody over them, seeing that their mother just didn't have the time or the maternal inclination to take part in their upbringing. Now, ten years later, with Terry finally finding happiness with Jackie (a beautiful sistah with her own self-esteem issues)...he's ready to make his relationship a union of both his and Jackie's families, but his twins' mother - Catherine - is back, and wants her daughters...so that she can climb the ladder of career success. This novel was a one-sitting reading, as I got engrossed with Brown's characters. Brown pulls the reader in with her conversational dialogue, and I found myself racing to finish, in the hopes that Terry would win custody of his daughters (you'll have to read for yourself to find out!) To those of us who have lived in the Waiting to Exhale, my man don' dogged me, my man ain't no good era of relationship novels, this is a definite read to restore your faith in the black men we DO know and love for their conviction and values. Shonell Bacon, author of "Luvalwayz: The Opposite Sex & Relationships" RAW Sistaz Member & Book Reviewer
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Male Bashing in this novel., April 30, 2000
"The Shirt Off His Back" is a true to life story with some strong African American men. Wonderfully and well written novel. It touched my heart. I laughed, cried and cheered thoughout the novel. Catherine was very selfish. She had her priorities mixed up. I admired Ronald and loved me some Terry. Jackie and Terry were heaven sent to each other. Cedes was a laugh mouth down to heart sista. I feel very satisfied after reading this novel. The love of friends, family and trusting in God is the key when facing dilemmas. Parry "Ebony Satin" Brown I want to Thank you for writing this heartwarming tale. It shows that the world still have some good African American men even if this is the work of fiction. Be Blessed.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
