The Sistahood of Shopaholics [Paperback]

Leslie Esdaile (Author), Monica Jackson (Author), Reon Laudat (Author), Niqui Stanhope (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2003

Shameless by Leslie Esdaile:
Single mother Della Mitchell is going to Victoria's Secret for the first time after a year of abstinence from shopping. . .and men. But now it's time to get her groove back on. Then she meets Byron Fulton, buying a "breakup" gift for his girlfriend. Things are cool, until the brother tries to put the moves on her. But there is more to this man than meets the eye, and he's not about to let Della slip through his fingers.

Please, Baby, Please by Monica Jackson:
Denise "Neecy" Ballard is in debt up to her neck, she's gained twenty-five pounds, and her car is about to be repossessed. Joseph Vaughn never forgot the beautiful Southern belle when he sold her the car, and for some reason he just can't leave her high and dry. So he decides to cure the luscious lady of her shopping addiction, especially if it means keeping her close.

It Takes Two by Reon Laudat:
Ramona Jackson has always had a weakness for cute shoes and Kadeem Smith. So when he comes back to town, it's all she can do not to fire up the charge card in a fit of nervous shopping jitters. Especially when he makes it clear that he wants to pick up right where they left off. . .

Promises by Niqui Stanhope:
Gilliam Asher is in a bind. In order to bring her grandmother back from death's door, she announces that she is engaged to be married. And it works! Nana recovers and now Gillian has to produce the happy groom-to-be. In times of crisis, a shopping session is the just the answer. And it's a scuffle over a fabulous black dress that leads her to meet a man who just might be "the One."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Four novellas follow the lives of four African American women through man problems, family issues, and addictions to the finer things in life. In Esdaile's "Shameless," single mother Della Mitchell gives into her urge to splurge and meets handsome Byron Fulton. In Monica Jackson's "Please, Baby Please," Neecy doesn't know where to turn when her car is repossessed until alluring car dealership owner Joseph Vaughn offers her a job. In Reon Laudat's "It Takes Two," nail salon owner Ramona bumps into her ex-boyfriend. Passion is rekindled, but will they be able to work through the problems of their past in order to create a future? Gillian's life spins out of control in Niqui Stanhope's "Promises" when she lies to her Nana about being engaged. Soon Nana has the wedding planned and can't wait to meet the groom. Gillian goes shopping and meets the man who just might be able to solve her dilemma. Feisty women, shopping forays, and lots of good men add up to pure entertainment. Megan Kalan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Leslie Esdaile is the award-winning author of ten novels and also writes the Vampire Huntress Legend novels under the name L.A. Banks. She lives in Philadelphia.

Reon Laudat is the author of four novels, including What a Girl Wants. She lives in Detroit.

Monica Jackson is the award-winning author of nine novels, including Too Hot to Handle She lives in Kansas

Niqui Stanhope is the author of five novels, including Changing the Rules. She lives in New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (September 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312321880
• ISBN-13: 978-0312321888
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,849,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Monica's wanted to write ever since she could hold a pencil. She had surgery in 1994, the longest time off work (as a registered nurse) she'd ever had in her life. She used the time to write her first novel and sold it to Kensington for the Arabesque line in 1995. In 1997, it finally appeared on the shelves. That book MIDNIGHT BLUE, was produced as a BET television movie of the week in 2000. Eight novels and eight novellas and short stories later from that first book, she's now a national bestselling author (says so on the books!).
Obligatory Props

Monica has won awards for her work, and has been nominated for Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She's appeared in several radio and television appearances and has given workshop presentations. She has done television spots and also has been featured in a People magazine article, unrelated to her writing, but hey, it counts.
Awards

Nominated for Romantic Times Career Achievement award
Nominated for the Black Alliance's Golden Pen Award
Winner of Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award
Winner of Romance in Color's Award of Excellence Award
Winner of Romance in Color's Reviewer's Choice Award
Awarded the rare Romantic Times Gold Medal 4 1/2 star rating twice
Awarded Romantic Times Top Pick six times
Awarded Romantic Times 4 1/2 star rating five times
National and Blackboard bestselling author

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shopping Never Felt So Good, September 5, 2003

By 

V. Lancaster "Nicki Lancaster" (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sistahood of Shopaholics (Paperback)

What better way to cure a broken heart than a shopping spree at your favorite mall. Leslie Esdaile, Monica Jackson, Reon Laudat and Niqui Stanhope present four stories about sister-friends Della, Neecey, Ramona and Gillian as their shopping addictions spin out of control while simultaneously turning up romance in the process.

THE SISTAHOOD OF SHOPAHOLICS opens with a bang in "Shameless" by Leslie Esdaile. A bad marriage, bitter divorce and unforeseen single parenthood sends Della Reese to Victoria's Secret in a frenzy with one thing in mind- silk lingerie. Having abstained from shopping and male suitors (both as a part of therapy) in over a year, Della indulges in a black gown while Byron Fulton watches from afar. Who can ignore the shapely, full-figured woman embracing a silk nightgown with a look of pleasure on her face? Not Byron, and soon Della finds that a trip to the mall was just what the doctor ordered.

Gaining twenty-five pounds is enough to send anyone over the edge and that is exactly what happens to Neecey Ballard in Monica Jackson's, "Please Baby Please." A shopping spree meant to cure her ailing self-image turns into a nightmare when Neecey's car is repossessed from right under her nose. Owner and repo man, Joseph Vaughan, is willing to work out a plan of action but it will cost Neecey more than her car's back payments...it may cost her heart.

Ramona Jackson's, nail salon may be the hottest thing in Atlanta, but her heart is on fire for former beau, Kadeem Smith. In Reon Laudat's, "It Takes Two", a wedding between mutual friends reunites these two lovebirds and before you know it, Kadeem and Ramona begin right where they left off. This love affair may be short lived when Ramona's meddlesome ways sends Kadeem packing and Ramona scurrying to the nearest shoe store.

There is no such thing as a little white lie. In Niqui Stanhope's, "Promises", prima donna, Gillian Asher, announces to her Nana at long last she is betrothed to a wonderful man. The waiting game is over and Nana is ready to meet the groom to be; but there is one slight problem-he does not exist. In an attempt to find a way out of this dilemma, Gillian, proceeds to Atlanta's, Phipps Plaza mall and becomes entangled in a brawl over the perfect black dress. Fifteen-hundred dollars worth of damage later, Gillian, comes face to face with mall security and the man who may be her knight in shining armor.

THE SISTAHOOD OF SHOPAHOLICS is entertaining...comical...and outrageous. The antics of each woman and the lengths they go to are amusing. While each novella mentioned the shopping addiction of each protagonist, only two stayed true to the premise. At times, the addiction appeared as an afterthought, focusing more on the romance itself. Also, one of the stories seemed rushed and in the process produced a few discrepancies. These reservations expressed, however, did not detract from the novellas as this reviewer found them engaging. I recommend SISTAHOOD as a fun, relaxing Sunday afternoon read. Romance readers will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sistahood of Shopaholics, October 4, 2005

By 

Steph B. "chicprincesspetite" (NY | NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sistahood of Shopaholics (Paperback)

I am typically not a fan of short stories or novellas, but I thought I would give this one try... Especially since it focused on my favorite subject... SHOPPING!
In this short story collection, four women find that their obsessive need to shop coupled with the compassionate men in their lives, makes for great therapy.
My had to be opening story "Shameless", by Leslie Esdaile, which I found to be fun and refreshing.
Esdaile introduces us to Della Mitchell a Philly native, now residing in Atlanta. Following an awful marriage, and an even worst divorce, Della makes an ardent beeline to Victoria's Secret with the one thing in mind that can soothe her aching heart.... Lingerie... silky-smooth-against-the-skin-make-you-forget-all-your-troubles-lingerie.
Her therapy sessions which include no shopping OR men have been triumphant...But she wants to reward herself... She can treat herself just this once right? When she finds the ideal sleek black gown, she's so emerged in it; she doesn't seem to notice the sexy airline pilot admiring her from afar. Maybe this indulgence was worth it after all...
Each of the stories made it a point to refer to the poor shopping habits of each of the central characters, but there wasn't enough of actually staying true to the theme, which is why I gave the book 3 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars and 1/2 stars from Romantic Times Bookclub magazine, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sistahood of Shopaholics (Paperback)

Four females characters find their compulsive need to shop sidelined by the men in their lives in this exceptional anthology.
"Shameless" by Esdaile, tells the delightful story of Della Mitchell's first shopping trip following a year of abstinence. After a few chance meetings with sexy Byron Fulton, Della contemplates another area of her life she's been avoiding.
Neecy Ballard has her car repossessed by Joe Vaugh in Jackson's humorous tale, "Please, Baby, Please." For reasons Neecy doesn't understand, Joe, offers her a job to help pay off her debt. But is Joe's capacity to spend money reeling her in?
Kadeem Smith is back in "It Takes Two," by Laudat. Just before her friend's wedding rehearsal, Ramona Jackson finds out the once and former love oher life is also in the wedding. Will sparks fly again for the two former lovers?
Having lied to her Nana about being engaged, Gillian Asher finds herself in a quandary in "Promises," a touching story by Stanhope. Embarking on a shopping spree to rid her mind of worries, Gillian meets Rick Parker. Could he be fiance material?--Romantic Times Bookclub magazine