The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa: A Novel [Hardcover]

Kayla Perrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2001

Jessica, Ellie, Shereen, and Yolanda were the brightest stars of the Theta Phi Kappa Sorority at Howard University. Now, ten years later, they seem to have it all. Jessica is in the limelight, a TV personality whose star is on the rise. Ellie is an optimist, happily engaged in the quest for love. Shereen is a stunning and powerful executive, and Yolanda, the strong-willed leader of the group, has defied her roots to capture her vision of the American dream. But years before, these four women banded together to keep a devastating secret-and now, ten years later, someone will do anything to see the secret brought to light. None of them anticipated the consequences of keeping the secret-and now, someone is trying to shatter all their lives. Intense, powerful, page-turning, and emotional, The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa will keep you guessing and will make you think about the depths of friendship, the price of loyalty, and the bonds of sisterhood.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is not just a story of female bonding and friendship but a skillfully written combination of romance and mystery. After four young women from totally different backgrounds pledge the Theta Phi Kappa sorority at Howard University, a friendship and sisterhood is forged forever. Shereen, Yolanda, Ellie, and Jessica call themselves the Fabulous Four. Shereen, nicknamed Sweet Thang, is now a sexy and powerful executive. Jessica, nicknamed Quiet Tongue, is a shy and private TV personality. Ellie, nicknamed Wild Thang, is the party girl who is always looking for love. Yolanda, nicknamed Ice Queen, is the strong-willed attorney. Each woman appears to be living a fulfilling life until the past creeps into the present. As college students, one of the girls was in a horrible situation that the four pledged to keep secret. Now, for the first time in 10 years, people and events begin to cause friction between the girls as well as instill a sense of danger for their safety and privacy. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...a delicious cocktail with a lot of zing...secrets, lies and alibis." -- Essence

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (October 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312282907
• ISBN-13: 978-0312282905
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,821,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't Want To Put It Down, January 1, 2002

By 

SimplyBeautiful "LiveLaughLove77" (Bliss) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa: A Novel (Hardcover)

Four sisters, one secret. One of Kayla Perrin's best works. The characters were well developed and the plot evolved at an excellent pace. As I was reading, I felt like I was a member of Theta Phi Kappa. That's how detailed the book was. I felt I knew each member personally and walked the line with them. Perrin's mix of mystery and contemporary fiction is to be admired. I recommend this book to anyone with a love of either one. This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last chapter. You won't want to put it down!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ENGROSSING AND COMPELLING READ!, September 26, 2001

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa: A Novel (Hardcover)

Just when you think the past is behind you, secrets, lies and deceit have a way of coming back to haunt you. Jessica, Ellie, Shereen and Yolanda have been tight-knit, close friends since their college pledge days at Howard University. Eleven years ago, Shereen, Yolanda, Jessica, and Ellie had all met in their sophomore year at Howard at a Theta Phi Kappa rush, an informational gathering for those interested in that particular sorority. Shereen had always wanted to join a sorority, and having heard about the Theta s dedication to community and their efforts with mentoring inner-city children, Shereen had known this was the sorority for her. Jessica had become a Theta because her older sister had been one years before her. Ellie-well, Ellie had heard that the Thetas not only worked hard but partied hard, and she d been hooked. Yolanda, who had come from the projects, had been personally influenced by the Thetas who d come to her school to mentor underprivileged children. Many times she said that those sisters had helped instill in her the belief that she could become anything she wanted. Inspired by their caring nature, Yolanda had vowed to become a Theta herself one day.

It s funny how life can put you in the path of people you otherwise would never have met, giving you a chance to get to know them because you have a similar interest, which allows you to become friends when in other circumstance you would have shared nothing more than a pleasant hi and bye. That's the way it had been for Shereen, Ellie, Jessica and Yolanda. They were all so very different Jessica, the shy, private one; Ellie, the party girl who lived for dating and a good time; Yolanda, the strong one who didn t take from nobody; and Shereen, sexy and sociable, considered by many as some type of goddess. In spite of these differences, they would be the four (out of 36 pledges) to bond and carry on a friendship beyond the college pledge experience.

Fast-forward to 11 years later and (almost) each woman is successful in her professional career and seems to have it all. Jessica is a television personality, Yolanda is a high-powered attorney, Shereen is a highly respected and top notch executive in the family business, and Ellie-well Ellie is still the eternal optimist and looking for Mr. Right. Things quickly change overnight when one of the ladies begins receiving threatening notes and phone calls. A secret from the past threatens to erupt and potentially tear all of their futures apart.

The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa is a well-written mainstream novel from Kayla Perrin. I was immediately engrossed in this suspenseful and intriguing read from page one. Perrin deftly weaves the past and the present as she tells this engaging and spellbinding story of romance and mystery. As I read Theta Phi Kappa I experienced a gamut of emotions and I teetered on the edge of my seat as the pieces of the puzzles fell together and the mystery unfolded. Initially, I was a little hesitant about reading another college sorority story. However, I liked that Perrin wrote about where the characters were 10 years later rather than focusing only on the college experience. Additionally, I also got a chance to stroll down memory lane as I relived some of my sorority escapades. Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa is an entertaining and engaging read about the depths of friendship, the price of loyalty, and the bonds of sisterhood. I recommend this intense and emotional page turner to anyone looking for an enjoyable book . And I don t think you will be disappointed with this one.

Reviewed by Yasmin

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED this novel, November 12, 2001

By 

"misslove" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa: A Novel (Hardcover)

The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa is a novel of mystery, romance, and intrigue. An impenetrable friendship birthed via the fictional Theta Phi Kappa Sorority is the glue of the story. Shereen, Yolanda, Jessica, and Ellie are characters that jump off the page. Four very different women bonded in friendship. Jessica is vulnerable and mellifluous, her turmoil toxic. Yolanda is arduous, prideful, and often strong, her impervious demeanor shaken by some surprising secrets. Ellie is dizzy and desperate, lacking direction and respect. Shereen is emotional and trustworthy with quiet strength. The resonating theme throughout the novel is friendship. The trials these women face are profound; however, their insurmountable friendship propels them to peace and resolution.

What I really enjoyed about this book is that there is no anemic narration....the characters are well developed. The pages are alive with these bright characters that are full of life; telling you their stories. Kayla writes with such endowing emotions. Each character tells you who they are, what they need, their fears, their secrets, and their imperfections. Sincerity drips from each sagaciously crafted character. I also enjoyed how Kayla Perrin expertly put into words the pain of a broken heart, the elation of marriage, the trepidation one feels in a new relationship, and the confusions in making decisions.

Not only did I feel a consortium of emotions, but I was also sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation, and beating my brain trying to figure out the mystery. You will enjoy the story these characters have to tell.