Customer Reviews

The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa: A Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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

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.

A friendship is a dynamic relationship. At any given moment, one could find friends laughing and goofing off, celebrating the good times, while discussing the bad, and within an instant something could be said or done, which can put even life long friendships at odds. Although friendships are sometimes intricate, Kayla Perrin illustrates in her book, The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa, that having caring friendships as loyal as gasoline is for a car to run. Indispensable! While reading this superbly written novel, I found myself evaluating my own "sista girl" friendships. In doing so, I realized that through the ups and downs of life, my friendships have been the rocks that Ive clung to and life jackets that keep me afloat on this journey called life. And, for this I am forever grateful that God allowed our paths to cross.

As for the characters within this novel, they were extremely well developed, with all of them having their own distinct personalities. Jessica is shy and naive. Ellie is confused and insecure. Yolanda is headstrong and prideful, while Shereen is compassionate and dependable. Four women with diverse backgrounds, yet the bond they formed while having met pledging for the fictitious sorority, Theta Phi Kappa, during their tenure at Howard University, developed into a lasting, super-glue friendship. Although these women face some profound trials, their close-knit friendship helps to keep them all afloat. This novel powerfully deals with female-bonding and romance, while offering captivating twists and turns. What's more, Perrins transition from the present to the past was as smooth as a newborn babys bottom.

I must say that this is a novel that stuck to my hands. Every time that I wanted to put this novel down to give my eyes a rest, I could barely detach it from my hands. As a matter of fact, I read it in one day, with only stopping for bathroom breaks and to stuff my face. Upon my completion of this novel, I found myself disappointed that the story had ended. Over the next few days, I periodically tried to envision just what life would have in store for Jessica, Ellie, Shereen and Yolanda in the future. I cannot wait until the sequel.
With extreme emotion and passion, Perrin offers an intriguing, thought-provoking and heartrending novel that discusses friendship, romance, forgiveness and healing, while encompassing mystery. This is a very gifted writer, so do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book  you wont be disappointed.

Carla J. Curtis, A Prolific Reviewer
Author of: A Single Woman's Parenting Journey: Survival Tidbits

I just finished reading this book and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at how well written the story was. Although it has a Greek title the book does not focus on "GREEK LIFE". This book demonstrates how sister hood help form friendships. I like the way the book takes place ten years later and the characters are so believable you can imagine one of them being someone that you know (if not you)! I definitely recommend this book to anyone wondering if they should read it our not....

The title really fooled me. This book had nothing to do with the sorority. The story line would have been the same if the women weren't sorors. And the BIG secret-what a joke. It took me a month to read this. I only finished it because I paid for it.

Although I am not familiar with the "Sorror" lifestyle, I feel that Ms. Parrin gives the reader a sneak-peak, if you will, into the scared sisterhood. I bought this book almost 2 years ago, an just got around to reading it. Was I overwhelmed, no, but all in all, the story held my attention until the end.

The story was good, but I thought the book moved rather slowly. At some points in the beginning, I almost lost interest but the book picked up in the middle and was good.

Kept me in suspense for the 3 chapters, but it was pretty easy to figure out...still it was a good book.

When the movie "I Know What You Did Last Summer" meets the TV Show "Sisters" you end up with the hit novel "The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa". In keeping with our group friendship theme of the month, author Kayla Perrin has presented a group of women who define the very essence of the word friendship. Four girls attending a Historically Black College meet during a sorority rush and through their college experience, develop a bond that grows stronger into their adult lives.

Shereen, a successful executive and beauty queen of the bunch, deals with past relationship heartache and the frustration of being adored by many but unable to find the right man.

Ellie, regarded as the free spirit, is involved in an affair with a married man who she is hopelessly in love with. Issues of self esteem and self doubt make Ellie's struggle with her weight all the more difficult.

Yolanda, the no nonsense lawyer is burdened with a mother who has given up the will to live and a strained relationship with her father. While putting on a tough exterior for her friends she is forced to deal with the animosity and jealousy she feels toward one of her sorors.

Lastly there is Jessica, the shy reserved college girl turned TV broadcast personality, who tries desperately to shake the skeletons in her closet while unknown forces from her past refuse to let her forget.

A creatively written story with clever plot twists makes "The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa" an intriguing read. I also found the book easy to follow because the author chose just the right moments to keep slowly flashing back to the group's college years. This plot device is used successfully to allow the reader to understand exactly what occurred to create their current duress for past sins. The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa slowly builds to an explosive ending where the truth finally comes to light and tests the limits of these sorority sisters, forcing them to choose between life and death.

I would not discourage men from picking up this book but I will point out that it is written from the perspective of a woman; likewise, a woman can probably glean more from this book with regard to its' sense of sisterhood than men.

A well written drama that will keep you in suspense till the end makes my rating for "The Sisters of Theta Phi Kappa, 3.