Customer Reviews

Slow Burn

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tired of the cheating and the lies, Serafina finally mustered up the strength and the courage to follow the words of Keyshia Cole and "Let It Go." Moving on with her life, finding another man was not at the top of her to do list. It's when you aren't looking that you find and HE has found her; the one. Happily ever after comes to a screeching halt when tragedy strikes. Will the new Serafina resort to what's comfortable and settle for less than she deserves?

You never miss your water until your well runs dry. Jeremy has come to know the truth of that statement since his relationship with Serafina ended. Reality and hard truths make him realize that she may have been the one for him. At what lengths is he willing to go to get her back?

Ayzha is happily married. Correction: Ayzha is married but happiness is nowhere to be found. Emotionally alienated, she just wants some love, for a man to want her and to desire her like her husband used to. When someone else enters the picture, will Ayzha confuse lust for love?

Khalil has left his player days behind him. Settled and more mature, he's looking for his queen that was made just for him. Life crosses their paths and it's a beautiful thing. Circumstances beyond Khalil's control threaten his future and happiness. Is he strong enough to fight for what's his?

"Slow Burn" is a book for anyone that likes drama or who just enjoys a good story. Seasoned with poetry, it serves to emphasize and improve the storyline without overshadowing or holding back plot development. Readers will come away with satisfaction at a tale well-told. I look forward the sequel, "Orchid's Nectar."

Reviewed by: Toni
4.5

Slow Burn: n. Slang; A gradually increasing sense or show of passion or emotion.

Ayzha is trapped in a loveless marriage, barren of children (due to numerous miscarried pregnancies), and resentful of a husband who has no concern for her personal needs. In search of her own happiness, she succumbs to the lure of infidelity, only to finally get pregnant - by her lover - and lose both him and her husband in the process...

Jeremy is the Player your mama always warned you about, but he's only doing what his father taught him to do; when it costs him the love of a very special woman, though, he begins to wonder about the logic of his actions - and when she suffers a sudden tragedy, he doesn't miss a beat for the chance to get back in her good graces...

Serafina never knew about love at first sight - until she meets Khalil; suddenly, things in her life couldn't be better - until things just as suddenly change for the worst, and she's torn between a re-emerging past and an uncertain future, stuck in an emotional vacuum from which she may never escape...

If you've ever wondered about the effects that love really has on the heart, let Slow Burn be your guide. Through page-turning drama and suspense, Ebony Farashuu takes you on an emotional roller coaster of joy, dejection, heartache, redemption - and even some feelings that you can't quite put into words. Her narrative bravely broaches such subjects as domestic abuse, the tenuous bonds of family, and infidelity in the name of love - and she interweaves the themes with the grace and ease of a poetic soliloquy.

For its engaging appeal and true heart, Slow Burn is a pleasurable reading experience. The storyline is compelling, and the characters breathe new life to the age-old quandary of love's true nature: it may sound real, it may smell real, and it may even feel real - but you just never really know for sure until you taste and see...

What a wonderful story of love, loss, redemption and spirituality! Written with wonderful poetry throughout, this full length novel delves into the love and heartbreak that is Khalil and Serafina. The author wonderfully writes about what happens when soul mates love and lose one another. The book is told from the perspectives of the main characters - Jeremy, Serafina, Khalil and Ayzha and is wonderfully put together. I don't want to spoil this story for anyone, but I will say that the author describes all of the main characters with their quirks and emotions in vivid detail. She descirbes the growth and conflicting emotions that we all can relate to. Absolutely spectacular writing and I recommend without reservation.

Author Ebony Farashuu definitely sparks a fire with her debut novel Slow Burn. Although Slow Burn is a love story it shouldn't be confused with a sappy Harlequin Romance novel. Ms. Farashuu brings so much more to the table. Slow Burn centers around four characters struggling with life and love.

When it comes to Ayzha's marriage love don't live here anymore is an understatement. She's trapped in a loveless marriage to Riley a man 15 years her senior. Riley cruelly turns his back on Ayzha after she begins taking birth control pills after deciding that she couldn't suffer through yet another miscarriage. Ayzha desperately wants her marriage to work but Riley has no interest in having sex that can't lead to conception. Starving for affection Ayzha is easy pickings for Tyree who's offering to give her all that she misses at home.

Serafina finally found the strength to let go of her philandering boyfriend Jeremy. But the break up has left her bitter and guarded. Opening her heart up to Khalil wasn't easy but he quickly provided everything that was missing in her life. Can she survive when tragedy strikes threatening to leave her heartbroken once again?

Khalil is tired of the rat race. Being the son of a celebrity he's had more women than he can count. Tired of one night stands he takes a vow of celibacy until he meets that special lady. Convincing Serafina that she's that woman wasn't easy but he wooed her and promised never to leave her side. But that's a promise that fate might not allow him to keep.

Jeremy's father led him to believe at an early age that manhood was judged by the number of women bedded. So he doesn't blink an eye when Serafina gives him his walking papers. He's a handsome doctor and Serafina wasn't the only woman in his stable. Besides she'll be back she always comes back. But 3 months later he finds out that Sera is engaged and finally realizes that she was the one. But now it's too late or is it? With Sera's fiancée on his deathbed will Jeremy use this opportunity to get back the one that got away?

Filled with Ms. Farashuu's poetic voice Slow Burn is a captivating tale that will definitely light readers fire.

For a first novel, this book was interesting and an easy read. Great book for readers in their late teens to early 30s, or readers who championed the Harequin romance novels. This writer is obviously very talented. I look forward to reading her next book.

It's hard to believe that Ebony Farashuu is a new writer, she just writes so beautifully. The story -- especially the first four or five chapters -- read like one long poem. One that you never want to end.

And on top of that, it's just a damn good story. I heartily recommend this to anyone who loves to read the beautifully written word.

This is a book that touch the core of my heart. Brilliantly executed with magnificent prose, Slow Burn by Ebony Farashuu is a heartfelt poetic journey. Experiecing the true emotional gamut, we are introduced to characters with so many issues and go through the mill: we laugh with them, cry with them and evolve. But at the end of this wonderful journey we are complete.

Ms. Farashuu weaved an absolutely incredible story novel that jolted my attention from its onset. Her majestic rhythm through poetic delivery is like reading above the light clouds of heaven. Possessing an uncanny ability to provide the reader with what is going on in their minds, she balances the writing with action, no small feat in our crazy world of African-American Literature. Slow Burn allows us an opportunity to laugh, cry and, in my opinion the most important thing, FEEL. An awesome debut story that I truly hopes Gets It's just recognition.

William Fredrick Cooper
"THERE'S ALWAYS A REASON"

Slow Burn by Ebony Farashuu a great love story with passion.I couldn't put it down.I am looking forward to read the sequel Orchid's Nectar in 2008..

Serafina Jordan is sitting at a red light sad that her relationship of two years to Dr. Jeremy Sanders is over. When a woman appears at her window asking her "Why aren't you smiling?" and has no idea who the woman is and why she is talking to her, Serafina panics tries to answer her cell, hits her head and holds up traffic. Not realizing she is still sitting at the light, the most beautiful man she has ever seen walks up to see if she needs any help.

Khalil Roberts is a musician and former womanizer who has been celibate for two years waiting on his soul mate. But Khalil hears a voice that tells him he will meet his wife today. Walking up to the car to see why this person is holding up traffic, Khalil has no idea that she is the one.

Azyha Darwin is married to a man 15 years her senior. She's trying to save her marriage and not succumb to all the things everyone told her would happen by marrying an older man. But Azyha falls for a younger man, without ending her marriage.

Jeremy Sanders is a playa of all playas. He's not tripping over Serafina walking out on him. He thinks she will be back and that she is just mad right now. But it's now three weeks later and he hasn't heard a word from her. Popping up at Serafina's house unannounced did not give Jeremy the response he was looking for. Finally realizing that their relationship is over, Jeremy is checking himself for all the wrong he has done to women...especially Serafina. He is now figuring out that she is the only woman besides his mother that he's ever loved.

When a tragic accident happens to Khalil, Jeremy is the one there to help Serafina through it all. Realizing she will never love him the way he loves her, Jeremy backs off and does the one thing he never thought he would do: pray. He prayed for Khalil's recovery, for Serafina to find some kind of comfort in all that's happened, and for him to walk away without a broken heart.

Slow Burn is a spectacular love story. I'm usually not into books like this, but Ebony Farashuu truly told a wonderful story. Novels of this nature typically follow a precise formula, but this narrative was nowhere near typical. The way the author put her words together and included poems all throughout the book made Slow Burn a really satisfying read.

Keep up the good work Ms. Farashuu, and I look forward to reading Orchid's Nectar.

Reviewed by Angie
for Urban Reviews

Slow Burn by Ebony Farashuu is a heartfelt poetic journey. We are introduced to characters with so many issues and heart pangs; we get to laugh with them, cry with them and grow with them. Ayzha is married to a man with no interest in her or her pleasure. She is trying so hard to connect but is not reaching him. Little does he know, there is someone willing to do what her man will not do. Will she take a chance on having her desires fulfilled? Sera is past a broken heart and when love shows up in an unexpected place she tosses it out the window, initially like a small piece of paper. However, when love calls again she knows to answer but will a tragedy stand in the way of real love? A voice told Khalil when he would meet the woman of his dreams; would he follow the voice and if he does will he finally be able to have love? Jeremy, the reformed player has had his share of lovers, but the one he loves has gone missing. If life presents an opportunity, when it feels like the right one, will he go for broke trying to regain what he feels is his? Slow Burn is part romance, with glimpses of drama, but ultimately it is all heart.

Ms. Farashuu penned a lovely novel that grabbed me from the first page. Her poetic delivery is a delight to read. She has the ability to provide the reader with what is going on in the head and the actions of her characters. Slow Burn allows us an opportunity to laugh, cry and feel. This novel is a recommended read for any reader interested in a well-told story with feeling. At the end of the novel, you will get a sneak peek of Orchard's Nectar, the sequel to this novel and you will feel the same as this reader, `Come on Ms. Farashuu, we are ready.'

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub