Customer Reviews

Some Sunday

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First let me start by saying I do not read fiction. Let me add to that that my wife does not read fiction. But one day I saw the cover of Butterscotch Blues and the cover art caught my attention so I picked the book up for a gift. Well the person already had the books so I kept it on the coffee table. While watching TV I casually picked it up and I was hooked from the first page. So naturally I wanted to see what happend next to Sandy, Martha, Britney and especially Janice (who acts and talks just like my sister who happens to have the same name) and I was not disappointed.

To me these four sister interact just like the cast of Sex In The City, but they talk about issues with much more substance.

Margaret Johnson Hodge paints New York City with the vivid strokes of a master. In actuality NYC is the fifth character in the novel. The sounds the smells the tastes are all in there. But most of all she takes a serious issue and shows it from different, interesting yet realistic points of views.

What if you tragically lost your soul mate? What if you found love again and it was perfect? And what if this love just happend to be the brother of your first true love? Like I said its complex.

Thank you MJH for a wonderful story that does not DOG men and shows a realistic view of relationships.

Still not a true fan of fiction. . . but a TRUE fan of Margaret Johnson-Hodge

Sugar Man

Some Sunday continues the story of Sandy and her girlfriends Britney, Janice, & Martha, who were all first introduced in Butterscotch Blues. In this sequel, Sandy is struggling to resume living a life she hadn't ever imagined, one that doesn't include her husband Adrian who died from AIDS. Even though he's gone, so many things still remind her of Adrian, especially her brother-in-law Winston, who greatly favors his brother, and who is there to give Sandy support whenever she needs it. As difficult as it is, life tends to spring forth once she meets a man named Randall, a strong man, but one who requires certain elements if he is to be in a relationship. It is through the trials and tribulations of every day things that will prove whether or not Sandy can regain her strength to move forward, or if she will remain flawed by her past and be robbed of all life has to offer.

In addition to seeing how Sandy fares, we're privileged to witness the journeys of Britney a mother and wife, who realizes that she's blessed and is not afraid to acknowledge that, Janice, a woman who seems to have made strides but who must cope and overcome setbacks, and Martha, a lady who battles demons in the only ways she knows how.

As with all her previous works, Margaret Johnson-Hodge has once again penned a story that delves deep beneath the surface of relationships. In this novel, MJH gets down and dirty, from telling the wondrous things of life, to revealing those shocking and unexpected incidents that make us cringe as we realize everyone goes through troubles and must seek to find deliverance. The writer has done an excellent job in bringing forth this sequel, unmasking numerous emotions, showing the strength and downfall of the human spirit, and still providing hope by the story's end. Bravo, Margaret. I'm ready for the next one!

Some Sunday is Margaret Johnson-Hodge's eagerly awaited sequel to Butterscotch Blues. Some Sunday continues the story of Sandy Hutchinson, as Johnson-Hodge revisits the lives of Sandy and her three best friends, Martha, Britney and Janice.

As the story opens, Sandy is still battling life without Adrian and while she's wary of love she realizes that she's still alive and that life must go on. But will she succumb to Adrian's brother, Winston or will she give handyman, Randall a chance? In the meantime, Sandy's friends are experiencing their share of ups and downs in the game of life as they dare to follow their hearts but maintain their wit. Brittany is dealing with being a stay at-home mom and wife, and while she has everything she's ever wanted, financial woes have her second guessing whether or not it's the right time to be thinking about increasing her household. Janice is dating the man of her dreams, Cliff(Sandy's brother), but her insecurities are quickly becoming demons and might overtake what's left of her relationship. And Martha is still the ultimate career woman but as the biological clock ticks, she realizes that she wants more and wonders if her current beau, Miles, is the ONE.

Once again, Johnson-Hodge does a wonderful job of inviting us into the lives of her characters and having the reader witness up, close and personal the conflict, challenges and decisions that each character will experience as they determine their futures and as they face new challenges, new lessons and new loves on the never-ending journey called life. However, I must admit that I had mixed feelings about Some Sunday. I so thoroughly enjoyed Butterscotch Blues that I really didn't want a sequel...I wanted well enough left alone. On the positive, I liked that Some Sunday seemed to provide more balance and attention to the four characters and that it was everyone's story rather than just Sandy's. However, I didn't get the same warm, engaging, riveting, poignant feel that I experienced with Butterscotch Blues. While each character had grown, they were also more gritty, edgy, sarcastic and sometimes the friendships weren't even warm or inviting. But then I guess the hard knocks of life sometimes has a funny way of creeping up on you and knocking off the rose-colored glasses. As a reader, I'm glad to have had the privilege to read both Butterscotch Blues and Some Sunday...but...now I'm ready for something different from this talented and creative writer. I believe that Some Sunday has finally brought closure to Sandy and the girls and, as such, I anxiously await and look forward to new characters and storylines from Ms. Johnson-Hodge.

"Some Sunday" is the perfect 5 star ending to its predecessor "Butterscotch Blues". I must confess I am not one to read love stories but something drew me to Ms. Hodges' "Butterscotch Blues" and I am glad it did. This author told a beautiful but sad story about love, loss, and the importance of friendship. When I finished "Butterscotch Blues", I hoped there would be a sequel and "Some Sunday" fulfilled my wishes.

Like "Butterscotch Blues", "Some Sunday" blew me away. There were so many aspects to the story, which were so well written and intertwined. It's a book that has to be highly recommended.

First, I have to commend Ms. Hodges for doing what so many readers wish other authors would do when they write sequels to their books, re-cap what happened in the first story! I was very pleased when I started "Some Sunday". Ms. Hodges started this book with an opening that helped jar your memory to what happened in "Butterscotch Blues". For those who had not read "Butterscotch Blues", the opening of "Some Sunday" allowed them to have an idea what the story had been about and give them an indication of what's to follow.

The love triangles that developed in this book were very surprising. Lines were crossed between friends and lovers. Even though it appeared that Sandy was only loving-liking- or lusting for a relationship with Winston due to loneliness -not to mention being sexually deprived, she still proves herself to be the strong person we came to know in "Butterscotch Blues".

As for the girls~
"Big Britney" and family~she is proof that marriages can overcome the biggest hurdles. She takes a lot of unnecessary criticism because of jealousy (overt and covert) from her friends and she doesn't deserve it.

I think Martha became a little too desperate for love and marriage and the proverbial baby carriage, but not more desperate than Janice.

Even with all their drama going on, in true sister-girlfriend style, they still had an opinion on the Adrian-Sandy-Randall love triangle.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading any of Ms. Hodges books, start with this duo. A definite page-turner. I am definitely looking forward to her next release "True Lies".

First, I want thank all my faithful readers who have continued to read and support me. For those who have picked me up for the first time, I offer my gratitude as well.

As you are aware "Some Sunday" is the continuation of the story began in "Butterscotch Blues". I am grateful that the feedback to my latest has been good and want to put the rest the question as to whether or not there will be a third book in this series. The answer is a definite no.

I beleive I have shared enough of Sandy and her friends to allow the reader to decide what will happen to them later on down the road. Though some have indicated that there will be a third installment, I want everyone to know that "Some Sunday" is it.

I do invite all those who have enjoyed my works to continue to do so. My next release titled, "True Lies" will be coming out in the fall of 2002. If you wish to share your thoughts with me personally, send me an email at mjhodge@bellsouth.net.

Peace and Blessings,

Margaret Johnson-Hodge

In New York City, Sandy deeply grieves the death of her beloved husband who succumbed to AIDS. As Sandy struggles to regain her equilibrium, she finds solace in a safe relationship with her brother-in-law before testing the deeper rapids with a contractor.

While Sandy toils with finding a reason to live, her best friends also struggle with life. In the courtroom Martha the assistant DA is a grandmaster, but her personal life consists of alcohol and the drudgery of trying not to lose her lover. Insecure Janice goads her fiancé into returning to the arms of his previous lover. Britney seemingly has it all with her wonderful husband and baby, but she is pregnant and along with her spouse nearly bankrupt by emulating the rich on a middle class income.

The sequel to BUTTERSCOTCH BLUES, SOME SUNDAY uses vignettes starring the four women to provide insight into a wide range of problems confronting African-American females though the issues seem more universal.

The four female friends emotionally support one another as each one skirmishes with different problems and stress. Margaret Johnson-Hodge shows she is quite an author with this deep look into the darker side of the modern American dream that can only be brightened through friendship and caring relationships.

Harriet Klausner

In Butter Scotch blues we met Sandy, Martha, Britney and Janice. As we know in Butter Scotch Blues Sandy lost her husband Adrian from AIDS it was a powerful kind of hurting that left her wary of ever loving again. Sandy's Feelings are re-awakened by Adrian's brother Winston right when Sandy thinks she's going to loose it in walks Randall a contractor who remodels her basement who also renovates her heart.

Martha Britney, and Janice are all going through changes Martha being a (ADA) assistant District Attorney she met a guy who can mke her dreams come true if she doesn't push to hard because she wants to live hapily ever after.

Britney being a big Women in size but also a loving new mother.
Britney was always different from her friends when she married Maurice and started living the life that she really wanted there comes a sudden change when work start to slow down for Maurice.

Janice is a whole different story from the rest of her friends she wants so mch and tries to hard to get it instead of just taking things slow and put her trust in herself and the man that she loves she would have been alright. She drives herself crazy and just can't take it anymore.

If you loved Butter Scotch Blues you will definitely love Some n Sunday this is an excellent book. Some Sunday really shows the real meaning about the importance of having outside support as well as support from family and friends. Some Sunday will definitely hold up a good discussion for any book club.

Blessing goes out to Margaret Johnson-Hodges.

Margaret Johnson-Hodge returns with the sequel to Butterscotch Blues and she does it with immense talent. Sandy is still mourning the loss of her husband, Adrian, who succumbed to AIDS during their brief marriage. She is lonely, confused, and in need of someone to ease the pain. She turns to Winston, Adrian's brother and a close replica.... While some of her friends deem it unethical for her to date her former brother-in-law, others are just happy that she has begun to live again. But Sandy realizes that Winston is not the one for her when she falls madly in love with Randall, a contractor whom she hires to renovate her basement.

While Sandy is going through relationship drama, her friends are equally embroiled in various situations with men. The thing I enjoyed about this book is that Johnson-Hodge explored the other characters more intensely than she did in Butterscotch Blues so a reader is given insight into all of their lives. I waited anxiously for this book to come out and it was well worth the wait.

Reviewed by Zane

i throughly enjoyed this book just as much as the previous three novels by this author. sandy has been through so much and it was good to see her "bouncing back"! i won't say too much to avoid spoiling it for others, but this is a must read! but, my favorite by ms. johnson-hodge is still "a new day". thanks again for a great story!

I really enjoyed this book. I am so glad that Sandy was able to find love due to all of her suffering and disappointments. Poor Janice, she did'nt know how to love that is why she had so many problems in her life with her lovers, she did'nt know how to express herself because she did'nt know herself due to the up bringing and all that went on during her tender years. Brittney, well, she realized that Maurice was her blessing, but the harsh words from Sandy, Brittney discovered that she can make decisions and follow them through, not only that, but when she and Maurice had financial problems, it was she that stepped out and made ends meet. She finally realized her potential and her ability to lead instead of follow for the rest of her life. Now Margaret, she too had disappointments, but she was able to do something about her set backs or should I say addition.I hope that Winston found the love that he deserved in his life, and Cliff, I guess he and Rachel became an item. I only hope that it worked out for them. All in all,I really enjoyed this book, it was entertaining, and very real to life. I just can't wait until the next book comes out...