9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Freedom Is a Choice, August 30, 2007
This review is from: Sweeter Than Honey (Hardcover)
Mentally abused by her hateful mother, Rita, Lace St. Thomas always felt like a stranger in her own home. At the age of 16, Lace's credibility was diminished when her mother believed her perverted step-father, Don, over her. Kicked out, abandoned, homeless and afraid, Lace married a stranger and suffered countless abuse until finally she'd had enough.
For 11 years in Sin City, Lace used the power of her body to afford shelter, food and material things. As she climbed the rank from prostitute, to wife-in-law, to madam, Lace became more educated and was no longer willing to suffer at the hands of another man. Employed now as a Madam at Immaculate Perception, Lace knows that she has to remain in control, otherwise she can end up on the bottom. When she meets Sunny Day, a prostitute that she recruited, she sees that this is no longer the business she wants to be acquainted with. Working for Valentino may have its ups, but it also comes with downs. Can Lace escape untouched?
Benito Bannister is Lace's live in boyfriend. He was once a professional football player, with money, cars and fame. Dead broke, Benito is 100% indebted to his boy, Valentino, for hooking him up with Lace. However, Benito has issues. Adopted, abandoned and destitute, Benito tries to love Lace with all that he has. When his boy, Valentino, asks him to do him a favor, will Benito risk all that he has with Lace?
"Sweeter Than Honey" by veteran Mary B. Morrison speaks volumes about women and the choices they have. While it takes a candid look at prostitutes, it encourages all women, despite what they've been through, to believe in themselves and when they are able to, pay it forward. While I loved the positive message, I also hated it! Oh my goodness, I'm at a total loss and for those of you that truly know me, you know that I'm a talker. I got so tired of Benito rambling on about the black man, and if Valentino would've said he was a "G" just one more time... not to mention that the LVPD used civilians to help them entrap criminals while endangering their lives just so the undercover Sergeant Bleu could get her promotion. I agree with other reviewers, Mary is a gifted writer, however at times "Sweeter Than Honey" shuffles along slowly and the sex, believe it or not, is a little too much. I love that Mary uses her writing to advocate to others.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely a Sweet entry to a Series!, September 24, 2007
This review is from: Sweeter Than Honey (Hardcover)
Sweeter Than Honey was one of our book club selections and I'm glad I was selected to read it. I thought that the book was a very entertaining novel and well-written by Mary Morrision. For a new book in a series this was a terrific start and the way Ms. Morrison developed some of the new characters in the story I could see them being reintroduced into the sequel. The glamorous scenes revolving around Las Vegas was so real that I felt like I was actually there. Then there was cruel side of Las Vegas and the author didn't hold anything back in describing the business of sexual pleasure in that city. There are numerous reviews that give an excellent description of the story and I won't add more, except to say that this is a fantastic story.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Honey is Not So Sweet, November 15, 2007
This review is from: Sweeter Than Honey (Hardcover)
Sweeter Than Honey is the first book in Mary B. Morrison's new series, The Honey Diaries. Morrison introduces us to Lace St. Thomas, the madam of Immaculate Perception, an escort service owned by Valentino James, located in Las Vegas. That is where the high rollers pay top dollars to be with the most beautiful, sexiest, and talented in the bedroom women. Even though she is as tough as a man, Lace still cannot deny that she has a warm heart somewhere deep down inside. Lace shows how honey is not only sweet but also very sticky.
Lace takes very good care of her girls. She makes sure they are treated right by the men who pay to be with them and their boss, Valentino. When one of her girls turns up dead, Lace becomes concerned and suspicious of all the men around her. She is not sure of who did what, but she is going to find out no matter who she has to kill.
Morrison presents characters that are strong physically and vocally. Lace is a character that people will remember after the book is over. I am a bit concerned with the many monologues that the characters have throughout the entire book. There is a lot of useless information provided in these ongoing scenes. It seemed as if the character-building material was left in the actual book. If the characters interacted more with each other, this book would have moved along quicker. A few of the situations that occurred just were far-fetched and unbelievable.
Take away the parts not needed and you have a story with memorable characters. If this is a person's first time picking up a Mary B. Morrison's book, it may serve to be disappointing. I recommend Sweeter Than Honey to true diehard Morrison fans.
Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub
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