Customer Reviews

That Devil's No Friend of Mine

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Review by Tavares S. Carney

Author, J.D. Mason, brings readers into the lives of characters Kristine Fontaine, Lamar and Rhonda, Cole and Nora, Rayne, T. Diggs, and Cash. That Devil's No Friend of Mine is a story of a trail of secrets, lies and family ties left behind by a strong-willed man, Bishop Fontaine, with convictions that influenced his family and those he cared for to still be concerned with what he'd think of them and their actions, even after his death.

Upon Bishop's passing, the author weaves a tale with characters whose lives are, unknowingly, intertwined by Bishop Fontaine. Kristine, Bishop's only child, is the heiress to a million-dollar business owned by her father and family-friend, Lamar. Kristine's vulnerability and innocence is tucked away when she finds new life in being able to make her own decisions, as well as come to terms with secrets of the past. Finding new love in Tauris Diggs helps Kristine to process her emotions, deal with her past and face the future. Supporting characters, Cole and Nora, Cash and Rayne add a twist to the story by offering subplots of volatile marriage and drug addiction.

The novel is a relatively fast-read. I did want to know what would happen next. I did close the novel, however, with a sense of not knowing if I was happy with the ending, only because I'd like to know how things turn out for Kristine and T. Diggs, and even moreso, Cole. I would have also liked to have known more about Bishop's character.

Overall, I liked this story. It read well for me.

Review by Tavares S. Carney

J.D. Mason's latest novel, That Devil's No Friend of Mine, opens at the funeral of Bishop Fountain, a man who was a loving husband, doting father, an idolized mentor, and a good friend to a cast of characters who must deal with his unexpected absence in their lives. Set in modern day suburban Washington, DC, the plot has a "six degrees of separation" undertow in that Bishop's death links and affects the key characters differently with both positive and negative results. Each have their issues, burdens to bear, and more than one harbors secrets and runs from demons.

Bishop's sheltered daughter, Kristine, a 29 year-old "good girl" and victim of an overbearing father, exhales at his funeral, dons a new wardrobe, embraces her sexuality, and finally claims her life as her own. She gets hands-on with her handyman, Tauris; but he has a "love jones" that just will not die for the beautiful songstress Rayne, a recovering heroin addict, who treats him like a boy toy. Rayne's world is turned upside down by the sudden reappearance of her supplier. Her resolve is challenged without Bishop's stern presence to bolster her. Bishop's distant cousin, Cole, a handsome world-renowned prize-fighter, is up against the ropes with his wife, Nora, a super model with a fetish that threatens their marriage and careers. Lamar, Bishop's business partner, also faces marital challenges when his suppressed desires surface with disastrous results.

This is a contemporary fiction novel with a touch of daytime soap opera flair; meaning that although the cast is outwardly beautiful, in perfect physical shape, and unbelievably desirable, they are far from perfect. The flawed characters grapple with their vacillating feelings, selfish needs, and teetering emotions generating the much needed drama to propel the plot. Surprisingly, the story actually conveys clear, concise messages and lessons on honesty, love, and devotion despite the characters' differing views on "love" -- from genuine to psychotic. Sadly, I thought the outcome of each sub-plot scenario yielded predictable and uneventful conclusions. I was left with a few minor questions -- but for this genre, I reminded myself to just take the story for what it is and not think too hard about the minor disconnects. Recommended for fans of the author and those who want a light, quick read -- a perfect novel for Spring Break or Summer Vacation.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
March 20, 2009

Bishop Fontaine is dead. While others are mourning his death, his only child, 29-year-old Kristine, is secretly rejoicing. She's not rejoicing the loss of his life, but rather the birth of her freedom. No more curfews. No more drab, homey clothing. No more oppression. A chance to have friends, and more importantly - a man!

Lamar Brown, Bishop's friend and business partner, also sees the death of Bishop as a form of freedom - freedom to pursue the one thing he wants most, Kristine Fontaine. Despite his love, loyalty and respect for Bishop, not to mention his own wife, he can't shake his feelings for Kristine.

Rhonda Brown has had her suspicions. She's always hoped that they were unfounded. After all, she stepped in and played the role of mother to Kristine after the death of her mother. Kristine even calls her husband, Lamar, Uncle Lamar. They're practically family, right? But that doesn't stop the nagging feeling that there is something more there between her husband and Kristine.

Bishop Fontaine held a special place in Rayne Fitzgerald's heart. Four years ago he helped to get the monkey off her back - heroin to be exact. Once a junkie, Rayne is now a blues singer on the track to bigger things. And she has Bishop to thank for that. With him now gone, is she strong enough to keep that monkey off her back?

A role model is what Bishop was to Cole `The Hammer' Burkette, a pro boxer. Even with the fortune and fame, he was someone Cole could always talk to, be encouraged by, and aspire to be like. Without his mentor, is Cole down for the count?

One man...Five lives.

"That Devil's No Friend of Mine" spends its energy exploring the tension, uncertainty and growth in its characters. This intriguing novel works on many levels, touching on the themes of drug abuse, molestation, love, life and death. Mason delivers a highly enjoyable account of five lives influenced by the life and death of one person. "That Devil's No Friend of Mine" is a book worth taking a look at.

Reviewed by: Toni

In JD Mason's That Devil's No Friend Of Mine, Bishop Fountain was known to others as a loving father and a great friend. The many people that were connected to him, became linked to each other through his death. Bishop's deeper issues of control and manipulation did not surface until after his demise. Was Bishop really the man that kept them afloat?

His daughter, Kristine, was the only person who felt free after her father's death. This freedom turned Bishop's best friend and partner, Lamar's, life upside down. Lamar thought that he would step into Kristine's life and be the man she needed. As truth of their relationship is exposed, Lamar's wife, Rhonda, realizes how much she ignored over the years. Kristine has different plans and wants absolutely nothing to do with Lamar. She has her eyes set on her sexy contractor, Tauris, who has an itch that just cannot be scratched hard enough for Rayne, a former heroin addict and blues singer. Bishop was the one that helped her to leave drugs alone. Now that he is gone and her old heroin supplier is in town, she needs nothing short of a miracle to keep her away from that "stuff." Bishop's cousin, Cole, looked at him as a mentor. Cole is a World Boxing Champion that channels his anger in the ring. When his wife, Nora, a super model reveals a fetish that pushes him to bring that anger into their marriage, all goes down hill for their life as they knew it.

All of Mason's characters in That Devil's No Friend Of Mine are fascinating. As their connections come together, you begin to see that the common thread for each of them is love. They are each looking for that bond that will validate their existence. They appear to have it all together on the outside, but on the inside they are each falling apart. Their addictions, selfishness, and wanting more drives the plot. Mason did a great job connecting the dots and having all of the characters interact with each other. It was a fun read and I recommend for those that love Mason's work.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub
Sista Talk Book Club

I haven't read any of Ms Mason's other works of literature but I was truelly impressed with this one. So much so I quickly contacted the library to put her other novels on hold. I liked the way the characters were woven together by the love and resilance of Bishop. I would like to know more about his first marriage and what happens with each of the characters especially Cole and Kris. I believe a second part is needed to sum up the lives of the characters.

Great book, J.D. Mason did it again! story was good right from the start. Holds your attention until the end.

"That Devil is no Friend of Mine" is based on characters that center around one man who had died and how they go on with their lives based on words of wisdom that he gave them."That Devil is no Friend of Mine" has both good characters and interesting storylines. One again JD gives you realistic characters that have a lot of temptation to try and overcome. There are several different storylines in the book which keeps you attention and written easy so you have no trouble remember what is going on with each storyline. The book's character all knew the late Bishop Fontaine. During the book the characters remember words of wisdom that he tried to share with them in order to keep them always from the Devil. I would have liked all the storylines to come full circle so everyone's storyline put them together. In away the book seems more like short stories than a novel. I think the thread was just a little too loose to bind them all together. In "That Devil is no Friend of Mine" I found myself picking characters I was cheering for hoping they could stay clear of the Devil. I often find myself shading tears for characters but I did not have emotional attachment to any of these characters so no tears shed. There were several themes in "That Devil is no Friend of Mine" but they all centered on temptations. How hard it is not to be tempting in the life of Drugs and Sex. "That Devil is no Friend of Mine" completes the list of JD mason books I had not read. Now I must wait at least a year to read her next book if she so has one released in 2011. Since I am avid reader of MS Mason I will rank her books in the order from best to works:
1. Don't Want no Sugar
2. One Day I saw a Black King
3. On the Eighth Day she Rested
4. You gotta Sin to get Saved
5. The Devil is no Friend of Mine
6. This Fire Down in My Soul
7. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces
8. Take your Pleasure where you Find it

This is only my 2nd read of J.D. Mason but I can say I will be definitely be picking up the rest of her books. This book grabbed me from the first couple of pages. I just knew from the beginning that there would so many hidden problems and all stemming from Bishop Fontaine. I wish I could have found out more about his character and his wives.

It kept me guessing until the end. This book is a great read and highly recommended. When I got to the last page I kept turning. I wanted more!!! Keep it up J.D. Mason. You have a fan for life!

Is there a part 2!!?? I sure hope so! I would love to know what happened with Rayne, T Diggs and Kristine.

This book was an excellent read and I highly recommend. I hope there is a sequel. If you have not read this book, you are missing out on a good thing. Keep up the good work!!!

JD Mason's book Devils No Friend of Mine was a very interesting book, kept your tention throughout the book with many twist and turns. Her characters Cole,and his wife were a train ride where you knew the wreck was coming, and
you couldnt wait to get to the next chapter to see what would happen next.