Customer Reviews

Undercover

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Allowing society to dictate how you live can bring needless and painful suffering to yourself and your loved ones. Sometimes it's better to get off the fence and be yourself rather than spend a lifetime trying to pretend by living on the down low. In UNDERCOVER, Laurinda D. Brown brings to us two stories about living under the disguise of being heterosexual and the turmoil it can cause.

Iysha Desmereaux marries Nathaniel Chamberlain Alexander although she has a few qualms just before the ceremony. Because of her religious convictions, her marriage vows are sacred and she looks the other way when things don't quite add up. Having married on the rebound, this marriage for Nathaniel is a cover up for his true self.

Amil Blake Lindsay is in an unfulfilling relationship with Emanuel "Manny" Lindsay and has been for many years. Manny spends so much time chasing his financial dreams; he doesn't really notice the widening chasm between them. She develops roaming eyes and tastes on the internet when she meets Chris Desmereaux, a lesbian living her life openly. Their surprising face-to-face meeting and ultimate liaison has some particularly unsavory consequences for both of them.

Although billed as the sequel to Fire & Brimstone, this novel does stand on its own. Brown does an excellent job of showing the end result of living secret lives. She does it with humor, drama and education; an unbeatable combination. At first, this book turned me off, but the drama hooked me. As the storyline developed, my interest increased and I kept turning the pages as I was pulled into the lives of this colorful cast of characters. This was just the type of story that brings home the lessons about having unprotected sex, living in the "closet", living with the truth and living in ignorance as well as the impact of AIDS. This book serves as a wakeup call for both the homosexual and heterosexual communities.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I am very impressed. EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT. I loved every page of the book. I have been waiting so long for a good author to come out with a book that included the lives of real LESBIANS and "not the made for TV Lesbians". The story line was so believeable I thought maybe she knew a couple of my friends. Being a lesbian myself I am delighted to have this book on the selves so that the Hetrosexual world can see that being Bi affects for than just one person.

I wanted to give UNDERCOVER 5 stars. I really did.

After all, she is the author of Fire & Brimstone, a great lesbian novel for today's generation. The drama that ensured in that book was simply off the chain! Chris and Gayle kept it real.

Undercover is another story. This sequel of sorts continues with Chris, with even more drama this time, and has enough characters and twists to keep your attention. Yet what kept it from being a 5-star review was simply the timeline of the plot. There were times the plot jumps from one year to another with any transition to know what was going on. Some parts were cohesive, others came out of place.

But despite that, I still resumed my infatuation with Chris, the intelligent, determined woman confident in her sexuality. She reintroduces old friends like Rudy and Gayle, with whom Chris finally makes peace with, while presenting new faces, like Amil and Nathaniel.

This time around, Chris has gotten herself involved in an online affair with Amil, a doctor engaged to a successful entrepreneur. The ladies began with a friendship that turned into something more even without having met. Chris has a feeling it'll never work, as her instincts warn her that Amil will never leave Manney and the comfortable life they've made. Only in a chance business meeting do they finally see each other face to face--and the fireworks begin.

Iyesha, Chris' sister, has problems of her own. Lil sis is married to Nathaniel, a former drag queen who gave up the life after his lover Patrick leaves him for the Lord. The two become friends after his glorious heyday (or gayday), slowly falling into a relationship. In the beginning of their marriage, Nathaniel has convinced himself to become a heterosexual, faithful husband. He tries to be what Iyesha wants for a while. Pretty soon, though, he's back to his former life (on the down low), and their marriage is never the same.

Every character's life intertwines in this enjoyable novel about love and self-acceptance. Chris definitely has come a long way from the chaos of Fire & Brimstone.

Well done, Ms. Brown!

This story centers on Chris, the lesbian mother of two and her sister, Iysha who unbeknownst to her has chosen a drag queen as her life long mate. For years, Nathaniel successfully manages to hide his true nature from his wife. Chris on the other hand is quite open about her true self and manages to become involved with a woman deeply committed to a man. Will one or both sisters become a victim of uncertain heartbreak?

Ms. Brown tells a story in a way that is certain to hold the attention of the most critical reader. Initially I felt far too many characters were introduced and wondered where it all was leading. About twenty or so pages deep, things began to mesh and I discovered that I had kept track of everyone after all.

I did feel Ms. Brown summarized too many things that I would have enjoyed reading about such as little Max's reunion with his lost puppy. She stated, "It was a heart-wrenching scene. Well there was no scene to envision, so I really cannot say if it was touching or not. Yet Max was also doomed but I could not connect with his character because she told how adorable he was and how his Auntie Chris adored him. I would have preferred scenes in this area too. Nevertheless, I see Ms. Brown's next novel on my reading list.

Marian E.
APOOO BookClub

I read this book out of order apparently. It was a page turner. I read it in a few hours and went to look for other books written by her. That is how I found out it was a part 2. She writes as people talk and think so if you are looking for grammer this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a great story on life this is the right book. I met this author in VA and she is down to earth and her stories are a great reflection of that. Keep up the good work!!! I am awaiting for the part one to reach my doorstep!!!

Talk about 6 degrees of separation. This is a love story. Love for your friends, family, children, baby daddy and the girl you met online. This is the followup to "Firm & Brimstone". Laurinda Brown just may become E. Lynn Harris for women's literature.

It was very interesting, easy to read and follow. There was drama every chapter or so. Brown, sure knows how to keep a person interested. I really got that "Six Degrees of Separation" vibe. Among other things it was tasteful. I believe a straight woman could read this book in relate to the chapters. Brown, says that here novels are not about gay and lesbians persons but about their relationships with others and GOD!

I fell in love with Laurinda Brown's classic novel "Fire and Brimstone". I honestly didn't think that there could be a follow up to that novel that could come close with pulling me into the page turning, emotional and exhilarating ride of "Fire and Brimstone". But mark my word, when I say that the author-Laurinda Brown has outdone herself this time around. YES indeed, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the rollar coaster ride of your life when you read this book-"Undercover". Think you've heard it all?? Think you've seen it all?? Think you've done it all?? NOT!!... Not until you read this book. Definately a page turner, that will have you glued. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It would make an excellent selection for your book club's group. Because it will definately get "everyone" talking!!

Laurinda D.Brown is a very talented storyteller with the ability to take your imagination on a very realistic journey. UnderCover had my full attention from beginning to ending. Nathaniel who left his stage life to become a husband and a father only to find his true love (The Stage) again. The woman who loved him and her insercurities. Chris and her internet chat buddy who would be more than they ever thought could be possible. Love brings everyone right where they should be in this book. UnderCover is easy one of 2004's best reads for me

Hats off to the previous reviewer. You got it right about Fire & Brimstone being right on target for black lesbians.

However, my sister, I do have to break with you on a couple of points. One, Rudy is a new character. How do I know? Girl, I loved her too much to have missed her in the first book.

Second, I didn't have a problem with the flow. I think Ms. Brown did an excellent job on keeping me up with where she was going.

Thanks, Laurinda Brown, for turning out two good products. I think the previous reviewer and I can both agree on that!

UnderCover is an amazing love story that intertwines the heterosexual and homosexual communities unlike any story I've ever read. It was very well written and should be lauded for its attention to detail. Ms. Brown has produced a passionate story for ALL to enjoy. We got a transvestite that you've gotta love; a professional woman battling her fears about her sexuality; a brother who has it all but is so caught up in his ego that he loses touch with reality; a former drag queen who can't seem to shake his previous life; and a Black woman struggling with trying to have the perfect married life and is in denial about the truth. A marvelous story that is destined to become a best-seller.