Customer Reviews

Until...

5 star:		(158)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was impressed by this debut novel from Timmothy McCann. I especially liked his ability to speak from a female's point of view and to add a different storyline spin via inclusion of on-line romance.

Until is a love story with enough twists and turn to keep you reading in the wee hours of the morning. Relationships and friendship are addressed via the multidimensional characters as well underlying themes/Contemporary issues including single women over 30, middle class African Americans, corporate racism and true love.

Until is a quick, easy read about Betty, Drew, Jackie and Evander. Meet Betty a successful, young, attractive, over 30 and single, AA female in a prestigious, albeit predominantly white, Southern law firm. Meet Evander, Betty's love interest, her knight in shining armor who appears perfect in every way until Betty discovers his past, his secrets and Drew. Meet Drew an industrious entrepreneur; hardworking, honest, sensitive, sensual individual who keeps busy from sunrise to sunset to get over his deceased love, Felicia, UNTIL he meets Betty. Meet Jacqui who is the epitome sista friend-that strong Black Sister-that sista who on the surface is very opinionated, strong willed, strong minded, yet underneath that hard shell is a sensitive, caring individual who's also looking for the man of her dreams but who remains their for you UNTIL the end no matter what. Sounds predictable UNTIL you read the book and find out that there's much more between the pages. Drama that you wouldn't even know existed...especially where Evander is concerned and have you going "the nerve of that character; no he didn't go there"! Touching and poignant moments including Felicia's last words to Drew. The feelings associated with this situation were so real that it brought sadness and anger to the surface.

Until is a romantic, touching, entertaining, intriguing, sensual novel with a hint of suspense. The writing style is clear and expressive; the storyline is engaging and refreshing. UNTIL is Easy To Read and fast paced. I couldn't put the book down UNTIL...I finished.

After reading this book within a twenty-four hour period, four words came to mind, "thank you Timmothy McCann." It was so refreshing to read this skillfully crafted tale of love. Kudos to Mr. McCann for strong character development, making it easy to get lost in the characters world.You understand Betty's resistance to love, feel her vulnerability and marvel at her strength. Drew, oh boy, the man single women everywhere are waiting to exhale with. I was extremely impressed with Drew's morality, and his ability to do the right thing in regard to Zelma. I found all the characters to be realistic, from Evander's unsavory machinations, Peggy's sisterly ways, Felicia's ambivalence about her feelings for Drew to Jacqui's take no prisoners attitude. The icing on the cake was the use of the internet to develop Drew and Betty's relationship. Proving once again that love is not about the physical, but two souls connecting on a spirtual level. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but be careful as Timmothy also teases you with a taste of his poetic melody. This book leaves you with the renewed feeling of, you never know how or when-"Until. . ." >>

I saw this book back in July and bought another book instead, because I had never heard of the author. Four months later out of nowhere, it pops into my head that I must read this book immediately. I embarked upon a whirlwind 1-day 5-bookstore search, even though I couldn't remember the title or the author's name, just had a vague recollection of a beige book with an Eric Jerome Dickey endorsement on the cover. Lesson learned: Always follow your gut. When I finished this book the next day, my only regret was that I hadn't bought it back in July. I was skeptical about a man writing from a woman's point of view, but Mr. McCann does an excellent job. I laughed with Jacqui, I cried with Betty, I mourned with Drew and had a revelation through Evander. This is one of the few books I've read that covers the spectrum of African America without becoming stereotypical. The characters are familiar without being predictable, and I finished the book certain that I could read a separate book about each of the supporting characters and be just as entertained. Timmothy McCann knows his stuff. I've called or emailed ten people not recommending but TELLING them to buy this book. The conclusion may be foregone, but the story is still infinitely entertaining. Not only did I read some sections again and again, I called people up and read parts of it over the telephone! As an editor and a longtime voracious reader, I'm very critical, but I will be extremely surprised if you don't like this book. An absolute must-read for lovers of African-American fiction, well worth the bookstore barnstorming I did to find it!

That's what it took Yawl for this reviewer to interpret the literary genius of Timmothy B. McCann.

It took the characters of Betty Robinson, Jacqui Jordan, Evander Jones and Andrew Patrick Staley to descend into the bowels of my emotions to raise my level of understanding to recognize the importance of what this author has to say.

Let me try to explain.

I read Until in one sitting, which kept me up well into the midnight hour, and as I slipped into sleep Mr. McCann's characters related their story to me as each one performed their individual tap dance on the essence of my soul.

Listen, as they introduce themselves to you as well:

Our heroine, Betty Robinson, is not only beautiful, educated and caring, but fully proves to us as a people, what we do every day on the stage of life - take the blackness of negativity and ride it until we erupt into our inheritance of light. Betty's light was her becoming a brillant trial attorney and helping others to enter into what she had attained - confidence and self-respect.

Jacqui Jordan, Betty's best friend, proves herself to be just that, time and time again. Jacqui is the epitome of true friendship - she is willing to sacrifice your feelings with her often hurtful bluntness in order to save you from outside hurtful forces. In other words, she doesn't feed into telling you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear in order to keep on keepin on in a positive way. The accumulation of her learning drips like pearls of wisdom throughout this book. I enjoyed her character the most of all.

Evander Jones - Umph, Umph, Umph! He's the type of man who will have you believing water ain't wet, and have us foolish women rejoicing in what we consider newfound knowledge - that is until the icy tenacles of its coldness renders us senseless as it catapults us back into the world of reality; awakening us from the hypocrisy of the beliefs he instills in us! The development of his character is superb. He'll have you double re-thinking any decisions you make in the romance arena of your life.

Then finally, we have Andrew "Drew" Patrick Staley, entrepreneur extraordinaire. He is the kind of man prayers are sent forth for - tall, dark, handsome, intelligent and caring. He defines what we mamas want for our daughters. You see, Drew's beauty radiates from the inside out. His beauty lies not in his physical attributes, as I'm sure Mr. McCann meant us to deduce.

Well Yawl, therein lies the telling of this tale.

This reviewer highly recommends that you get this book, contemplate on it, feast on it and then bring others to the feast by your positive recommendation of the reading of this book. If for no other reason, you should buy this book in order to get a picture of the "hunk" on the cover. I'm 54 and slapping 55 in the behind and he sure stirs something inside me, as did the writing of Mr. Timmothy B. McCann!

My parting thought for Mr. McCann: 1st Corin. 2:9-11. Be Blessed!

The plot of Timmothy McCann's "Until" wasn't particularly compelling or even original. But underlying the surface of the lives of the three main characters'(Betty, Jacqui and Drew) attempts to find, keep and get over the loss of love was a sweet honesty that kept me turning the pages and renewed my faith in the possibility of true love and commitment. The book also made me nostalgic to a degree, thanks to references like Foster Sylvers and the song "As". I highly recommend "Until" for its portrayal of successful black professionals who measure their lives with yardsticks that matter--not just money. Am looking forward to the release of McCann's new book.

Okay now that I have your attention, thats what I thought when I read the last page of Until. I am a big fan of Nicholas Sparks and the author of Bridges of Madison County. A year or so ago I was given a copy of If This World Were Mine and I started reading more and more contemporay african american literature. Then I was in the store and saw this beautiful cover which immediately caught my eye and the question, 'Have you ever meet someone for the first time . . .and knew just how much you missed them.' After reading that I was hook like a wide mouth bass.

Then I opend the book to read while I cooked dinner for my family. I read while my favorite show Friends was on. I missed all of ER and even read through Leno. I have set my schedule to be home to watch TV on Thursday's but this was one week I had a book that was more important than 'Can't Miss T.V!'

Timmothy's writing style is different. He has the passion of E Lynn, the romantic Story lines of Sparks, the wit of Eric Dickey and he even subtly works in social issues like Omar Tyree. With so many average books on the shelves its good to see one which as Dickey proclaims, 'Stands Head and Shoulders above the rest.' Thank you Timmothy for bringing yet another inventive and exciting new voice to todays literature.

YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!! If what you need is a feel good read, then you could not possibly go wrong with Until.. After starting on this book I could not put it down. Few books can move a person to experience such emotions as I felt while reading this book. I laughed and I cried with the hero and heroine. Through the writing I could feel the emotions that the characters in the book were feeling. But through the suffering, all they had to do was wait UNTIL... Timmothy McCann proves that a man can write a wonderful story with feelings. What I take from this book is sometimes we have to suffer loss and pain and we may not know which way to turn, but if we only wait Until...Love doesn't come in the physical, but in the emotional. My favorite line from the book comes from Drew, speaking to Betty, "Have you ever met someone for the first time, and all you want to tell them is how much you've missed them?" Mr. McCann, if this is your introduction into the literary world,You are definitely a winner. UNTIL...

I'm on the last chapter and I knew that I had to write a comment about this book. I laughed, cried, and said mmmmm too many times. The brother is on point as for as I am concerned. I recommend that all my sisters who are readers pick up this book. Share it with a friend, share it with another brother. The Brother is telling my story and I am sure a lot of sisters will agree that he's telling their story as well. Mr. McCann-are-you-married?

This book is just what the doctor ordered. For those of you who have been hurt; in search of a "true" love; or trying to move on after the loss (or break-up) of a loved one then this is the book for you! Once I started reading I couldn't put it down! The characters were true-to-life and the plot was one in which we all could have played a part. I can't wait for a sequel that will let us know how Betty and Andrew are doing! Timmothy McCann has proven that he can definitely "hang" with the "bad boys" of literature (i.e. Michael Baisden, Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree and many others)!

Until is not only a romance novel, but a story about positive, hard working people who encounter true love. This story centers around two main characters, Betty and Drew. Timmothy B. McCann explores the different lives of the two and the common bond that they share.

Betty, an intelligent, good-natured and strong woman is a high-powered litigator in a prestigious law firm. Although she is fierce in the courtroom, her goal is to help people in need. McCann explores Betty's ability to deal with pain from the past, to let go, and to love. The reader sees Betty as not only a good lawyer and a good woman, but a good friend too-to Drew and her best friend Jacqui.

Drew, a real romantic, is a successful financial planner who owns his own business. He is an all-together "good man" who learns to embrace the gifts of healing, love, loss, and life. His intelligence and common sense help him to learn from his pain and live life to the fullest.

McCann explores these characters weaknesses and strengths, their abilities to hurt, to overcome, and moreover to learn. Betty meets a charming beau, Evander, who is attentive and ambitious in his endeavors through life. Drew finds love by opening up his heart, after dealing with his pain. The author delves into the life of each character and portrays their ability to relate well to the different roles that they take on in their every day lives. One could easily see the themes of sisterhood, friendship, love, loss, and healing. This book contains people you likely know. These characters are easy to relate to because they are not "perfect," just "genuine." Each has his and her own flaws, but the element that sets this novel apart from others is the absence of a "tragic flaw" that ruins the entire story.

If you enjoy reading about real people, real relationships, and real romance, get this book quickly. It is one of the best!