Customer Reviews

Wishin' on a Star

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

 

 

The plot of "Wishin'" is a solid one, a basis for what could be a very compelling book. Unfortunately, it stays on the surface and never delves deep. The relationship is handled too deeply too suddenly, the sex is rushed, the characters (primary and secondary) too cliched to really ring true. Also, dialogue runs from quite stilted in some chapters to relaxed in others, to all exotic phrases in others -- very uneven.

There's nothing here that some editing couldn't have helped. The writer shows true promise and just needs to be guided to make her books deeper, more emotional, more real. She has a theme of universal love as well as the reality of paranormal events in this modern world that needs to be read by a lot of people. I think in the future she'll really start to shine (let's just hope she changes her nom de plume to a more serious one).

Two more comments: why bring up the dog fighting? Talk about a loose thread. I was disappointed that the lead character didn't object even a little to it.

And I love the style of this cover! I've seen a few books like this and find the style very refreshing!

At the Pinellas County Millennium Celebration, foreigner Raphael Blaize approaches St. Petersburg resident Shelby Russau and asks to meet her brother Cleophus. Stunned because her brother died sixteen years ago, Shelby walks away in disgust. Later that same day, Raphael comes to Shelby's house to confront her again. He learns that her sibling died just after returning from the military's Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. She learns her brother sired a son with Raphael's sister. He also informs her their nephew needs an AB blood transfusion or he will die.

After seeing a picture of her alleged nephew that looks just like her brother, Shelby accompanies Raphael back to Grenada. There she sees a conflict between tradition and modernization involving an ancient ritual and her nephew. As Raphael and Shelby become acquainted, they fall in love, but he is a traditionalist steeped in his country's heritage while she is a twenty-first century modern American.

WISHIN' ON A STONE is an engaging romance that centers on the continual war between heritage and "progress." The story line moves forward at a fast clip because of the fully developed characters including several key secondary cast members. Raphael and Shelby will enchant readers with their growing love and struggle to find a common ground besides that deep affection for one another. Throwing into the plot a touch of fantasy, Eboni Snoe always tells a gripping story that thrills her audience no end.

Harriet Klausner

I'd initially read this book when I was a freshman in high school. At the time, I thought it was great. Rereading it six years later, I still feel that it's good, not as good as I'd initially thought. The character dialogue was entirely too proper. I mean, the main character was from Grenada and the only time she used any island dialect, was in a phrase and not through out. I'm sure they don't speak perfect english all the time down there, I'm full blooded american and I never use proper english.

When Shelby was young, she lost her parents. A little later, she lost her only brother in the war. Now after all these years, a stranger shows up at her door step looking for him, stating that he has a son. When she informs Raphael that her brother is dead, he summons her to Hummingbird island because the boy is sick and needs a transfusion. Reluctantly she accompanies him to his homeland and soon finds herself attracted to the dreadlocked, accented Blaize. From there, that's where the whirlwind begins. This was definitely not her best, but well worth the read. I am a die-hard Eboni Snoe fan and am lookingg forward to the next.

Snoe has once again told us a story that takes us away to a land where spiritual oneness and riturals are still alive and well. Blaize, a true man of vision with his beliefs and looks takes hold of Shelby's mind, body, and soul with their first meeting. From then on they explore together the true meaning of love and family. You go girl!! A got to have book!

Shelby Russau wants a family (her parents and older brother have died). When handsome Raphael Blaize shows up and tells her she's an aunt, she follows him to Granada to discover the boy her brother left behind. She doesn't count on the attraction she feels for Blaize to turn into anything. Especially since he wants to live for the day and avoid commitment.

Blaize is trying to re-start the magical beliefs and rituals his parents followed, beliefs handed down from early African slaves. Shelby reacts like any American would, disbelieving in what matters most to him. Still, he needs her help on the ceremony that will cure their shared nephew of his sickle cell anemia.

Snoe does a great job creating romantic tension between Blaize and Shelby. Her descriptions of Granada and its culture ring true. The intrigue element of the plot, however, was quite underdeveloped. At times, the writing is clunky enough to jar the reader from the novel. Fortunately, the story line is strong enough to bring us back.

I am a diehard Eboni Snoe fan and although I don't think that this was her best effort, it was still worth the read.

After reading this book, "Wishin' On A Star" I have to admit it is one of my favorite Eboni Snoe books. I actually have read all of her works except Beguiled. This book had such a smooth easy plot that was simply enjoyable and pleasant to read.

The author is such a unique writer with her stories, some of the past books, although I have enjoyed them, they have had some serious subject matters that were always not a one day read. But this one, the only reason I did not read it in one day, is basically I took it with me while attending my sorority convention.

I loved the hero, Raphael Blaize who comes from Grenada seeking for his nephew's father. But instead encounters Shelby Russau (his nephew's father's sister) The first time meeting for them is quite interesting and the decision Shelby makes that brings her to Grenada.

Overall I recommend reading this book, its a great plot that's well developed, very interesting characters, has some humorous parts, some touching of the heart parts, suspense and of course some sizzling sensual parts between Raphael and Shelby.

Thanks Eboni, for such an enjoyable book to read. I am looking forward to your next book.