Forever My Lady (Paperback)

by Jeff Rivera (Author) "You got cotton for brains or something?..." (more)
Key Phrases: other trainees, Trainee Rodriguez, Visitor's Day, Las Vegas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Dio "Playboy" Rodríguez grows up poor with a drunk single mother in gritty Las Vegas, leading him into gang life at 13. Now 17, Dio hides a softer side beneath a fierce exterior that's known only to his middle school sweetheart, Jennifer. But when a drive-by leaves Jennifer wounded and sends Dio to prison boot camp, their soul mate relationship is put to the test. Rivera, who originally self-published this debut, traces a classic redemptive arc: perpetually scowling Dio resists the authority of drill instructor Jackson and clashes with fellow inmates, but he pours out his heart in letters to Jennifer, forms meaningful peer relationships and gains an appreciation for discipline. A genuine care for dynamic Dio allows Rivera to deliver a sincere story of transformation. (July)
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Review
'Captures those fleeting but powerful moments in young love.' Luis J. Rodriguez, author of ALWAYS RUNNING 'Moving and meaningful... Its suspenseful ending leaves us all waiting with baited breath for the romantic sequel... This is more than just an urban story, it is a human story.' Abiola Abrams, host of BET's The Best Shorts 'A remarkable love story... come on with book two.' MAHOGANY BOOK CLUB MEDIA REVIEW "Book Pick of the Year" MIGENTEMAGAZINE.COM 'I absolutely loved it!' ARIANNE ZUKER - Days of Our Lives (NBC)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1st Warner Books Ed edition (July 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446698814
• ISBN-13: 978-0446698818
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,025,802 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Hard Knock Life, November 8, 2007

By	Sharon M. Russ "RIredlitlover" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Forever My Lady
Jeff Rivera
Genre: Urban Fiction
APOOO rating: 4
Amazon.com rating: 4

A Hard Knock Life

Forever My Lady is a book that vividly tells the influence the street life can have on a person's mind, body and soul. Jeff Rivera shows the constant struggle an individual can have within themselves to survive on a daily basis and in life when they are dealt a bad hand. Rivera proves through his eloquent use of words that the path one chooses in their life comes with many twists and turns.

Dio "Playboy" Rodriguez grows up with many strikes against him. The family that he shares a home with causes mental anguish and abuse in what should be a nurturing environment. It is the family on the streets that welcomes him into the fold and will serve as the force that raises him. The rules of the street life will prove to be conflicting to Dio's heart as he finds love in another lost soul, his middle school sweetheart, Jennifer. The walls that surround the heart of this thug come tumbling down when he falls deeply for Jennifer and the glistening of hope of the life that they could share together. But the future of these two young lovers will hit a brick wall with such force when a tragic event occurs in their life and Dio is sent to boot camp. Will Dio clean up his act while in boot camp? Will love truly prevail for Dio and Jennifer?

Jeff Rivera tells an extraordinary tale of struggle, abuse, perseverance and transformation. In doing all of this, Rivera was able to acquaint the readers with a love story from the streets. Rivera is a talented author with the ability to breathe life into the characters on the pages. Rivera has pieced together a well-crafted book that I would recommend to lovers of urban fiction and young adults.

Reviewed by Sharon Russ
APOOO BookClub

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Emotional!, January 5, 2006

By	Linda Nieves-Powell "Free Style Writer" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forever My Lady: A Novel (Paperback)

This is such a great book. I couldn't put it down and read it in one and a half days. Being a playwright myself, I am very sensitive to dialogue and the dialogue of the characters in this book is honest and real and true. The writer also doesn't waste time giving us unimportant info to set up scenes ...he goes straight to the heart of the story and keeps you there until the end. You actually feel the character's emotions immediately. Excellent book. I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!, August 30, 2008

By	Anton Hill - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I started reading Forever My Lady, I was taken by Rivera's simple--though not simplistic--and breezy style. He easily creates so much with so little, he almost makes writing a touching, provocative love story seem easy. Almost. From the terse, spot-on dialogue, to the striking, at times very funny, descriptions, you get hooked.

I have to admit I didn't like Dio, the main character, at first. He was brash, self-centered, and obnoxious. At the same time, Rivera created in him a certain dopey innocence which led me wanting to see Dio grow.

I'm glad I hung in there with Dio. His journey, daunting, painful, hilarious, and, ultimately, heart-breaking, had me racing through the pages, eager to see Dio find himself.

Anton A. Hill