HE HAD IT COMING - Camika Spencer
St. Martin's Press
(4+) Tricia-Ann Blades
SYNOPSIS: "Essence" bestselling author Camika Spencer spins the tale of five women who take delicious revenge on an arrogant male author.
MAINSTREAM FICTION: (4+) Tricia-Ann Blades
REVIEW: Camika Spencer has written a power packed, emotionally charged, impossible to put down novel in HE HAD IT COMING. This novel outlines the issues and differences men and women face and the author uses these issues to develop her plot.
HE HAD IT COMING is about five women’s quest to change the “dog” in the man. Ms. Spencer moves away from the traditional approach and gets radical. So radical, the thought of it is hilarious. In this quest, she does not neglect to deal with the themes of respect, infidelity, communication, child and emotional abuse. It is through these themes that she effectively weaves an exciting novel and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
Marcus Brooks is the main “man” in the novel. From the outset, the reader is into this character and the question that arises in the mind is “Who does he think he is? He obviously has serious issues.” As a result the author uses the introduction of this character to grab the attention of the reader. “Pride comes before a fall” - Marcus Brooks learns this lesson the hard way, and his pride drives men and women away from him. Little does he understand that the pride of past and the emotional abuse he has suffered fuels his future and inevitably is destroying it!
Raylene, Naomi, Thelma, Gwena and Latice are five strong women who each have varying issues in their lives to deal with but who collectively understand that men must respect women and vice versa. Each woman is different but this difference adds creativity and pizzazz to the novel.
Raylene’s journey is painful but nonetheless victorious. It is through this character that the infidelity theme is addressed. Reality checks and finds her wanting. It is here that the author brings to the fore the importance of understanding who you are as a woman and understanding that as a woman you do not have to settle for less because your desire is for family.
Naomi learns the hard way the importance of communication - not just talking but listening to what is not said in order to achieve the best in her relationship. Gwena is steeped in her secret life but this life is ultimately able to keep these five sisters together.
Gwena and Latice are strong women; physically and emotionally. It is these women that are the backbone of maintaining the plan and ensuring that by the time Marcus Brooks is finished with, he understands the importance of knowing strong women of all color and each must be respected.
HE HAD IT COMING is exciting, fast paced, hilarious with its many twists. Excellently written! A must read!
tricia@romanceincolor.com (26th September 2004)