 Mainstream Fiction |
TAKEN FOR GRANTED
Earl Sewell BET/Sepia November 2002 (4+) Nathasha Brooks-Harris |
|
PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
|
|
In this complex and polished novel, two people knocked sideways by life are looking for a way out--but what they find is a way "in." "A juicy tale full of plot twists and surprises that will keep you guessing until the end . . . "--Renee Swindle, author of PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE |
|
|
REVIEW: |
|
|
Nina Epps epitomizes the old
cliché about looking for love in all the wrong places. She is desperate for
affection, so she winds up marrying the wrong man. When she does, life as she
knows it becomes a living hell and changes for the worst. Her husband, Jay, is trifling
at best. He doesn’t appreciate his wife who has been a great mate to him
despite his taking her for granted. He cares less that she’s given him twenty
of the best years of her life and has devoted herself to him and their family. Deep in her heart, she knows
that she has made a terrible mistake marrying him and that their marriage is a
farce. However, she holds herself and their marriage together for their
daughter’s sake. It is that ultimate sacrifice that drives Nina to the brink
of despair as well as her being placed in the middle of her biological
family’s drama. This book is an excellent
read and is replete with rich, well-drawn characters. It is through them that
readers will experience this story. Sewell has a way with writing characters
because they are realistic and as flawed as human beings. Anyone reading this
story will cry and laugh with the characters one minute and want to slap them
the next. The dialogue is raw at times,
but also true to life. Every word the characters speak is prolific and is
integral to the overall plot. The plot is tightly woven and
quickly-paced. That is sure to keep readers in anticipation about what will
happen next. There is a clear development of the plot (and the sub-plots) as
they build to the climax and resolution. Everything that happens is timed with
an almost military precision and doesn’t happen before its time. Sewell seems to have a gift
for writing love scenes. It’s hard to imagine that this author who’s such a
gentleman could write the torrid love scenes depicted in this book, but he did
and he did them well. Please be warned that reading Sewell’s love scenes
aren’t for the tame. He holds nothing back and draws readers in with the lush
description and action-packed scenes. He didn’t miss a beat with
any element of this novel. If passion, intrigue and a flavor-filled plot are
what you’re enjoy most in books, read TAKEN
FOR GRANTED. Earl Sewell is an incredible
new voice on the literary scene. He’s online quite often in the various
writers’ chat rooms and message boards. If you happen to see him, drop in for
a bit and say hello. He loves to hear from his readers. You’ll be hearing a
lot of good things about this talented young man in the near future. Keep your
ears pealed for information about his next novel, GROWN
FOLKS BUSINESS. If it’s anything like TAKEN
FOR GRANTED, it’ll be another great read with a twist of humor. If you’re looking for a quick escape, read this novel and you’ll experience African-American literature in a way you haven’t in a long time—and that is most definitely a good thing. If you like this book, pass the word on and tell someone! No doubt, there is already a buzz going on about this book, why not do your part to keep it going? |
|
|
nathasha@romanceincolor.net (28th November 2001) |
|