Groove

May 23, 2005
This pseudonymous author takes a page from Terry McMillan with her title, but this novel is more Sex and the City
or Sisters
than Stella
. First-person narrator Geneva Holliday (who gets the byline) leads a cast of four mid-30s New York singles in search of love. Frustrated by loneliness and puzzled by her son's erratic behavior, divorcée Geneva's weight spirals out of control. Ivy Leaguer Crystal suspects attentive boyfriend Kendrick is hiding something, and only after he moves in does she begin to understand the seriousness of the problem. Frilly, surgeryized travel agent Chevanese is evicted and agrees to watch gay friend Noah's house while he visits London (but has no intention of leaving when he returns). Noah, meanwhile, has begun to sleep with women. When Crystal's desperate attempt to earn money goes awry, all come together and share a dramatic, improbable catharsis. Holliday (our bet: Bernice McFadden) spices up the narrative throughout with light erotica. The ending is weak; the rest is by-the-numbers and perfectly enjoyable, with the various exchanges of gentle sisterly barbs and incidental descriptions of life as an adult single that ring very true. Agent, Jimmy Vines
.

June 1, 2005
Four African American friends living in New York City have their own issues but come together for one another when times are hard. Or do they? Geneva's independence as a single mother trying to raise her teenage son alone in the projects doesn't stop her from having an occasional one-night stand with her ex-husband. Chevy, trying to escape her life of poverty, will do anything, including breaking the law, to live the life of luxury she feels that she deserves. Noah, the lone male of the group, is going through a trying time that tests his relationship with another man as he walks on the wild side of his bisexuality. And last there is Crystal, who has a great job, a fantastic apartment, and a man, Kendrick, who loves her dearly. But can Crystal's love save Kendrick from his downward spiral into drug addiction? When things begin to unravel for everyone, the true test of friendship is revealed. Combining the sexual energy of Zane (although a bit tamer) with the humor and biting wit of E. Lynn Harris, this humorous, earthy read leaves readers wanting more. Holliday, the pen name of an award-winning literary author, is a new voice to reckon with in the erotic fiction genre. Recommended for public libraries where urban fiction is popular. -Leslie Hayden, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib.

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