Heartbreaker by De’Nesha Diamond
By Darnetta Frazier • Apr 30th, 2010 • Category: Book Review 2010 •
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Heartbreaker is composed of three short stories by De’Nesha Diamond, Erick S. Gray, and Nichelle Walker. All of the stories showcase dynamic `get-back’ characters who, in one way or another, are caught up in the glitz and glamour of high living, are clearly knocked off their pedestals, and redeem themselves or not.
In Slippin’ by De’nesha Diamond, Delvon Jackson is `that’ dude. He can get any woman he wants and his reputation of being distracted by sex is a blessing and a curse. Delvon meets a beautiful woman, Sabrina Walker, in a club and is mystified when she brushes him off. Delvon’s close friend, Alonzo, just happens to work at the Walker Estate and helps Delvon obtain employment there. While Delvon needs a job, his real motive is to conquer Sabrina. But is the grass always greener on the other side? Delvon does all he can to get close to Sabrina, but as the smoke and mirrors clear, he learns what it means to be a real player. Diamond crafted a well-paced short story that integrated flashbacks well and will have readers laughing at the main characters’ humor and shortcomings.
Put `Em in Their Place by Erick S. Gray is a good story of redemption at a high cost. Cha is a bad chick. Men and most women love her and that is the problem. Cha wants sex with no connections. Relationships have no room in her life. Cha’s suitors professing their love turn her off, but she cannot help but make people fall for her. Cha lost her father and does not want to feel that type of pain again. But the game changes when she meets Ya Ya, her father’s killer. Cha is now on a mission to exact revenge and in doing so, wrecks a host of lives with the shocking end. Gray’s story was interesting and created a great build-up to the end. Readers will definitely drop their jaws after reading it.
In Kandy Girlz by Nichelle Walker, Kandy is the woman scorned. She is in love with her basketball star boyfriend, DJ, and he hurts her. But not before she hurts others. Kandy learns early that she has to provide for herself. After her parents are murdered, Kandy is left broke and homeless until Andre, a man who worked with her father, takes her under his wing. Andre provides for Kandy, but at high costs. Kandy decides the life of a kept woman is not for her and jumps at a chance to be apart of the Envy Girls; an agency that casts beautiful women for videos, promotions, television programs, etc. As Kandy infiltrates the business, she decides to start her own agency, Kandy Girlz. But what Kandy did not know was that the people you knock down to get to the top do not always stay there. Walker’s story is entertaining and a good example of what can happen when people use others for personal gain. Readers may not find Kandy likeable, but they will definitely understand why her energy is misguided.
I recommend Heartbreaker to readers who enjoy good short stories that are entertaining, easy to read, and want urban fiction reads in small doses. This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
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Darnetta Frazier is an Ohio-born, spoken-word poet who has composed poetry since she was able to hold a laddie pencil. As reviewer for A Place Of Our Own (APOOO) and aspiring novelist, she dabbles in the literary scene from all perspectives. She has been published on www.thebacklist.net, interviewed on www.blogginginblack.com, and is currently submitting fiction manuscripts to publishers while juggling daughterhood, sisterhood, wifedom, parenthood, and of course, writing. Outside of family and all things literary, Darnetta overindulges in Hip-Hop, dabbles in computer graphic design, and creates handcrafted cards, candles, and jewelry.
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