IS THREE A CROWD?

What would you do for love? Have you ever loved someone so much that you would sacrifice your true feelings for theirs? Have you ever loved someone so much that just to have a piece of them was better than nothing at all? Well, in Eric Jerome Dickey's latest novel, Between Lovers, we come full face with a love triangle at its worst...and its best! We are introduced to Nicole, Ayanna, and our
narrator, an established author. At the apex of the triangle we have Nicole, a self-sufficient, hard working and hard loving woman who's torn between her two lovers, Ayanna (possessive and aggressive lawyer that Nicole lives with) and the narrator of the story who is Nicole's ex-fiancé that she left standing at the altar. He also happens to write about her in all his books.

From the first scene we're taken into Nicole's world as she juggles both lovers from day to day and instance to instance; ensuring that
she remains aware of who's "dime" she's on. We are thrust into the world of this threesome in a hard-hitting way that leaves you
breathless, wondering what will happen next, and a bit intrigued with the whole situation. Nicole is adamant about loving both of them and doesn't plan to give up either, so she tells them that if they love her, they will all come together as one and allow her to continue loving both of them. Both of her lovers are hesitant and combatant at their first meeting, yet they throw aside their caution and dive into a relationship of one man and two women with Nicole setting all the rules and demands. Will this arrangement work? Better yet, who gets to go first with Nicole and what affect does it have on them all?
And, will the two lovers settle with pleasing Nicole only or will they venture out and try to test the waters of a full-blown threesome
by loving each other?

This is definitely a book that I would recommend to others and it is my favorite Dickey book to date, of the three I've read. The writing
is smooth, sensual, and written in a manner that makes you wonder if an arrangement of this sort can survive. Dickey also does a great job of personifying the characters allowing a glimpse into the all- around aspect that makes them who they are and why they act and react as they do throughout the book. I must admit, in this type of book, you have good guys and bad guys, but I can honestly say that I hated all the characters at times and then other times I loved them. I didn't know who to root for to end up with Nicole or if she deserved either of them.

To this novel Dickey also adds a cast of supporting antagonists in the form of Nicole's Bible-Thumping, Chicken-Carrying, Perfume-
Wearing Mother, the narrator's Father, a famous Activist and Minister, and also the narrator's best friend, a comedian with
a "player" mentality. All of these characters add to the book in many ways, bringing both humor and sadness to the forefront.

And, while I'm being honest, I will admit that I did not expect nor necessarily like the ending, but I did love the way Dickey told it and I found myself smiling and reflecting on all the things that go on "between lovers." I
would definitely recommend this book to others and would also list it as one of my best reads for the year (2001).

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Copyright 2001-2002 - RAWSISTAZ Book Club

Back with a Vengeance!

Easy Rawlins is back with a vengeance. He is not the same person though; he has lost his closest friend and feels that he will never recover from the hurt. Easy has settled into life as a family man, with a normal 9-5 job and a paycheck at the end of the week. In his opinion, his days as the unconventional private detective Easy Rawlins are well behind him.

One day out of the blue Easy gets a call from his old friend John, it turns out that John's stepson Brawley Brown has disappeared and is running with members of a radical political group. Brawley's parents feel that he is entangled in a web of violence and will be harmed in the process. John has always helped Easy without question, so even though Easy doesn't want to look for Brawley, he does.

As Easy begins his investigation, he finds himself in the midst of danger. He also discovers that this case is about much more than locating Brawley and returning him home. People in this novel are not always who or what they portray themselves to be.

Life for Easy goes beyond being a private detective. In addition to the difficult case, he is dealing with potential problems brewing at home concerning his children. Also the loss of his best friend is on Easy's mind daily and sometimes overwhelms him.

Bad Boy Brawley Brown is an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing. Just when you think you know who the villain is, author Walter Mosley throws a curve ball that will have you thinking otherwise, and in my opinion that makes for the best stories of mystery. I must confess this is my first Walter Mosley novel, but it will not be my last because I enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
RAWSISTAZ Book Club

Copyright 2002, RAWSISTAZ Book Club