Member Reviews

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  • Rated 5 stars

  “Author Ebony Farashuu definitely sparks a fire with her debut novel Slow Burn. Although Slow Burn is a love story it shouldn't be confused with a sappy Harlequin Romance novel. Ms. Farashuu brings so much more to the table. Slow Burn centers around four characters struggling with life and love. When it comes to Ayzha's marriage love don't live here anymore is an understatement. She's trapped in a loveless marriage to Riley a man 15 years her senior. Riley cruelly turns his back on Ayzha after she begins taking birth control pills after deciding that she couldn't suffer through yet another miscarriage. Ayzha desperately wants her marriage to work but Riley has no interest in having sex that can't lead to conception. Starving for affection Ayzha is easy pickings for Tyree who's offering to give her all that she misses at home. Serafina finally found the strength to let go of her philandering boyfriend Jeremy. But the break up has left her bitter and guarded. Opening her heart up to Khalil wasn't easy but he quickly provided everything that was missing in her life. Can she survive when tragedy strikes threatening to leave her heartbroken once again? Khalil is tired of the rat race. Being the son of a celebrity he's had more women than he can count. Tired of one night stands he takes a vow of celibacy until he meets that special lady. Convincing Serafina that she's that woman wasn't easy but he wooed her and promised never to leave her side. But that's a promise that fate might not allow him to keep. Jeremy's father led him to believe at an early age that manhood was judged by the number of women bedded. So he doesn't blink an eye when Serafina gives him his walking papers. He's a handsome doctor and Serafina wasn't the only woman in his stable. Besides she'll be back she always comes back. But 3 months later he finds out that Sera is engaged and finally realizes that she was the one. But now it's too late or is it? With Sera's fiancée on his deathbed will Jeremy use this opportunity to get back the one that got away? Filled with Ms. Farashuu's poetic voice Slow Burn is a captivating tale that will definitely light readers fire. ”

  Hotchklate wrote this review Wednesday, March 5 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “Love and Happiness
  
  Tired of the cheating and the lies, Serafina finally mustered up the strength and the courage to follow the words of Keyshia Cole and "Let It Go." Moving on with her life, finding another man was not at the top of her to do list. It's when you aren't looking that you find and HE has found her; the one. Happily ever after comes to a screeching halt when tragedy strikes. Will the new Serafina resort to what's comfortable and settle for less than she deserves?
  
  You never miss your water until your well runs dry. Jeremy has come to know the truth of that statement since his relationship with Serafina ended. Reality and hard truths make him realize that she may have been the one for him. At what lengths is he willing to go to get her back?
  
  Ayzha is happily married. Correction: Ayzha is married but happiness is nowhere to be found. Emotionally alienated, she just wants some love, for a man to want her and to desire her like her husband used to. When someone else enters the picture, will Ayzha confuse lust for love?
  
  Khalil has left his player days behind him. Settled and more mature, he's looking for his queen that was made just for him. Life crosses their paths and it's a beautiful thing. Circumstances beyond Khalil's control threaten his future and happiness. Is he strong enough to fight for what's his?
  
  "Slow Burn" is a book for anyone that likes drama or who just enjoys a good story. Seasoned with poetry, it serves to emphasize and improve the storyline without overshadowing or holding back plot development. Readers will come away with satisfaction at a tale well-told. I look forward the sequel, "Orchid's Nectar."
  
  Reviewed by: Toni
  4.5
  ”

  OOSA Online Book Club wrote this review Saturday, January 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 4 stars

  “Slow Burn
  Ebony Farashuu
  Kobalt Books
  ISBN-10: 0976911744
  ISBN-10: 9780976911746
  Reviewed By Carey Jefferson
  
  
  Slow Burn: n. Slang; A gradually increasing sense or show of passion or emotion.
  
  Ayzha is trapped in a loveless marriage, barren of children (due to numerous miscarried pregnancies), and resentful of a husband who has no concern for her personal needs. In search of her own happiness, she succumbs to the lure of infidelity, only to finally get pregnant - by her lover - and lose both him and her husband in the process…
  
  Jeremy is the Player your mama always warned you about, but he's only doing what his father taught him to do; when it costs him the love of a very special woman, though, he begins to wonder about the logic of his actions - and when she suffers a sudden tragedy, he doesn't miss a beat for the chance to get back in her good graces…
  
  Serafina never knew about love at first sight - until she meets Khalil; suddenly, things in her life couldn't be better - until things just as suddenly change for the worst, and she's torn between a re-emerging past and an uncertain future, stuck in an emotional vacuum from which she may never escape…
  
  If you've ever wondered about the effects that love really has on the heart, let Slow Burn be your guide. Through page-turning drama and suspense, Ebony Farashuu takes you on an emotional roller coaster of joy, dejection, heartache, redemption - and even some feelings that you can't quite put into words. Her narrative bravely broaches such subjects as domestic abuse, the tenuous bonds of family, and infidelity in the name of love - and she interweaves the themes with the grace and ease of a poetic soliloquy.
  
  For its engaging appeal and true heart, Slow Burn is a pleasurable reading experience. The storyline is compelling, and the characters breathe new life to the age-old quandary of love's true nature: it may sound real, it may smell real, and it may even feel real - but you just never really know for sure until you taste and see...”

  Apex Reviews wrote this review Wednesday, January 16 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 0 stars

  “Slow Burn is a sexy, hilarious, and sometimes heart breaking story that delves into the lives of 4 African Americans as they pursue love, make love, lose love, and ultimately learn what true love really means in the end. Listen to the podcast to learn more about this new exciting book and its author - http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=36”

  On The Air With TheGRITS.com wrote this review Sunday, December 30 2007. ( reply | permalink )