The Team

Rating:
Summary: The Team
Review:
Athletes and sexual violence are dominating the headlines, and now it's being presented to us in the storyline of author Dawson Perkins' debut release, THE TEAM. In spite of the fact that it's all over the media and it does indeed happen, too much attention seems to be focused on the glamour of it, the lifestyle of the rapist and not enough attention is directed to the victim. How does she feel? How will she get through it? Can she put it behind her and continue life? Is there indeed justice? These are some of the questions that Perkins digs a little deeper to bring up in THE TEAM.

Gwen Fagen appears to have it all together. She's a career-driven professional at the top of her game working as an accountant in a firm in Atlanta. She's good at her job and those around her help celebrate her success and accomplishments as she moves up the corporate ladder. On the flip side, her personal life is non-existent and she's content with not being involved with anyone on that level. She has the perfect facade and with the exception of her friend Payton, who doles out pychologist-driven feedback and dialogue in their weekly conversations, no one knows about her past or how she was raped in college by a basketball superstar.

Unfortunately for Gwen, the facade starts to crack when Xavier Dean joins her firm and is assigned to work with her on a case. She is immediately thrown back into her past, as Xavier is the best friend of the guy who raped her and part of "The Team," the name given to the group of basketball stars who dominated the courts and her college campus. The biggest problem that she finds with Xavier is that everyone likes him, he is actually a "good guy" in spite of what she wants to believe. Yet, her distrust of men and the memories of her rape do their best to pull her away from him, despite the attraction. Eventually, things take a turn and she allows him into her life, but still refuses to share with him the full details of her past and who she is and how she knew him. This, of, course eventually leads to some major drama, and when the rapist shows up in town, everything comes to a screeching halt.

Fast-paced and definitely dialogue driven, THE TEAM is a novel focusing on the aftermaths of what something so vicious as rape can do to the human psyche, how it can tear down even the strongest person and make them vulnerable to the degradation caused. Dawson's writing is fresh and a welcome addition to the literary scene. Her characters were people I wanted to know, and the issues were realistically drawn to make this a story well worth the read. I really enjoyed that she showed both men and women as they are in real life: some good, some bad, some flawed, some with baggage, but all of them definitely human and sometimes unable to face their demons.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers


Rating:
Summary: leaves you wanting more
Review: Dawson Perkins' debut novel "The Team" is truly a must read by all. The main characters, Gwen & Xavier's tug of war relationship is something we all can identify with. Fiercely trying to put her past behind her & maintain her independence, Gwen draws strength from her family (Nana) & good friend (Payton). The relationship between Gwen & Xavier leaves the reader wanting to know if they end up with a "happily ever after". Bravo to Dawson Perkins, keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: Love Conquers All
Review: Dawson Perkins' novel, The Team is the story of a young woman fighting to become a survivor instead of a victim whose sensuality and innocence was stolen at the hands of another.

Gwen Fagan is a no-nonsense, successful CPA on the fast track at Talbot and Talbot in Atlanta until Xavier Dean, an ex-basketball player and instant reminder to Gwen's ill-fated past reappears. When Gwen and Xavier are assigned to a project, the nightmares of rape resurface, but quickly dissolve when Xavier makes his intentions known. Gwen cannot ignore the physical and intellectual attraction she feels for Xavier and a love affair emanates. Things are great until Xavier begins probing into Gwen's past relationships and the reason behind her aloofness. Gwen fights hard to keep that part of her past a secret, but things begin to unravel when Terry (Xavier's former teammate) is charged with raping an Atlanta woman, which causes a media frenzy. Gwen must face the truth by identifying Terry as her rapist at a college party years ago - the same party she first spotted Xavier, while being savaged by Terry. Will Xavier believe Gwen or will she continue as a prisoner in her mind, blaming herself for the incident that changed her life - the incident that may cost her the man who finally helped her to trust again and begin life anew.

The Team is an engaging debut. Not only did I feel for the protagonist, I empathized with Xavier and the emotional turmoil of loving a woman, paralyzed by the demons of her past. However, there were times I felt the story was stretched too thin and the transition from past to present confounding. I found myself losing interest about midway and felt a few chapters were telling versus showing and could have been omitted. Where the story redeemed itself was near the end. You begin to see Gwen as a woman not only tormented, but understand the psychotic state from such a vicious crime. Overall, Dawson Perkins has created not only an entertaining contemporary love story, but one that introduces her as an author to watch!

Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO Bookclub

Rating:
Summary: I can't stop thinking about this book
Review: I purchased this book on a whim,unknown author,no prior research, etc. You know how you can tell a book is going to be good during the first 10 pages or so??? Well, this one was a winner. I read it today, Memorial Day, and signed on after finishing it to tell everyone..READ THIS BOOK!! My hat is off to Ms. Perkins, she did an great job. The emotions Gwen felt, her pain and anger, her bitterness..I felt every bit of them. When a phrase or touch set her off, sent her back to her past, I was right along with her. The author's ability to descibe what Gwen was going through, yet still showing her vulnerable and capable of love is oustanding. I enjoyed her strength,and kick-butt attitude(the Glock was a nice touch too LOL) and I cheered her on when she finally got help. The characters in this book are well developed, and I was pleased to meet all of them. Of course, I loved Xaiver. I will be waiting for Ms. Perkins' next effort. Good job my Sister!!!

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Serious
Review: READ THIS BOOK!!! I could not put it down. I started it on 6/4/04, and in the midst of working and chasing a busy 18 month old, I finished it on 6/5/04. I just could not put it down. I could not wait to see what was going to happen next with Gwen and Xavier. The characters really come to life in this novel; I had to remind myself that it was a novel. I'm telling everyone I know to read this book as I anxiously await the next.

Rating:
Summary: Anxiously awaiting the next novel.
Review: READ THIS BOOK!!! I could not put it down. I started it on 6/4/04, and in the midst of working and chasing a busy 18 month old, I finished it on 6/5/04. I just could not put it down. I could not wait to see what was going to happen next with Gwen and Xavier. The characters really come to life in this novel; I had to remind myself that it was a novel. I'm telling everyone I know to read this book as I anxiously await the next.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Serious
Review: Some people may call this book an "easy read" and it is easy to read, but that ignores the very serious underlying theme: rape. Gwen Fagan, the heroine, is admirable in her professional success but she becomes inspirational in her ultimate battle with the after-effects of her brutal rape. I suspect that Gwen's story will ring true with many women who have suffered the same awful violence and I hope that Gwen's response will inspire those other victims to follow suit. Congratulations on a great first novel, Mrs. Perkins. I am looking forward to your next book.

Rating:
Summary: Eh okay...
Review: The book started out with a bang: action, realistic dialogue, an easy page turner. After we got to know Payton, I was a little annoyed about the constant "sister-girlfriend" references. Sheila Copeland did it in her book too and I don't understand the point of the name and have never heard anyone referred to as this in my life. But when Xavier was introduced to the firm, I breezed through this book. It was funny, exciting, rewarding, frustrating, and I just made a sign at work about washing hands so it was greatly appreciated. Until the "connection" was made. Then it got corny, repetitive, and lasted entirely too long. On top of that, the main female character has a SERIOUS attitude problem, which even though she faced hard circumstances made it a chore for me to be sympathetic. Xavier turned into a lame who CONSTANTLY let Gwen talk to him like a child and the book grew unbelievable and super obvious that a woman wrote it; especially when his feelings were expressed. When a "second accusation" was made on t.v., the book got good again. Then Gwen got on my nerves again and I wanted the book to hurry up and end. The beginning to the car scene after the picnic is five stars. The rest (two stars) was just hard for me to like because I wa so frustrated with the main character's nasty attitude and Xavier was a punk.