Behind Closed Doors: In My Father's House

Rating:
Summary: What You See Is Not What You Get
Review: Hold on to your seats, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS-IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE is a wild and wacky ride through the lives of the Cavanaugh family. This story begins where SIMON SAYS ended with recurring characters. The Cavanaugh family is of African-American and Italian descent, filthy rich, and as you read you will learn that most of their wealth comes from illegal gains.

The family consists of the patriarch Harrison, his wife Sylvia, their sons Conrad (Connie), Joseph, Christian and daughter Madison. They each bring their own special trait to the Cavanaugh business. When Harrison becomes ill, his wife forces him to give up the business to one of their sons. There in lies the dilemma, which son will he choose? Connie and Joseph are the two likely candidates; if you did not know that Connie was rich and infamous you would mistake him for a notorious thug from the hood. Joseph is a prime candidate to take over the business but his altercations with Connie for control and legitimacy of the business, coupled with his unsettled life, leave much to be desired of his ability to run a major empire. Christian is the financial wizard for the family business who controls and oversees all spending. However, he is in a loveless marriage and, true to form, was a target for marriage by a scheming gold-digger in college. Madison's only interest in the business and in life is receiving her monthly stipend, shopping and marrying someone who is equally wealthy.

Collen Dixon has penned a novel with many plot twists and turns and several unsavory characters. Many of the shenanigans are over the top and hard to believe, but they will keep you mesmerized until the end. Although the novel was set primarily in Washington, DC, Ms. Dixon did a superb job of providing Harrison and Sylvia's family history several generations back in New York City and the family's move to Washington, DC. This book definitely will hold your attention with its vivid attention to detail. I'm looking forward to the third and final installment to the SIMON SAYS trilogy, EVERY EYE SHUT.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: What You See Is Not What You Get
Review: Hold on to your seats, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS-IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE is a wild and wacky ride through the lives of the Cavanaugh family. This story begins where SIMON SAYS ended with recurring characters. The Cavanaugh family is of African-American and Italian descent, filthy rich, and as you read you will learn that most of their wealth comes from illegal gains.

The family consists of the patriarch Harrison, his wife Sylvia, their sons Conrad (Connie), Joseph, Christian and daughter Madison. They each bring their own special trait to the Cavanaugh business. When Harrison becomes ill, his wife forces him to give up the business to one of their sons. There in lies the dilemma, which son will he choose? Connie and Joseph are the two likely candidates; if you did not know that Connie was rich and infamous you would mistake him for a notorious thug from the hood. Joseph is a prime candidate to take over the business but his altercations with Connie for control and legitimacy of the business, coupled with his unsettled life, leave much to be desired of his ability to run a major empire. Christian is the financial wizard for the family business who controls and oversees all spending. However, he is in a loveless marriage and, true to form, was a target for marriage by a scheming gold-digger in college. Madison's only interest in the business and in life is receiving her monthly stipend, shopping and marrying someone who is equally wealthy.

Collen Dixon has penned a novel with many plot twists and turns and several unsavory characters. Many of the shenanigans are over the top and hard to believe, but they will keep you mesmerized until the end. Although the novel was set primarily in Washington, DC, Ms. Dixon did a superb job of providing Harrison and Sylvia's family history several generations back in New York City and the family's move to Washington, DC. This book definitely will hold your attention with its vivid attention to detail. I'm looking forward to the third and final installment to the SIMON SAYS trilogy, EVERY EYE SHUT.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Cliffhanger Queen has struck again!!
Review: If you enjoyed Simon Says you will Love Behind Closed Doors. Collen winds you through the lives of the Cavanaugh family. The Cavanaugh's make the Soprano's look like choir boys. The twist and turns will leave you holding your breath and turning the page to see what happens next. What happens at the end is why I call Collen Dixon the Cliffhanger Queen.

Rating:
Summary: Open the Door to Excitement
Review: Meet the Cavanaughs in Collen Dixon's Behind Closed Doors, In My Father's House. They are Conrad, Joey, Christian and Madison. All siblings with an agenda. When Sylvia, their mother, convinces Harrison, their father to retire, the fight is on. Who will take control of the family's multimillion dollar dynasty? Will It be the shady Conrad, the honorable Joey, the book worm Christian or the flirtatious Madison? Only time will tell, as they go behind closed doors, in their father's house.

Although this book started out slow, the pace picked up quickly. Collen Dixon did not disappoint. There were many twists and turns on this roller-coaster. Dixon laid a strong plot with murder, sex, and mystery to pull it forward. Each character was developed well and was believable. The only drawback to the story was the repetition on how wealthy the family was. At times, I wanted to scream "I get it. I get it. They're rich." Otherwise, this was an excellent read. If you are looking to relax with a good book, I say take a copy behind closed doors.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO Bookclub

Rating:
Summary: Open the Door to Excitement
Review: Meet the Cavanaughs in Collen Dixon's Behind Closed Doors, In My Father's House. They are Conrad, Joey, Christian and Madison. All siblings with an agenda. When Sylvia, their mother, convinces Harrison, their father to retire, the fight is on. Who will take control of the family's multimillion dollar dynasty? Will It be the shady Conrad, the honorable Joey, the book worm Christian or the flirtatious Madison? Only time will tell, as they go behind closed doors, in their father's house.

Although this book started out slow, the pace picked up quickly. Collen Dixon did not disappoint. There were many twists and turns on this roller-coaster. Dixon laid a strong plot with murder, sex, and mystery to pull it forward. Each character was developed well and was believable. The only drawback to the story was the repetition on how wealthy the family was. At times, I wanted to scream "I get it. I get it. They're rich." Otherwise, this was an excellent read. If you are looking to relax with a good book, I say take a copy behind closed doors.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO Bookclub

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Not Your Average Family!
Review: The Cavanaugh family certainly has some twisted roots growing within their family tree. Connie was one of the worst villians I have read about in a long time! I will certainly be reading more of what Ms. Dixon has to say in future novels.
A page turner from start to finish. A must-read on the WMATA daily commuters circuit.