Colored Sugar Water

Rating:
Summary: What Do You Believe?
Review: From the author of So Good and All of Me, Venise Berry is back with Colored Sugar Water a very different novel from her first two novels. Colored Sugar Water is about friendship, relationships and spirituality. It's a thought-provoking book that may have you questioning what you believe.

Meet Adel and Lucy. Adel is stuck in a job that she doesn't enjoy but the six-figures keep her going back day after day. Then there's her husband who lives in la-la land and reminds me of Tommy from the old Martin show. Remember Tommy supposedly had a job but no one knew where? That's Adel's husband...a man that she is definitely too good for. Adel's spiritual life is lacking and she's not sure of what to believe. Lucy, Adel's best friend, is single but has been in a comfortable although uninspired relationship with Spencer for the past few years. Unfortunately he no longer floats her boat. Lucy who believes in everything including Christianity, voodoo and the psychic hotline decides to explore. Her exploring leads her to Kuba...the mystery man from the psychic hotline who takes her on a roller coaster adventure.

Colored Sugar Water was an engaging and page turning experience for me. I kept reading because I wanted to know the outcome. Berry brought us full circle with Adel and Lucy and their spiritual journey. Colored Sugar Water is about what the two characters, Adel and Lucy believe, and their ability to come to terms with their beliefs in order to grow spiritually as well as in their professional and personal relationships. I liked that Berry didn't preach about religion but rather showed us that we have choices and that faith might mean something different to each person. In fact, she touched on all the religions/spiritual beliefs that individuals might hold. There was one scene with the Jehovah Witnesses that was a Kodak moment...I loved it! I must admit I was slightly disappointed in the ending. Berry left it open so that you could form your own opinion...or as she said in an online chat...¨The ending is whatever your belief system is." Hmm...while it was true to what Berry wanted to accomplish with Colored Sugar Water I took that as a copout because I wanted a direct answer. :)

But that aside I enjoyed the story and recommend it to those who enjoy creatively crafted and refreshing reads. Oh yeah...if you're a traditionalist then this might not be the book for you. Colored Sugar Waters is definitely a book that's not for everyone but for those who enjoy exploring and thinking outside of the box then pick up Colored Sugar Water today.

Yasmin
APOOO Bookclub

Rating:
Summary: A tale of two women, in search of love and fulfillment
Review: Lucy Merriweather and Adel Kelly have been best friends since they met in college. Both women are in the stride of midlife, and are, on the surface, successful; but each is not as happy as she could be'

Lucy, single, is a fitness manager for a chain of Texas health clubs. Her current 'steady' is Spencer, a down-home guy who's well, boring. Their relationship is totally stable and secure, but not exciting for Lucy. On Adel's dare, she calls one of those psychic hotlines, and meets Kuba, the 'Sexy Soul Psychic.' On hearing his voice, Lucy feels immediately drawn to him. Kuba is mysterious, deeply spiritual and like the name says, sexy. But is Kuba all that she imagines? Who, in the end, holds the answer to the loneliness that gnaws inside of her' or does she alone hold the key? Can she choose between her two lovers?

Adel is married to second husband Thad. Thad is less than responsible, always working on the 'next big thing' that never comes through, and Adel struggles with his immaturity. Frustrated at work and at home, Adel turns to her faith for answers. What will bring her the fulfillment she desires? And can Thad grow with her to fit into that picture?

This is just the kind of book to read with a girlfriend. It is Adel's and Lucy's friendship that pulls Colored Sugar Water together. Author Berry's characters are real, and her plot involving' Although I questioned some of the choices the characters make, I found myself truly absorbed by the story and rooting for Lucy and Adel all the same. I liked the strong spiritual theme'a spirituality that doesn't necessarily mean one religion, or point of view' though the book's conclusion, it seems, does weigh one over the other. A twist at the end was a nice surprise'but I'm not breathing another word about it here; you'll just have to read the book yourself!

My only criticism was that some of the plot resolution was a little too pat, a little too quick; it would have been more effective with some forewarning

Colored Sugar Water by Venise Berry is a real book about real relationships, and I recommend it for a good read'and for sharing with a good friend!

Charisse Sisou
R.E.A.L. Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: What Do You Believe?
Review: To the outside, Lucy seems to have it together. She's in a prominent position in her company, has a man who loves her, and a best friend who cares about her. However, things aren't always as they seem, as we find out in Colored Sugar Water. Lucy is unhappy in her relationship, feeling that the passion has all but dried up. During an unlikely phone call to a psychic hotline, Lucy's passion is reignited and her spirituality, her relationships, and beliefs are ultimately put to the test.

Lucy's best friend, Adel, is caught between a rock and a hard place in both her personal and professional affairs. She is constantly making excuses for the behavior of her entrepreneur husband, his irresponsibility,and lack of commitment. At work, Adel must do some soul-searching to remind herself what she feels is important.

Colored Sugar Water is an entertaining read, blending a sweet mix of topics regarding the spiritual journeys of these two women. Berry's subject matter may not be for the faint of heart or those of little faith - be it in themselves or their spirituality. The the book will force you to answer the question: What Do You Believe?

Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet to the taste, and a good read!
Review: When voodoo mingles with the search for spirituality, and faith is the defining factor in the lives of two women looking to maintain stability, it makes for a good story. Colored Sugar Water is award-winning novelist Vernise Berry's latest book where the aforementioned women face the challenge of trying to understand just what a meaningful relationship should be. We enter the lives of Lucy Merriweather and Adel Kelly, whose friendship spans 20 years as the brunt of their problems span from spiritual stress, professional ennui, and personal malfunctions within their lives. Borrowing an analogy that Lucy has heard from her grandmother, both women find that their lives are like the colored sugar water Lucy drinks every morning, contrasting being bland and routine, yet sweet and satisfying. Each woman makes a startling choice about what she wants from life and what she needs for spiritual health.

Finding whatever is missing in their lives, the midlife issues and troubling relationships brings on daring exploits as they try to straighten out their respective men. Lucy's problems stems from a sense of insecurity dealing with her emotional and spiritual dreams. Exasperating the situation is her boyfriend, Spencer, a mama's boy who doesn't measure up to her standards. Adel struggles with a husband who refuses to grow up, as he works a job where the money is great but the work is unrewarding. Both of these women are forced to reexamine the need for faith as it pertain to sustaining levels of spirituality to find the balance that is fleeting. Lucy decides to answer the call of a psychic by the name of Kuba, who claims to be all that is missing from her life. The mysterious Kuba, in the end, turn out to be much more than Lucy bargained for....and to Adel's chagrin it's the beginning of more trouble!

Filled with the usual drama that depicts familial relationships gone awry, and the antics that characters deploy to right wrong situations, this book plays into the type of storyline that tend to make the reader wish for more depth to the characters to match the scenarios given. However, the best thing about this novel is the way the author weaves imaginable passion to produce reasons for Lucy and Adel to discover the power of their unique spiritual gifts. It further establishes Venise Berry as one of our innovative storytellers on the scene today. Nevertheless, if you've enjoyed any of the author's earlier work, this one will not disappoint. Read it and discover the colored menagerie of her powerful words here.