<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A woman has to make decisions too:
Review: Denise stayed in her place for a long time. Edward was a good husband, but was in too much control. Denise new it was time to start living for herself. So even though it was hard to lock Edward out of the bedroom, she knew she had to get her point across. She was good at sewing and she enjoyed it, so she should be able to do something she liked, especially since the kids were grown up. It took Edward awhile to realize what he had been doing and it was time for a change.This was an excellent novel for anyone who likes a litte romance mixed with some high spirited minds. A woman should have outside interests and not be limited to just the everyday chores of the home and the kids. It was a short novel but still kept me interested. Nice going on this one Francis Ray.
Rating:
Summary: A woman has to make decisions too:
Review: Denise stayed in her place for a long time. Edward was a good husband, but was in too much control. Denise new it was time to start living for herself. So even though it was hard to lock Edward out of the bedroom, she knew she had to get her point across. She was good at sewing and she enjoyed it, so she should be able to do something she liked, especially since the kids were grown up. It took Edward awhile to realize what he had been doing and it was time for a change. This was an excellent novel for anyone who likes a litte romance mixed with some high spirited minds. A woman should have outside interests and not be limited to just the everyday chores of the home and the kids. It was a short novel but still kept me interested. Nice going on this one Francis Ray.
Rating:
Summary: I'll Be Home For Christmas
Review: Essence best-selling authors Donna Hill and Francine Ray team up together to bring their audience a little Christmas tale of re-igniting the romance. Edward and Denise Morrison have been married for 27 wonderful years, at least, in Edward's mind. However, Denise Morrison, the always available and dependable mother and wife, who is fed up with her mundane life and the lack of respect shown to her by her husband and children, announces at Thanksgiving dinner she wants a divorce and wants to sell the house. Edward is stunned at his wife's announcement. Why would she want a divorce? She must know he loves her; after all, he works, takes care of all the bills, and she has everything she wants. Edward quickly learns what it takes to make his wife happy, even when the best advice comes from his eccentric uncle Eddie and aunt Etta and sets his sight on getting back home by Christmas with a new attitude. This was a quick fun quick read for the holidays. There were many laugh out loud moments as Edward and the children realized that Denise was more than their maid. Uncle Eddie and Aunt Etta were scene-stealers and their old school wisdom helped Edward see the light. Ms. Hill and Ms. Ray are masters at writing intriguing romances and women's fiction. These two talents combined have a hit with Rockin' Around That Christmas Tree. I am sure you will not be disappointed. Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Bookclub.
Rating:
Summary: I'll Be Home For Christmas
Review: Essence best-selling authors Donna Hill and Francine Ray team up together to bring their audience a little Christmas tale of re-igniting the romance. Edward and Denise Morrison have been married for 27 wonderful years, at least, in Edward's mind. However, Denise Morrison, the always available and dependable mother and wife, who is fed up with her mundane life and the lack of respect shown to her by her husband and children, announces at Thanksgiving dinner she wants a divorce and wants to sell the house. Edward is stunned at his wife's announcement. Why would she want a divorce? She must know he loves her; after all, he works, takes care of all the bills, and she has everything she wants. Edward quickly learns what it takes to make his wife happy, even when the best advice comes from his eccentric uncle Eddie and aunt Etta and sets his sight on getting back home by Christmas with a new attitude. This was a quick fun quick read for the holidays. There were many laugh out loud moments as Edward and the children realized that Denise was more than their maid. Uncle Eddie and Aunt Etta were scene-stealers and their old school wisdom helped Edward see the light. Ms. Hill and Ms. Ray are masters at writing intriguing romances and women's fiction. These two talents combined have a hit with Rockin' Around That Christmas Tree. I am sure you will not be disappointed. Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Bookclub.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable novel
Review: If you're longing for a book that emphasizes family, marriage and commitment regardless of obstacles, Rockin' Around that Christmas Tree is the novel to get. Charming and delightful, the novel examines how a husband and wife come to grips with their changing relationship, and the sacrifices they must make to keep their marriage intact. Great character development and funny lines should keep the pages turning.
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT HOLIDAY READ!!
Review: If you're looking for a quick, fun, light-hearted holiday tale look no further. Meet the "perfect" Morrison family--wonderful marriage of more than 20 years, two wonderful children who are embarking on successful lives of their own, and Denise and Ed. Ed is a successful entrepeneur, who has provided his family with the house of their dreams and everything they could ever want. Denise is the lady of the house, the happy homemaker--or is she? Suddenly Denise has found herself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. The very qualities that Denise once found so endearing in her husband suddenly seem stifling and controlling. And to think, he has forbidden her to begin sewing for others for money--HIS wife will not "take in" sewing from strangers. Infuriated, Denise is determined to make her family, especially her husband, see her as something other than a cook and a maid. She puts a plan together to make her husband appreciate her, and stop taking her for granted--and the fun begins! Add confused children, befuddled husband, and a nutty aunt and uncle who insist on giving the beleagured couple marriage advice, and you have a fun holiday tale full of love, a smattering of drama, good sound relationship advice, and of course happy endings. What a gift from two literary divas!! DYB
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT HOLIDAY READ!!
Review: If you're looking for a quick, fun, light-hearted holiday tale look no further. Meet the "perfect" Morrison family--wonderful marriage of more than 20 years, two wonderful children who are embarking on successful lives of their own, and Denise and Ed. Ed is a successful entrepeneur, who has provided his family with the house of their dreams and everything they could ever want. Denise is the lady of the house, the happy homemaker--or is she? Suddenly Denise has found herself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. The very qualities that Denise once found so endearing in her husband suddenly seem stifling and controlling. And to think, he has forbidden her to begin sewing for others for money--HIS wife will not "take in" sewing from strangers. Infuriated, Denise is determined to make her family, especially her husband, see her as something other than a cook and a maid. She puts a plan together to make her husband appreciate her, and stop taking her for granted--and the fun begins! Add confused children, befuddled husband, and a nutty aunt and uncle who insist on giving the beleagured couple marriage advice, and you have a fun holiday tale full of love, a smattering of drama, good sound relationship advice, and of course happy endings. What a gift from two literary divas!! DYB
Rating:
Summary: Equals
Review: In one of the first African-American Christmas novellas, Donna Hill & Francis Ray join forces to present a story for the whole family, ROCKIN' AROUND THAT CHRISTMAS TREE. Combining their individual skills, they have produced a delightful story of love and hope while at the same time focusing on the issues commonly found in marriages. Denise and Edward Morrison are going through the day-to-day motions of marriage, yet something seems to be missing in their relationship. Denise has been a loyal and dutiful wife, putting her own dreams on the back-burner in order to help Edward further his career. Edward has worked hard and done well for himself and his family, but is stuck in his old-fashioned ways of believing that it is his sole responsibility to provide for her, while she sits back and plays the happy housewife. Though he does love her, his mindset doesn't allow him to see past his own thoughts and realize that Denise is unhappy. Denise longingly wants to start her own design business and now that the children are grown and out of the house, she feels it's the perfect time. Unfortunately, Edward isn't on the same page, so Denise takes matters into her own hands and decides to launch an ultimatum of sorts. She decides to ask him for a divorce to see if he's willing to stop and truly evaluate their marriage and then finally realize the injustices he's thrust upon her. To magnify the shock of her request, she informs the children over Thanksgiving dinner and all hell breaks loose. Not only must Denise and Edward get through their problem, but their children are also faced with some issues in which they must come together to resolve. I truly enjoyed the book and the lesson on understanding and sharing the dreams of your loved ones. It is also a quick dose of taking a step back to remember the early stages of love and then if necessary, make steps to reclaim those lost memories. This is a beautiful, warm story just right for the holidays! Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Glad It was only 152 pages!
Review: Rockin' Around That Christmas Tree, a joint effort by Donna Hill and Francis Ray, started off very promising. Denise, a lady who's been married for 27 years, has decided that her husband will no longer walk all over her and run everything while she sits back and lets him. This premise was setup very well by page 50. The problem is, the remaining 100+ pages did NOTHING to advance the story. This 152 page book felt like 352 pages because it repeated itself over and over again. Also, why is it that every husband in this story "needed to be taught a lesson" with the exception of Edward's uncle? Why couldn't there be one husband who didn't feel appreciated by his wife? I'm sorry, but this "Waiting To Exhale Lite" just didn't do it for me.
Rating:
Summary: Glad It was only 152 pages!
Review: Rockin' Around That Christmas Tree, a joint effort by Donna Hill and Francis Ray, started off very promising. Denise, a lady who's been married for 27 years, has decided that her husband will no longer walk all over her and run everything while she sits back and lets him. This premise was setup very well by page 50. The problem is, the remaining 100+ pages did NOTHING to advance the story. This 152 page book felt like 352 pages because it repeated itself over and over again. Also, why is it that every husband in this story "needed to be taught a lesson" with the exception of Edward's uncle? Why couldn't there be one husband who didn't feel appreciated by his wife? I'm sorry, but this "Waiting To Exhale Lite" just didn't do it for me.
<< 1 >>
| 
