Rating: 
Summary: LACKING SOMETHING
Review: While this book kept my attention and I was left feeling like all the characters were not fully developed. I was left wondering what Johnson did for those twenty years. Left wondering why Kitt had such serious issues with men. I was entralled with Tumbling and frankly a little diappointed in this but nevertheless I will continue to read books by Diane McKinney-Whetstone.
Rating: 
Summary: Blues Dancing
Review: I was very disappointed with this novel and found it very hard to believe that the author had come to this point to write something that was so cliche. More distressing than that was her inability to develop her characters; there was so much more that could have been said about Verdi, Rowe and Johnson. Kitt and Posie,however were well structured characters. This book was so unlike her other very great works. It was as though someone was forcing her to write a new book or else her "public might forget about her".
Rating:
Summary: Blues Dancing
Review: I heard this book reviewed on NPR and came home and ordered it immediately. When it arrived, I started reading it, again immediately, and couldn't put it down. Insightful book on the times and what could and did go wrong with many of us in that era. The book moves along and is very well written and the characters were vivid. High recommend it to those who lived through that era and to those who want to learn more about this period.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW--Second Time Around and Still Going Strong!
Review: This book was amazing! I absolutely loved the ending where everything was still a huge emotional sore! The interwoven story of past abuse, mentor abuse, mental abuse, love, and the over all feeling that the main character was trapped into a life that most thought was perfect!
Rating: 
Summary: Just hang in there
Review: This book started a little slow, but then began to build to point, but then the pace slowed up again however I was determined to finish and I'm so glad I did. I never would have guess the ending. Blues Dancing was story that I couldnt relate to, but nethertheless I enjoyed reading.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable and Fluid
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal. After reading Ms. McKinney-Whetstone's second novel I was a bit apprehensive, however "Blues Dancing" captures the same magic she created in her first novel "Tumbling". Additionally, I appreciate reading a book set in Philadelphia, which is so familiar to me.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It
Review: I have read all of this author's books and I enjoyed this one just a much as the other's. She has done it again. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I so enjoyed this book that I stayed up practically all night to read it. I was so taken with the characters that I had to continue reading to see what ultimately happened to Verdi, Johnson and Sage. The plot twist had me enthralled. I also liked the way the author fluidly went from past to present. With so many authors the changing of time periods are done so drastically, one is left wondering how did we get here. I can't wait until my book club meeting to discuss this book. I read one of her other books, I obviously was not impressed... I can't even remeber the name of it.
Rating:
Summary: Loved This one Too !
Review: Yes, she has done it again ! Diane McKinney Whetstone is one of my favorite writers of the 90's. I LOVED Tumbling, was again impressed by Tempest Rising and was anxiously patting my foot waiting for another novel to be published. Blues Dancing was yet another 'love story' which featured 'tragic' female characters who ultimately find themselves and overcome their demons. This story was simple, yet lyrical - complicated, yet easy to read and understand. You could compare her to Toni Morrison but you can leave the notepad, dictionary and hightlighter in your desk. It is hard to trudge through this wave 'Dating Game', junk food fiction by African American writers which has marked the 1990's. But, finding Diane McKinney, Edwidge Danticat and Helen Elaine Lee has renewed my faith in real writers and makes me glad I am a reader. The main character, Verdi, along with her male suitors Johnson and Rowe, demonstrates how easily people can give up their power to another person or substance and how finding your own self and own way are really the only ways to assure that someone elses strengths or weaknesses are not making you what you are.
Rating:
Summary: Blues!
Review: This book was depressing!I despised Rowe at first,after completing the book I felt sorry for him. I was angry with Verdie for being weak and not seeking help. I guess love had her completely stupid. She loved unconditional even though it brought both of them down. Rowe was very protective and that was understandable, but his ways I could not tolerate. Rowe knew deep within he was no better than Verdie and her family, he was arrogant and ignorant. Rowe knew he also took Verdie for granted. Therefore I think he robbed and destroyed her more than anyone. I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous novels. The flow was different. I was anxious to see what happen next. Blues dancing needed more flavor. The ending was great, but the meat was missing. The novel was as if, I need to tell a great story, but I need to leave this out or don't reveal this. I know this was not factual, but from what I interpreted, it was non-fiction with revealing too much of the truth. This could have actually been a great love story even with all the trauma.
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