Preconceived Notions

Rating:
Summary: A Very Powerfully Written First Novel !
Review: For our annual meeting, the Book Circle Friends Book Club selected Preconceived Notions. The author, Robyn Williams, came to our meeting here in Indianapolis and we truly enjoyed having her. We found Ms. Williams to be warm, sweet, gracious, and very down to earth. Upon reading her first novel, Preconceived Notions, all the members of our group were in agreement for the first time ever: We finally found a story that every one of us loved! All thirty five of us fell madly in love with Elliott Renfroe, the male lead character. As a man, he was sincere, genuine, intelligent, compassionate, and very empathetic. As a lover (Oh my gosh! Whatta man!) he was a very considerate, passionate, sensual and gentle-but-demanding "strong black man"! We found it pleasurable reading about a handsome brotha who was neither gay, on drugs, or in jail. But instead who was trying to do right by his woman, his family, and himself. Preconceived Notions is a story about people trying to find happiness amidst their struggles and pain. It's about people learning to love and trust without judging or holding on to their past. It's a love story that's filled with endearing friendships, implicit romance, and unexpected tragic circumstances that keep you hoping that everything will turn out well for everyone involved. We loved how the author paints for us a crystal clear picture of each of her character's lives, one that allowed us to feel all their pain, their happiness and even their confusion.

In reading this book, readers will know true love, passion, pain, and eroticism because the characters have such depth to their personalities. Ms. Williams has literally captured the essence of romance. She clearly has a true gift for writing moving, sensual, and wildly seductive stories that are filled with hope, passion, and self-discovery.

Ms. Williams, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your time. Success is yours for the asking. Oprah, you'd better grab her while you can!

Rating:
Summary: BREATHLESS
Review: I absolutely loved the book!!!!!!!!
I don't get to read to often but I couldn't put this book down!! My husband even got a little jealous because I was spending so much time reading the book!!!
Oh, well!

Question?? WHEN IS THE MOVIE COMING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: BREATHLESS
Review: I absolutely loved the book!!!!!!!!
I don't get to read to often but I couldn't put this book down!! My husband even got a little jealous because I was spending so much time reading the book!!!
Oh, well!

Question?? WHEN IS THE MOVIE COMING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Well-occupied time.
Review: I loved this novel. I read it in like 2 days, I could not put the book down. Robyns charatcters were as real as can be. I hope with the next novel she keeps bringing it like she did in Preconceived Notions.

Rating:
Summary: A real page turner!!!
Review: I purchased this book some time ago and I must say it is one of my all-time favorite books.Romance, intrigue, scandal and the meeting of souls encompass Preconceived Notions. First time author, Robyn Williams explores these topics through the coming of age story of Imagany Jenkins, a Fisk University sophomore who is a native of the south side of Chicago. Imagany has a secret life, that is until she meets Tennessee State quarterback Elliott Renfroe. Imagany has a preconceived notion about this athlete, but it is through him that she reveals her secrets and comes to terms with them. Williams' masterful weaving of this story is capable of keeping every reader on the edge of her or his seat. With the music of Phyllis Hyman, Anita Baker and Najee woven throughout, Preconceived Notions is entertaining, inspiring and enchanting. The title is quite fitting because at a certain point (which I won't reveal --I'll let you read it for yourself) I developed a Preconceived Notion about the book. As it turned out, this Preconceived Notion I developed was way off base. Can't wait for her second book to be released!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Passionalte and Refreshing Storyline
Review: Preconceived Notions is the torrid romance between Imagany Jenkins and Elliott Renfroe. But don't be mislead. This book is more than just your average boy-meets-girl-they-fall-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after script. The storyline is much richer and deeper than that. Imagany Jenkins is an extremely complex character, one who I didn't like very much at times. She has bouts of selfishness and self-centeredness that scream "it's all about me!" And yet, the author still managed to portray that underneath the surface Imagany possesses a heart of gold. I liked the way the storyline unfolded so that I saw why Imagany became the way she was. Physically abused as a child, her annoying traits were her way of coping with life. Enter Elliott Renfroe, who was almost too good to be true. An engineer-about-to-turn-pro-football-player, Elliott is the type of man most of us woman wish for. Intelligent, handsome, thoughtful, kind, all of this wrapped in a gorgeous physique that has the women fighting in the street. Yet, despite the numerous women trying to crowd his space, he's loyal and is the perfect compliment to an untrusting Imagany. And it's the unfolding of their romance that captures the essence of Preconceived Notions. Passionate, steamy love scenes that made me feel like I was there had me gripping my own bedsheets!

For me, what comprises a good book are things that keep me turning the pages in anticipation of what's to come. Preconceived does this. Something else that I enjoyed was the friendship between Imagany and Caprice and between Elliott and Carl. I felt they all exhibited unconditional love for one another, an ability to accept the good traits and the bad. Throw in Imagany's sister Zabree, who runs away from home and gets strung out on drugs, and then Anthony Barrington, Imagany's older sugar daddy, and it's a volatile story. All these players compete to have their own way regardless of the costs to others and themselves.

I think if you enjoy a passion-filled storyline that has many surprising twists and turns, Preconceived Notions is the kind of book you won't easily put down. But if you're looking for a who's-gonna-die-next-action-packed-thriller or suspenseful mystery, this is not that kind of book. Instead, it's one that you'll want to curl up somewhere where you won't be disturbed cause it's just that riveting. While I would have liked to have read more about Anthony and Leslie and the sister Zabree, overall, I think the author did a fantastic job of building a believable plot and creating characters that come alive on the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing
Review: Preconceived Notions is the torrid romance between Imagany Jenkins and Elliott Renfroe. But don't be mislead. This book is more than just your average boy-meets-girl-they-fall-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after script. The storyline is much richer and deeper than that. Imagany Jenkins is an extremely complex character, one who I didn't like very much at times. She has bouts of selfishness and self-centeredness that scream "it's all about me!" And yet, the author still managed to portray that underneath the surface Imagany possesses a heart of gold. I liked the way the storyline unfolded so that I saw why Imagany became the way she was. Physically abused as a child, her annoying traits were her way of coping with life. Enter Elliott Renfroe, who was almost too good to be true. An engineer-about-to-turn-pro-football-player, Elliott is the type of man most of us woman wish for. Intelligent, handsome, thoughtful, kind, all of this wrapped in a gorgeous physique that has the women fighting in the street. Yet, despite the numerous women trying to crowd his space, he's loyal and is the perfect compliment to an untrusting Imagany. And it's the unfolding of their romance that captures the essence of Preconceived Notions. Passionate, steamy love scenes that made me feel like I was there had me gripping my own bedsheets!

For me, what comprises a good book are things that keep me turning the pages in anticipation of what's to come. Preconceived does this. Something else that I enjoyed was the friendship between Imagany and Caprice and between Elliott and Carl. I felt they all exhibited unconditional love for one another, an ability to accept the good traits and the bad. Throw in Imagany's sister Zabree, who runs away from home and gets strung out on drugs, and then Anthony Barrington, Imagany's older sugar daddy, and it's a volatile story. All these players compete to have their own way regardless of the costs to others and themselves.

I think if you enjoy a passion-filled storyline that has many surprising twists and turns, Preconceived Notions is the kind of book you won't easily put down. But if you're looking for a who's-gonna-die-next-action-packed-thriller or suspenseful mystery, this is not that kind of book. Instead, it's one that you'll want to curl up somewhere where you won't be disturbed cause it's just that riveting. While I would have liked to have read more about Anthony and Leslie and the sister Zabree, overall, I think the author did a fantastic job of building a believable plot and creating characters that come alive on the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Twanetta, avid book reader!!!!
Review: Preconceived Notions was a definite page turner for me. I read this book in 2 days! I loved the love story between Imagany and Elliott! It was one of those love stories that you either have or don't have. I thought the name Imagany, was interesting as well. The struggle between her and her family was so sad. I know that this story probably helped out someone in need,and I thank Robyn Williams for that. It was good to see African-American students succeed in everything they put their minds to. I also loved the suspense in the book. Had me thinking, "What's going to happen next!!!" This book, by far, is the best I've read!!!!!
You go Robyn!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Take a deep breath and finally exhale!
Review: Romance, passion and intrigue! Preconceived Notions, an extremely well written book, seems to have it all. Ms. Williams tackles the taboo topics of lust, greed, and incest in a most masterful way. She expertly tells a captivating tale with Imagany Jenkins and Elliott Renfroe that keeps readers interested and intrigued. I especially loved the added in treat that we got in the form of having the music of Phyllis Hyman, Anita Baker and Najee woven throughout the story. Preconceived Notions was a fantastic read from start to finish!

Rating:
Summary: This is Not a Good Book
Review: There is no way this book is a 4 1/2 star book. "Preconceived Notions" is the story about Imagany Jenkins. She's a student at Fisk University. Imagany hooks up with a "sugar daddy" her freshman year, so she lives off campus and drives a BMW. Imagany's best friend is Caprice McKnight who is a student at Meharry Medical college. Robyn Williams writes that Imagany and Caprice have been friends since kindergarten, so explain to me how Imagany is a sophomore at Fisk, and Caprice is studying to be an OB/GYN at Meharry? It's inconsistancies like this that make this book not good. Imagany starts to tire of her "sugar daddy" so she hooks up with a football player at Tennessee State University named Elliot. Elliot is the quarterback for the team and an engineer major. I know this is fiction but it's hard to believe that an engineering major has time to lead a football team and have a romantic relationship. Imagany and Elliot's relationship didn't really have any sparks. And everytime they went out Imgagny was about to fight any girl who looked at Elliot.

The timeline for this book is really messed up. Caprice finishes medical school in one year? Then there are things like Elliot getting to spend the night with his wife the night before the Superbowl. Imagany's sister ends up in the hospital after being rescued from a housing project, but we never find out if she lives or not? I think the author tried to take on too many things at one time. I agree with another reviewer that the first half of the book dragged and then the ending was rushed. What really drew me to this book was the fact that it was set in Nashville. But I must warn all fellow Nashvillians, Fisk, TN State, and Meharry alumni this is not a good book.