Rating: 
Summary: These characters are REAL!!!!!!!! You may know them!
Review: Sadly, I have just finished reading self-published author, Earl Sewell's novel "Taken For Granted". Mr. Sewell's vivid description of his characters made them come to life. You can read the other critics' reviews to find out what the story is about...but I want to tell you that his description of Rubylee made me want to go after her to do bodily harm...the only thing, however, is that Rubylee didn't take 'no mess', and to only harm her, could be deadly to oneself. Earl Sewell obviously knows a lot about women, because he shows in-depth knowledge about the subject. His interpretation of romance shows tenderness, yet there's a raunchiness there that is both provocative and erotic. I loved this book because not only am I a Chicagoan and could relate to the settings, but I could relate to the characters, as well. Most of us know or have known these characters. Most women would absolutely enjoy this book, not to say that men won't. I was sad that I finished it because it was most enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Taken For Granted is a remarkable book. I couldn't put the book down for a minute, it kept me glued to the fine details of the characters. The book seem to put you in a trance because the characters seem so real as if you know them personally. I will recommend it to all my friends.
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Read
Review: When I first picked up this novel, I had no idea I was in for such a treat. Richard has been married to Estelle for eight years and while he loves her deeply, there is a serious threat to their relationship. Namely, Estelle's mother Rubylee. Rubylee is a woman who has always managed to get whatever she wanted by utilizing two things: her criminal instincts and her vagina. She will stop at nothing to get the material things she craves, which is why her gold-digging behavior wreaks havoc throughout Richard and Estelle's marriage. Not to mention Estelle's "welfare queen" sister who, along with Rubylee, doesn't believe in an honest day's work. Richard has had enough of the leeches and decides that he is sick of being "taken for granted." On the flip side, you have Nina who has been married to Jay for more than twenty years. Jay believes in being in total control of his life and his woman, even if that means keeping her from pursuing her educational and professional goals. They have a daughter with her own set of issues and Nina is tired of turning her head to the obvious. She also has had enough. Richard and Nina have known each other in passing for years. Richard occasionally attended Nina's aerobic classes, moreso to admire her than for health reasons. Ironically, they both end up in the Caribbean on vacation, searching for answers to their separate dilemmas. Now this is the part of the book where you might need to have a glass of ice water standing by to cool you off. That's all I am going to say on that. :-) Taken For Granted is a refreshing read for people who have found themselves in their forties wondering what in the hell happened to their lives, their aspirations, and their sanity. A person doesn't have to give up on hope just because everyone else around them has. That is the lesson in this novel: no matter how hard life gets, with the right determination and wise decisions, it can always get better.
Rating:
Summary: You Gotta Read This One
Review: Self published author Earl Sewell is back with his second novel. I must find a copy of his first novel. Somebody in the publishing world needs to pick up this one cause this story is "da Bomb".Nina is trapped in a marriage that is confining and unfullfilling. She has an adult daughter who is making the same mistakes she did. Nina has decided its time for a change.Richard is married to Estelle. Estelle is controlled and manipulated by her mother. Only thing, Estelle actions may be with good intentions but they hurt her husband and son. All along, Richard appeared to be spineless and went along with the program.Richard and Nina meet while he is walking home after Estelle has depleted their bank account, this time to buy her mother a car. Both Richard and Nina take a look at their situations and decided to make changes.Another chance meeting during marriage sabbiticals, Richard and Nina discover one another in the Bahamas, and its on!!. This story has wonderfully developed secondary characters which had me plotting revenge against Rubylee, cheering for Rose and shaking my head at others. The action and suspense will keep you glued to your seat until you finish this book, most likely in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: LOVED IT!
Review: Taken For Granted is a cleverly crafted and intriguing novel from self-published author, Earl G. Sewell. Sewell introduces us to characters, Nina Epps and Richard Vincent, who are at crosswalks in their lives and wondering if they should come up for air from the tumultuous relationships they've been submerged in for the greater part of their adult lives or linger in despair hoping that circumstances will change. In a surprising twist of events, Richard and Nina's paths cross and a friendship ensues that could lead to a brighter future for these two Taken For Granted souls. Sewell gives us a remarkable and complex novel that is entertaining and original. We're introduced to colorful/intriguing characters, scandalous and titillating subplots and a riveting story of betrayal, revenge and tragedy. Taken For Granted is a page-turner that captured my attention from page one and held me until the last page. Earl G. Sewell writes about events that shake our foundation and gives us characters that jump off the pages. While there were some typos/grammatical errors in Taken For Granted, none of these were major or significant enough to get in the way of the storyline. I can't wait to read other books from this talented and upcoming author.
Rating:
Summary: This Story is HOT!
Review: Not often does a male author come along and impress females writers to the point that they are willing to buy copies of a book for all of their friends. Earl Sewell is a new talent that won't soon be forgotten. His characters leap off the page and his imagination runs rampant as he tells you a story that is shockingly real and at the same time jawdroppingly clever! This book is not just another addition to your bookshelf...it's a must for serious booklovers.
Rating:
Summary: TAKEN FOR GRANTED
Review: FOR A PERSON THAT DO NOT LIKE TO READ. THIS BOOK MADE ME READ AND READ AND READ. I COULD NOT STOP. "THE STORY LINE HIT HOME".
Rating:
Summary: Check this book out
Review: A very compelling story with richly defined characters and a complex story line. A definate must read for anyone who appreciates good writing.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST!!
Review: I would have to give "Taken for granted" 5 stars. And I have to say that it was one of the best books I have read in a long time. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it even made me very angry!! I would highly recomend it and definitly read it again.
Rating:
Summary: What will be will be
Review: Earl Sewell's novel Taken for Granted is filled with turns and twist that will keep you entertain from the first page until the last. It is well written and filled with the realities of the lower class as well as the upper class people of Chicago. His characters came alive in my hands, there were times that his plot thickened and had my heart racing with anticipation as if I was watching a movie. Richard a third generation of doctors fell for the wrong woman. Within his marriage she always thought of him as the one who was weak and without a backbone. In reality his wife was the one who was weak by letting her family members manipulate and control her. Richard found himself offering his wife the ultimatum of their marriage or her family after she'd emptied their joint account and moving her mother, sister and niece into their home. Estelle, (his wife) refused to turn her back on her family turned her back on her loving husband who was being more than patient with her and her families tactics. Nina Epps, a woman who got pregnant very early in her adult life and married the man she thought would cherish her for the rest of her life. Her husband and attorney wanted his wife for his on pleasures of having a wife while he continually had affair after affair on her. When Nina's daughter started growing up so did Nina. She went back to school to finish her education and started life anew. There is so much more to this great novel that if I continue to go I will tell too much. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good book. It is fast past, wonderfully written, and a plot that is just unbelievably brilliant. Get your copy today; I assure you that you won't be disappointed.
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