Anyone Who Has A Heart

Rating:
Summary: Great book! Real page turner.
Review: What do you do when your debut becomes an Essence best seller? Write another one. ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART by St. Louis native Jacqueline Powell is the sophomore release imbued with complex characters experiencing real life situations. The story toggles between three primary characters searching for freedom, healing and self-discovery in everything and everyone but themselves. Zenobia has transformed "Discretion" into the hottest nightclub in St. Louis, without receiving her fair share of ownership from her abusive ex, Payce, and relentlessly strives to gain full custody of their daughter, Zaire; Theresa, a young elementary school teacher plagued by nightmares of her deceased fiancé, Don, mourns not with tears, but in a bottle of vodka while failing to convince her lover, Vince, he holds the key to her heart; Vince, a freelance editor, tires of watching Theresa self destruct and competing with a dead man, finds himself compromising his relationship, sexuality and health with a tryst which may prove deadly.

ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART is a provocative tale with universal themes. Zenobia is the single mother who decides she wants more for herself and her daughter and struggles to break free from an abusive and manipulative ex husband; Theresa finds redemption when accepting the loss of a loved one and confronting her estranged relationship with her mother; and Vince is a classic example of the disproportionate number of men engaging in acts with the same sex, while grappling with their sexuality. Regardless of race, gender or sexual preference, Powell's characters are identifiable to everyone on some level. The "down-low" theme is sure to strike impassioned discussions within bookclubs, especially those with co-ed memberships. Powell's growth as a writer is evident from her first novel "Someone To Catch My Drift." I recommend ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART as not only entertainment, but an enlightening story full of introspection.

Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO BookClub

Rating:
Summary: Life Lessons The Hard Way
Review: What do you do when your debut becomes an Essence best seller? Write another one. ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART by St. Louis native Jacqueline Powell is the sophomore release imbued with complex characters experiencing real life situations. The story toggles between three primary characters searching for freedom, healing and self-discovery in everything and everyone but themselves. Zenobia has transformed "Discretion" into the hottest nightclub in St. Louis, without receiving her fair share of ownership from her abusive ex, Payce, and relentlessly strives to gain full custody of their daughter, Zaire; Theresa, a young elementary school teacher plagued by nightmares of her deceased fiancé, Don, mourns not with tears, but in a bottle of vodka while failing to convince her lover, Vince, he holds the key to her heart; Vince, a freelance editor, tires of watching Theresa self destruct and competing with a dead man, finds himself compromising his relationship, sexuality and health with a tryst which may prove deadly.

ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART is a provocative tale with universal themes. Zenobia is the single mother who decides she wants more for herself and her daughter and struggles to break free from an abusive and manipulative ex husband; Theresa finds redemption when accepting the loss of a loved one and confronting her estranged relationship with her mother; and Vince is a classic example of the disproportionate number of men engaging in acts with the same sex, while grappling with their sexuality. Regardless of race, gender or sexual preference, Powell's characters are identifiable to everyone on some level. The "down-low" theme is sure to strike impassioned discussions within bookclubs, especially those with co-ed memberships. Powell's growth as a writer is evident from her first novel "Someone To Catch My Drift." I recommend ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART as not only entertainment, but an enlightening story full of introspection.

Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO BookClub