One Foot in Love : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A gripping novel with a heartfelt story and a deep message
Review: "One Foot In Love" is a gripping novel with a heartfelt story and a deep message. Bil Wright has mastered the art of ending one chapter leaving you desperate to read the next. I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page. The characters in the story are real women faced with real problems that are not glossed over. The main character Rowtina loses her husband Turtle, deals with her cold and detached mother, joins a club of supportive but wacky women, and starts a tenuous romance. Bil Wright is not afraid to present a true picture of love, loss and grief. He allows us to ride on the emotional roller coaster of Rowtina's life rather then watching her from afar. The author's sensitivity to the inner life of women is clear as the members of The Leave Him and Live Sisterhood band together, helping one another get beyond their obstacles. As a woman, I was particularly impressed by a male writer's ability to capture the feminine soul. In the end, "One Foot in Love" reminded me that true love transcends death and loss - and inspires us to let go and live.

Rating:
Summary: New Beginnings
Review: Bil Wright very skillfully writes with the female voice in his novel, One Foot In Love. He tells the story of Rowtina Washington's transformation after the sudden death of her husband and how she bonds with the ladies in the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood. Each woman in the sisterhood has her own story and demons, which bonded and empowered this diverse group of women.

Rowtina Washington found herself alone after the sudden demise of her husband, Turtle. She had no direction and no focus other than to go to work, church and home. In her loneliness, she experiences nighttime visits from Turtle. He is trying to tell her something, but she can not figure out what it is. Soon after Turtle's death, Rowtina is invited to join a group by Nelda Battey at the hospital where she works. This support group, the Leave Him and Live club becomes an intricate part of Rowtina's life. She shares her secret about Turtle's visit with the women, but they do not know his motives either. There is something about Turtle's visit that indicates it is time for her to move on. Rowtina takes a large step and moves out of Harlem where she was born and raised to the Village, much to her mother's chagrin. In the Village, Rowtina meets Picasso Alegria, a Mexican hairdresser. He recommends she wear her hair naturally and offers to be her hairdresser. Picasso wants more from Rowtina than to be her stylist, Rowtina becomes quite smitten with him and almost consents to a relationship but there are several obstacles that stand in the way.

Wright pens a coming into ones self story. Rowtina makes great changes in her life, astonishing everyone, including herself. For this book to be written by a male author, he does an excellent job of getting into the women's psyche. The other women in the group have their own battles; Lucy in trying to get out of an abusive situation, Nelda`s sexual preference is suspect, Egyptia loves being married and is getting married again and Osceola lost her daughter to cancer. They have their ups and downs and make strides to better their lives. I have not read Wright's first book, Sunday You Learn How To Box, but I plan to pick it up one day. Meanwhile, I highly recommend this book.

(...)

Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Read!!
Review: I have read Bil Wright first novel "Sunday You Learn How to Box" and thoroughly enjoy his unique style. I recommend this novel to all my women friends especially those who have suffered loss...and who wouldn't fall into THAT category! Ghost and Ya Ya Sisterhood move over. There is a new author in town. And there is no stopping him. Sensitive and genuine understanding of where these women come from is what makes his writing so rich. Sensuality becomes art in this story. It's hard to second guess what will come next. He taps into spirituality and helps us all understand how connected we are not only to Rowtina but to each other. He bridges a gap of love that trancends all time and space. My highest praise to this author and eagerly await his next work.

Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Read!!- (a corrected review)
Review: I reviewed this book for Amazon and gave it a great review with Five Stars and only two stars showed up on my review. I would like to reinstate my review and further give my praise to Bil Wright. It is a book to be shared by all who have suffered any kind of loss in their life and how community and the love of friends will help us to move through it all. There is a little of Rowtina Washington in all of us.

Rating:
Summary: What a Success
Review: I'm privileged to know Bil, so I can't claim 100% objectivity in reading his books. This being said, One Foot in Love was as wonderful as his first novel, Sunday You Learn How to Box. The characters are very real and Wright empowers them to earn the reader's respect. Wright's seductive style grabs you gently by the ear before embracing you in a full bear hug. I can't wait for his next book.

The clarity and authenticity in which Wright defines a female voice is particularly impressive. He has done so here with such command and dimension that it will appeal to a broad audience. I don't envy Bil for having to follow such fine successes as his first two novels. But I encourage him to move swiftly as I'm already anxious for his next book.

Rating:
Summary: The Ghost of Turtle
Review: Rowtina Washington is shocked, devastated, saddened and appears to be depressed, at the death of her husband Terrance "Turtle" Washington. Rowtina, an emergency room nurse, and Turtle, a UPS driver, had a close and happy marriage to the point that Turtle was Rowtina's world. Her only associates are her co-workers and her mother. Even with prodding from Turtle, Rowtina never did step outside the marriage to form other bonds. Fate steps in and Rowtina is introduced to two members of the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood. As the name implies, the sisterhood is not made up of a group of women who have lost spouses, but unites women who need a release, a friendly shoulder and an ear. Regardless of the problem, the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood is there to lend a hand, not by counseling but by presence.

The sisterhood consists of the motherly Osceola, the free spirited lesbian Nelda, the physically abused Lucy and the "please marry me" Egyptia. Each woman brings to the group her own eclectic brand of personality and humor challenging Rowtina to let go and live. Added to this mix is Rowtina's domineering mother, Sylvia Mention. The story sets itself apart from others with multifarious characters, the visiting ghost of Turtle and Rowtina's dreams and musings. To further complicate matters, Rowtina moves from Harlem to Greenwich Village, where she meets Picasso Alegria, a local Mexican salon owner, and her entire world is turned upside down. However, the sisterhood is there to instill faith, confidence and encouragement.

ONE FOOT IN LOVE will appeal to the masses because the theme is universal. How do you handle the death of a loved one; how do you relinquish it and move on? The writing is excellent simply because of the characters clever, witty and sarcastic remarks that will make you laugh out loud! How the author, as a man,
was able to grasp the personalities and behaviors of the female characters' and showcase it with credibility, I will never know but I certainly enjoyed it. Bil Wright has penned a very humorous, multidimensional and often times sad account of love lost and friendship found.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: A funny, touching and rewarding read.
Review: Though very different from Bil Wright's first novel,"Sunday You Learn How to Box"(which is wonderful), this one still has his unique insight into all his characters.The protagonist Rotina Washington has lost her husband due to an accident and is completely adrift. By chance she becomes involved in a self help group called "The Leave Them And Live Sisterhood" made up of an assortment of multi-cultural women of various walks of life trying to resolve their difficulties with men. The meetings are both hysterically funny and deeply moving. Through Mr. Wright's skillful writing each woman becomes a real and complete person. As Rotina broadens her horizons from her home in Harlem to New York's west village she becomes involved with a sexy hairdresser named Picasso who encourages her to come out of her selfimposed prison. This is a wonderfully entertaining book which will grab you unexpectedly with moments of truth which are impossible to forsee.

Rating:
Summary: A Fresh Start
Review: When Rowtina Washington's husband, Turtle, is killed in car accident she must learn to move on with her life without him. However, she finds it difficult to move on when her husbands spirit begins to come to her. With no one to turn, including a mother that is overly critical, she decides to join the Leave Him and Live Sisterhood club. Each of these women will play an important part of helping Rowtina to move on while helping themselves with their own personal dram.

One Foot In Love is a novel about not letting your fears get in the way of living your life. Bill Wright takes you on a journey into the lives of a group of women trying to better themselves. This novel has a good combination of humor mixed with serious topics.