Rating: 
Summary: New McFadden Fan
Review: Ms. McFadden's sequel to "Sugar" is as intriguing and captivating as her other books. I read "Sugar", "Loving Donovan" and just finished reading "This Bitter Earth". I am a huge fan of her work. This story, as with the others, grab your attention and will not let go until the very end. I am amazed how she is able to hold her reader with such confidence and vivid details. This is definitely a book to read and it will have you thinking about the characters long after the last page is turned. She walks in the shoes of every character with such honesty and authenticity...it's superb. You find out Sugar's past, present and future in this book. It really pulled the pieces together from "Sugar". Kudos for another well written book!
Rating:
Summary: Almost Better Than Sugar
Review: peace and blessings,to all those that read this book, you wont be a able to put it down. the Ms. McFadden has written a book that will leave you speechless, scared and emotionally drained. just as you begin to things things cant get worse they do. the use of of detail reminds one of the writing of Toni Morrison or J. California Cooper. if you have read Sugar, This Bitter Earth answers some questions left over from that book. it gives insight into the dealings of Joe and Sugars mom, Lappy and the rest of people from the Sugar. Ms. McFadden you are getting better with each book. keep up the good work
Rating: 
Summary: LOVED IT!!!
Review: Simply, if you loved "Sugar," you will absolutely adore "This Bitter Earth. And, if you read "Sugar," you will not have completed this journey until you read "This Bitter Earth."
Rating:
Summary: Just As Sweet As Sugar
Review: Sugar Lacey left Bigelow, Arkansas ten years ago with a secret and to confront those that she felt had betrayed her. With a heavy heart and a wounded body, Sugar traveled to Short Junction, Arkansas and St. Louis in search of answers. When she left Bigelow she left clues for those that mattered. Were those clues found? Examining her trials and tribulations that she was born into, Sugar redeemed herself by nurturing a young girl just as she had been nurtured. The only thing left for Sugar to do was to return to Bigelow with the hope of finding peace within. This Bitter Earth ties together the unanswered questions left behind with the ending of Sugar. The spirit of Sugar, Pearl and Joe remain vivid and with the additional information obtained about the other characters and their lives, the reader is brought full circled leaving an understanding of all that This Bitter Earth has to offer. This Bitter Earth is told in a fluid and surreal language that will leave you mesmerized. The imagery used in the prose will take you within the Taylor home, the juke joint, down the dirt roads and through the fields of this rural town. Popular belief is that most sequels don't measure up to their predecessors but This Bitter Earth is just as sweet as Sugar.
Rating:
Summary: Not so Bitter After All...
Review: Thank you Ms McFadden for writing this sequel. Sugar left me with so many questions. I liked how McFadden answered everything about Sugar in the first few chapters. Then she moved on. Why on earth she brought Lappy Clayton back I don't know. I was sick and tired of him and how he haunted her so long. This story was just as good as Sugar or even better in some ways. I definately suggest you read this sequel. I haven't read the other 2 books by McFadden as of yet.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!!
Review: THIS BITTER EARTH is a beautifully written book and it is as brilliant as the song Etta James sings on her LP, Blue Gardenia. I love Bernice McFadden. She has a clever approach when telling a story. I read SUGAR and loved it and the sequel is just as profound. I am glad she told us more about JJ Taylor and brought back Lappy Clayton. She had to bring Lappy back to make the story complete. Bernice weaved a slendid web that attached everything to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: OH MY GOD WHAT A STORY!
Review: This Bitter Earth is one of the most thought-provoking stories I've ever read. It takes up where Sugar the first novel left off and OH MY GOD ... what a story! Bernice McFadden has the ability to tell a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and will have you dreaming about the story. Sugar, Jude, Joe, Pearl, and Lappy are unforgetable characters and will stay with you long after you've finished the book. If you haven't read any of her books, you should do yourself a favor and buy all of them. You will not be disappointed. Anfra
You Are My Sister
Rating:
Summary: OH MY GOD WHAT A STORY!
Review: This Bitter Earth is one of the most thought-provoking stories I've ever read. It takes up where Sugar the first novel left off and OH MY GOD ... what a story! Bernice McFadden has the ability to tell a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and will have you dreaming about the story. Sugar, Jude, Joe, Pearl, and Lappy are unforgetable characters and will stay with you long after you've finished the book. If you haven't read any of her books, you should do yourself a favor and buy all of them. You will not be disappointed. Anfra
You Are My Sister
Rating:
Summary: Substance
Review: This Bitter Earth was even more satisfying than Sugar, which very seldom happens with a sequal. Its characters were so life-like, the story not only brought tears to my eyes when I felt vulnerable, but when I felt strong. Because I write so many books discussing drugs, sex, abuse, manipulation, and rejection, Bernice L. Mcfadden's account of church people hit home and tore at my heart. Scripture does say that those who need a physician should seek one. At times it does seem as though many Christians forget, or don't ever stumble across this scripture, but church is a place for those who seek healing. Those who congregate as the body are to give care not rejection. This author is incredible!!!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome, Simply Awesome.....
Review: This book is a page turner.. and so is Sugar. I can see both Sugar and This Bitter Earth being made into a movie. The characters grab you and each of the supporting characters stories is gripping. This series; and each book in and of it's self is the best I have read this year, last year, and probably the best I will read in the coming year. Bernice McFadden out done herself and every other book I have ever read by her with these... I can not say enough.. so if you are out there and wondering about these books... BUY THEM, THEY ARE NOT A WASTE OF MONEY OR THE TIME IT TAKES TO READ THEM... AS A MATTER OF FACT THE STORY GRABS YOU TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN..
READ SUGAR FIRST AND THEN THIS BITTER EARTH. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SECOND BOOK ON HAND, BECAUSE; AFTER READING SUGAR YOU WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO GO DIRECTLY INTO READING THIS BITTER EARTH.
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