When Regina Burns married Blue Hamilton, she knew he was no ordinary man. Regina enjoyed a circle of engaging friends and her own work as communications consultant, but she especially relished the company of her husband, who never ceased to be a source of passion and delight.
Then everything changes. Frightened women are showing up in West End, seeking Blue's protection from lovers who have suddenly become violent. When the worst offenders begin to disappear, the speculation seems to implicate Blue and his long-time associates. Now that Regina is pregnant, her fears for Blue's safety have become an obsession that threatens the heart of their relationship.
Returning to the Atlanta neighborhoods of her last two novels, Pearl Cleage has crafted a warm, witty novel that illuminates the core of every woman's hopes and dreams.
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"Good, easy read. It would have gotten five stars, except that I recall being annoyed that Regina's character wasn't a strong figure in the book. The male characters are well developed, but Regina's character development felt somewhat stunted."
— Jill (4 out of 5 stars)
“Cleage’s novel is an exciting, fast-moving thriller where events happen at such breathtaking speed that it’s easy to pull a muscle in your eagerness to turn the pages. The stories intersect, spawning misunderstandings, deceptions, betrayals, broken promises and double crosses. It’s all great fun, like riding a runaway train and not knowing where you’re going to end up.”
— Washington Post“Cleage’s voice is pleasant and her narration smooth.”
— AudioFile“The reader is engrossed to the end.”
— Booklist“Cleage gives great detail and background. Those things, plus the characters, intensify the story, capturing an in-depth snapshot of political blackmail, true love, and the art of being true to self.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)" I love that the author revisited characters that began this series. It was nice to see their lives a few years later. "
— Angelique, 2/10/2014" an easy read. the idea of a safe zone in the inner-city is intriguing but not believable. i do like the fact that all of the characters are multi-dimensional,i.e. none are perfect, except Blue, of course. I kinda don't like him. "
— Cha, 2/7/2014" Just as gritty as book 2 of the West End books. Each book features one of the residents of the neighborhood and how they interconnect. Well done. "
— Kim, 2/5/2014" Creative -- the way she wove in the "past lives" storyline without ever committing either way (it's true/not true). The characeters were crisply drawn and the read fun. Who doesn't love -- and fear -- Blue? "
— Tori, 2/2/2014" I have read everything that she has published. I think that a new book comes out this year. "
— Monique, 1/24/2014" The book digs into problems in society that we, the general public, do not always think will touch us personally. "
— Corliss, 1/17/2014" Another fine Pearl Cleage novel. I like the way the story built. I think the wrap up was a little hasty, but I enjoyed reading it. "
— Lawana, 1/14/2014" this book had a lot going on but the end was a surprise. I don't know if I liked it or not, but all in all the book was good. "
— quatina, 1/12/2014" All of our decisions have consequences that often affect everyone. "
— Andrea, 1/4/2014" Good reading! This is my second Pearl Cleage book. I really like her characters. "
— Linda, 1/1/2014" Wow...had a few surprising twists that I wasn't quite expecting. I think this is my least favorite so far in this West End series... "
— LJ, 12/19/2013" I have meet Ms Pearl Cleage and have enjoyed several of her books of whom you can relate as a reader and keep you interested until the last page. "
— Charlene, 12/18/2013" So so book that explores the dynamic of an African American community. At times, it panders to expected plot twists and does not really allow the characters to break out of roles we have seen before. This is an enjoyable summer read. "
— carl, 12/17/2013" This book was too much. It is an ok read "
— Mayastlpmc, 11/29/2013" This is a good story centering on Atlanta and bringing in characters from many of the early novels of Ms. Cleage. She focuses on corruption in government, the afterlife, the war in Iraq and much more. good read. "
— Pamela, 11/24/2013" Loved this! And Ms. Cleage has the perfect voice for reading. "
— Tracey, 10/26/2013" rounded up from a 3.75 "
— Marilyn, 4/15/2013" I felt really sorry for the soldier and the other trials and tribulations that this story brought but that is reality.. "
— Marilyn, 1/1/2013" It a okay book it about a boy who brother was conviced of a murder he did not do. "
— Chris, 8/17/2012" It was ok. I listened to this one and it was read by the author. She was an interesting reader. There were some shocking parts, but the ending was rather anticlimatic because she introduced so many characters and then they disappeared. "
— Erika, 5/31/2012" Not my favorite Pearl Cleage book but a entertaining read. "
— Jennifer, 5/5/2012" I enjoyed the story (Ms. Cleage can tell a great story), but I was disappointed. I wanted more on the relationship between Blue and Regina. :( The General's storyline was magnificent. "
— A., 9/19/2011" As a fan of Pearl Cleague this book was a resounding disappointment. It seemed to be a thinly disguised bit of propaganda for the authors viewpoint rather than an enjoyable or enlightening work of fiction. "
— Barbara, 9/13/2011" Great story that focused on my home town. "
— Seritasunflower, 8/12/2011" Pearl Cleage does it again! I really enjoyed my visit to the West End. "
— Mj, 7/23/2011" Loved this! And Ms. Cleage has the perfect voice for reading. "
— Tracey, 4/21/2011" So so book that explores the dynamic of an African American community. At times, it panders to expected plot twists and does not really allow the characters to break out of roles we have seen before. This is an enjoyable summer read. "
— carl, 2/21/2011" Good reading! This is my second Pearl Cleage book. I really like her characters. "
— Linda, 8/24/2010" All of our decisions have consequences that often affect everyone. "
— Andrea, 7/30/2010" this book had a lot going on but the end was a surprise. I don't know if I liked it or not, but all in all the book was good. "
— quatina, 7/29/2010" I have read everything that she has published. I think that a new book comes out this year. "
— Monique, 4/12/2010" As a fan of Pearl Cleague this book was a resounding disappointment. It seemed to be a thinly disguised bit of propaganda for the authors viewpoint rather than an enjoyable or enlightening work of fiction. "
— Barbara, 4/4/2010" Pearl Cleage does it again! I really enjoyed my visit to the West End. "
— MJ, 2/23/2010" Another fine Pearl Cleage novel. I like the way the story built. I think the wrap up was a little hasty, but I enjoyed reading it. "
— Lawana, 1/11/2010" I felt really sorry for the soldier and the other trials and tribulations that this story brought but that is reality.. "
— Marilyn, 10/23/2009" It was ok. I listened to this one and it was read by the author. She was an interesting reader. There were some shocking parts, but the ending was rather anticlimatic because she introduced so many characters and then they disappeared. "
— Erika, 7/1/2009" rounded up from a 3.75 "
— Marilyn, 5/25/2009" This is a good story centering on Atlanta and bringing in characters from many of the early novels of Ms. Cleage. She focuses on corruption in government, the afterlife, the war in Iraq and much more. good read. "
— Pamela, 12/18/2008Pearl Cleage is an award-winning playwright whose play Flyin’ West was the most-produced new play in the country in 1994 and a bestselling author whose novels include What Looks like Crazy on an Ordinary Day, I Wish I Had a Red Dress, Some Things I Never Thought I’d Do, and Baby Brother’s Blues, among others. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.