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Just Wanna Testify: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 225 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Familiar faces and places meet fresh twists and turns in this enthralling novel from acclaimed author Pearl Cleage. Atlanta’s West End district has always been a haven and home to a coterie of unique characters—artists and thinkers, dreamers and doers. Folks here know one another’s names, keep their doors unlocked, and look out for their neighbors. Anyone planning to sell drugs, vandalize, or rob a little old lady should think twice before hitting this part of town. And Blue Hamilton, West End’s unofficial mayor and longtime protector, will see to it that you do. Blue wears many hats here, including adored husband to Regina, dear nephew to Abbey, and doting father to Sweetie and another little one on the way. Blue is also the man you pay your respects to if you’re looking to set up shop in this urban enclave—just ask Serena Mayflower, whom Blue sees striding down Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard wearing skin-tight black leather pants, thigh-high boots, and bright red lipstick. This tall, slender, ethereally beautiful woman and her four equally striking sisters make up the Too Fine Five, a quintet of international supermodels who have arrived in town for an Essence magazine photo shoot. But Blue’s gut tells him that there’s more to these Mayflower mademoiselles than their affection for full moons and Bloody Marys. With the help of his beloved Regina and their close friends and relations in West End, Blue vows to uncover the women’s secret intentions—and prove once and for all that there is no greater force on earth than the power of love. A mesmerizing slice of not-so-everyday life, brimming with wicked wit and spiced with a few supernatural surprises, Just Wanna Testify showcases Pearl Cleage’s masterly storytelling at its soulful and satisfying finest.
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"Surprisingly enough I ended up loving this. I say that not because of the author, because I've loved all of her books. I'm saying it because when I read what the premise of this storyline was, I was taken aback. I don't love the very end, but I'm giving it 5 stars anyway."
— Jeanette (5 out of 5 stars)
Just Wanna Testify Listener Reviews
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" Vampires? Pearl, c'mon now. "
— Streetraker, 2/13/2014 -
" The audio versions of this series is the best. "
— Barbara, 2/12/2014 -
" I did not enjoy this book as much as her other books. "
— Lena, 2/11/2014 -
" Well, once again I have learned the old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover," is true. I expected a suspenseful courtroom drama, something like John Grisham's A Time to Kill. It is rare that I find myself enjoying books about vampires. Just Want to Testify was well written and at times enjoyable. For vampire fans, I think this would be just the thing, and I will recommend it to them (I already have).It just was not a good fit for me. "
— Tracy, 2/7/2014 -
" After seeing several plays written by Pearl Cleage, I was looking forward to reading her book. I have to say that I prefer her plays. Just Wanna Testify is a novel which uses vampires (magic realism) to tell an allegory about the chasm in the relationships between African-American women and men. There is a lot that Pearl Cleage can say about this subject which is obviously very close to her heart. I just wish that she had chosen another avenue in which to explore it. "
— Lisa, 1/4/2014 -
" This one wasn't my cup of tea. I really wanted to like it because I love Pearl Cleage and I love vampires. But I just found this one kind of ...corny, for lack of a better word. I didn't connect with any characters, and didn't "feel" anything for this one - maybe that was the point? In any case, at least it was a fast read! "
— Angelina, 1/3/2014 -
" I couldn't get into this book so it had to go back to the library. "
— Jewell, 12/29/2013 -
" I love Cleage, but I think her mind went on vacation when she wrote this one. Vampires,that only want men for sex and then kill them before they can cause problems. Then it's the "Dallas" cop out of "it was only a dream"? Come on! "
— Kim, 12/21/2013 -
" "Just Wanna Testify" was awesome. Having read the other books about the West End characters, I was wondering how vampires would fit into the mix. I was pleasantly surprised. What a beautiful story! "
— Antoinette, 12/13/2013 -
" I just didn't like this- it was non-eventful. I couldn't finish it. "
— Tasula, 11/7/2013 -
" Very enjoyable Pearl Cleage! Very interesting conclusion. "
— Linda, 10/31/2013 -
" a first read wins- and a winner from cleage. great characters and a story that pulled me in right away. "
— Sherry, 8/19/2013 -
" This book was funny, a vamp book which I do like........well written, funny characters, well some funny ones....lol an enjoyable read! "
— Joanne, 4/23/2013 -
" reading this book left a smile on my face. it is a testament to the power of love and the author's ability to tell a great story. "
— Virginia, 8/18/2012 -
" Well this one was just OK. I wasn't really feeling the whole vampire thing and plot. Kinda lame. "
— Anita, 6/28/2012 -
" Pearl Cleage has done it again...never would I have put together vamps in Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina..but the question is what do they want...Cleage is so entertaining and I love Blue, Regina, Abbie, Aretha and Peachie...Great read.. "
— Marilyn, 12/11/2011 -
" Not her best work. The themes were larger than the story. "
— Shervon, 5/30/2011 -
" Cute, easy read. Good beach read. "
— Marian, 5/4/2011 -
" Cute, easy read. Good beach read. "
— Marian, 4/7/2011 -
" This book was funny, a vamp book which I do like........well written, funny characters, well some funny ones....lol an enjoyable read! "
— Joanne, 4/7/2011 -
" Funny, witty, great characters and great southern hospitality!!!!!!! "
— Joanne, 3/30/2011 -
" Firstreads giveaway-thank you. <br/> <br/>Fun characters and storyline. Enjoyed the dialogue! "
— Shelly, 3/30/2011
About Pearl Cleage
Pearl 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.
About Bahni Turpin
Bahni Turpin, winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several prestigious Audie Awards for her narrations, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. Publishers Weekly magazine named her Narrator of the Year for 2016. She is an ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles. She has guest starred in many television series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, What about Brian, and The Comeback. Film credits include Brokedown Palace, Crossroads, and Daughters of the Dust. She is also a member of the recording cast of The Help, which won numerous awards.