Rating: 
Summary: CAPTIVATING BUT MUCH TOO SAD
Review: First book that I read by Kimberla, and I loved it. It was sad because it was more truth than people like to deal with. It also makes you more appreciative of what you have instead of wishing that you had someone else's life. In life you have to learn to live and grow according to what's suited to you and these characters regardless how hard the struggle did just that.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining story with a good moral message
Review: Here and Now by Kimberla Lawson Roby is a dramatic tale that centers around the old adage "the grass is greener on the other side." In this story we meet two sisters whose lives are as different as night and day. Marcella has two children out of wedlock and lives in the projects while Racquel has a good husband, a good job, and what seems to be the perfect life. Both sisters Marcella and Racquel covet what the other has thinking that if they were more like the other their lives would be better. Marcella regrets getting pregnant one month before her high school graduation and always wonders what it would be like if she hadn't gotten pregnant, got her degree and landed the perfect job. Racquel desperately desires to have a child. In their quest to achieve their dreams both women almost destroy their lives.
The theme of "the grass is greener on the other side" also makes us realize how lonely and miserable it is at the top, as both women in their quest for the other's perceived success seem to disregard all the people around them. This wanton disregard for their family and friends takes an emotional toll on both lead characters as several tragedies force both women run into a number of setbacks that makes them take a hard look at themselves and the reasons behind the goals they want to achieve and why they are pursuing them.
Ms. Roby writes an entertaining, solid novel with a great flow that compels the reader to read more. The novel's only flaws are a third person perspective that seems to be too biased towards the female characters and in the development of its characters personalities and motivations. While Marcella and Racquel are main characters, I would have appreciated a third person narrator that was a bit more objective. With an objective third person narrator the reader would have gotten a better sense of what the male characters thought and felt about the conflicts in the novel. I believe a bit more objectivity would have helped the reader better understand the self-destructive obsessions of both women clearly. A lot the male characters only purpose in the novel was to argue with the female characters. I wanted to get to know Tyrone, the father of Marcella's kids or Kevin Raquel's husband, or Darryl, Marcella's boyfriend. It seemed like every male character in this book was "no good" at anything except degrading or humiliating women, and unable to deal with the issues of everyday life. Despite those minor flaws (I believe a more passionate editor would have polished the book more before submitting it for print), I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something quick and entertaining to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Reality Fiction At It's Best
Review: I am starting to think maybe Kimberla Lawson Roby and Eric Jerome Dickey are brother and sister. Because as far as I am concerned they are the brother and sister of REALITY FICTION. It also seems that both can take you right into other people's lives and homes.
In this novel you have two sisters who are very different but so much alike. Each thinks the other has the better life. The grass always looks greener on the other side. When you pick up this novel about Marcella and Racquel be prepared to spend your afternoon with a family while they go through their ups and downs. Until finally both sisters realize to be grateful for what you are already blessed with.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking Friendship
Review: I read the first book and has since passed it on to several other friends. This Book, Here & Now; test friendship and love. I was very moved by the turn of events and taken by the love that Sharon had for her friend Marcella and her two kids. Kevin was a dream husband with patience from heaven. Racquel only wanted what every good soul longs to have, someone other than her husband that she is responsible for loving. Bearing children is a gift from GOD. Corrine role as a mother was not surprising to me, our mothers have always been our greatest source of strength. Darry & Tyrone represents a large portion of our society and if only there was some way of getting men to realize their real power and role in our hearts. I really enjoyed the book, there was a character that all of us can relate to. I cried at all three of the deaths. I was angry with Tyrone and later with Darryl. I look forward to the next book. Thanks
Rating: 
Summary: Very sad & depressing!
Review: It doesn't seem like anything good ever happened to Racquel or Marcella. From one tragedy to the next, this by far has to be the most depressing book that Ms. Lawson has written. I am so happy that I started off with her newer books first. The only one that I haven't read is the very first one that she wrote "Behind closed doors". Now I'm scared because I think that one may be depressing as well. Her writing has definitely improved since this novel. Depression should not be felt throughout the whole entire novel. There should be some sunny spots. Well I guess the ending was nice, but Marcella still has no man, and a no good baby daddy to contest with probably for the rest of her life.
Rating:
Summary: Vivid Clarity of Life
Review: Not since Bridges of Mdison County have I been so moved by printed material. I read quite a bit, a variety of authors, subject matter - fiction, non-fiction, etc., but this story line has stayed with me. Perhaps because it's so true to what "real" life is all about. I must admit Raquel's character tested my patience, but maybe that's because I have been blessed with knowing what it means to be a mother. The pain and sheer agony that Marcella went through caused me to put the book down so that I could re-group. Corrine is the epitome of motherhood. I follwed Ms. Roby's challenging career start with her self-publication of "Behind Closed Doors" and couldn't believe she couldn't find a publisher. Now I am sure that whoever she sought and declined her as a client is feeling quite foolish. I absolutely loved this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book is just another simply written baby mama story. The author does not draw readers in with her writing.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved It
Review: This book was a great book, and after reading "Behind CLosed Doors", I assumed that the author ould do even better on the next and was I right. This book was packed with drama, sadness, love, struggle, and pure evil and pain. A true solider Marcella who went through so much came out to be a stronger person in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Family, friends and life......
Review: This book was definitely a tear jerker. To have a loving mother that help her daughters, and helped their good friend. This book is one of my favorites. It has a lot of love, trust, understanding, faith and true friendship that lasted. This book is an excellent book to read over.
Rating:
Summary: Family, friends and life......
Review: This book was definitely a tear jerker. To have a loving mother that help her daughters, and helped their good friend. This book is one of my favorites. It has a lot of love, trust, understanding, faith and true friendship that lasted. This book is an excellent book to read over.
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