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Rating: 
Summary: GET THIS BOOK
Review: A truly extraordinary masterpiece put out by Collen. An excellent job of blending the history & culture of the DC area with rich characters who you come to know so well...or so you think. *smile* I read this book in one day & couldn't put it down. The mystery awaits you...now do what "Simon Says" & pick it up today. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Be Careful What You Wish For
Review: After growing up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. and losing a brother to violence, Alexander decides to make something of his life. Despite the fact that his father has all but abandoned him, he manages to succeed and attend a prestigious college on full scholarship. There, he meets and falls in love with the daughter of a man he has long admired, Simon, the major of Washington, D.C.Years later, after marrying the daughter and becoming a political aide and sidekick of Simon, Alex learns the truth: that nothing he believes is what is seems and that life is full of curveballs. Even ones that can kill you. Ms. Dixon is a wonderful novelist and this is one of the most professionally put together self-published novels I have ever seen. If you like political thrillers, this is a great one.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the next one!
Review: I loved this book. Ms. Dixon wove a wonderfully entertaining and suspenseful tale about life in Washington, DC. I was drawn in from the very first page. I would encourage everyone to pick it up. Simon Says is a MUST read.
Rating: 
Summary: What Ever Simon Wants Simon Gets
Review: Simon says, "jump," Alexander asks, "how high?" The premise of Simon Says paints a grim picture of family dysfunction, political corruption and drug dealing. The prologue provides a description of Washington D.C., in the 1960's, 1970's and opens in 1974. This is a necessary element because it provides a visual tool for the reader to grasp the surroundings of this novel. For Alexander Whitney Baxter, the way out of one of DC's most notorious ghettos is through books. Alexander spends his days in school and his nights reading and studying. With his mother deceased and his father an emotional cripple, Alexander clings to his older brother for support. When he is offered an academic scholarship to a southern college Alexander leaves his troubled childhood behind. Alexander excels in college but continues to feel out of place. An incident occurs that changes Alexander's life. Enter Simon Blake, the Mayor of Washington D.C. Simon is as charismatic as Alexander is gullible. After being proclaimed a hero Alexander's life changes and he is afforded many opportunities. After graduating from college and settling down in Washington D.C., Alexander has one more mission to complete. It is during his investigation that he sees Simon for who he is. Does Alexander sell his soul? The composition of Simon and Alexander's character is complex in that they are both dark and bold. While somewhat predictable, Simon Says delivers enough intrigue to keep you guessing. The players in this novel are not who you expect them to be and you will be pleasantly surprised by the results. Collen Dixon has crafted a novel that provides the reader with some gut wrenching realities. There is no middle ground with this one; it is all or nothing. Are you ready to play? Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
Rating: 
Summary: Be Careful for What You Wish
Review: Simon Says, Collen Dixon's debut novel, takes place in the Chocolate City (Washington, DC) where she exposes us to the worst and best sides of what the city has to offer. She begins in the ghetto, in the rough, hard streets of the Shaw neighborhood. We meet Alex "Chip" Baxter, a young, shy, bookwormish boy who lives in the shadow of his popular, good-looking basketball star brother, Ivan. The Baxter boys are motherless. Their tough, no nonsense father constantly dotes on Ivan and ignores Chip, largely because he physically resembles his mother which is a constant, painful reminder to his father. When teenaged Ivan meets a premature death, Chip isolates himself further from society and totally submerges himself into his studies. He is determined to make it out of Shaw to "become somebody"; and ultimately decides that education will be his ticket out of the ghetto. Alex excels academically and earns a scholarship to Hilliard University. One eerie night while walking home from the library, a strange twist of fate occurs and sets in motion a series of life altering events. Alex is literally transformed overnight from a nerdy nobody to the Big Man on Campus complete with membership into the PsiKO fraternity and the DC mayor's daughter, Tiffany, as his girlfriend and future wife. The DC mayor, Simon Blake, weaves a calculating Svengali-type relationship with Alex and after graduation is deemed "Prince of the City" complete with a mini-mansion in the posh Northeast area of the city. The fairy tale lifestyle comes crashing down when the proverbial skeletons get restless and emerge from the closet. Alex's curiosity initiates a roller coaster ride that leads to the discovery of the truth about Simon, Tiffany, Ivan's mysterious death, and himself. He vows retribution and justice for wronged deeds of the past, but can this former milquetoast and puppet match wits with DC's most powerful, ruthless man to execute revenge and remain alive? Ms. Dixon delivers a solid debut novel. Although this reader found the pacing to be a bit drawn out at times, discovered a few repetitive passages, and thought the storyline was somewhat predictable; I believe the character development, imagery, and handling of dialogue was strong for both Alex and Tiffany. Personally, I would have loved to learn more about Foody, Fortune, and Lisa's lives sans Alex, but perhaps these areas will be covered in a sequel. Overall, this was a good story from a promising author. I am looking forward to her next release. Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, Nubian Circle Book Club
Rating:
Summary: Be Careful for What You Wish
Review: Simon Says, Collen Dixon's debut novel, takes place in the Chocolate City (Washington, DC) where she exposes us to the worst and best sides of what the city has to offer. She begins in the ghetto, in the rough, hard streets of the Shaw neighborhood. We meet Alex "Chip" Baxter, a young, shy, bookwormish boy who lives in the shadow of his popular, good-looking basketball star brother, Ivan. The Baxter boys are motherless. Their tough, no nonsense father constantly dotes on Ivan and ignores Chip, largely because he physically resembles his mother which is a constant, painful reminder to his father. When teenaged Ivan meets a premature death, Chip isolates himself further from society and totally submerges himself into his studies. He is determined to make it out of Shaw to "become somebody"; and ultimately decides that education will be his ticket out of the ghetto. Alex excels academically and earns a scholarship to Hilliard University. One eerie night while walking home from the library, a strange twist of fate occurs and sets in motion a series of life altering events. Alex is literally transformed overnight from a nerdy nobody to the Big Man on Campus complete with membership into the PsiKO fraternity and the DC mayor's daughter, Tiffany, as his girlfriend and future wife. The DC mayor, Simon Blake, weaves a calculating Svengali-type relationship with Alex and after graduation is deemed "Prince of the City" complete with a mini-mansion in the posh Northeast area of the city. The fairy tale lifestyle comes crashing down when the proverbial skeletons get restless and emerge from the closet. Alex's curiosity initiates a roller coaster ride that leads to the discovery of the truth about Simon, Tiffany, Ivan's mysterious death, and himself. He vows retribution and justice for wronged deeds of the past, but can this former milquetoast and puppet match wits with DC's most powerful, ruthless man to execute revenge and remain alive? Ms. Dixon delivers a solid debut novel. Although this reader found the pacing to be a bit drawn out at times, discovered a few repetitive passages, and thought the storyline was somewhat predictable; I believe the character development, imagery, and handling of dialogue was strong for both Alex and Tiffany. Personally, I would have loved to learn more about Foody, Fortune, and Lisa's lives sans Alex, but perhaps these areas will be covered in a sequel. Overall, this was a good story from a promising author. I am looking forward to her next release. Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, Nubian Circle Book Club
Rating:
Summary: Not at All What I Was Expecting
Review: The description I was given for this book was that it was a bold, riveting tale of intrigue, suspense, political thrills and romance. I am always interested in a good mystery. While reading this novel I kept reading the description as I often wondered if I was reading the right book. I kept waiting for the suspense, the mystery, and the thrill that finally came near the end of the book, a little too late. Simon Says chronicles the life of Alex "Chip" Baxter. Alex is from Shaw, a rough neighborhood in Washington DC. There are only a few ways out of Shaw, Alex finds his way out of Shaw by getting good grades and a scholarship to Hilliard, a black college. At Hilliard, Alex is a book smart young man, who has trouble making friends, and fitting in due to his small stature. He befriends a young lady named Tiffany, who is also the daughter of the mayor of Washington DC. After a heroic act by Alex, Simon and Tiffany show their gratitude by buying Alex gifts. During his sophomore year, Alex has a growth spurt, pledges PsiKO fraternity and begins dating Tiffany. Much attention is given to Alex's life, as the characters he encounters throughout the book are the ones who help him in the end. His father, who he never really had a relationship with until he presented him with grandchildren, his boisterous, food loving roommate Foody, and his childhood nemesis, Fortune. This mismatched trio are the ones Alex recruits to help him uncover some shady wheeling and dealing in Washington DC. The thrills, suspense and intrigue are too late in the novel that it is bittersweet. Whereas, I was happy when it finally happened and it is was exciting, but my interest in the novel had faded until I just wanted to finish the novel. Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: Not at All What I Was Expecting
Review: The description I was given for this book was that it was a bold, riveting tale of intrigue, suspense, political thrills and romance. I am always interested in a good mystery. While reading this novel I kept reading the description as I often wondered if I was reading the right book. I kept waiting for the suspense, the mystery, and the thrill that finally came near the end of the book, a little too late. Simon Says chronicles the life of Alex "Chip" Baxter. Alex is from Shaw, a rough neighborhood in Washington DC. There are only a few ways out of Shaw, Alex finds his way out of Shaw by getting good grades and a scholarship to Hilliard, a black college. At Hilliard, Alex is a book smart young man, who has trouble making friends, and fitting in due to his small stature. He befriends a young lady named Tiffany, who is also the daughter of the mayor of Washington DC. After a heroic act by Alex, Simon and Tiffany show their gratitude by buying Alex gifts. During his sophomore year, Alex has a growth spurt, pledges PsiKO fraternity and begins dating Tiffany. Much attention is given to Alex's life, as the characters he encounters throughout the book are the ones who help him in the end. His father, who he never really had a relationship with until he presented him with grandchildren, his boisterous, food loving roommate Foody, and his childhood nemesis, Fortune. This mismatched trio are the ones Alex recruits to help him uncover some shady wheeling and dealing in Washington DC. The thrills, suspense and intrigue are too late in the novel that it is bittersweet. Whereas, I was happy when it finally happened and it is was exciting, but my interest in the novel had faded until I just wanted to finish the novel. Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: Excellent debut book !!!!!!!!!!
Review: The Girlfriends Reading Circle featured this book for our November discussion. The book was simply marvelous with all the right twists and turns . We enjoyed the book so much .. we have cast the characters for the movie. A good start for an author we are sure to follow
Rating:
Summary: You had better do what "Simon Says" . . . or else!
Review: This debut novel by author Collen Dixon is for anyone who enjoys a page-turning suspense-filled novel that keeps you hanging on for more. At an early age, Alexander knew first hand just how cruel life could be: the death of his mother, witnessing his brothers murder, and the emotional isolation and abandonment of his father. Yet, despite being subjected to some of life's harshest moments, Alexander's book smarts and determination to get out of the hood land him a scholarship at a prestigious school where he falls in love with, and eventually marries, the daughter of a powerful, political force: The mayor of D.C. But as time unfolds, Alexander becomes trapped in a web of lies and deception and soon discovers that the ones you trust the most are sometimes the ones who will cause you the most harm. In this political thriller, Ms. Dixon enwraps you in a powerful mind game in which the wrong move could cost you your life. Be careful what you ask for . . . Simon Says! Thumbs up to Collen Dixon for a job well done! I look forward to reading more creative works by this talented novelist.
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