Rating: 
Summary: Beyond the numbers.
Review: LIVING LARGE is a collection of four novellas about full figure
women who exemplify that sexy is defined by more than the numbers. REUNION by Rochelle Alers
Forty-two year old divorcée Elaine Stewart is ready to start living
her life again. The occasion is her twenty-fifth high school reunion.
Elaine is quite comfortable with her size and evidently so is Rueben
Whitfield. Once the class geek, he is now a sucessful Long Island
real estate broker. Rueben has cleaned up very well and is anxious
for the reunion; he still harbors the boyhood crush he had on Elaine. SURPRISE by Donna Hill
Fresh from her two week stay at a health spa in Arizona, fifty-two year
old Elizabeth Howell is elated but also nervous. She cannot wait until
her husband sees her, she plans to put a spark back in his eyes. But she
has some news that could shake up their marriage, and although Elizabeth
has faith in the strength of their love, she wonders how this news will
affect their lives. BARE ESSENTIALS by Brenda Jackson
Still feeling the insecurity from a broken engagement, Dominic Kincaid
cannot fathom getting involved again. On her morning jogs she encounters
a fine brotha checking her out, so she changes her scheduled jogging time.
When he shows up in her court room sending lustful telepathic messages she
takes a recess. Undaunted, he follows her into her chambers and the
honorable Judge D. Kincaid may accept a plea bargain and rule that she
does indeed need certain essentials. STRICTLY BUSINESS by Francis Ray
Monica Jones has evicted her trifling live-in boyfriend, and he tells
her "A woman your size can't be choosy." So Monica is unprepared for
the interest by one of the company's newest clients. But she has sworn
off men for a while and she especially does not want to mix business
with pleasure. Garret is a determined man, he sees Monica as a sexy
woman and he wants to get personal. The authors share how each of these ladies learn to live magnanimous
lives. They send the message that some men's preferences are for
women who can aptly fill a strong pair of arms. This is an excellent
feel good book. Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Beyond the numbers.
Review: LIVING LARGE is a collection of four novellas about full figure
women who exemplify that sexy is defined by more than the numbers. REUNION by Rochelle Alers
Forty-two year old divorcée Elaine Stewart is ready to start living
her life again. The occasion is her twenty-fifth high school reunion.
Elaine is quite comfortable with her size and evidently so is Rueben
Whitfield. Once the class geek, he is now a sucessful Long Island
real estate broker. Rueben has cleaned up very well and is anxious
for the reunion; he still harbors the boyhood crush he had on Elaine. SURPRISE by Donna Hill
Fresh from her two week stay at a health spa in Arizona, fifty-two year
old Elizabeth Howell is elated but also nervous. She cannot wait until
her husband sees her, she plans to put a spark back in his eyes. But she
has some news that could shake up their marriage, and although Elizabeth
has faith in the strength of their love, she wonders how this news will
affect their lives. BARE ESSENTIALS by Brenda Jackson
Still feeling the insecurity from a broken engagement, Dominic Kincaid
cannot fathom getting involved again. On her morning jogs she encounters
a fine brotha checking her out, so she changes her scheduled jogging time.
When he shows up in her court room sending lustful telepathic messages she
takes a recess. Undaunted, he follows her into her chambers and the
honorable Judge D. Kincaid may accept a plea bargain and rule that she
does indeed need certain essentials. STRICTLY BUSINESS by Francis Ray
Monica Jones has evicted her trifling live-in boyfriend, and he tells
her "A woman your size can't be choosy." So Monica is unprepared for
the interest by one of the company's newest clients. But she has sworn
off men for a while and she especially does not want to mix business
with pleasure. Garret is a determined man, he sees Monica as a sexy
woman and he wants to get personal. The authors share how each of these ladies learn to live magnanimous
lives. They send the message that some men's preferences are for
women who can aptly fill a strong pair of arms. This is an excellent
feel good book. Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Anthology from 4 Wonderful Writers!!!!!
Review: LOVED IT!!! I've read every anthology written by these authors. This was definitely another great one in the spririt of WELCOME TO LEO'S. Romantic fiction is first and foremost, a suspension of reality with fantasy. An escape. Read regular-length romances if you find the pace of a novella too fast. There isn't a lot of room to have well-developed subplots, etc. But these 4 writers are not to be missed in whatever format their stories appear! REUNION by Rochelle Alers: I'm huge fan of Ms. Alers. It was wonderful to read of Elaine and Reuben's romance. I love the friends-turn-into-lovers theme. And the ending was especially funny! SURPRISE! by Donna Hill: I had no idea the heroine would turn out to be pregnant! Ms. Hill did a good job showing the interaction and relationship between Elizabeth and her grown adopted children. Vincen't response to his wife's pregnancy could not have been anything other than what it was. Nicely done. BARE ESSENTIALS by Brenda Jackson: Ms. Jackson's love scenes are some of the best in the biz and she never disappoints. She's written a funny romance that really drew me in. I can't wait for a follow-up story featuring Dominique's sister, Michelle. STRICLY BUSINESS by Francis Ray: This was the sweetest story of the bunch. Ms. Ray did a great job of showing Garret's patience in dealing with Monica after her hurt. None of the men in this anthology were subservient to their women by any means. They were simply men in love. Great to see the large-size women get some play! Thanks for showing assertive Black women taking care of their business. Contrary to popular opinion, there are Black men and women with money who know how to manage it. Subscribe to Black Enterprise if you don't believe it. If you're looking for someone to constantly hammer home the message "lose weight," "exercise," this isn't the book for you. Come on, a romance is not supposed to be a picture of your everyday life. If you want that, write a memoir!
Rating:
Summary: OKAy
Review: The love stories in this anthology were very good. My only complaint was when I saw Rochelle Alers and Brenda Jackson I just knew there stories was going to be I/R couple. Well they weren't and thats okay because the stories themselfs were good really.
Rating:
Summary: Really enjoyed this collection of stories!!!
Review: The main reason I picked up this book was because three of my favorite authors were in it. Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill and Brenda Jackson. Having these three authors in one book is such a delightful treat. Living Large is a collection of four short stories about full figured women who not only exemplify sexiness, but these sisters are intelligent and very loving.
Reunion - Rochelle Alers (Rating of 5)
Reunion finds Elaine Jackson Stewart meeting up with an old friend, Reuben Whitfield. Reuben was the school nerd nick named "The Scientist" who grew up to be a very handsome successful dentist. A man who is sparking flames in Elaine she thought was long put out. Reuben has always loved Elaine because she was always so nice to him. Now that she is divorced from her college sweetheart he wants to let his old friend know how he feels and hopes she will open her heart to feel the same.
My favorite part of the story was when Dwight, Elaines ex wants to get back into Elaine's life. When Elaine shows him what he will never get again all I could do was shout "You go girl!!!!"
Surprise - Donna Hill (Rating of 5)
Elizabeth has returned from a two week spa trip to put the spark back in her marriage. The surprise she has will change their lives forever and is very unexpected. This story is really sweet. The way her husband dots all over Elizabeth is wonderful, but at first I was very angry at his initial response. When I thought about it I had to realize that it was a shock, so his reaction is not too far fetched. During the exchange between Elizabeth and her adopted daughter I had actual tears in my eyes. It was also nice to see an older couple still living life to the fullest and so very much in love. I hope when I'm in my 50's I'm that lucky to still be very much in love, minus the surprise of course. This story was very sweet and very touching.
Brenda Jackson - Bare Essentials (Rating of 5)
Brenda Jackson has yet to disappoint, and let me tell you this story is hot, hot, hot, and did I mention this story is hot!! Judge Dominique catches the eye of la handsome lawyer. Feelings she thought long gone have come back to turn her life into a tail spin, and she goes out of her way to avoid this handsome gentleman. Jordan wants to see her again, and when he realizes she is a judge for a case he is looking into he sees that as his chance to approach her and let her know he is very interested in her. The thing is he vowed never to get involve with someone he works in law, but he finds himself drawn to Dominique.
The love scenes in this story had me screaming "Order in the court!!!" I would not mind having a personal training session like this one!!! This story was very nice, and was very sensual. When it comes to a Brenda Jackson story, you know it will be awesome.
Strictly Business - Francis Ray (Rating of 2)
Monica Jones works at her fathers firm, and just broke up with her untrusting boyfriend when she caught him with another woman. Monica has decided no more business mixed with pleasure and is concentration on her career and her upcoming trip to Rome. Enter Garret McKnight. What he wants, he gets, and he wants Monica. He has to convince Monica that he is action and not just full of talk. Monica wants to keep their relationship strictly business. Her sorry ex keeps trying to get back into Monica's life and it takes Garret to tell Bryn to step off!!! This was my least favorite story. With Francis Ray her stories are hit or miss, and I don't like a lot of her stories. This is the only story I won't be reading again.
The stories by Rochelle, Brenda and Donna are simply awesome. You have characters who are various age ranges, all the women are successful professional women, and all of the women work out which is excellent. You even have one character who is a virgin, which I know many people won't believe, but they do exist. This is a book I will read over and over again with the exception of Francis Ray's story. This book is worth owning and adding to your personal book collection. I gave the book a rating of 4 only because I gave Francis story a 2 rating. The other stories I rate a 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Gotta' Love Living Large.....
Review: This anthology is a reality check and addresses that fact that all women are not small and petite and just because they are living large does not mean they do not deserve to be loved-as is. These women are living large but they are also beautiful women who carry themselves well. Reunion by Rochelle Alers*****
Another great love story giving us the awareness that love can be found at any age. Too bad her ex-husband did not realize he had a good thing until it was gone. Oh well, more room for the Scientist to make her aware of his attraction. Surprise by Donna Hill****
Imagine being over 50 and pregnant, my goodness. Though the road gets rocky, this couple is so in love with each other after 30+ years of marriage, that they can handle any surprise. Bare Essentials by Brenda Jackson*****
Best out of the four short stories. Jordan Prescott saw what he wanted and went for it. Wow!!!! Jogging in park for Judge Kincaid was nothing like having a personal trainer. Strictly Business by Francis Ray****
This story was good but could have been better; it just took too long for Monica to give Garret the benefit of the doubt. He's a real gentleman, very open with her and determined to have her inspite of her desire to keep things strictly business.
Rating:
Summary: Large and In Charge
Review: This book definitely lives up to the LARGE expectations from these four dynamic authors. Since many women are Living Large in size 14 and up these tales of love beyond measure are refreshing and appreciated. Rochelle Alers reminds us in REUNION that good things can come to those that wait and good guys don't always finish last. Reuben "The Scientist" Whitfield, DDS, was considered the school nerd but Reuben like many of his male classmates was as fasinated with the buxom beauty and brains of his friend Elaine Jackson. Elaine's heart belonged to Dwight Stewart, campus jock and to the dismay of many hopefuls and damaged heart of Reuben they married after high school. Now twenty-five years later Elaine and Dwight are divorced and Reuben is looking to relocate his dental practice using EJ Reality, Elaine's company. With their impending twenty-fifth high school reunion Reuben is still single, handsome, and far from the school nerd but ready to prove to Elaine how boyhood fantasies can be a lasting love for both of them. Donna Hill's wonderfully sweet story of successful caterers Vincent and Elizabeth Howell married thirty years and in for the SURPRISE of a lifetime. I enjoyed the love that flowed between this couple, and the pride Lizzie had in the package she was wrapped in. Vincent's actions spoke of his love for his wife but he was not beyond speaking it, especially when Vincent tells her he is "more in love" with her or when he looks into her eyes and says "keep the light on". In Brenda Jackson's BARE ESSENTIALS less is not always more, especially for Atty Jordan Prescott. Judge Dominique Kincaid captured more than Jordan's attention on their morning runs with the fullness of a body that had him anxious to see her again. Finding out the women who has been stealing his thoughts is also the youngest judge appointed to the bench does not deter Jordan from pursuing the good judge. Dominique is flattered and fearful of Jordan's FULL attention but the chemstry between them proves to more legal than an opposition. Francis Ray's STRICTLY BUSINESS is the ultimate BBW testimony. Monica Jones a solid size 22 and wearing it well enough to garner the attention and hot pursuit of Installation by Design company owner Garrett McKnight. After witnessing a humiliating incident between Monica and her ex, Garrett is more than impressed with her style and beauty and finding that he will be working with this captivating women sets his plan in motion to prove he is all the man she needs and is determined to show her that some men know how to handle all the women she is and more. Living Large was a true delight, Thank You Ladies from all of us BBW's....
Rating:
Summary: GLAD TO SEE THEM BACK TOGETHER ONE MORE TIME
Review: THIS IS JUST WHAT FULL FIGURED WOMEN NEEDED TO BOOST A LOT OF EGOS. FULL FIGURE WOMEN LIKE MY SELF LIKE A LITTLE REALITY. ALL THESE STORIES WERE TRUE TO FORM. ALL FOUR WOMEN ARE MY FAVORITE WRITERS. WITH IN ONE YEAR I HAVE COLLECTED THERE BOOKS AND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED THEM. THEY HAVE ANOTHER ANTHOLOGY HIT ON THERE HANDS.
Rating:
Summary: QUICK SUMMER READ
Review: This novella is beautiful. It's about time someone shows that full-size women are sexual, romantic and lovable. Like one of the stories said, men like a little meat on their women. Something you can hold on to. All 4 short stories made me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. Brenda Jackson's "Bare Essentials" was my favorite story of a judge and attorney falling in love and the passion between them was pretty obvious. The two of them making love on the home gym equipment was pretty sexy and did leave something to the imagination.
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