Della's House of Style [Mass Market Paperback]

The concept behind Della's was, in fact, clever: four stories about four women looking for love in the same beauty salon. However, the substance that authors Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill, Felicia Mason and Francis Ray offer up fell way short of my expectations. Each story depicted weak, 'damsel-in-distress' female characters falling for the generic tall, dark and handsome male. Alers' Cameron King and Ray's Sebastian Stone could be easily interchanged between their respective stories. Both men are gorgeous, rich and powerful, but bland. The only exception to this being author Felicia Mason's male character, Daryl Desmond, an average looking, 'round-the-way bus driver.

What weakens Della's House of Style even further is the lack of consistency among the authors' tales. While the title character, Della Frazier, appears in all four stories, the supporting characters vary from story to story. Most appalling was the reincarnation of the stereotypical gay male stylist as Reggie in Hill's "It Could Happen To You," Antoine in Ray's "A Matter of Trust," and Maurice in Alers' "Sweet Surrender."

Della's does succeed in providing avid readers and aspiring fiction/romance writers with an example of poorly written African-American romance. I would recommend this book to any instructor of writing or African-American literature who seeks to school students on the absolute "don'ts" of writing romance.

However, if you're looking for an empty-calorie romantic thrill, along the lines of a cheap screw-top bottle of wine, pick up Della's House of Style.

All four stories were outstanding: Donna Hill who presents us with a story about the owner and the tax man..WOW I enjoyed this one. The plot itself, about the taxes, well that is a story that leaves you wondering about the IRS? Read it and when you finish you'll see what I mean.

Francis Ray - well, I loved it! For those who read Francis's story in Rosie, you'll see some folks you remember from before. The story ended making me wonder, is Shelton next?

Rochelle Alers - this author put me on notice it had to do with a widow and being one myself, this was my favorite story. I truly loved the development of the relationship between Maria and Cameron. The story touched me as it was eloquently done so well. Thanks Rochelle!

Felicia Mason - Enjoyed this one likewise, and the message it offers to us. You defintely have no control over who you fall in love with and in this case the story was done so well showing us.

Well ladies, we look forward to many more anthologies by all of you! Thanks again for Della's House of Style.

All of the stories were a page turner and very good read. This is a book where you could relax and enjoy the goings on in a beauty shop. You can't help but to think that you are right there with them and waiting to see what happens and who will be next to find love.

Excellant book, can't wait until the next issue comes out. Good jobs ladies.