A Family Affair

Having been a fan of Marcus Major's work since reading Amir and Kenya from the anthology Got To Be Real through A Man Most Worthy, I was not disappointed with A Family Affair. The novel was well written and I read it in one sitting. It was refreshing to see the importance of family, love and commitment through its characters and their respective strengths and flaws. Marcus did a wonderful job displaying the family bond between Peggy Moore and her niece, Jasmine. I found it also interesting that he focused on the friendship between Amir (Myles's brother) and Carlos (Myles's best friend) when it came to marriage and commitment. They both had much in common than either realized besides the fact that their respective spouses, Kenya and Jackie, work together. The dual lovemaking scenes was beautifully written yet hilarious. The addition of Jasmine to the Moore family and her love interest, Darius, was innocent yet sweet. Perhaps there is a sequel in the makings for these two young lovebirds? Only Marcus knows for sure.I enjoyed the appearances of Ibn, Mike and Stacy from 4 Guys and Trouble (my personal favorite). It was nice to get an update on some of those characters. The only minor exception I had with A Family Affair was that both Ibn and Stacy seemed out of character in this book to me. There were several scenes I found myself scratching my head and asking, "Was that really Ibn?" Also, I didn't realize who Stacy was until Chapter 17. I'm glad we also had an update on Myles and Marisa from Good Peoples. It was encouraging to see they're happily married and prosperous. If you enjoyed Good Peoples, but haven't read A Family Affair yet, then I won't spoil the ending for you. You certainly won't be disappointed.

Marcus Major came on the scene in 2000 with Good Peoples, a fresh, funny, original spin on the guy-girl relationship novels. A Family Affair, the sequel to Good Peoples, brings back the original characters and he adds a few new characters such as teenagers Jasmine and Darius. Jasmine and Darius, two teens with troubled pasts meet and this definitely turns into "A Family Affair" as her family members are worried about her seeing this young man since some of them believe that he's "bad news". Another major storyline involves the parents of Amir and Myles...For fans of Good Peoples, it's pretty fun revisiting Myles, Marisa, Kenya, and Amir and the inclusion of the younger characters, Jasmine and Darius, gave this novel a nice breath of fresh air. Marcus Major writes realistic and fun novels and there were several laugh out loud moments as well. His novels are always written in quick, concise chapters that keep the story flowing and the laughs coming. The other nice thing about his novels is that there isn't a lot of "over-the-top" drama that can really get old and annoying.Marcus is just a writer who, up to this point, hasn't disappointed. If you've enjoyed his previous novels, you'll enjoy this one too. The addition of the younger characters should appeal to a younger audience more than perhaps any of his other books.

Ever since I came across Major's work through the "Discover Great Writers" program at that other book outlet I have been a huge fan. Mixing equal parts humor, drama, and grown folks'... Major spins tales that grip the reader, hold them in a death clutch, and will not release until the last page. A Family Affair, Major's newest release, follows this same well established pattern. I burned through the pages, gave up some much needed sleep in a rush to reach resolution. The best novels have a "what if" premise that explodes in ways the reader never envisioned. For A Family Affair the premise is what if the family patriarch, after close to forty years of married bliss developed that past mid-life crisis that has been well chronicled. The ride to find the answer will shock and absorb you in Major's skilled hands. The book is worth the price alone just based off the barbershop scene where the wife eavesdrops on a naughty phone conversation. Read the book and you'll see what I mean. Marcus Major is a great talent, one that definitely deserves a host of accolades.

I have read all of Marcus Major's novels, including his novella in Got To Be Real. It is so much fun for the constant reader to come across characters from other stories - it's almost like you're part of the "club." Cameo appearances by Ibn, Mike and Stacy from Four Guys and Trouble made an already engrossing story even more fun to read. I recommend anything by Marcus Major - he's a great story teller and will have you riveted from beginning to... well, here's hoping this isn't the end to the tales of the Moore family!

A Family Affair was a great book. I loved the characters and the issues they dealt with. Marcus is a great stroyteller that really knows how to pull you into the story, so much so that you don't want to and can't put the book down! This is definitely a must-read! Props to you on a great book!