Cruisin' on Desperation

Pat G'Orge-Walker is back! The latest book featuring the antics of Ain't Nobody Right But Us - All Others Going To Hell Church by this illustrious author, is yet another offering that proves that her talent for imagery is just as good as it's always been. You may remember her from the tales told emanating from her Sister Betty series of books. If you thought they were hilarious then, wait until you've met with the members of the `Oh-Lawd-Why-Am-I-Still-Single' church group on the current outing! The author in her new book, Cruisin' On Desperation, curtails their antics rather succinctly. Now, this is no ordinary group of ecclesiastical church abiding members. In my opinion, the one thing that stands out while reading this book is the characterization, and how the different settings mesh with a less than embellished storyline. As a matter of fact, the latter is not indicative of how I rated the book...rather it's the way she allows each character to be the star of their own Diaspora while still managing to be a bridge to each other, which makes the difference. To this effect, the author does an outstanding job of allowing the characters to shine in lieu of a traditional storyline where plot, back-story, and setting are usually apropos. Each of them is aptly introduced, and the author did a good job of putting me in position to wonder which character I like best. Just when I thought one would win out, another would do something that would cause me to want to gain favor. I found out that no one character is solitary for my vote - they ALL win! But let me share with you a few of these characters in name only. You'll have to read the book to get the low down! Check out Sister Need Sum, twins Lyon and Lionel Lipps, Bea Blister, Slim Pickens, Ima Hellraiser, Birdie Tweet, Sasha Pray Onn...and then there's Southside Annie, Two Ton Sally, Patty Cake, et al. Individually and collectively they their stories are magnified against irony's best adaptations. All of them are well past the age of maintaining and adhering to the amorous ways of love, you'd think. But this bunch gives new meaning to things least expected, with each of them drawn together for the sake of fellowship that goes the wrong way. The first few chapters center on their usual meeting place to haggle and complain about the slim pickings in the little town of Pelzer, South Carolina. Do they have any legitimate reason to cast aspersions? Should they be afforded a man like everybody else? "You betcha!" they say in unison. To wit: When newcomer Birdie Tweet's new beau, Lyon Lipps, proves to be more than what is seen on the surface all hell breaks loose. A con artist extraordinaire, he seduces every member of their group...and the girls are chomping at the bit for revenge! If payback is exacting, this illustrious group gives it new meaning. What do they do? The girls decide to go on a cruise, and this sets the stage for the title of the book to bring justice to what revenge is to be for thes

A group of women in the Oh Lawd, Why Am I Still Single Singles Club get together for their regular meeting and discover Lyon Lipps has victimized many of them. While they are all determined to find the perfect husband for themselves, some of them realize they must take care of him first. Ima Hellraiser leads the charge and they decide to tell him he won a cruise on the ship Desperation. Sisters Need Sum, Birdie Tweet, Ima Hellraiser, Mothers Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn will be on the cruise with him, which is being financed by Birdie Tweet, the only white woman of the group. The trouble begins when Mother Blister starts a row getting on the ship because it was taking too long while she stood in the hot sun and it continues. In an attempt to get back at her aunt, Mother Pray Onn, Ima puts her in the cabin with Mother Blister since they despise one another. The two Mothers get kicked out of the dining room for creating a disturbance and then the Federales actually escort them out of Mexico and back to the ship. Ima and Needy have problems of their own. They did not realize just how handsome and sexy Lyon Lipps is. Could this put a snag in the program to destroy him? Meanwhile, Birdie who has been bullied into spending tons of cash by Ima, finds her backbone and stands up for herself for the first time ever. CRUISIN' ON DESPERATION by Pat G'Orge-Walker is a laugh-out-loud tale from the prologue all the way to the end. Even the names are far out. Each of the characters is so developed you can actually feel what they feel and their physical descriptions are magnificent and hilarious. I even found myself sympathizing and laughing at Eveline, Ima's bad acting cat who knows just how to exact revenge. The story is realistic and at the same time absolutely wild. All of the women are from the Ain't Nobody Saved But Us - All Others Goin To Hell Church, which in itself is a trip. Once you pick this book up, you can't put it down. Reviewed by Alice Holman of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Pat G'Orge Walker has penned another hilarious tale in her latest, Cruisin' On Desperation. While the story has you cracking up with laughter, the overall message is clear: vengence belongs to the Lord and that there are times we are to just be still and wait on Him. An excellent read!

I finished reading "Cruisin' On Desperation" by Pat G'Orge Walker last night! There are few words to describe what she wrote! It was awesome! Funny! Entertaining! Enlighting! This was one of those books that have that reglious theme, but very funny. The characters she choose and the names were so unique and funny. When I first ran cross the name of the church and stuff, I was compeletly stunned. At first I was like, "Is she serioius?" But She was and it was so funny! The things she had her characters do was so hiliarous. The extent that someone would go to! WOW! This is a great read! Make sure you get your copy!!!

Cruisin' on Desperation by Pat G'Orge-Walker is a MUST READ. It is decidedly different from her other books and I found her writing to improve dramatically. The single women from the Oh Lawd Why Am I Still Single group discover they've been had (literally) by a con man named Lyon Lipps. Who better to set his butt on fire both financially and physically than our heat missle-she devil, Ima Hellraiser. All the characters from Petunia to Mother Sasha Pray Onn are hilarious. The author's development of her characters blew me away. I even liked Ima's cat, Evilene... I find it hard to do this review without giving away key pieces of the story. Please...no matter what you thought of the other stories...read this one. I read it in two days and it would've been shorter but I still things to do. Finally, I came away fromt his story understanding that vengence is indeed the Lords. And, we can't lower our expectations based on our current situations...keep your eyes on the prize and sometimes, what we percieve as our flaws others see as our strengths. Great job, Ms. Walker!!!