Deadly Tease

Now this book was interesting. Things that make you go hmm. Fellows beware. Just shows that things that are done in the dark will come to the light. A Woman scorned are not to be messed with.

I really enjoyed Deadly Tease. It reminded me kind of like an urban mystery. I was all into the story. I thought I knew who "The Appointed One" was, but in the end I was fooled. Great story; it kept my attention and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. Kudo's to Ms. McGriff!

Portia Hamilton is lonely after the death of her father. That loneliness leads Portia to a charismatic church where she develops a crush on Pastor Julian Marcum. Julian ends up doing nothing but using Portia but she still can't seem to get him out of her system. Julian is sexy and arrogant and feels he can do no wrong. Things get complicated for Julian when he gets involved with a flamboyant gay female impersonator name Kyle at the gay strip club called the Rainbow Room that he frequents. Kyle wants Julian to come out of the closet but Julian won't do it. Nothing but trouble comes Julian's way when a serial killer called the Appointed One starts targeting down-low gay clergy that are the Rainbow Room's biggest clients. Julian is trying to keep his secret life under wraps by trying to give Portia the commitment that she deserves but will it be too late? Portia also has a chance meeting with Lawrence who's also a detective on the Appointed One's case. Will Lawrence let his guard down long enough to forge a relationship with Portia or will this case consume the both of them? Deadly Tease is an edgy, psychological thriller by Michelle McGriff. McGriff skillfully brought a story with intriguing characters. At first glance, this looks like the typical church down-low story but it's much more than that. This novel is a classic contemporary fiction tale with a well thought out whodunit twist. As you flip through the pages, you will feel the frustration of the detectives as they try to find out who the Appointed One is. Readers need to pay close attention to this story or else you will totally miss who the serial killer turns out to be. The unique twist at the end of the novel will leave you speechless. Deadly Tease is a dramatic and exhilarating read that will be a sure delight for readers. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for Urban Reviews

Priests and ministers are dying. They are found mutilated with someone else's penis in their mouths. Before they are killed, they are contacted by someone who calls himself `The Appointed One.' He even calls the police and teases them with his whereabouts and his identity. Jim and Lawrence, the two police officers in charge of the case, are frantically attempting to find The Appointed One. The murders are happening to those who frequent The Rainbow Room, a gay strip joint in a bad section of town. Portia, a want-to-be dancer, is in love with the minister of her church, Julian, who has many secrets, including his connections to The Rainbow Room. Their affair is kept hush-hush because Julian doesn't want to upset the church members. Portia's friends think it is Ian she is dating, a professor at the college where she teaches, and she encourages them in their belief. Portia's main desire in life is to marry Julian and dance on Broadway so her friend Jacki, turns her on to Nala for lessons. Nala is the owner of The Rainbow Room and she wants to hire Portia as a dancer but that's a bit much for Portia. Meanwhile, the murders continue. DEADLY TEASE by Michelle McGriff is a fascinating look into the world of cross-dressing men. There are many characters but they are so well developed it is easy to keep up with them and each one fits nicely into the plot. There is plenty of intrigue and suspense as the plot is laid out. The twists and turns kept me on my feet as I struggled to know who did it. I couldn't put it down. It is a book well worth reading. Reviewed by Alice Holman of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This thrilling novel brings us in the world of homosexuality and murder. The one they call the appointed one is roaming the streets and visiting the Rainbow Room to find his next victim. He holds a grudge against a priest and drag queens and will kill at any given moment. The appointed one makes the cops think that he is killing because it was his calling from God, but he is really killing because of a tragedy from his past. Then we meet Portia. A women who is a Christian and in love with the pastor. She wants more out of life which is dancing, but can't seem to keep her bills paid because she is always using her money to pay for rooms with the sweet Reverend. She is torn between keeping her sexual pleasure met or collecting the money that she so desperately needs and hoping that she and pastor will get married someday. But, Julian is on the down low and nobody's knows except the people at the Rainbow Room and his gay lover Kyle/Kayla who wants their relationship out in the open. Julian say's that he not gay but yet he creeps with men and women. And the women is no other than Portia. But, Julian has bigger problems that he can handle. The appointed one is ringing his phone and trying to set him up any way possible. I really enjoyed this thrilling novel. She did an amazing job bringing out something that is going on in the world today with men being on the down low and molesting young boys at an early age. Then when they get older they question their sexuality. This novel has so many twist and turns your head will be spinning. 5stars By: Beautiful One