Tempest Rising: A Novel

This book envelopes you in different ways depending on where you are in life. The family dynamic is so mesmerizing! You yearn along with the girls. I was so enthralled with the father's character that I kept looking for him.

(originally posted June 2, 1998)I read this wonderful novel in 2 days! This tale shows us that love is tie that binds strong families. This is a heart-warming story of a family's love, pain and jubilation! An excellent and creative work of art that brings the characters to life. They become so real, you even feel their love, joy, fear, passion-without vulgarity, and anger-without too much profanity. Creatively and vividly written for appreciative audiences (thirtysomething and up).Diane, I wish you wrote them as fast as we read them. You are a gifted artist, and hopefully you will include Atlanta on your tour. How about a collection of short stories? I love your writing style.

Our Group Just For Fun just finished this, it was my second time reading, and the story was wonderful, emotional story...I would love to see the story continue. Ms. Whetston-Mckinney you are truly a gifted storyteller! I know your characters, can taste and feel what they are feeling... you are able to reach inside a character and make the reader feel their emotions. We are reading your latest book Blues Dancing and I'm sure it's excellent! as all of your books are. If you've not read Diane McKinney-Whetstone's books, you must! the characters will be with you long after the story.

Tempest Rising was an absolutely intriguing novel brimming with lively and realistic characters. Being a Philadelphia native, I was especially delighted to read the author's familiar portrayal of the city, and the life of an affluent black family prospering during the time set in the novel.The timeless romance of Clarise and Finch was heartwarming, as much as the struggle by Shern, Victoria, and Bliss, the unwavering love of the aunts and unlces for their family, made the novel a definite page turner. One review I read that I had to agree with was the initial dislike for Ramona invoked in the reader, which subsides as the story progresses, with one hoping for a positive outcome for the character. This was actually the first novel of McKinney-Whetstone's that I had the pleasure to read. Tempest Rising will not disappoint for first time readers of McKinney-Whetstone's, her depiction of Philadelphia 1965, well thought out excellent prose and realistic characters was a rewarding read.

All hail the Queen!!! Diane McKinney-Whetstone has done it again! I read Tumbling and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommended it to anyone who would listen. I anxiously awaited the author's second novel and. I was not disappointed!! The characters in this book were so well-written that I was instantly drawn into their world. I wanted to dislike Ramona, but was so intrigued by her that I found myself hoping that something good would happen for her. Shern, Victoria and Bliss were so brave and loyal to one another that I knew they would make it. And the Aunts and Uncles--- what characters!!! If you haven't read this book, run out and buy it right now!!! Ms. McKinney-Whetstone, keep doing what you're doing!!!!!!!!! Hey Oprah - how about making this a selection for your Book Club???

I enjoyed this book tremendously! My bookclub chose it as our Feb. selection. I was apprehensive about the choice because I did not like Tumbling at all. It felt like events instead of a story. Tempest Rising was wonderfully warm and so amusing at times. Mc Kinney seems to be hitting her stride. I have already recommended this book to my mother and co-workers. Very well done!