The Sistahood of Shopaholics

Sisterhood of Shopaholics tells the stories of four friends who happen to have the same problems: they are addicted to shopping and their reasoning is because of men, or lack thereof. Break out the glitter and sprinkle it over these ladies because the fairy godmother has arrived to make all their woes go away, with the snap of a finger. Della Mitchell has an addiction to lingerie and lots of it. It's nothing for her to spend $300 on a nightgown with a matching robe. "Shameless." She's dealing with the insecurity and shopping addiction her divorce has left her with. She made a promise to give up shopping to get her life back in order and to take care of what's really important - her daughter. As a reward to her overcoming her addiction, she treats herself to Victoria's Secrets and finds more than lingerie. She meets handsome pilot, J. Byron Fulton. Denise "Neecy" Ballard likes to shop period. On one of her many shopping sprees, she happens to look out the window and find her car being repossessed. She not only ends up with a hat she didn't really want, but also the man who's repossessing her car. Joseph Vaughn. "Please, Baby, Please" let her find a good man who will treat her right and appreciate her for the woman she is. Ramona has a shoe fetish and loves expensive suits. But she can afford it. Nailz and Detailz, her salon, has been very profitable. However, she never mixes business with pleasure and will never jeopardize her business for a shopping spree, but a little splurging never hurt anyone. That's until she runs into her ex-lover, Kadeem Smith while out conquering her fear of going to Phipps Plaza, an ultra chic shopping center in Atlanta, and not being inclined to buy something. After their chance meeting she realizes "It Takes Two" to admit their mistakes and to talk about what ultimately broke them up. Gillian has the tendency to pacify herself with nice things by way of shopping sprees. She does this to make up for not having a man. But when her Nana is on her dying bed, Gillian concocts some ridiculous scheme to pretend she's engaged to be married in hopes it'll throw Nana into a speedy recovery. Looking for the perfect dress leads to a catfight and ultimately she's left staring in the ebony eyes of mall director Rick Parker. Sometimes making "Promises" you can't keep will put you in hot water. Gillian has new dilemmas now. If you're looking for a solution to your shopping addiction, Sisterhood of Shopaholics is not the remedy. Instead, it deals more with what caused these women to become shopaholics; it's more like a holistic approach. Once you admit you have a problem, then you're on your way to finding a solution. These women did that and now they're well on their way to happiness and freedom. The authors, Esdaile et. al are talented writers; however the title, Sisterhood of Shopaholics, is a cover up for what's really a romance novel. I loved the ending of each story, although I felt I was left hanging. I wanted to know

Four females characters find their compulsive need to shop sidelined by the men in their lives in this exceptional anthology."Shameless" by Esdaile, tells the delightful story of Della Mitchell's first shopping trip following a year of abstinence. After a few chance meetings with sexy Byron Fulton, Della contemplates another area of her life she's been avoiding.Neecy Ballard has her car repossessed by Joe Vaugh in Jackson's humorous tale, "Please, Baby, Please." For reasons Neecy doesn't understand, Joe, offers her a job to help pay off her debt. But is Joe's capacity to spend money reeling her in?Kadeem Smith is back in "It Takes Two," by Laudat. Just before her friend's wedding rehearsal, Ramona Jackson finds out the once and former love oher life is also in the wedding. Will sparks fly again for the two former lovers?Having lied to her Nana about being engaged, Gillian Asher finds herself in a quandary in "Promises," a touching story by Stanhope. Embarking on a shopping spree to rid her mind of worries, Gillian meets Rick Parker. Could he be fiance material?--Romantic Times Bookclub magazine

I could have easily been one of the women in this book for that matter so could you. I loved that each story was its own but still tied together as with all of the books like this from St Martin's.. I really enjoyed this book and I hope that you will as well.

Not the same ol' same ol'. Here's an anthology with a nice twist and each story has its own unique flava. Funny, touching and with just enough sprinkled in to make you think. I breezed through this book in one day. Quick, fun read.

What better way to cure a broken heart than a shopping spree at your favorite mall. Leslie Esdaile, Monica Jackson, Reon Laudat and Niqui Stanhope present four stories about sister-friends Della, Neecey, Ramona and Gillian as their shopping addictions spin out of control while simultaneously turning up romance in the process. THE SISTAHOOD OF SHOPAHOLICS opens with a bang in "Shameless" by Leslie Esdaile. A bad marriage, bitter divorce and unforeseen single parenthood sends Della Reese to Victoria's Secret in a frenzy with one thing in mind- silk lingerie. Having abstained from shopping and male suitors (both as a part of therapy) in over a year, Della indulges in a black gown while Byron Fulton watches from afar. Who can ignore the shapely, full-figured woman embracing a silk nightgown with a look of pleasure on her face? Not Byron, and soon Della finds that a trip to the mall was just what the doctor ordered. Gaining twenty-five pounds is enough to send anyone over the edge and that is exactly what happens to Neecey Ballard in Monica Jackson's, "Please Baby Please." A shopping spree meant to cure her ailing self-image turns into a nightmare when Neecey's car is repossessed from right under her nose. Owner and repo man, Joseph Vaughan, is willing to work out a plan of action but it will cost Neecey more than her car's back payments...it may cost her heart. Ramona Jackson's, nail salon may be the hottest thing in Atlanta, but her heart is on fire for former beau, Kadeem Smith. In Reon Laudat's, "It Takes Two", a wedding between mutual friends reunites these two lovebirds and before you know it, Kadeem and Ramona begin right where they left off. This love affair may be short lived when Ramona's meddlesome ways sends Kadeem packing and Ramona scurrying to the nearest shoe store. There is no such thing as a little white lie. In Niqui Stanhope's, "Promises", prima donna, Gillian Asher, announces to her Nana at long last she is betrothed to a wonderful man. The waiting game is over and Nana is ready to meet the groom to be; but there is one slight problem-he does not exist. In an attempt to find a way out of this dilemma, Gillian, proceeds to Atlanta's, Phipps Plaza mall and becomes entangled in a brawl over the perfect black dress. Fifteen-hundred dollars worth of damage later, Gillian, comes face to face with mall security and the man who may be her knight in shining armor. THE SISTAHOOD OF SHOPAHOLICS is entertaining...comical...and outrageous. The antics of each woman and the lengths they go to are amusing. While each novella mentioned the shopping addiction of each protagonist, only two stayed true to the premise. At times, the addiction appeared as an afterthought, focusing more on the romance itself. Also, one of the stories seemed rushed and in the process produced a few discrepancies. These reservations expressed, however, did not detract from the novellas as this reviewer found them engaging. I recommend SISTAHOOD as a