Undercover

I am very impressed. EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT. I loved every page of the book. I have been waiting so long for a good author to come out with a book that included the lives of real LESBIANS and "not the made for TV Lesbians". The story line was so believeable I thought maybe she knew a couple of my friends. Being a lesbian myself I am delighted to have this book on the selves so that the Hetrosexual world can see that being Bi affects for than just one person.

I wanted to give UNDERCOVER 5 stars. I really did. After all, she is the author of Fire & Brimstone, a great lesbian novel for today's generation. The drama that ensured in that book was simply off the chain! Chris and Gayle kept it real. Undercover is another story. This sequel of sorts continues with Chris, with even more drama this time, and has enough characters and twists to keep your attention. Yet what kept it from being a 5-star review was simply the timeline of the plot. There were times the plot jumps from one year to another with any transition to know what was going on. Some parts were cohesive, others came out of place. But despite that, I still resumed my infatuation with Chris, the intelligent, determined woman confident in her sexuality. She reintroduces old friends like Rudy and Gayle, with whom Chris finally makes peace with, while presenting new faces, like Amil and Nathaniel. This time around, Chris has gotten herself involved in an online affair with Amil, a doctor engaged to a successful entrepreneur. The ladies began with a friendship that turned into something more even without having met. Chris has a feeling it'll never work, as her instincts warn her that Amil will never leave Manney and the comfortable life they've made. Only in a chance business meeting do they finally see each other face to face--and the fireworks begin. Iyesha, Chris' sister, has problems of her own. Lil sis is married to Nathaniel, a former drag queen who gave up the life after his lover Patrick leaves him for the Lord. The two become friends after his glorious heyday (or gayday), slowly falling into a relationship. In the beginning of their marriage, Nathaniel has convinced himself to become a heterosexual, faithful husband. He tries to be what Iyesha wants for a while. Pretty soon, though, he's back to his former life (on the down low), and their marriage is never the same. Every character's life intertwines in this enjoyable novel about love and self-acceptance. Chris definitely has come a long way from the chaos of Fire & Brimstone. Well done, Ms. Brown!

Laurinda D.Brown is a very talented storyteller with the ability to take your imagination on a very realistic journey. UnderCover had my full attention from beginning to ending. Nathaniel who left his stage life to become a husband and a father only to find his true love (The Stage) again. The woman who loved him and her insercurities. Chris and her internet chat buddy who would be more than they ever thought could be possible. Love brings everyone right where they should be in this book. UnderCover is easy one of 2004's best reads for me

Hats off to the previous reviewer. You got it right about Fire & Brimstone being right on target for black lesbians. However, my sister, I do have to break with you on a couple of points. One, Rudy is a new character. How do I know? Girl, I loved her too much to have missed her in the first book. Second, I didn't have a problem with the flow. I think Ms. Brown did an excellent job on keeping me up with where she was going. Thanks, Laurinda Brown, for turning out two good products. I think the previous reviewer and I can both agree on that!

UnderCover is an amazing love story that intertwines the heterosexual and homosexual communities unlike any story I've ever read. It was very well written and should be lauded for its attention to detail. Ms. Brown has produced a passionate story for ALL to enjoy. We got a transvestite that you've gotta love; a professional woman battling her fears about her sexuality; a brother who has it all but is so caught up in his ego that he loses touch with reality; a former drag queen who can't seem to shake his previous life; and a Black woman struggling with trying to have the perfect married life and is in denial about the truth. A marvelous story that is destined to become a best-seller.