"The importance of girl friends in your life is topic of this multicultural collection."

Laugh along as four friends help one another gain control over their spending habits and their love lives.

SHAMELESS by Leslie Esdaile - Della spent too many years in a bad marriage and too much money trying to numb the pain and make herself feel desirable. At the mall for the first time in over a year, she's determined not to overindulge, but an encounter with gorgeous Byron weakens her resolve.

PLEASE, BABY, PLEASE by Monica Jackson - It's not a good day for Neecy. The scale has shown a 25 pound increase, her attempts at retail therapy have failed miserably and now her car is being repossessed. Joe wants to help her with her problems; Neecy wants to help herself to Joe.

IT TAKES TWO by Reon Laudat - For Ramona, Kadeem had always been "the one" until his obsession with bodybuilding and her need to fix everything drove them apart. Four years later, he's back in her life. Can they pick up where they left off?

PROMISES by Niqui Stanhope - Gillian has invented a fiancé to keep her Nana happy. Now, Nana wants to meet him. When a wild shopping spree ends in a brawl that lands her in Rick's office, Gillian may have found just the man she's been looking for.

If you understand the importance of girlfriends in your life and if you've ever succumbed to the siren's call of your local mall, then this collection is a must-read for you.

Reviewed by Tish Glasson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted September 23, 2003

Summary

"Shameless" by Leslie Esdaile Single mother Della Mitchell is going to Victoria's Secret for the first time after a year of abstinence from shopping. . .and men. But now it's time to get her groove back on. Then she meets Byron Fulton, buying a "breakup" gift for his girlfriend. Things are cool, until the brother tries to put the moves on her. But there is more to this man than meets the eye, and he's not about to let Della slip through his fingers. "Please, Baby, Please" by Monica Jackson Denise "Neecy" Ballard is in debt up to her neck, she's gained twenthy-five pounds, and her car is about to be repossessed. Joseph Vaughn never forgot the beautiful Southern belle when he sold her the car, and for some reason he just can't leave her high and dry. So he decides to cure the luscious lady of her shopping addiction, especially if it means keeping her close. "It Takes Two" by Reon Laudat Ramona Jackson has always had a weakness for cute shoes and Kadeem Smith. So when he comes back to town, it's all she can do not to fire up the charge card in a fit of nervous shopping jitters. Especially when he makes it clear that he wants to pick up right where they left off. . . "Promises" by Niqui Stanhope Gilliam Asher is in a bind. In order to bring her grandmother back from death's door, she announces that she is engaged to be married. And it works! Nana recovers and now Gillian has to produce the happy groom-to-be. In times of crisis, a shopping session is the just the answer. And it's a scuffle over a fabulous black dress that leads her to meet a man who just might be "the One."