"These are four fine novellas that readers will enjoy."

"My Favorite Mistake" by Mary Castillo. Desperate as her career in Hollywood looks over before it took off after ten years of trying Isela last year optioned a work that gives her the "Feel". She has stolen her former boss Dave's VIP pass to a Friday Night in Los Angeles gala while he is out of town to meet and persuade director Tyler to take on her project.

"Hearts Are Wild" by Caridad Pineiro. Though she would prefer to forget, birthdays are important to Tori's family so she expects a small party with the Rodriguez brood and amigas for the Big 30. However, she never expected Friday Night in South Beach to be blindfolded and taken to a casino yacht or end up in a strip card game with a hunk.

"Revenge of the Fashion Goddess" by Berta Platas. She was extremely shy when she attended North Elmwood Park High School fifteen years ago as a fashion-challenged teen, but has come along way since. However, the Friday Night in Chicago reunion raises all of Cali's insecurities in spite of making it as a designer in New York even with Rick there.

"The More Things Change" by Sofia Qunintero. Her old roommates host a bachelorette party for Gladys at a male strip joint on Friday Night in New York City. However, a few drinks later, inhibitions gone, Gladys vanishes with one of the studs. How will she tell her fiancé?

These are four fine novellas with a Latino flavor that readers will enjoy. Each tale contains a strong female protagonist, a solid support cast, and terrific hunks as Friday night around the country is a fun anthology.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 29, 2005

Summary

Following in the footsteps of such compilations as Living Large (2003), a set of four stories about African American women by four authors, Friday Night Chicas presents four novellas about four memorable Friday nights by four up-and-coming Latina authors. Mary Castillo follows an aspiring filmmaker on the Hollywood party scene, where she's seduced by a director. Caridad Pineiro takes readers to Miami's^B South Beach, where a group of gal pals help their best friend celebrate her thirtieth^B birthday. Next stop is Chicago, where Berta Platas portrays a former wallflower who finds that sparks can fly at her high-school reunion. Sofia Quintero's novella is set in New York, where a group of college roommates are reunited for a bachelorette party. All four writers spice up their stories with sexy scenes, but at the core of each story is a strong female bond. The successful, smart, and alluring women will hook readers, and the abbreviated format will have them wanting more. Hopefully, these authors will oblige.