Title: No Glass House
Author: Lydia Phillips
Published in 2007 by Trafford Publishing
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1-4120-8561-6
Simone has dated many men in her life but Kion is the only man she feels safe, yet her Aunt Betty feels with her living in sin, she won’t go to Heaven. Simone has an insatiable sexual appetite and believes in monogamy. She feels quite successful with her shoe factory, CHATA that not only mass-produces high-quality shoes but handbags, too. Her business is rapidly growing and she plans to open one in Jamaica soon. She tries to explain to her aunt that her relationship with Kion has worked for ten years and she has no reason to marry. Aunt Betty is always eager to throw in Biblical versus whereas her Uncle John is more lenient allowing Simone to make her own choices
Kion constantly has sex on his mind, unless he is playing chess or golf. As a plastic surgeon he is often encountered with women throwing themselves his way. The last woman who came in for plastic surgery informed he had to be gay if he wouldn’t consent to having sex with her. Kion quickly explains he is far from gay. He just happens to be in a relationship and he has other patients waiting so forget any fooling around. Besides, he had already been down that road once before and Simone caught him. It was a memory that he would never forget. Simone promised never to give him any more chances if it happened again. Kion loves how independent Simone is and deep in his heart he knew she loved him.
Ghee hates surprises. His half-brother Gino has been clean for four years but when Ghee gets a phone call from Gino saying he needs to see him, Ghee can only wonder if he is back on crack. Once they get together, just seeing Gino again leaves a feel good feeling inside. Ghee realizes how he has missed the chats he use to share with his brother. Stern and arrogant, Marvin has earned his name of executioner and wears it well. As a Judge, he shows no mercy for criminals. He and his wife, Deidre have spoiled their daughter, Genice rotten. She attends the best schools and they spare no expense for her clothes and soon she will be enrolled in Harvard. As for Deidre, she is clueless when it came to current events. When Marvin first began seeing Deidre, she confessed to being on the pill but after she said she was pregnant things changed. He did the right thing and married Deidre and when Genice was born, life completely changed for Marvin. Deidre went into the Real Estate business and their life had more or less played out after Deidre grew older. Once she leaves, Marvin intends on filing for divorce. At least Gino and Kino know how unhappy his life really has been
Sasha is one of the best divorce attorney’s in Atlanta. She and Ghee have been having premarital counseling at church and she expresses such when she meets Simone and Deidre for lunch one day. Deidre feels she and Marvin have come to a rut in their life and Simone and Sasha wonder has she thought of being with anyone else but with her weight problem, Deidre feels no one else would give her the time of day. They wonder if Simone and Kion will marry but Simone still professes she is happy with her present situation. As each of the couples go through their daily routine in life, they are faced with many obstacles that seem to jump out and interrupt them daily. While many wonder if Kion and Simone will ever marry, Simone doesn’t wish to be saddled in a marriage that could split later, only to erupt in dividing assets. Ghee doesn’t understand the prenuptial agreement that Sasha insists upon having between them. Marvin and Deidre wonder where their relationship will go since it seems to be stagnant of late. When Deidre faces a struggle in her life with her mom, it appears that she needs Marvin’s strength to help her get through the rough spots. Throughout all the daily chores that each of the African-Americans are handed, they learn to share conversation and find a way to work through their differences but sometimes there are some problems arise that cannot be corrected.
No Glass House is a drama that falls around many individuals in the Atlanta area and there were many places that this reader found almost like home. I love the Buckhead and Stone Mountain area. The characters jump out and grab the reader making it hard to stop turning the pages. I was anxious to see what would happen in each of their lives. There were many other secondary characters that were mentioned in the story, too, making it more of a sincere read while drawing the reader’s attention. I enjoyed the time that Simone shared dinner with her Aunt Betty and Uncle John. Simone has a strong trait and I found this great with women today. I could see her expressions when she was with Kion and especially the time she found him to be unfaithful. The story of Marvin and Deidre is one that many can relate in their marriage and relationship when things turn awry. The scene with Deidre and her mom during her worse low, trying to take her home was a touching part of the book.
Lydia Phillips touches upon families and crisis while learning to find that one love to keep going forever. Aunt Betty and Uncle John had ups and downs, but they managed to stay together many years and I admired that in them. Ms. Phillips tells a story that involves many things that happen to one in their daily lives. There are some uplifting moments, along the way, that make the story flow, while other moments have a way of pointing out how true relationships can often fall prey to infidelity, forgiveness and countless other misgivings that can trigger emotions and certain response in the human body. She has a way of expressing the heart of an individual and making a story that leaves much after-thought.
Sincerely good reading,
Linda
No website available for Lydia Phillips Buy No Glass House from Trafford
