Capital Wives

by Rochelle Alers

Married to some of Washington, D.C.'s most influential men, Bethany, Deanna and Marisol are on the guest list at every high-profile political and social event. And when they meet at a fundraiser, they forge a deep, unexpected friendship.

Beneath the glamour, all three are struggling to hide the void in their marriages. Bethany's teenage stepdaughter is wreaking chaos at home, and to escape Bethany begins writing an anonymous, dirt-dishing gossip column. Deanna is a successful event planner, longing for a baby and unaware of her husband's double life. Marisol, too, is desperate to start a family, and starting to question her husband's commitment, and her own.

As their friendship deepens, Bethany, Marisol and Deanna help each other decide how far they'll go to fulfill their desires. Because in passion—as in politics—one mistake can change everything….

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, African American

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2011

About the author

Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.

Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

Reviews

[Angelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a minute to get into this one. But, I kept reading and the story started getting better. Marisol, Deanna and Bethany turned out to be good friends which I thought wasn't gonna happen because Deanna and Marisol didn't feel they could competely trust Bethany but she turned out to be a good friend in the end......This was NOT a bad read, but it did leave a lot of unanswered questions.....at one point I thought there would be a continuation but that's not the case.....Things was just kinda of put together at the end......still no answers for the questions you were left with......Rating 3.5

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I too, was a little skeptical about this book in the beginning and then I was wishing that the book could go on for a few more chapters. As a avid watcher of the Housewives reality series I was worried that this book would piggyback off of some of those subject lines. What I found was a fresh take on the lives of some pretty powerful women in D.C. Bethany, Deanna and Marisol find themselves connected by their powerful husbands and manage to forge real friendships.

Bethany is the mistress turned wife. She has the life she set out to have but something is missing. Her stepdaughter is wreaking havoc in her household, she's gaining weight and her older, but devoted, husband seems to be clueless to it all.
Deanna seems to be leading a charmed life as a popular event planner with the lawyer husband. But soon her husband's infidelity (and hers) comes to threaten their marriage.
Marisol is the most likeable one of the trio. Even after marrying into Washington royalty, Marisol stays true to herself but little things are showing her that her husband is not who he seems to be. He's been lying to her from the beginning and it only takes an outsider one meeting to recognize that something is very wrong.

I am very fond of Rochelle Alers writing and this book is one of her best single title novels. A thoroughly enjoyable book that will leave you looking for additional pages. I just wish there was more. Hopefully?

[Jasmine McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few of Rochelle Alers books in the past and absolutely loved them! I tend to get really wrapped up in a book, so it's not too difficult to read it one setting, especially if it's a great book. I ended up reading this book in one sitting, and at the end I felt incomplete. It wasn't a bad book at all, I just wished the characters had more dimension and weren't so flat. Some portions felt so forced, including the ending. I was along for the ride, but when I got to the end I was slightly disappointed; I wanted to know more then just everyone moves on and is happy in 2 pages from the ending! Huh, all there problems are just gone? We never even find out what happened to Marisol's husband while she was out of town. It's like she just quickly moved on and summed up all the characters lives; it just didn't work in my opinion.

Overall it's a good read. The story has hits and misses, but the characters engage you enough with their drama and "Capital Wives" lifestyle. It's worth checking out if you like Alers previous work, just be warned you might want a little more in the end.

[ConSonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course Rochelle has done it again... It was an amazing drama filled book with lots of laughs and enough scandel to go around.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was TERRIBLE. Characters were annoying and the dialog was corny and unbelievable. Really regret sticking with it since it was bad from the start.

[BeLinda P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeds Returned

The trio of Bethany, Deanna and Marisol proved that the political scene in DC had more layers than many thought. The exploits of usually men led paybacks could be considered docile compared to the retribution the wives could have administered or be behind. Politics can truly make some strange “bedfellows “.

[Maria T. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capital Wives

This was a story about the ups and downs of the wives of Capital Hill politicians. Especially Bethany Paxton, Deanna Tyson and Marisol McDonald, three best friends. One of their husbands was an attorney, one political strategist, and the other a step below Vice President. The story is detailed about the day to day goings on behind the scenes.

[Teresa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capital Wives

If you like drama, then this book is for you. I am not sure how to give a book review. The women and men held a lot of secrets. The one that surprised me the most was Damon Paxton and his wife Bethany. I suggest you read it for yourself and I will look to see your review.

[KAREN HUNTER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book but I did not like the way it ended. We were allowed into the deepest most intimate part of these women's lives and for to end in such an Abrupt way I didn't like it. I wanted to be a part of how all three couples got back on track from their individual family issues. I wanted to be an intimate part of that too not just the intimate part of what went on in their bedrooms.

[Ava Smith-forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capital Wives

Great drama that was captivating from word one. The friendship that Bethany, Deanna and Marisol was what they all needed to move pass the hurdles in their lives. Paige was lucky to have Bethany in her life. Damon is the man. But my favorite was Wesley.

[Alicia Harris-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship

This story is like real life. Secrets within relationships always causes drama. I like how some people are placed at the right place at the right time. I give this story ***** stars. Friendship is everlasting

[MzLadyK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Twist.

I enjoy reading Rochelle Alers books. This one I suspected the lies, deceit,
secrets, etc. However, this story had a twist with Marisol and her husband Bryson. He showed the ugly side of him and got what he deserved.

[TinaD W Crisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I was a little hesitant when I first read the title. This book does not disappoint, there are a few unpredictable twists and turns, but all in all, it was a great read. I gave it 5 stars Because I couldn't put it down.

[Andrea F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sleazy

There was sort of a plot. The only reason I finished the book was to find out how it ended.

[Tara Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capital Wives

This is another Rochelle Alers master piece. I enjoyed this book from beginning to the ending. I can't wait until another one comes out.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and excellent read you will enjoy the suspense

[Modena Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book.

[Brynsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Capital Wives

Another interesting read by this author.There is nothing like a lasting friendship.To find love after going through pain. Checking for another read by this author

[Tiffiney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

Enjoyed this book. The characters were believable. Read it in no time. It would have made a great cliff hanger book. 🤔

[debra houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good read, strong women good ending keep you reading until you finish the book would recommend to others
. Try it

[Liz Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. I really enjoyed it. Great depiction of politicians and their family life.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

I really enjoyed this book,
Just gods to show that women are stronger when we work together, there should have been a part 2

[MAQUITTA GOODLETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!!

OMG, this book was so good, I'd like to buy the Audible version just to hear it read to me😁

[Margaret Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book

It was a great book. It was a surprise how the book ended. It was different from the books I have read lately

[Cecilia Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good as it Gets

She never disappoints the reader. Thank you for sharing another great read.
She has developed another group of readers
Can’t wait for another in this series

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a rule that I generally follow concerning books I do not like. Simpley put, I don't force myself to finish them. For some reason, I kept reading this book despite not liking it. I had heard good things about the author and thought I would give it a try. The summary looked promising. I kept reading thinking and hoping it would get better. The characters are flat. It reads like a bad soap opera complete with campy dialogue. Marisol throws Spanish into her speech. This wouldn't be distracting except for the way they are presented in italics and, from time to time, breaking the flow of conversation to explain the word. Helpful things are explained such as Juan = John.

The ending felt very rushed and we really weren't given a chance to see how the leading events affected the characters. Big events were swept aside like they never happened. There are some life changing events that happen through the course of the plot but the characters really don't react to them in any way other then one might react to getting a bad parking spot during a rain storm. Some events are left by the wayside and seemingly thrown away such as the relationship between Bethany and her step-daughter.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany, Deanna and Marisol are married to Three of WashingtonD.C.S most influential Men. But beneath the Glamour all three are struggling to hide that all is not well in their marriages. Bethany's Step Daughter is causing problems at home . So to Escape she starts writing an anonymous Gossip column abbout D.C'S Movers and Shakers like who is cheating with who? Deanna is a succesful event planner she is unaware her Husband is leading a double life and she is longing to start a family. Marisol is also desperate to start a family she is an interior designer she is also unaware her Husband is sterile. When they met at a fund raiser the ladies forged a friendship. As that friendship deepens they help each other decide how far they'll go to fulfill their dreams. Because just like in plitics one mistake can change everything. A truly fantastic story line drew me in from page one an i couldn't put the book down till i finished it. I look forward to reading more books by Rochelle Alers

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the book started out strong, but by a few chapters in the story became slow. The idea behind the book - three wives in DC - seemed interesting, but the story just fell flat. I saw someone's review that said the dialogue read like a bad soap opera. I think that sums it up pretty good. I understand that writing dialogue has to be challenging, but there were times when the conversations barely made sense (almost like a transition sentence was cut out). The editing on this book (or at least this edition) was shockingly bad. I caught mistakes everywhere. It seems that people enjoy reading this author. I would try reading another one of her books to see if it was any better.

[DrDiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I am a big fan of Ms. Alers', I must say that I was very unimpressed by this book. The descriptive writing was good and the the plot was okay...it actually would have gotten a better review from me had it been from a different author. I am just used to more depth, and robust characters from Ms. Alers...this almost seems like a book that was written to parallel the lives of many of the drama queens on reality television. While that may be quality from other authors Ms. Alers is so much more than the superficial plots and story lines that take place In this book.