Tumbled

by Margaret Johnson-Hodge

In Margaret Johnson-Hodge's 2002 National Bestselling Novel "True Lies", Dajah Moore and Rick Trimmons struggled to hold their love together. In the best selling sequel "This Time", it seemed that they didn't possess enough of the emotional glue to do that. But life has a way of following it's own rules and we see how much in book three -"Tumbled." The pursuit of happiness hasn't changed for Dajah or Rick. As "Tumbled' opens, we see just how true that is. But love isn't simple or easy. It's messy, complicated, rule bending, but more importantly - life changing. It will have you doing what you swore you never would do and looking in directions you promised yourself you wouldn't ever look again. With all the twists and turns and ring true-to-life drama that Margaret Johnson-Hodge is well known for, "Tumbled" takes the reader on another amazing journey about getting what we all want: love - pure, simple, genuine but more importantly, real.

236 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2013

About the author

Margaret Johnson-Hodge is the author of several books that have received national acclaim. She is a winner of the 1998 Reviewer’s Choice Awards, for “The Real Deal”. “Butterscotch Blues” made the Blackboard Bestsellers List, the Essence Magazine Bestseller List and Black Expressions Book Club 2000 Book of the Year coming in at number 6.

“A New Day” made the Mosaic Magazine What’s Hot Top Five Fiction List five (5) times and “True Lies” made the Black Expressions Best Sellers List in 2002. Margaret has garnered rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine.

She has been featured in major papers in her hometown, was a guest speaker at Georgia’s Writers, Inc. Her novels “True Lies”, “Some Sunday” and “Butterscotch Blues” were Main Selections for Black Expressions, and “The Real Deal”, “A New Day”, “Warm Hands”, “A Journey To Here” and “This Time” were alternates selections.

Both Showtime and Hallmark Hall of Fame have considered her books for movie options and with the release of her sixth novel “True Lies”, Publisher Weekly declared: “Johnson-Hodge's popularity continues to grow. Audiences tired of shallow buppie antics will respond favorably to the earthy dramas she describes.” Her seventh novel, “A Journey To Here” was released to great reviews and the book garnered her a nominee for Author of The Year.

In 2005, Margaret donned a new cap - publisher - and released her eighth book – “This Time”, through her own publishing company – Sutton Place Publishers, Inc. "This Time" was well received by both critics and readers a like.

Born and raised in New York, Margaret no longer lives there, but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up and looks forward to telling more of them.

A mother and full-time author, she writes on a near daily basis, rarely taking a break from her craft. “There is always some story inside of me,” is how she sees it “and I just try and get it told.”

Reviews

[Selena Haskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! Margaret Johnson-Hodge is one of my favorite authors and still is! I was excited to read part three since I've been following Margaret's work since "Warm Hands." In this story, all the characters are back- Dajah and Rick, Jeff, Mya, and Gina. The beginning of the story flowed nicely. I was able to follow that Dajah and Jeff had broke up. Margaret did an excellent job at expressing the emotions that both characters felt about the break-up, and the richness of these characters was still there. I could easily remember them from the previous books, and they seemed authentic. Around the middle of the story, the details and the flashbacks made the read choppy, and the storyline began to tumble. It was as if another writer had taken over and the characters took on new lives that were quite different from what was portrayed in the beginning, and from what I knew of them in the past. There were also unnecessary subplots, particularly with Gina who could have been left out all together. The ending was rushed and unbelievable. I found it hard to accept that certain characters were back together (Not trying to give away the story). At times it seemed like Rick would go back to his old habits and end up with Gina. Mya was so confused about everything and trying to please everyone, except herself. There was no time to really show her growth process and her final decision. I thought she would either end up on her own or back with Alex. Jeff seemed so hurt that he would have gotten with just about anyone even Jill. I don't think he was over Dajah just as much as I thought he wasn't over Mya. I don't think Dajah was over Jeff. None of the characters ever seemed sure of what they wanted, they just accepted the next best thing. Suddenly they make a decision to settle down. Ring on finger. Yes let's have kids and maybe five. The end. I was turning the page thinking I missed something. I went back and reread the last three chapters and I just couldn't accept the ending the way it was. I hope there will be a part four to smooth things over, or perhaps a short story. These characters are so rich that they deserve one more chance not to tumble over.

[QueenSASH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book though it had a somewhat fairytale ending. But, it is fiction.
Just like Johnson-Hodge's other books, it is a well-written story that is simply told. I love how the author makes the characters average every-day people with regular jobs go through regular things in life. There's still drama but not in an over-the-top sense, like so many books and television shows display today.
Due to the quality of this story and the realness of the plot and characters, it's easier to picture these things actually happening. I also love that the story takes place in the borough of Queens rather than the typical Manhattan or even Brooklyn where many stories have been set.
As for the characters, Dajah is still headstrong, Jeff does the unexpected, and Rick mans up. We are also introduced the infamous Mya. Margaret Johnson-Hodge did well with this page-turning third book in the series.

[carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it:)

A great book with a great list characters. I'm loving them and truly hope that this isn't the last we read about them. Wonderful book