I'll Cry Tomorrow

by Pamela M. Johnson

Chyna Azzino-Milano is a famous fashion mogul and supermodel known throughout the world. Forbes magazine has listed her as one of the top ten richest African-Americans in the world, with a net worth of 550 million dollars. What follows is an inspiring tale of how this young girl rose from the urban life of the inner-city streets of East Oakland, to the exclusive suburbs of New York, London and Florence and the heights of the fashion world. However, the major complication in Chyna’s life comes from being HIV-positive for the past ten years. Still healthy, and never having shown any symptoms of the disease, she easily hides her illness from her fans and friends alike (of which only a few know of her ailment) until her trusted maid and housekeeper leaks the surreptitious news to a tabloid. Chyna is compelled to break her silence, and publicly discloses her HIV-positive status. Along the way, we see the public condemnation tearing away at her soul, and we see a Christian’s faith in God put to the ultimate test. Finally, we learn how a woman, who has dealt with issues of abandonment by men upon disclosure of her illness, believed that no man would ever want her. Chyna’s character was first introduced by author Pamela M. Johnson in her novel, From a Hard Rock to a a Memoir of a Lost Soul. This spin-off, as Pamela M. Johnson states,“…is an epic of strife, enlightenment, gallantry, victory and a woman’s unwavering faith in God…her faith, in the end, turned her fear, grief, abandonment, rejection, remorse and shame around, into courage and triumph.” Additionally, the novel explores the faith of one devout Christian, and her belief and trust in God and his word.

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trepidation


Author/publisher Pamela M. Johnson first introduces readers to Chyna Azzino in From A Hard Rock to a Gem: Memoir of a Lost Soul. Chyna is originally from East Oakland. After the gossip of her HIV status spreads like a wildfire, Chyna decides it's time to pack it up, she heads off to New York to embark on her modeling career.

Chyna is now a supermodel mogul married to a world renowned doctor with her own exclusive clothing line. Her homes span the country. Far removed is that hood girl with promiscuous ways from East Oakland. Chyna has made it! She and her husband, Sean, after renewing their vows find that the secrecy of her HIV status threatens to disrupt her life, yet again. With religion, Chyna has learned to believe in God and wait for Him. Can someone's faith change their lives?

"I'll Cry Tomorrow" deals with the strife of living with HIV while under the scope of the paparazzi. Readers are brought up to date with characters of the first book while the importance of forgiveness plays out. Moral yet, semi frustrating with the sameness page after page. After awhile, it made reading a chore instead of something I enjoy.

Reviewed by: Crystal
3.5 stars