Ben Holland is in the beginning stages of an appeals process when he receives a visit in January of 2005. It is a visit that will change his life forever as many questions left unanswered are explained to him and unresolved issues are finally resolved. What were Ben's grandparents like? What were the events that led up to his parents' demise? Was he really born to be a gangster? Will he ever earn his freedom? Where's Katrina and the surviving friends and what are they up to now? The answers to these questions and many more lie within the pages of Undying Love, a deep, heartfelt, and emotionally gripping story that explores what the true meaning of family and real love truly entails. As Ben learns the history of his family, he soon realizes that something is amiss. What is Ben Holland’s forgotten memory? What is the actual truth, the one thing that not only Ben, but everybody involved missed concerning Ben's parents' death. The truth, when finally realized, will leave you breathless. Undying Love is the second installment to The Holland Family Saga, a saga that will chronicle the Holland Family’s history along with the people who would shape their lives over many years. The on-going family saga will continue to reveal over time, the Holland Family’s struggles, injustices and inner demons as their lives come full circle and many secrets are revealed. Undying Love delves further into the family’s struggles, injustices and inner demons, but something is amiss. As Ben learns the history of his family, he soon realizes that something is amiss. What is the forgotten memory? What is the actual truth, the one thing everybody missed concerning Ben's parents' death. The truth, when finally realized, will leave everybody breathless.The Holland Family Saga is more than fiction…It is real life in print.
Im truly enjoying this series!!! I love ben love love love Katrina!!! It was great to get the family history of ben and hennritta because the grandparents and gabriella and sam love stories were so beautiful the love they had in their relationships and for their family/friends is wonderful...the only things i didn't like about the book was the grammatical errors and black's compulsion to give details on things that are not necessary...do we really need to know the exact brands every character had on everyday???? I think not lol
But this wont keep me from finishing the series!!!!
As I began to read THFS which was set in 1944 I had to back out of the book to make sure I was reading the right book lol. It was a whirlwind of emotions getting to know Ben's family history and I loved every minute of it! Ben's life has been filled with one tragedy after another I can't wait to see what he will do with his newfound freedom and if his search will prove fruitful. Clever Black has outdone himself and gained a fan. Thank you Clever for sharing your gift and taking me on a trip page after page which has me feeling like I'm right there with the characters as a main character myself and feeling the emotions as such as well.
Wow. Just wow. I have never come across an author who I've read multiple books by and they are all 5 stars. At the beginning of this one I was a little lost bc it was more about Sam and Gabriella than Ben or Katrina but by the end I was more interested in Sam and Gabriella than anything else!!! Manhattan most def wreaked a lot of havoc. Who would have thought that after the day in the prison where he is first introduced that he would have such a large part. But that's one thing I really like about this author. Everything is there for a reason. Great job!!!
This story pulled on my heart and made me find compassion for characters I once despised and misunderstood. The story showed just how so many lives crossed paths unknowingly . How one twisted animal changed the Trajectory of so many families. This read was hard and a trigger as some facts were similar to my childhood traumas but, i am left with hope for the future of Benjamin, nervous about meeting Samantha but looking forward to the next read and the full saga!
The back story had a lot of detail, too much if you ask me but I am not an author. Towards the end the story started getting good. I never would have thought his sister was still alive. I wonder what is going to happen with Ben and Katrina. I cannot believe Katrina is letting her husband do her like that. I do like how the writer likes to give a full detail story because some authors don't and you have fill in the details.
...good read, great story telling, good laughs, cries, anger and heartbreak...this author gives you all emotions as he pulls you into the storyline...this is a must read series...onto the next.
The more I READ this series I'm so EXCITED to see/hear the next sentences cuz it's so real that I feel like I'm on the journey with each characters as of up til now!!!!!
This book was very good and I enjoyed it tremendously.I will recommend this book to others and I am going to read the next chapter in the Holland family saga.
By Siren "Hear my voice, feel my wrath" (Houston, TX)
This review is from: The Holland Family Saga Part Two: Undying Love (Kindle Edition)
Clever Black has left me speechless.....
This book was in one word, INCREDIBLE. I was taken down memory lane and I wanted to stay there forever. The historical information presented was overwhelming and elicited a great deal of emotion from me. I started out playing some Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, and ended with some Al Greene. I was like, "OMG.....this author is on one with this series".
This was not the typical follow up for a sequel but it what just what the urban literary world ordered. I love how Henrietta came clean and laid all the cards on the table. I learned so much about Ben Holland and his family who truly did have undying love. The black history moment was something all black people should read about and get knowledge on. Hardship has been inevitable for the black race but it is our perseverance and resilience that makes us hard to knock down. And that was Ben's family tree to the core. Again, Clever caused my water works to turn on and I was just wrapped up in every memory....
I absolutely loved the courtship of Sam and Gabriella. It was innocent and sincere and that is what we lack nowadays in relationships. The two were the best of friends before they became anything else and that touched my heart. They knew right away they were meant to be and that does not happen much...well, at the present. I also loved how humble Gabby was. I mean, it was obvious she was a stunner and had the voice of an angel, but there was not a conceited bone in her body. She was always kind and just loved the peopled she considered close, which was her downfall. While reading book 1, I knew that jealousy could cause issues but what happened in the book was a true domino effect.
After reading Faye's story and how she came to be; I had a change of heart. I began to understand why she behaved the way she did in the first book. The reality is that it could happen to anyone and I could empathize with her circumstances. Everyone has a way to cope with certain things be that to fight back or take on addictions. I cannot condemn Faye. I actually said a prayer for her and then realized she was a character and not real.....smh
Sam was cooler than a fan and I see where Ben got his business savvy from an instinct to be a leader. Sam was a man who saw the forest and never the trees. He was always planning ahead and just wanting to be a good provider for his family. It's not like Sam and Gabby were millionaires, but their happiness and loved overshadowed any monetary value which caused unconscious envy. I think if Janice would have quit while she was ahead, everything would have continued to be great for everyone. But that was not to pass. Clyde, Charmaine, Alfred, Henrietta...small knit group so when disaster struck; I knew it would be explosive. Call me what you want, but I felt nothing when Janice was discovered. I was hoping that her condition would have been worse for all the BS she created.
I did not see the twist coming about Ben's sister but I am excited to read all about it. My heart really sank though because Manhattan was in jail for_____________ so the ending of the book caused panic in me. I always think the worst, so I guess I will have to cop book III and find out for sure. Keep'em coming Clever Black!
Reviewed by Lizzy Linh K for Urban Grapevine Magazine
Ben Holland, Katrina, and the gang are reunited with a different twist in “The Holland Family Sage Part II: Undying Love.”
Ben Holland is back…and this time more knowledgeable than before. While incarcerated, Ben Holland learned his family history. Katrina, a successful businesswoman, mother, and wife, applied her street skills to the real world to get to the top only to feel lost without her best friend, Ben. Despite years of being apart, the strong bond and love each had for one another is there.
Readers develop a clear understanding of how Ben Holland went from a boy to a man. The story is captivating from the beginning to end and I’m waiting feverishly for Clever to utilize his gift and release another fascinating novel. Good job!
I recommend The Holland Family Saga to all readers who love suspenseful stories. I love the way Clever provided valuable information with plenty of details.
This was a great story. It's not your typical street/gangster/love story. It had me sad and crying and thinking about my own mother. It's funny how a series of events or one person can change your life forever. It was hard to put this book down at times. But it was long which I'm not even mad about. It's about time somebody is writing complete books instead of pieces. Yes, this has several parts but all bases are being covered here. I can't help but wonder if some of this is true because it's written like an autobiography. I can't wait to read on and see what happens next. I'm enjoying this series. I've never been to Louisiana but I looked up the Peristyle to envision Gabrielle and Sam's wedding place and it is a real place. This book had me Googling things I've heard of but never actually seen. I highly recommend this series, you won't be disappointed.
This installment intrigued me because it just shows how we all are connected. His best friend ended up being the child of people his father was connected to while living but crazy no one connected it for him.It was absolutely crazy how his parents lost their lives and Samantha was taken from the family by a mentally ill lunatic that had been reeking havoc because people were too scared to speak out.Dirty Red had awesome parents who were young, ambitious, and go getters. After he and Henrietta reunited he was able to remember what happened to his sister. I cannot wait to read the next episode to find out what happened to Samantha and Manhattan the rapist. I really hope in the next installment they get his @$$.
Sad, happy but sad and then I was glad to see a lot of the friends was doing good. To hear about the grand mother and grandfather was a loving story, just like Ben parents. I was in tears as the story went on about there love and death. All the death Katrina and Ben went through was very sad. His aunt I felt for her an it sadden me that so much time was missed between her and Ben. Loved Loved the book
I have read many books in the last 2 years this series is by far one of the Best. This book hits home because I was raised in the Desire Project. My entire family transported from Ms. to the Desire Project. My mom and Dad met in the the Desire. I was born in 1960 so a lot of the places are so familiar. We moved uptown to 3rd ward when I was around 9...I went to BTW...I CAN RELATE WITH SO MUCH HERE. THANKS C Black
AWESOME! Clever Black did a wonderful job! I loved how he gave history on Ben's parents and aunt and the events that led up to book one. I loved the historical feel to the book. Clever has an uncanny ability to grab you and have you feeling like you're right there with the characters. This novel took me through up and down... and I loved every minute of it!
Ben Holland's story was good. His incarceration was a growing process as he learned patience and consequences for his actions as well as cause and effect. Ben was reunited with his Aunt Henrietta and Katrina as he was told his family history. The fight for his freedom is intriguing and somewhat emotional.
This is a wonderful follow-up and second series. It is tastefully written tho introduce new characters while still being worthy of edge of the seat anticipation. Slight grammatical errors but I thoroughly enjoyed.
What can you say about such an undying love ending in such tragedy? There is hope that God will right all wrong. This series is soon heartbreaking, so well written that you hate to put it down. The next volume is a must read for me. No Sweat
This novel has totally blown me away. It peaked my curiosity and wrapped my brain around a scenario I could've never imagined. I loved how the story unfolded and am totally looking forward to the part three.