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Invincible Women #4
Not Even If You Begged
Widow Traci Evans happily sits in on meetings with the lovely ladies of the Invincible Sisterhood solely because they reached out to her first. A loner, Traci feels for the first time she belongs. All of the official members are sweet older women who have lost the love of their lives, their husbands. Unknown to them, Traci is more angry than she is grief-stricken because her husband died in the midst of cheating on her with another woman.
Her husband's deception has hardened Traci's heart so much that even close friend and next door neighbor Maureen can't convince her to open it again. But when a playful kiss with Maureen's gorgeous son Ryan turns passionate, Traci starts to rethink everything she knows about love.
Her husband's deception has hardened Traci's heart so much that even close friend and next door neighbor Maureen can't convince her to open it again. But when a playful kiss with Maureen's gorgeous son Ryan turns passionate, Traci starts to rethink everything she knows about love.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2008
16 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Francis Ray
72 books544 followersFrancis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.
AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man
AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 31, 2008
Makes me believe that love is not lost..just when u think u given up on relationships & love someone comes knocking at your door. I'm a believer! Keep hope alive!
January 31, 2008
Gettin’ Their Groove Back
Mrs. Ray has spun another very romantic, yet emotionally thrilling adventure for our reading pleasure. I was TOTALLY captivated from the very first page! I've read six books this January and I have to say, this one is my favorite so far. Mrs. Ray did an EXCELLENT job with Traci and Ryan's romance. And I enjoyed the INSTANT attraction between Maureen and Simon. The storyline as always flowed effortlessly across the pages. The characters are UNFORGETTABLE. Main and secondary characters will have you LOL and crying and at their many antics. I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the ladies in the "Invincible Sisterhood" they were funny as all get out. And even though they're all widows, they definitely knew "how to get their groove back". Simon and Ryan are definitely gentlemen that know how to provide protection and SATISFACTION to their women, not just a physical satisfaction, but they showed Traci and Maureen they were capable of being there for them emotionally, too. I totally got caught up in all the passion and desire between these two couples it was very sensual. I love the way Mrs. Ray allowed us to get caught up with Justine Crandall and Dalton Ramsey and Brianna Ireland and Patrick Dunlap, the couples from "In Another Man's Bed". I look forward to reading more about the rest of the Dunlap brothers...hint, hint...bring it on Mrs. Ray! A definite MUST read!
Mrs. Ray has spun another very romantic, yet emotionally thrilling adventure for our reading pleasure. I was TOTALLY captivated from the very first page! I've read six books this January and I have to say, this one is my favorite so far. Mrs. Ray did an EXCELLENT job with Traci and Ryan's romance. And I enjoyed the INSTANT attraction between Maureen and Simon. The storyline as always flowed effortlessly across the pages. The characters are UNFORGETTABLE. Main and secondary characters will have you LOL and crying and at their many antics. I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the ladies in the "Invincible Sisterhood" they were funny as all get out. And even though they're all widows, they definitely knew "how to get their groove back". Simon and Ryan are definitely gentlemen that know how to provide protection and SATISFACTION to their women, not just a physical satisfaction, but they showed Traci and Maureen they were capable of being there for them emotionally, too. I totally got caught up in all the passion and desire between these two couples it was very sensual. I love the way Mrs. Ray allowed us to get caught up with Justine Crandall and Dalton Ramsey and Brianna Ireland and Patrick Dunlap, the couples from "In Another Man's Bed". I look forward to reading more about the rest of the Dunlap brothers...hint, hint...bring it on Mrs. Ray! A definite MUST read!
April 16, 2019
Love, love, love the characters! However the flow and timing of the book was off. The overall story was cute and sweet and warm-feeling, but the writing became repetitive at times and some story lines were unnecessary and lacked a good hold.
May 1, 2023
If I’d read this book when it first came out I probably would have given it a higher rating.
Pros: A lovely story of finding love again. Traci in her early 30s, widowed from a disastrous marriage and lacking trust in men and Maureen a woman approaching 60 who can’t let go of her age hang ups. Both find men who adore them but will their issues let them find love again.
Cons: very little character descriptions left me wondering what the characters looked like. There were two references to chocolate skin to describe the same guy, descriptions of African American painters and church, pastors etc which left me assuming all characters were black. Considering there were about 10+ characters in the book I just had no idea if they were all black, and if so complexions, hair types, styles, build etc. again other then fat or curvy to describe Tracy and muscular to describe the men there was no other descriptions. Maureen was described a wealthy southern genteel lady - to me that could be black or white. So I was a bit annoyed about trying to guess when it should have been explained by the author.
The other con for me was the sex scenes. Sometimes it’s better to have none then to make them too quick. The few in this book really didn’t paint the men in good light and I’m surprised a women wrote this. She either is not good at writing sex scenes or herself has not experienced good sex. The scene went as follows “their lips met in a heated kiss, he undressed her kissed her nippled and then he slipped inside and pumped. She shattered beneath him and he did the same” Considering the book is about trust and finding love again I think their coupling deserved more reverence then this quick paragraph. It didn’t even need to be explicit but descriptions of feelings rather then the act can be just as good rather then painting it as a quick 1 minute act.
I was really tempted to give this book 2 stars based on the cons. It was only the ending and some of the characters that I liked even though their appearance was brief that upped it to 3 stars.
Pros: A lovely story of finding love again. Traci in her early 30s, widowed from a disastrous marriage and lacking trust in men and Maureen a woman approaching 60 who can’t let go of her age hang ups. Both find men who adore them but will their issues let them find love again.
Cons: very little character descriptions left me wondering what the characters looked like. There were two references to chocolate skin to describe the same guy, descriptions of African American painters and church, pastors etc which left me assuming all characters were black. Considering there were about 10+ characters in the book I just had no idea if they were all black, and if so complexions, hair types, styles, build etc. again other then fat or curvy to describe Tracy and muscular to describe the men there was no other descriptions. Maureen was described a wealthy southern genteel lady - to me that could be black or white. So I was a bit annoyed about trying to guess when it should have been explained by the author.
The other con for me was the sex scenes. Sometimes it’s better to have none then to make them too quick. The few in this book really didn’t paint the men in good light and I’m surprised a women wrote this. She either is not good at writing sex scenes or herself has not experienced good sex. The scene went as follows “their lips met in a heated kiss, he undressed her kissed her nippled and then he slipped inside and pumped. She shattered beneath him and he did the same” Considering the book is about trust and finding love again I think their coupling deserved more reverence then this quick paragraph. It didn’t even need to be explicit but descriptions of feelings rather then the act can be just as good rather then painting it as a quick 1 minute act.
I was really tempted to give this book 2 stars based on the cons. It was only the ending and some of the characters that I liked even though their appearance was brief that upped it to 3 stars.
September 15, 2017
Quick romantic read
September 4, 2021
Too much going on for me in this story!
August 1, 2014
I was newly introduced to the collections of Francis Ray. I found this book easier to begin reading because I read "In Another Man's Bed" the day before. Francis Ray has a way of getting her readers inside the story. Waves of emotion flow throughout your body the entire book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!
March 3, 2008
Wonderful book about 2nd time love for an older lady, and real frist time love for her friend and neighbor - with the older lady's son.
A fun book, with a couple tense moments, reads quickly and rolls smooth with life changing and reality moments.
A fun book, with a couple tense moments, reads quickly and rolls smooth with life changing and reality moments.
September 19, 2009
I'm so glad I'm done reading this book. NEVER AGAIN!!!
June 10, 2008
I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK, BUT IT LEFT ME WONDERING ABOUT "JASON". HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BOOK WITH ANSWERS.
June 1, 2008
Sort of predictable, expected a little more.
August 27, 2008
This is might just be the first and only Francis Ray book I read. The book jumped around to much for me and moved very slow. I think this could have been written a lot better.
November 2, 2008
Great Read. I loved the characters. I thought about them long after I finished the book.
May 25, 2010
I Love Francis Ray books.
Currently reading
October 19, 2010its good so far
September 5, 2011
A surprisingly good read, I only read this because it was listed as a reading club book but I did enjoy it. the two septate love stories intertwine well and create a great and touching story.
September 3, 2012
Francis is the best!
December 16, 2012
Good book! Really enjoyed it. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
November 13, 2012
Another good one!
August 12, 2014
Maureen, wealthy widow, and Simon, a younger man and cop
Traci, and Maureen's son Ryan.
Traci, and Maureen's son Ryan.
July 3, 2013
3.5/5 This book was pretty good. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't just oh my gosh AMAZING. I recommend it to others. I think they would enjoy it.
September 28, 2015
Awesome read!
Read
April 22, 2008have not started this book yet but plan to in the next week.
September 13, 2011
Love It!!!
April 26, 2017
Ha ha, people jump to conclusions entirely too much in this novel, but it's still very sweet and I love the interactions of all the different characters.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews