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Love & Happiness
Roxanne Linden learned the hard way that it’s one thing to be overweight, a lesbian and a cheater, but it’s quite another to take your stepsister, Ayana Linden, as a lover. Forced into a conventional lifestyle with her fiancé, Mark Watkins, Roxanne’s humdrum existence is interrupted when Ayana resurfaces. Roxanne knows her world is about to change, but is she fully prepared for what happens next?
The sisters’ reunion uncovers the truth about Ayana, who is exploring her options with Marlon Fields, while trying to end her volatile relationship with her married lover, Jasmine Willowbrook. This reunion also rekindles sexual urges that lead Roxanne into the arms of flamboyant bar owner, Royal T. Roaman. Royal shares a shady past with her fiancé, and once Mark becomes aware of Roxanne’s latest indiscretions, he is unwittingly trapped in a betrayal he believes is of his own volition.
As all of their lives and relationships begin to intertwine, truths are unearthed, infidelities come to light and futures are threatened. If they aren’t careful in their search for LOVE & HAPPINESS, Roxanne, or one of her lovers, may lose everything—including their life.
The sisters’ reunion uncovers the truth about Ayana, who is exploring her options with Marlon Fields, while trying to end her volatile relationship with her married lover, Jasmine Willowbrook. This reunion also rekindles sexual urges that lead Roxanne into the arms of flamboyant bar owner, Royal T. Roaman. Royal shares a shady past with her fiancé, and once Mark becomes aware of Roxanne’s latest indiscretions, he is unwittingly trapped in a betrayal he believes is of his own volition.
As all of their lives and relationships begin to intertwine, truths are unearthed, infidelities come to light and futures are threatened. If they aren’t careful in their search for LOVE & HAPPINESS, Roxanne, or one of her lovers, may lose everything—including their life.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2014
6 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Cuttino
7 books8 followersMichelle Cuttino is the “Queen of Plus-Size Fiction,” and serves as a freelance writer, talk radio host and motivational speaker. She is the President of Big Body Publishing, the premiere publisher for content written by and geared towards plus-size women. She is the author of "Love & Happiness" and "Me & Mrs. Jones," an eBook series adaptation of her screenplay once optioned with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Films. She will be part of an erotica anthology under Zane’s Strebor/Simon & Schuster imprint releasing late 2015.
Cuttino is a plus-size lifestyle blogger, who also blogs about publishing advice and industry events. She is a book reviewer and contributing writer for "African Americans on the Move Book Club," and a columnist at "Proud Times" and "Real Life, Real Faith" magazines. Cuttino is the owner and Executive Producer of Big Body Broadcasting, her BlogTalkRadio network that hosts three unique talk radio shows.
Cuttino’s personal mission is to embrace, enlighten, and empower women—principally plus-size women, but her message is for everyone. You can contact and read more about her at MichelleCuttino.com.
Cuttino is a plus-size lifestyle blogger, who also blogs about publishing advice and industry events. She is a book reviewer and contributing writer for "African Americans on the Move Book Club," and a columnist at "Proud Times" and "Real Life, Real Faith" magazines. Cuttino is the owner and Executive Producer of Big Body Broadcasting, her BlogTalkRadio network that hosts three unique talk radio shows.
Cuttino’s personal mission is to embrace, enlighten, and empower women—principally plus-size women, but her message is for everyone. You can contact and read more about her at MichelleCuttino.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 25, 2014
In this novel, we meet many characters but each one was clearly defined and developed to the point you knew them. The main character, Roxanne Linden was a confused woman who hid so much of her past inside that when confronted by the demons, it overtook her existence and made it hard to cope with everyday living.
Ms. Cuttino brought to light many realistic issues from being a plus sized woman to being uncertain of one’s sexuality. When those issues clashed, it caused an explosion of truths along with the need to be accepted. But in the end, was Roxanne being truthful with herself? Did she find love and happiness?
This was my first read by the author but will not be my last. Very few authors are able to intertwine so many characters in one book without confusing the reader but Ms. Cuttino mastered it by giving a background on each one of them while you are reading the story. The story had a great flow plus the added bonus of the main character being a plus sized lesbian.
One click this book today to be tangled in the web of love, lust and betrayal amongst family and friends.
***A COMPLIMENTARY COPY WAS RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE OF AN HONEST REVIEW ***
Ms. Cuttino brought to light many realistic issues from being a plus sized woman to being uncertain of one’s sexuality. When those issues clashed, it caused an explosion of truths along with the need to be accepted. But in the end, was Roxanne being truthful with herself? Did she find love and happiness?
This was my first read by the author but will not be my last. Very few authors are able to intertwine so many characters in one book without confusing the reader but Ms. Cuttino mastered it by giving a background on each one of them while you are reading the story. The story had a great flow plus the added bonus of the main character being a plus sized lesbian.
One click this book today to be tangled in the web of love, lust and betrayal amongst family and friends.
***A COMPLIMENTARY COPY WAS RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE OF AN HONEST REVIEW ***
December 7, 2014
This book was a page turner from beginning to end. I love the cover because it fits well with the title. The typesetting was good along with the editing.This novel is filled with lies, betrayal, lust, infidelity, and loyalty. Ayana is a woman that has feelings for Jasmine, Marlon, and her stepsister Roxanne. She wants to leave her abusive lover Jasmine alone but is to scared to walk away. Marlon in my opinion was a cover up because she tried her hardest to be with her stepsister. Roxanne on the other hand was in a relationship with Mark who she didn't love but stayed with for the sex.Mark and Royal has one connection and that's his ex finance who Royal hooked on drugs and caused to have an overdose. Now he has to pay Royal money to cover the finances for her funeral. Royal is a user , player, and gets this woman hooked on drugs in order do what he wants. I loved that this book was edited well and that i could relate to the story. I cant wait to read more from the author.
April 28, 2015
Not all roads lead to happiness; sometimes the journey is wrought with twists and turns, struggles, disappointments and disillusion, as Roxanne and Ayana found out. Best friends and step-sisters, Roxy and Yana, have been estranged for years after their secret became known to their parents who promptly evicted them. Thrust into the world of adulthood before they were ready, the girls maneuvered through rocky and sometimes dangerous relationships in the search for freedom, independence, love and acceptance.
Roxanne ran to the arms of Mark, the tender, sweet man who loves her unconditionally. He is every woman’s desire: wealthy, educated, respectful, nice looking and totally in love with her. He accepts her oft times overbearing personality, penchant for flying off the handle, evasiveness and loves her beautiful, full-figured curvaceous self. He does for her what she has never been able to do for herself: love her for who she is. As she sabotages their relationship time and again, she sends him right into the arms of another woman who is all too willing to let him be all the man he is. But will she be able to put aside her philandering ways before she loses the best thing that has ever come into her life?
Ayana is breathtakingly beautiful, intelligent, loyal and broken. As she goes from one abusive relationship to the next, she wonders when true love will find her. Living with regret that the only person who has loved her unconditionally was a forbidden relationship that changed the course of her life for the worst, she accepted what she could get, wherever she could get it. That is until her current abusive, married lover took things too far and her path crossed with the handsome Marlon, a man who could very well be everything she’s been waiting for. After enduring so much abuse, will she be able to embrace the love he offers or will she go back to the dysfunctional patterns she’s become used to?
Michelle Cuttino has written a lively, engaging story laced with humor, depth and very believable, well developed characters. The plot is rich and has enough twists and turns to keep a reader engaged from start to finish. Cuttino tackles taboo subjects with finesse and writes in such a way that the reader sees, and relates to, the humanness of the characters. Love and Happiness is a story about growing up, finding oneself, owning up to one’s truth and embracing love. Throw in the steamy sex scenes and what we have is a definite 5 star book that is worth the read.
____
Reviewed by Tumika
Roxanne ran to the arms of Mark, the tender, sweet man who loves her unconditionally. He is every woman’s desire: wealthy, educated, respectful, nice looking and totally in love with her. He accepts her oft times overbearing personality, penchant for flying off the handle, evasiveness and loves her beautiful, full-figured curvaceous self. He does for her what she has never been able to do for herself: love her for who she is. As she sabotages their relationship time and again, she sends him right into the arms of another woman who is all too willing to let him be all the man he is. But will she be able to put aside her philandering ways before she loses the best thing that has ever come into her life?
Ayana is breathtakingly beautiful, intelligent, loyal and broken. As she goes from one abusive relationship to the next, she wonders when true love will find her. Living with regret that the only person who has loved her unconditionally was a forbidden relationship that changed the course of her life for the worst, she accepted what she could get, wherever she could get it. That is until her current abusive, married lover took things too far and her path crossed with the handsome Marlon, a man who could very well be everything she’s been waiting for. After enduring so much abuse, will she be able to embrace the love he offers or will she go back to the dysfunctional patterns she’s become used to?
Michelle Cuttino has written a lively, engaging story laced with humor, depth and very believable, well developed characters. The plot is rich and has enough twists and turns to keep a reader engaged from start to finish. Cuttino tackles taboo subjects with finesse and writes in such a way that the reader sees, and relates to, the humanness of the characters. Love and Happiness is a story about growing up, finding oneself, owning up to one’s truth and embracing love. Throw in the steamy sex scenes and what we have is a definite 5 star book that is worth the read.
____
Reviewed by Tumika
April 1, 2015
Never Satisfied.
After a complicated past, where they were once lovers, reunited step-sisters, Roxanne and Ayana are now in other relationships.
Roxanne wears the pants in her current relationship with her fiancé Mark, whom she can’t get enough of sexually, but Roxanne refuses to give her whole heart.
Ayana, is involved in an unhealthy lesbian relationship with a married woman, but is also involved with Marlon, who seems to have true feelings for her.
In their search for love and happiness, the allure to rekindle what Roxanne and Ayana once had is still strong but both are just not sure of what they really want.
When bar owner, Royal Roaman is injected into this emotional mix, secrets are revealed and emotions are tested. Ayana and Roxanne’s lives begin to spin out of control leaving casualties in their quest to find LOVE & HAPPINESS.
This was my first read by author Michelle Cuttino and she did an excellent job portraying two women who are confused and insecure about themselves and what they are looking for in life. I found Mark and Royal to be very interesting characters, especially Mark who needed to man the heck up!!
A few minor errors spotted that were probably missed by the proof reader, but nothing distracting.
An excellent story bound by an appealing cover, this is a recommended read.
Locksie
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5
After a complicated past, where they were once lovers, reunited step-sisters, Roxanne and Ayana are now in other relationships.
Roxanne wears the pants in her current relationship with her fiancé Mark, whom she can’t get enough of sexually, but Roxanne refuses to give her whole heart.
Ayana, is involved in an unhealthy lesbian relationship with a married woman, but is also involved with Marlon, who seems to have true feelings for her.
In their search for love and happiness, the allure to rekindle what Roxanne and Ayana once had is still strong but both are just not sure of what they really want.
When bar owner, Royal Roaman is injected into this emotional mix, secrets are revealed and emotions are tested. Ayana and Roxanne’s lives begin to spin out of control leaving casualties in their quest to find LOVE & HAPPINESS.
This was my first read by author Michelle Cuttino and she did an excellent job portraying two women who are confused and insecure about themselves and what they are looking for in life. I found Mark and Royal to be very interesting characters, especially Mark who needed to man the heck up!!
A few minor errors spotted that were probably missed by the proof reader, but nothing distracting.
An excellent story bound by an appealing cover, this is a recommended read.
Locksie
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5
March 2, 2015
Looking for Anybody to Love
In Michelle Cuttino’s “Love & Happiness” the reader just might encounter a recipe for anything but the title. The ups and downs with twists and turns make for a true mix of today’s issues in society.
The main ingredient, Roxanne, may be a success in the business world but seems to be a disaster in other aspects of her life. Roxanne appears sexually confused—to be bisexual or not to be—all the while out enjoying a plethora of assorted flavors. One flavor in particular is her stepsister Ayana. She is gorgeous but equally befuddled. Though Roxanne is somewhat engaged to Mark, she continually attempts to fulfill her inexhaustible exotic palate with men and women. Mark has a few bones rattling in his closet as well.
All of the characters in this story dared to enjoy eating at an orgasmic buffet smothered in lust. The irony of the known to unknown parallels and add-ins created a thick yet muddled icing for a cake sprinkled with murder, assault, domestic abuse, infidelity and black mail to the Nth degree. Readers may find themselves licking the sides of this current urban mixing bowl.
There were slight grammatical errors but overall I enjoyed it.
Reviewed by: KaTina
In Michelle Cuttino’s “Love & Happiness” the reader just might encounter a recipe for anything but the title. The ups and downs with twists and turns make for a true mix of today’s issues in society.
The main ingredient, Roxanne, may be a success in the business world but seems to be a disaster in other aspects of her life. Roxanne appears sexually confused—to be bisexual or not to be—all the while out enjoying a plethora of assorted flavors. One flavor in particular is her stepsister Ayana. She is gorgeous but equally befuddled. Though Roxanne is somewhat engaged to Mark, she continually attempts to fulfill her inexhaustible exotic palate with men and women. Mark has a few bones rattling in his closet as well.
All of the characters in this story dared to enjoy eating at an orgasmic buffet smothered in lust. The irony of the known to unknown parallels and add-ins created a thick yet muddled icing for a cake sprinkled with murder, assault, domestic abuse, infidelity and black mail to the Nth degree. Readers may find themselves licking the sides of this current urban mixing bowl.
There were slight grammatical errors but overall I enjoyed it.
Reviewed by: KaTina
May 21, 2015
Drama Packed
You can find my full review on http://priscillasbookshelf.weebly.com...
A book that doesn't have a dull moment in it. Every page turn was someone getting into something or someone (literally). While it was entertaining to read I had a hard time connecting with 3 of the 4 featured characters. Still I give the author credit for creating four individual voices and the one character that I connected with Ayana I truly enjoyed.
You can find my full review on http://priscillasbookshelf.weebly.com...
A book that doesn't have a dull moment in it. Every page turn was someone getting into something or someone (literally). While it was entertaining to read I had a hard time connecting with 3 of the 4 featured characters. Still I give the author credit for creating four individual voices and the one character that I connected with Ayana I truly enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews