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The Buzz
What Happens When A Celebrity Gossiper And The Celebrity Come Face To Face?
Do you enjoy gossip blogs? Celebrity entertainment and fodder? Well look no further! The Buzz brings celebrity gossip to fiction!
Ebony Jenkins has exactly what most women are seeking - a good looking devoted boyfriend, a flourishing business and a beautiful little girl. But what people don't know is how she mixed hard work and deception to maintain the celebrity lifestyle she tries to emulate.
Brought on by her desire to over-compensate for what she didn't have as a child, Ebony has become an Internet addict obsessed with pop culture, the world of entertainment, and their riches.
Things are going great for Ebony until she suspects her up and coming rapper boyfriend Buzz could be dating the newest entertainment R&B phenomenon Arika. Ebony's obsession with celebrity gossip and dislike of all things popular in the media fuels her revenge on Arika and sends her on an all out Internet mission to ruin Arika's blossoming career. But as she's swept up in exposing Arika's flaws and maintaining her faux celebrity lifestyle, Ebony uncovers some skeletons of her own.
Rolling Out Magazine says, "Stefanie Newell fully understands America's growing obsession with celebrity chat!"
The Buzz delivers a page turning momentum sure to keep you up at night!
Purchase your copy and find out exactly what happens when the celebrity gossiper meets the celebrity! You won't believe it!
Do you enjoy gossip blogs? Celebrity entertainment and fodder? Well look no further! The Buzz brings celebrity gossip to fiction!
Ebony Jenkins has exactly what most women are seeking - a good looking devoted boyfriend, a flourishing business and a beautiful little girl. But what people don't know is how she mixed hard work and deception to maintain the celebrity lifestyle she tries to emulate.
Brought on by her desire to over-compensate for what she didn't have as a child, Ebony has become an Internet addict obsessed with pop culture, the world of entertainment, and their riches.
Things are going great for Ebony until she suspects her up and coming rapper boyfriend Buzz could be dating the newest entertainment R&B phenomenon Arika. Ebony's obsession with celebrity gossip and dislike of all things popular in the media fuels her revenge on Arika and sends her on an all out Internet mission to ruin Arika's blossoming career. But as she's swept up in exposing Arika's flaws and maintaining her faux celebrity lifestyle, Ebony uncovers some skeletons of her own.
Rolling Out Magazine says, "Stefanie Newell fully understands America's growing obsession with celebrity chat!"
The Buzz delivers a page turning momentum sure to keep you up at night!
Purchase your copy and find out exactly what happens when the celebrity gossiper meets the celebrity! You won't believe it!
- GenresUrban
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2008
5 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 5, 2009
Ebony Jenkins is a beautiful, sassy young woman who knows what she wants and does exactly what it takes to get it. Her plush, upscale salon, designer clothes, and flashy jewelry are testaments to her determination to live the high life. Ebony makes sure that her daughter, Shonda, has the best of everything and her boyfriend is groomed for success. But, this boastful beauty has a dark side and those that are closest to her suffer the most.
With an internet addiction, only matched by her obsession with material processions, Ebony allows the luring world of celebrity gossip to rule and ultimately ruin her life. As Buzz, Ebony's boyfriend and surrogate father to Shonda, begins to focus more on his career, Ebony becomes increasingly acrimonious and jealous. With misguiding advice from her best friend, Trina, she destroys her relationship with her jealousy, selfishness, and greed.
When Buzz meets Arika, a hot new R&B singer on the Chicago scene, they spark an immediate connection, despite Ebony's compulsive hatred of the young star. Ebony, determined to get her man back and end Buzz's newfound love, constructs an elaborate scheme to destroy Arika's career using the internet message boards and pop culture's undeniable thirst for celebrity dirt. But just when she thought her plan would succeed, some of her deepest secrets reach the surface and her life quickly spirals out of control.
Stephanie Newell's, THE BUZZ, is a quick and entertaining debut. It succeeded in holding my attention with well-defined characters and an underlying message about life's values. The characters were believable and the story was engaging. At times I felt the author was a bit verbose in explaining the story, giving more information than was needed, which in turn caused some repetition. Additionally, the novel may have benefited from more dialogue from the characters and less narration. Overall, I recommend this novel to those looking for a light and somewhat humorous read.
Reviewed by Monique D. Mensah
for The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
With an internet addiction, only matched by her obsession with material processions, Ebony allows the luring world of celebrity gossip to rule and ultimately ruin her life. As Buzz, Ebony's boyfriend and surrogate father to Shonda, begins to focus more on his career, Ebony becomes increasingly acrimonious and jealous. With misguiding advice from her best friend, Trina, she destroys her relationship with her jealousy, selfishness, and greed.
When Buzz meets Arika, a hot new R&B singer on the Chicago scene, they spark an immediate connection, despite Ebony's compulsive hatred of the young star. Ebony, determined to get her man back and end Buzz's newfound love, constructs an elaborate scheme to destroy Arika's career using the internet message boards and pop culture's undeniable thirst for celebrity dirt. But just when she thought her plan would succeed, some of her deepest secrets reach the surface and her life quickly spirals out of control.
Stephanie Newell's, THE BUZZ, is a quick and entertaining debut. It succeeded in holding my attention with well-defined characters and an underlying message about life's values. The characters were believable and the story was engaging. At times I felt the author was a bit verbose in explaining the story, giving more information than was needed, which in turn caused some repetition. Additionally, the novel may have benefited from more dialogue from the characters and less narration. Overall, I recommend this novel to those looking for a light and somewhat humorous read.
Reviewed by Monique D. Mensah
for The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
November 22, 2009
What's the Buzz All About,
That's the question everyone is going to want the answer to. "The Buzz" is a story that focuses on Buzz, an up-and-coming rapper who's trying to get a record deal; his live-in girlfriend, Ebony, who is the owner of an upscale beauty salon in a trendy Chicago neighborhood; their daughter, Shonda; and rounding out the mix is Arika, the latest R&B sensation. Buzz is a devoted father and works hard to keep his family's home life as comfortable as possible. On the other hand, Ebony is a diva and dislikes anyone who can outshine her, celebrities included. Arika has worked hard to achieve her success. She's pretty and talented, just the right mix of things to make Ebony dislike her.
Ebony lives for gossip and she's addicted to some of the Internet chat rooms. She's not above starting celebrity rumors herself. Ebony thinks she's a celebrity and she's determined not to let anyone, even her best friend Trina, share her spotlight.
"The Buzz" is a very enjoyable book. The plot grabs you, and then the interaction between the characters draws you in. The author gives us the background on each character in detail. This helps you understand each character's personality and why they behave the way they do. This is what makes the book outstanding. "The Buzz" is a must read. Solid debut.
Reviewed by: Anna
That's the question everyone is going to want the answer to. "The Buzz" is a story that focuses on Buzz, an up-and-coming rapper who's trying to get a record deal; his live-in girlfriend, Ebony, who is the owner of an upscale beauty salon in a trendy Chicago neighborhood; their daughter, Shonda; and rounding out the mix is Arika, the latest R&B sensation. Buzz is a devoted father and works hard to keep his family's home life as comfortable as possible. On the other hand, Ebony is a diva and dislikes anyone who can outshine her, celebrities included. Arika has worked hard to achieve her success. She's pretty and talented, just the right mix of things to make Ebony dislike her.
Ebony lives for gossip and she's addicted to some of the Internet chat rooms. She's not above starting celebrity rumors herself. Ebony thinks she's a celebrity and she's determined not to let anyone, even her best friend Trina, share her spotlight.
"The Buzz" is a very enjoyable book. The plot grabs you, and then the interaction between the characters draws you in. The author gives us the background on each character in detail. This helps you understand each character's personality and why they behave the way they do. This is what makes the book outstanding. "The Buzz" is a must read. Solid debut.
Reviewed by: Anna
April 12, 2010
If you want a hot, juicy, hit-em-up-style book that will leave you breathless, run--do not walk--to your nearest book store and get The Buzz. It’s been a long time since I was totally satisfied with something I read. I kept asking myself: How can The Woman Who Has It All never seem to have enough? Ebony Jenkins is that woman: young and fly, she’s a successful self-made business woman who started from nothing yet now runs one of Chicago’s hottest beauty salons. The beautiful and always stylishly dressed Ebony also has a daughter who comes with a hefty child support payment via a previous relationship with a well known football star, and a current flame/fiancé who’s on the verge of Rap Superstardom. So what’s her deal? Why is this woman, who has more at her tender age than most of us will see in three lifetimes, so woefully insecure, and vindictive?
Chalk it up to her humble beginnings. Ebony had one of those mothers who Got Fly at her daughter’s expense; and Ebony will never forget the years and years of teasing she endured as a ragamuffin. Instead of feeling blessed however, Ebony is constantly on the lookout for her next acquisition, all while being a Relentless Hator in the process. Take her man Buzz for instance. Recognizing Buzz’s potential early on, while they were still in high school, Ebony quickly attached herself to his star, yet finds herself impatient for his Big Break. It appears she doesn’t even like him very much: she don’t cook, she don’t clean, and she barely pays Buzz much attention when he’s around. All Ebony’s concerned with is when the millions will start rolling in. Even Ebony’s anger at Buzz’s late nights spent in the studio seems motivated more by not wanting to lose her “investment” than any real love she may have for Buzz. Buzz "ain’t the one" though; and fed up with Ebony’s abuse, he Exits: Stage Left.
Buzz isn’t the only one on the Crappy End of Ebony’s Stick. Her best friend Trina’s only role in life seems to be to make Ebony look good by default. And Ebony’s days are spent trolling the Internet posting hate filled diatribes on any prominent female star with more apparent “Shine” than Ebony herself, the latest being an up-and-coming R&B singer named Arika. The hotter Arika gets the uglier Ebony’s posts become. So imagine her ire when the newly single Buzz pops up with…you guessed it: Arika in the flesh. The Crap hits the Fan with more ferocity than one human should be able to muster, but somewhere along the path to ruining both Buzz and Arika, Ebony’s plans blow up in her face, and everyone has a hand in what happens next.
I received The Buzz as a book swap with the author: I’ll read her book if she’ll read mine. To be perfectly honest, the number one reason I wanted to read this book was the cover photo. It looks exactly like I pictured a couple of my characters: two of the three sisters in this girl group DNA I wrote about in my book This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story. The other reason is it’s about the Music Industry, which I also write about and have a Real Love for. And I have to say Ms Newell got the Industry life down cold . The book has an authentic feel that only someone involved with, or enamored with, the Industry could recreate (like this writer, Ms Newell has a son who produces music--Shameless Plug Alert: my son Papi Hey of 2 Gran Productions has four mix tapes coming out this year). Her characters are so richly drawn that the entire time you're hating Ebony, you also understand why she’s The Way She Is; and you feel sorry for her. The drama is outrageous: so over-the-top you’ll have to pick your jaw up off the floor. And even though the ending could never happen in real life, for the very reason it caused so much trouble in the story, it’s just so perfect for this book that you don’t even care. Aside from the very very very small fact that Ms Newell italicized song titles when they’re supposed to be in quotes (it’s album titles that get italicized), I have absolutely nothing to complain about. In fact, I guarantee I will read it again.
I loved this book.
Go get it.
Chalk it up to her humble beginnings. Ebony had one of those mothers who Got Fly at her daughter’s expense; and Ebony will never forget the years and years of teasing she endured as a ragamuffin. Instead of feeling blessed however, Ebony is constantly on the lookout for her next acquisition, all while being a Relentless Hator in the process. Take her man Buzz for instance. Recognizing Buzz’s potential early on, while they were still in high school, Ebony quickly attached herself to his star, yet finds herself impatient for his Big Break. It appears she doesn’t even like him very much: she don’t cook, she don’t clean, and she barely pays Buzz much attention when he’s around. All Ebony’s concerned with is when the millions will start rolling in. Even Ebony’s anger at Buzz’s late nights spent in the studio seems motivated more by not wanting to lose her “investment” than any real love she may have for Buzz. Buzz "ain’t the one" though; and fed up with Ebony’s abuse, he Exits: Stage Left.
Buzz isn’t the only one on the Crappy End of Ebony’s Stick. Her best friend Trina’s only role in life seems to be to make Ebony look good by default. And Ebony’s days are spent trolling the Internet posting hate filled diatribes on any prominent female star with more apparent “Shine” than Ebony herself, the latest being an up-and-coming R&B singer named Arika. The hotter Arika gets the uglier Ebony’s posts become. So imagine her ire when the newly single Buzz pops up with…you guessed it: Arika in the flesh. The Crap hits the Fan with more ferocity than one human should be able to muster, but somewhere along the path to ruining both Buzz and Arika, Ebony’s plans blow up in her face, and everyone has a hand in what happens next.
I received The Buzz as a book swap with the author: I’ll read her book if she’ll read mine. To be perfectly honest, the number one reason I wanted to read this book was the cover photo. It looks exactly like I pictured a couple of my characters: two of the three sisters in this girl group DNA I wrote about in my book This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story. The other reason is it’s about the Music Industry, which I also write about and have a Real Love for. And I have to say Ms Newell got the Industry life down cold . The book has an authentic feel that only someone involved with, or enamored with, the Industry could recreate (like this writer, Ms Newell has a son who produces music--Shameless Plug Alert: my son Papi Hey of 2 Gran Productions has four mix tapes coming out this year). Her characters are so richly drawn that the entire time you're hating Ebony, you also understand why she’s The Way She Is; and you feel sorry for her. The drama is outrageous: so over-the-top you’ll have to pick your jaw up off the floor. And even though the ending could never happen in real life, for the very reason it caused so much trouble in the story, it’s just so perfect for this book that you don’t even care. Aside from the very very very small fact that Ms Newell italicized song titles when they’re supposed to be in quotes (it’s album titles that get italicized), I have absolutely nothing to complain about. In fact, I guarantee I will read it again.
I loved this book.
Go get it.
April 2, 2015
Millennial Hip Hop Fairytale
This book was more about dreams, those fulfilled, those deferred, and those realized at the expense of others, than it it was about hip hop. Sure, the lead male character Buzz is an aspiring hip hop artist. And the author definitely gave us a lot of inside information on "The Beat Shack" and the creative process. But at its core, this was a character driven book about what we want, the sacrifices we will make or how far we will go to achieve those wants.
The story was especially fun for a reader, like myself, who soaks up pop culture and are voyeurs of the often salacious nature of the celebrity rumor mill. It's moved quickly and kept you rooting for one character or another.
However, there were two main problems that I had with Ms. Newell's story. The first was her subtitle, "When celebrity Gossip Goes Wrong" being such a small part of the greater story. And the second was that her characters were so black and white.
In her telling the story from multiple perspectives, there was no consistent thread with the "celebrity gossip" because there was really only one character who participated in that aspect of the story. There was a whole lot of lying and rumors, but the effect on celebrity was fairly limited.
As for the characters, there is no person that is all good or all bad. And in her story telling, the author did not allow us to draw our own conclusions about who was supposed to be the good guys, the bad guys, the prince, or the princess. So, in making the characters so black or white, the story became too predictable as it neared it's climax through to the finish.
I rated this story a 3 out of 5 because I enjoyed the fun of it. I was in the beauty shop with everyone else listening to the gossip. I fist bumped with the "good guys" and shook my finger at the bad ones. And when I put it down, I was satisfied that the story, however predictable, ended like a fairy tale for grown ups. And sometimes, that's just fine.
This book was more about dreams, those fulfilled, those deferred, and those realized at the expense of others, than it it was about hip hop. Sure, the lead male character Buzz is an aspiring hip hop artist. And the author definitely gave us a lot of inside information on "The Beat Shack" and the creative process. But at its core, this was a character driven book about what we want, the sacrifices we will make or how far we will go to achieve those wants.
The story was especially fun for a reader, like myself, who soaks up pop culture and are voyeurs of the often salacious nature of the celebrity rumor mill. It's moved quickly and kept you rooting for one character or another.
However, there were two main problems that I had with Ms. Newell's story. The first was her subtitle, "When celebrity Gossip Goes Wrong" being such a small part of the greater story. And the second was that her characters were so black and white.
In her telling the story from multiple perspectives, there was no consistent thread with the "celebrity gossip" because there was really only one character who participated in that aspect of the story. There was a whole lot of lying and rumors, but the effect on celebrity was fairly limited.
As for the characters, there is no person that is all good or all bad. And in her story telling, the author did not allow us to draw our own conclusions about who was supposed to be the good guys, the bad guys, the prince, or the princess. So, in making the characters so black or white, the story became too predictable as it neared it's climax through to the finish.
I rated this story a 3 out of 5 because I enjoyed the fun of it. I was in the beauty shop with everyone else listening to the gossip. I fist bumped with the "good guys" and shook my finger at the bad ones. And when I put it down, I was satisfied that the story, however predictable, ended like a fairy tale for grown ups. And sometimes, that's just fine.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews