Skyscraper

by Zane

Most corporations hand out bonus checks or gift certificates for Christmas, but Wolfe Industries hands out drama. Skyscraper chronicles the week before the annual Christmas party at Wolfe Industries, an African American-owned automobile manufacturer.

Chico, a nineteen-year-old mail-room clerk who still lives with his overprotective mother, is the typical young man when it comes to sex. He doesn't turn it down. So, when Zetta Wolfe, the wife of CEO Tomalis Wolfe, attempts to seduce him, he jumps at the opportunity. Meanwhile, Anastasia, a twenty-five-year-old secretary, along with her best friend and coworker, Shakia, spends her nights in the secret penthouse maintained by Wolfe executives for partying and wild sex. She has higher aspirations though -- she wants to be the next wife of the CEO. Tomalis has never actually participated in the in-office sexual activities, but Anastasia plans to seduce him by the end of the year.

Diana, a thirty-five-year-old single mother is frustrated with her current position as an executive assistant. Every time she approaches her boss, Bradford, about the possibility of a promotion, he makes her promises that he never keeps. Meanwhile, Edmund, a parking-garage attendant, has the hots for her, but she won't give him the time of day. That is until two of her girlfriends drag her to a holiday cabaret and she discovers another sexier side to this blue-collar man.

The week leading up to the Wolfe Industries annual Christmas party is unforgettable, as the lives of four people who have barely interacted with one another in the past begin to cross paths in the most disturbing ways. By the time the party is over, they will be lucky if the skyscraper is still standing.

Genres: Erotica, Romance, African American, Adult, Fiction, Urban, Adult Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Zane is the New York Times bestselling author of Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, Dear G-Spot, Gettin’ Buck Wild, The Hot Box, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Nervous, Skyscraper, Love is Never Painless, Shame on It All, and The Sisters of APF; the ebook short stories “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Everything Fades Away”; and editor for the Flava anthology series, including Z-Rated and Busy Bodies. Her TV series, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, and The Jump Off are featured on Cinemax, and her bestselling novel Addicted is a major motion picture with Lionsgate Films. She is the publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster. Visit her online at EroticaNoir.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Z...

Reviews

[Kendyll G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was okay .... an easy read but the ending was rushed.

[Juliana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bailed after 20 pages. I was curious about the author after her name came up several times in discussions of erotica/romance at Wiscon and elsewhere, particularly in conjunctions with controversies (e.g. whether libraries should have her books, whether her books were positive depictions of sexuality, whether issues of race were handled responsibly, etc). Having read the introduction, it seems clear to me that the author is making a distinction between what might be fun for some as fantasy, versus what is real and responsible (it would be interesting to see what she says in her more advice-oriented books, as opposed to her fiction). However, the fantasies she's writing about really aren't my cup of tea, so I'll take a pass on her unless something is specifically recommended to me.

[Ebony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not her best. I didn't remember even reading this book until I started reading it again. It was so forgettable that even tho it was all too familiar as I read, I still couldn't remember what happened next until I actually read it. Ok story but not one that I would recommend.

[Lakeshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Its funny as hell and has the right dose of spice.

[Chasity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!!! It kept me excited all the way through. Another smash by the most popular Zane!

[Jas Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. I felt like I made it too far to not finish. However, I did like the structure of the story & how it had the perspectives from the main characters.

[Philly Purplelicious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skyscraper by Zane was a very touching book because in this book someone dies and at the time that I read this book my aunt Missy was dieing. This book made me feel so much better about my Aunt's death. The person that died in the book was very close to one of the characters in the book and when he died his heart was broken. After his death some how he found some strength from his best friends death and was able to move on.

By me reading this book I was able to gain strength to move on just like one of the characters in the book. In this book the main character showed me how to be strong. He taught me that just because someone dies doesn’t mean that the world ends. In reality the world beginnings when that loved one is no longer here. They start a new life that is so much happier and free of drama. He also showed me that just because they are not here in body they are with you in spirit.

I will always remember this book and when every I need some encouragement I can read "Skyscraper" again. Yes this book has sex in it but I got something else out of the book other than sex. I got something more important "STRENGTH". I was able to hold my head up after the death of my dear loving Aunt Missy. I was able to be strong for my family. I was able to continue out my Aunt's dream of becoming a successful woman.

So if people asked me is Skyscraper is a great book to read I would tell them that it is a great book to read. This book can really help you out in the time of need. It can really help you when you need some encouragement just the way it did for me. I really love this book. I would read it everyday if I could.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This became a book I had to force myself to skim through to the end. I picked it up because the jacket called it a "boldly erotic novel" and I was intrigued. Erotic it was not. At least, not the definition of erotic I use when choosing such novels. The sex was almost non-existent and the characters cardboard. The only thing I found mildly amusing was Tomalis's smackdown of his cheating wife at the end.

I gave it an extra star because of the amusing "Sex Games from A-Z" add-on at the end of the novel.

[Karma Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed to add a little humor and raunchy-ness to my holidays! The employees of Wolfe Industries sure know how to keep the office interesting. The characters were colorful and I would be pleased if the mother and daughter had a spin-off of their own! The antics of them alone could fill-up another book. If you are looking for a fun, easy, humorous read to enjoy this is it. Goes perfect with EGGNOG ,)

[Suninthetwelfthhouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started reading this and the lack luster beginning made me upset, even years after the initial read, this book was just a filler in a series of other very well written books by Zane. This was a disappointment as in EVERY LINE WAS A SEX SCENE, not one ounce of plot worth reading. The concept was there but in comparison to her other works that had some emotion attached to it, this book floundered on the list of good. Lucky I gave two stars.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like that Zane breaks up the story by telling several characters point of view.

[KC Chapa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...that about sums up my review.

[Renee West · Rating 1 out of 5]

aight. stupid fucking book, story and characters. erotic? uhhh...no.

[Kyra Hahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Office politics with splashes of sex!

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandma reads these books to me! (She wonders why I have problems now)

[Annalicia Taylur || pagesescape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the first book that I've ever read and hated so many of the characters with a passion. I catch my hatred in the middle of the book but by the end of the book, my hate for them changed. Overall, this book was amazing and I definitely recommend it. A detailed review will be posted on my blog gurwithaonetrackmind.blogspot.com

[miahslittlelibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good easygoing read. Not the best spicy book I’ve read but not the worst either. I enjoyed that the book was written using different language/scenarios then normal erotic books but felt like it was a bit rushed. I did also like that there were multiple POVs so I didn’t feel myself getting bored after each chapter or section. Had some spicy scenes but nothing too crazy.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to revisit Zane after I watched Mea Culpa and had a discussion with my sister about Black erotica. Surprisingly, I had not read this one and decided to give it a try. This book was a train wreck, and on one hand, I appreciate the sheer absurdities of it all, and on the other, I am happy that the genre has moved forward and beyond an OG like Zane.

[Megan Dew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Zane so I always search first for her books because she mixes erotica and humor so perfectly. I enjoyed this book and it was a real easy read. The story grabs you from the beginning because Zane always brings the drama! If you love Zane you will love this book!

[Roger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even before the shallow and stereotypical characters the idea that a luxury car company owned by a black man could be based in Washington DC where there are no skyscrapers should have been a warning. Combine a ridiculous plot with racist characters and you’ve got a moronic book.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bought this book as part of a grab bag of discarded books at a public library - 10 books in a bag for a dollar. Since I adhere to the booklovers creed, "If I buy it, I must read it", I read it. Not my cup of tea at all and I'll just leave it at that.

[Laury Tucker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read. It had a lot of drama, but I felt unsatisfied with the storyline. There are a lot of characters in this story. They all intertwined with one main character. It was rushed and felt like an unsatisfied quickie.

[PanaRican Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane is my #1 favorite Erotica novelist. Relatable situations & characters. A real page turner. I’m never disappointed when I read any of her books. Once you start reading Zane’s novels, You will not want to stop! Zane will have you try’n to spice up your relationship.

[Briana Foreman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really care for this book. I grew on work Zane so I bought this because I was feel nostalgic. This book wasn’t it the ending was rushed and it was too many stories at once. It wasn’t hard to follow but it just wasn’t good.

[tygotthereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babyyy! This book had me on the edge of my seat literally lol, the different POV’s made this book very interesting but truly enjoyed all the different perspectives. This book was a great read, everyone got what they deserved in the end.

[♥ Shahera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me glued to it . I laughed from the first few chapters to the end. The characters Chico, Tomalis, Anastasia and Diana all had things with them. Zane did not hold back at all lol. She kept the book interesting and funny at the same time. I really enjoyed this book. 😁

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

#SummerOfBonkbusters

A perfect beach/vacation read. Quick, smutty, with a good sense of humor- often at the expense of women, plenty of slut shaming addressed at men and women- tidy wrap up ending.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Megh.
I struggled to begin reading the book. I expected much more due to the reviews. Ive read better. Dont waste your time.

[Brooklynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it

[De' Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane never disappoints.