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Lovely Chocolate
Every black Queen has their own story. This is just one of many. Safari’s dark, beautiful black skin wasn’t always perceived as such, which left her with a lot of insecurities throughout her life. Both her and her twin sister, Nandi, had to learn to embrace their natural look. Safari, a Defense Attorney, has earned her place as a successful black lawyer. Despite the world’s depiction of African-American women from what they see on TV, Safari has truly come out on top. Though her success is granted from hard work and discipline, it may all come crashing down when she has to fight for someone’s freedom. It’s not just anyone though, it’s someone she truly cares about. Can Safari hold her head up high while her crown is so heavy? Will she ever appreciate the skin she’s in?
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2017
5 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Rod Ballard
4 books118 followersRod Ballard is an Award-Winning, acclaimed writer, and entrepreneur who is a native of South Carolina. With four published books to his credit, including his newly released title "Back to Slavery," he has been awarded numerous Readers' Favorite 5-Star Editorial Reviews. He has been writing since a kid but took it seriously in 2015. All of Rod's books are available on Amazon Books, Amazon Kindle, Barnes Noble, and many fine online book sites.
Rod is committed to fitness and health, living a positive life, as it is his personal belief that how you keep yourself fit on the outside reflects who you are on the inside. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, movies, and listening to music of various styles but favors Smooth Jazz and R&B.
With one goal of being an award-winning and best-selling author, his next aspiration is to see one of his books come to life on the "silver screens." Rod continues to reside in South Carolina. He enjoys engaging and hearing from his reader fans and welcomes your comments and thoughts. Feel free to connect with Rod by contacting his handles below.
Instagram: @hotrodfit
Twitter: @hotrodfit
Facebook.com/rodwriter
Email: rod.ballard@yahoo.com
Rod is committed to fitness and health, living a positive life, as it is his personal belief that how you keep yourself fit on the outside reflects who you are on the inside. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, movies, and listening to music of various styles but favors Smooth Jazz and R&B.
With one goal of being an award-winning and best-selling author, his next aspiration is to see one of his books come to life on the "silver screens." Rod continues to reside in South Carolina. He enjoys engaging and hearing from his reader fans and welcomes your comments and thoughts. Feel free to connect with Rod by contacting his handles below.
Instagram: @hotrodfit
Twitter: @hotrodfit
Facebook.com/rodwriter
Email: rod.ballard@yahoo.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 25, 2017
Safari is a beautiful black teen who is insecure about her skin tone. While her parents treats her as the queen that she is, she is constantly bullied for being dark skinned. As a twin of a light skin sibling, the two of them are judged for their looks. Safari for being too black, and her sister for being too light skinned, the perceptions of other people have them flawed. It is even more painful that her crush Paul is the main one teasing her about her looks, but Safari cannot help but feel sensitive towards him.
Kyle a business man owner of a barbershop wants his girls to know their worth. Black is beautiful, he will not stand for anyone to talk bad about them, affirming their worth.In love with their skin color, he is grateful that he has also a beautiful queen that believes that black is not a curse but a blessing. As Safari grows more comfortable in her black skin, she meets more people like her in this unforgettable about love, loyalty, and the 'Black Experience'.
Usually I do not say this often after only one book, but this is by far the best book read. There are so many stereotypes about African Americans and their status in society cannot be ignored. Without going into the politics, I am glad the the author reached out to me to read this book. This is not your typical portrayal of women in the media. There is some drama that goes on but only to paint a portrait that black people are valued in society. It was very readable, it was funny, insightful and emotional simultaneously.
Finally a book that treats black people as Queens and Kings, not ghetto, ratchet or thugs.
Kudos to this author, I will be reading more of his work!
Kyle a business man owner of a barbershop wants his girls to know their worth. Black is beautiful, he will not stand for anyone to talk bad about them, affirming their worth.In love with their skin color, he is grateful that he has also a beautiful queen that believes that black is not a curse but a blessing. As Safari grows more comfortable in her black skin, she meets more people like her in this unforgettable about love, loyalty, and the 'Black Experience'.
Usually I do not say this often after only one book, but this is by far the best book read. There are so many stereotypes about African Americans and their status in society cannot be ignored. Without going into the politics, I am glad the the author reached out to me to read this book. This is not your typical portrayal of women in the media. There is some drama that goes on but only to paint a portrait that black people are valued in society. It was very readable, it was funny, insightful and emotional simultaneously.
Finally a book that treats black people as Queens and Kings, not ghetto, ratchet or thugs.
Kudos to this author, I will be reading more of his work!
July 25, 2017
I really enjoyed the message given in this book. Love the skin you're in. I think this writer is coming along nicely , I would suggest maybe trying to use different ways to describe the characters. Make them fuller. Some words and descriptions were over used and there were a number of spelling and grammar errors. I think this writer had the story in his head and it ended up flowing out. Just reread your work and soon you will be a best seller.
August 5, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book and the message within the chapters love the skin you are in and Black is beautiful. In the beginning Safari was very insecure about the color of her skin but matured into a beautiful black successful Queen that learned to appreciate her skin color. Great job author.
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October 10, 2017'Your flavor is the sweetest thing in life...I'm addicted to your chocolate high'
Safari Jackson is a dark skinned beauty that can't see the forest for the trees. She is taunted relentlessly about the hue of her skin...and finds herself hating that which makes her different and beautiful. Safari's twin sister, Nandi, is the total opposite, she is light skinned and she too has to fight because her skin is her sin. The sisters are raised in a two parent home with strong role models that saturate them with love, honesty and courage to love themselves and dare to be unique and cultivate self love. Lovely Chocolate meanders through Safari's last year in high school and her life lessons as she enters the world of adulthood. The editing issues were very noticeable but weren't too much of a distraction. Rod Ballard did a good job with this storyline because it is relevant, while many discount it. Self hate because of the complexion of skin is an age old battle that people of color have yet to rise above, but I love that as much as the girls struggled, their parents pushed them beyond the insignificant. This is a good family read...indeed it is an easy read. 3.58
Safari Jackson is a dark skinned beauty that can't see the forest for the trees. She is taunted relentlessly about the hue of her skin...and finds herself hating that which makes her different and beautiful. Safari's twin sister, Nandi, is the total opposite, she is light skinned and she too has to fight because her skin is her sin. The sisters are raised in a two parent home with strong role models that saturate them with love, honesty and courage to love themselves and dare to be unique and cultivate self love. Lovely Chocolate meanders through Safari's last year in high school and her life lessons as she enters the world of adulthood. The editing issues were very noticeable but weren't too much of a distraction. Rod Ballard did a good job with this storyline because it is relevant, while many discount it. Self hate because of the complexion of skin is an age old battle that people of color have yet to rise above, but I love that as much as the girls struggled, their parents pushed them beyond the insignificant. This is a good family read...indeed it is an easy read. 3.58
July 30, 2017
Encouraging words towards Safari's struggle helped her become a more positive person. Kyle was a wonderful father. Likable characters & realistic situations. Other than the fabrication that Carolina beat Duke, this was an enjoyable read :).
August 13, 2019
I love, love, love the dynamics of this black family! The mother and father have great chemistry with each other as well as with their kids. The father constantly praised his daughters for being beautiful black queens. This story is a great read for adults and young adults. It will show them that even though you are being bullied, those same people who bullied you may grow to become better people in the future.
Two twin sisters one dark skin with natural hair and the other light skin with natural hair deal with bullying in high school. As they go off to college, Safari the darker twin realize her skin and natural hair is admired and it helps build her confidence. I love that the author covered everything from how women with natural hair just break into conversations about our hair in the supermarkets. (It happens a lot:) To even natural hair not being accepted in some workplaces.
Two twin sisters one dark skin with natural hair and the other light skin with natural hair deal with bullying in high school. As they go off to college, Safari the darker twin realize her skin and natural hair is admired and it helps build her confidence. I love that the author covered everything from how women with natural hair just break into conversations about our hair in the supermarkets. (It happens a lot:) To even natural hair not being accepted in some workplaces.
November 30, 2017
Well what can I say... first off I appreciate and value the positive message this author presents. Oftentimes, writers will regurgitate the stereotypes of African Americans and give storylines that keep us reliving the hardships. However, the refreshing twist this story brings show a positive and uplifting perspective despite the self-image struggles within some Black women. The resiliency, strengths, dedication, and Black love that the author brings made me feel that Black girl magic in which I too have! A great, refreshing, positive read! Well done!!
October 14, 2017
Wow
I must say the author had me ready to track him and down and put him in a head lock. I was upset, but it all worked out. I so enjoyed this book. The title says it all, we are some lovely people in all shades.
I must say the author had me ready to track him and down and put him in a head lock. I was upset, but it all worked out. I so enjoyed this book. The title says it all, we are some lovely people in all shades.
May 11, 2021
Lovely Chocolate
It was off to a slow start for me at first. I continue reading and found the twin sisters to be ambitious. That was very becoming. The ladies followed their paths to reach goals of becoming a lawyer and business owner. I will read other works by author Rod Ballard.
5/11/2021.
It was off to a slow start for me at first. I continue reading and found the twin sisters to be ambitious. That was very becoming. The ladies followed their paths to reach goals of becoming a lawyer and business owner. I will read other works by author Rod Ballard.
5/11/2021.
June 26, 2020
The message on this book was AMAZING and inspirational.
The story was good, but predictable.
This book could have used a better editor; there were so many spelling and grammatical errors that it was cringe-worthy and detracted from the overall story.
I rate this book 3.5 stars ⭐️.
The story was good, but predictable.
This book could have used a better editor; there were so many spelling and grammatical errors that it was cringe-worthy and detracted from the overall story.
I rate this book 3.5 stars ⭐️.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews