An insightful and dramatic novel of women’s friendship, feuds, and fame as a 1990s pop music group, reminiscent of Destiny’s Child, reunites for a second shot at mega-success and must deal with both the new demands of today’s social media and the same old traps of yesterday. Perfect for fans of Terry McMillan and Sheila Williams.
Angel. Carmen. Doreen. Jade. Talented Memphis girls who had a brush with pop music fame—guided by Carmen's warm-hearted mother. But when she was elbowed out for a bigger manager, Carmen walked too. The bitter breakup shattered the Diamonds' never-easy “sisterhood” —and cost them the big-time Now a reunion offers a fresh start, just as mid-life struggles are pushing all four to the brink.
Angel hopes to reignite her failing solo career, but her insatiable ego keeps getting in the way. . . . Carmen was the group's peacemaker, but with her son in serious trouble, she’s run out of patience. . . . Doreen longs to recapture the highs of performing, minus the drug haze—even as it risks her life as a pastor’s wife. . . . And Jade, always the wallflower, is determined to get recognized this time around.
As the women contend with the new and overwhelming demands of celebrity, they find that the old traps have stayed the same. Can they ever reach true sisterhood—and help each other become the sparkling gems they were meant to be?
Ms. Dixon is the author of the novels, Forty Acres, Down Home Blues, Intermission and A Taste for More. She is also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul. She is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has also lived in Minneapolis, Houston, and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She now calls Memphis, Tennessee home. She is a former bank regulator and book store owner. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has three adult children. When not reading or writing, she enjoys classic movies, old school R&B and chocolate.
This was a quick and easy read but, the story itself was very predictable and underwhelming. The story of The Diamonds is told through the point of view of each member, with two (maybe 3) chapters told by them as a group. Jade, Carmen, Doreen, Angel, and Ms. Gloria really give you Xscape, plus Mama Joyce or, Destiny's Child, plus Ms. Tina.
One of my biggest issues with the story is, how quickly the pacing of the chapters - it all seemed rushed and I had no concept of the timing of the story. I had to go back often just to verify that the story had moved forward a month or two, or three.
Another issue is, when we jump to the present-day Diamonds, what year is the present day? The prologue says that the original group got together in 1991, then six years later they were stars and preparing to tour internationally when Carmen quits, this would be 1997. Then 20 years later is 2017 and the story runs for a little over a year, let's say 2 (I think). By my math, if it's 2019 and Doreen is 40, then in 1991, she would have been 12! Something about the timeline is throwing me off.
Final thoughts: It reads like a Tyler Perry play or film. Lots of emphasis on God even when it's borderline ridiculous. "God is the best lawyer. We just need to pray," that is a direct quote.
Felt like I was reading a (D list) reality tv show, “Intermission” started by giving me the vibe of a certain “surviving” girl group, but then quickly flipped to a production of stars that were no longer living amongst the bright lights. Well written, but a bit slow, “Intermission” had a little story line reminiscent of all the usual star drama. A few too many characters, made it difficult to keep the storylines straight in the beginning but by mid book I was able to mentally correlate them with each story. I was pleased with how the author went off the beaten path for a bit, but disappointed that she still went with a happily ever after. Good book, decent drama, 4 stars.
If you want to read a book that will make you hate men, this is the one for you. You’ve got the husband who lies to his wife about getting a vasectomy, the husband who is cheating on his wife with his coworker, the new boyfriend with an incredibly weak and reactive ego, the music producer who beats up his talent, and the kid who gets in trouble with the law and still wants to act like a punk going out to clubs. The married booty call. And the hair stylist “friend” who still needs to be paid while his client goes through bankruptcy. I struggled to find a single likable male in the entire 356 page book. To the point where I had to put it down and breathe off the rage. And the fact that 3/4 characters were miserable in their lives because they followed traditional paths and were subservient to their men/families… I got the big icks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was just not it. Described as a story of a 90s girl group reuniting for an anniversary tour, there are only maybe 3 chapters actually talking (very vaguely & quickly) about them attempting the reunion. Every chapter is disconnected, the dialogue is forced, to the point, & unrealistic, and the book makes unexplained or unclarified time jumps constantly. I had high hopes but this was a slog to read and absolutely nothing exciting or engaging happened the whole book.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the blurb for this novel, Dreamgirls meets Waiting to Exhale by way of Destiny's Child and was not entirely disappointed. Any child of the 90s who enjoyed these will like this book.
I had to DNF this book. I felt like the character voices were all so similar that it was hard to follow the different storylines. It took way too long to get into the premise and by then I was over it. I wanted to like this book so much more.
This book is about a talented all-girl pop group from Memphis, was poised for 1990s stardom until betrayal tore them apart. Now, years later, fate has brought them back together for a second chance at success.It weaves a compelling narrative of four women grappling with their past, present, and future in the cutthroat music industry. Amidst lasting secrets, unspoken betrayals, and new temptations, this story immerses readers in a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with drama, passion, and the pursuit of dreams.
The heart of the novel lies in its richly developed characters, each distinctly unique, with their strengths, weaknesses, and complexities. Angel, the ambitious diva of the group, exudes talent but struggles with her own insatiable ego, a flaw that proves to be a major obstacle in her solo career. Carmen, once the group's peacemaker, now faces personal challenges as a mother, testing her patience and resolve. Doreen, the former drug-addicted member, now a pastor's wife, yearns to recapture her passion for performing without compromising her newfound stability. Lastly, there's Jade, the wallflower of the group, whose determination to be recognized ignites a journey of self-discovery.
The novel skillfully explores the complexities of female friendships, especially when fame and ambition come into play. The dynamics among the four women are palpable, and the intricacies of their "sisterhood" make for a captivating and emotionally charged narrative. The author's portrayal of their past and present interactions beautifully illustrates the evolution of their relationships and the scars that linger from past betrayals.
The story effortlessly transports readers into the glitzy and unforgiving world of the modern music industry. The challenges faced by the characters, both old and new, feel authentic and relatable. As they navigate the demands of celebrity, the narrative delves into the price of fame, the pressure to conform, and the compromises one must make to stay afloat in an ever-changing landscape.
The author's prose is engaging and evocative, drawing readers deep into the emotional lives of the characters. The dialogue feels natural, and the descriptions of performances and behind-the-scenes struggles paint vivid pictures in the readers' minds.
This is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the power of friendship. It captures the essence of personal growth, the pursuit of dreams, and the courage to confront one's past to shape a better future. The conclusion offers a satisfying resolution that feels authentic and believable.
Overall this book is a captivating and emotionally charged read that will resonate with anyone who has faced adversity while striving for success. With its relatable characters, well-constructed plot, and a touch of nostalgia for 1990s pop music, this book is a compelling page-turner that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next note in the journey of The Diamonds.
I picked up Intermission because I was curious what compelled judges to award it a local literary prize.
Full disclosure: the story, characters, and pop-lit genre of Intermission are not my usual jam. And as an old, white dude, I recognize that I am clearly not the target audience for this book. That being said, in keeping with my commitment to "full disclosure", I kind of liked this book.
Yes, it’s somewhat trite, full of stereotypes, and a bit fluffy, but it was an easy read, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t look forward to picking it up each time. Don’t ask me why…I’m still not sure.
What I didn’t like was the author’s choice to focus each successive chapter on a different character (Ch 1: Carmen, Ch 2: Angel, Ch 3: Jade, Ch 4: Doreen, Ch 5: Carmen, Ch 6: Jade, and so on). Not only does this device make it difficult for the reader to keep a mental timeline of events, but it is also challenges the reader to keep track of all the secondary characters—spouses, boyfriends, children, friends, family, etc.—from chapter to chapter. Additionally, I didn’t like that every man in the story was portrayed as a POS. Even the one man who showed promise turned out to be an inconsiderate prick. Maybe that's payback for a history of women in literature being portrayed unfavorably. Lastly, the dialogue was a real distraction. It seemed forced and unrealistic, and every woman in the book sounded just like the others. Bleh!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out what it was about the book that interested me. Maybe this book begins to explain (to me, at least) the popularity of “beach reads.” Hmm…
The Diamonds, are successful girl group from Memphis, TN . The members of Diamond are Jade, Angel, Doreen, Carmen, a diverse group of women who come from different walks of life. Carmen makes the decision to leave the group, which results into a 20 year hiatus for Diamond. In the 90’s, Diamond was on the brink of stardom when everything suddenly crumbled due to drama within the group. This book showcases the perspective of each group member and what they have been up to for the past 20 years. Most of the members have put the reason for their breakup on Angel, whose flamboyant personality can be a bit much to deal with. Each woman has gone through their own issues, but they will soon be brought back together when Angel sets up a 20 year anniversary reunion tour. As the story unfolds, readers truly get to see who actually was the cause behind the break-up for Diamond and maybe Angel is not the reason as to why financial issues occurred within the group.
The Diamonds were one of the biggest girl groups in the 90s who disbanded right at their peak. 20 years have passed and a lot has changed for each of them. But is a reunion a possibility? Angel’s seeking to kick start her solo career, Carmen’s family fall into trouble, Jade’s hoping for more recognition this time around and Doreen wants a second chance to enjoy the life without the drugs. Will things help or hinder reconnecting?
This book was definitely different to what I initially anticipated - a fluffy story about an old girl group of the 90s like Destiny’s Child or TLC. Instead I got something much better - 4 women with real life complexities! The pacing was generally good but felt a bit rushed at the end for me. Overall enjoyable, but something just missed the mark to rate it higher.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.
TW: young Black male court case, foster system, r**e, domestic violence, violence, abuse, substance use, substance related death
The Diamonds are a girl group from the 90s that breaks up at the peak of their fame. The story follows their lives after the break-up. Angel (Angela) is the most famous, as she continues to pursue her music career, while her bandmates return to their relatively normal lives. They are all going through unique struggles, and Angel decides to try to get the band back together for an anniversary tour. The story was unique in the back stories of each of the characters. Carmen is slowly going broke after her son gets in legal trouble. Doreen is trying to balance being a pastor's wife and a corporate powerhouse. Jade is raising a foster daughter and trying to run a restaurant. Angel is the star, who is trying to stay relevant. Much of the story revolved around their current lives, and I felt like it took a little too long to get to the reunion part and find a resolution.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follow girl group, Diamonds. The 4 members had success in the 90’s but fast forward 20 years each of the members have the own issues they must navigate while getting ready for their reunion tour. You get the POVs of Carmen, Doreen, Jade and Angel and the very different lives they lived after the break up of the group. It was fast paced and kept me engaged. A solid 4 stars
Thank you Kensington Books, Dafina and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This book was quite enjoyable. I love multiple pov stories so that was something that drew me in from the beginning. I will say though, there were a couple of things that I didn't like. The time jumps in the book was not seamless. One minute we’re talking present tense, the next we’re in the past then back to the present.
Also some of the conversations between characters ran into one another when they were talking. I got confused a lot when trying to distinguish between who said what. Also, the wrap up for each character seemed rushed. It was like one or two big paragraphs to tie up the loose ends.
Overall, I liked the book. I would give it 3.5 stars and definitely recommend.
In a world where over the top self-absorbed characters are normalized, Phyllis Dixon reminds us of the wisdom in time-honored homilies. Her characters ‘always catch more flies with honey’ and ‘sinners are often saints who fell down but got up again’. I love the sense of sisterhood and village running through her novels. I turn to Phyllis when I want to know that the good woman is going to win and there is a good man at the end of the tunnel. In ‘Down Home Blues’ she provided a rich tapestry to get us there and a bit of history. Intermission is an afternoon, holiday book club-type read.
It was a nice story. Glad it ended on a bittersweet note. Didn’t really like the third person style of writing but it wasn’t that bad. Spoilers—->Not James had a whole vasectomy and never told Doreen. Just let her do some many things trying to get pregnant knowing it was impossible. And he’s all Holy now. Want her to do all this stuff for the Lord. Man gone! Not David saying he met some of the guys in jail and it’d be like camp! Oh to be young and dumb again. But sometime you gotta fall back and let them make their own decisions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was pitched as Destiny's Child meets Waiting to Exhale. There was not much focus on the group as singers. 90% of the book was about the members 20 years after they disbanded & the current issues they are each going through. There were some moments where it was slow but overall it was a quick, predictable read. I would read from this author again.
This was a fun read and not what I expected. The book follows the current lives of 4 former girl group members from the fictional pop group, The Diamonds. Each character is facing personal struggles and dealing with life after fame as the story unfolds told from the perspective of each group member. The book moves at a good pace and while it is a bit predictable you really want to finish to read each characters ending.
I feel that the author did a good job developing the characters in the book. The storylines follow the four members of the musical group The Diamonds. They didn't have much contact with each other after their breakup and now Angel wants to do a reunion tour. The author tells us about their current life and the struggles they face and how the tour would help them all financially but problems arise as they try to get together again. Thanks for the free book.
I always say this but it’s so nice to read a book with black people as the main character and it not be centered around only black trauma.
It was so fun reading this book about a girl group aging, finding love, going through heartbreak, friendships and family. The individual chapters allowed for further identity to be build with each member of the group and seeing them navigate how life treated each of them. A light and easy read that I definitely enjoyed.
Definitely a beach, poolside or patio read, not too demanding with quick and easy dialogue. Everyone has someone to cheer for and against. I expect this to be adapted into a mini-series. The premise lends itself to a TV adaptation. Nina Long, Taraji P. Henson (she can sing) and maybe Cindy Lauper for the right old school vibe.
Intermission was an interesting read a real page turner. I read the entire book in 3 days. I love that it was written with Memphis as the backdrop. The four main characters in the Diamonds singing group each took you on a journey. I was lucky enough to have Phyllis Dixon visit our book club. The discussion and insight into the book took it over the top. I highly recommend this book Intermission.
I enjoyed reading Intermission! I feel like it captured the typical girl group fall out but I liked how she gave an update on each character and how their life had been since the breakup. She also showed how each contributed to the fall out of the group and how much some had or hadn’t changed since their industry days.
Took me awhile to finish this book as it was quite boring in some spots. The book just didn’t mesh well. The plot had me intrigued, but it was hard to tell the time lines. The only interesting storyline to me was Carmen’s & Doreen’s. It moved very slowly and there was no real buildup. Overall I couldn’t recommend this book to anyone. It fell flat for me
(extra points because my mom bought it for me) not my favorite, the chapters don’t really tie in to the overall theme or content of the book which is kinda confusing. however, it was still kind of interesting. i think some parts could have been left out (for the sake of relevancy). but overall, not awful. predictable? yes. but not awful.
I enjoyed this book! The story of a girl group and the aftermath. I loved the characters and the old school vibe. There was drama, laughs, and tears. I highly recommend. ****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****
I enjoyed this book! The story of a girl group and the aftermath. I loved the characters and the old school vibe. There was drama, laughs, and tears. I highly recommend. ****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****
This book was reminiscent of the Girl groups from the 80’s. Angel, Doreen, Jade and Carmen managed by Mrs. Gloria had made it to the top. Differing views and personalities brought them back to earth. Good read friends family and life.