In the scorching sequel to Yoshi's Taboo, Corrections Officer Sierra Howell is back and trying to put her past behind her. Her torrid affair with inmate Rasheed Gordon landed her in hot water with her supervisors--and also pregnant with Rasheed's child. Sierra's determined to move on and make a proper life for herself and her baby, but Rasheed's not letting go that easy. He insists that all he wants is to be a good father to Messiah, but Sierra's not so sure it's a good idea for him to hang around--especially as Lamont's been like a father to Messiah since day one. . .. But old flames die hard and this one is nearly raging out of control. Will Sierra follow her head and marry Lamont--or will her heart win out and betray her again?
Yoshe is a native of Brooklyn, New York, where she resides with her young son. She is a former New York City corrections officer and hairstylist. Tabbo is her debut novel.
This book doesn't lack drama or action, that's for sure. It reads like a soap opera. The dialogue is believable, and the characters memorable. If you dislike sex or violence in a book, this wouldn't be your cup of tea. Also, you'd have to be able to ignore the typos because there are definitely too many of those.
This my third read by this author and I can see the growth; a lot has been shown. She has come a long way from the first book Taboo. We were successfully brought into the lives of correction officers and the in and outs of the world famous Rikers Island. While The main focus of this story is on C.O. Sierra Howell and her fiancé Deputy Warden Lamont Simmons.
Sierra is back trying to live a carefree and stress free life. This very attainable lifestyle was unsettled when her former inmate and ex-boyfriend (Rasheed Gordon) comes back to Brooklyn wanting to be a part of their son’s life. This disrupts her life and brings in a kind of love triangle. Who will win her heart for good? Not only does she have to deal with the men in her life, there are some unforeseen forces that may make or break her. Can she survive the heat?
While this book started a little slow, it does pick up and grabbed my attention. I was in Sierra’s corner although at times I was screaming at her, “what in the world are you doing?” Yoshe shows that blended families can work as both Sierra and Lamont have children outside the relationship. Anwar (Rasheed’s best friend) was an important character to the book. He was certifiable crazy. The twins India and Asia added a different flair while they had me screaming aloud. Lamont still has issues but he shows that he can be on his grown man when need be. Yoshe does a great job coming full circle and ending this with no question left unturned. Next up I will be reading her newest novel "The Killer Poet". Looking forward to seeing what else she has to offer us readers outside the corrections box.
SiStar Tea ARC Book Club Inc. 4.5 Star rating May 2012
This is definitely my kind of reading. I likes me some drama.LOL. Anwar was stone nutty. I'm happy for Sierra, Lamont and Rasheed, although I really wanted Sierra & Rasheed to get together.