Reviews

Reading Savannah Frierson's The Beauty Within was indeed a pleasure. Spending time in Durham, NC (the novel's setting) with the characters of this enjoyable, funny, sexy and heartmelting story proved to be a treat in many ways. I'd never really immersed myself in a story featuring a full-figured heroine. Ms. Frierson's gift for storytelling, drew me in and allowed me to connect with Tyler Carver. I felt a connection to her pain, joy, uncertainty and attraction to devastating hero Gunnar Daniels. What a man! And brought to life with finesse, real-ness and oh sooo much sensuality which is another testament to Ms. Frierson's talent. I'll say it again, it was a true pleasure to spend time within Beauty's pages. I'll definitely be reading more of Savannah Frierson's work. Well Done!!

~5 stars, AlTonya Washington

Tyler Carver is the youngest of two daughters and the one to follow in her father’s footsteps by becoming a barber. Gunnar Daniels is the owner of GD Fitness who just happens to look like a “Greek-god” who just stepped out of the pages of a Health and Fitness magazine. Tyler and Gunnar immediately butt heads when she visits his gym after her doctor recommends she shed a few pounds to help resolve her lower-back problem. Unbeknownst to Tyler, she is on the receiving end of a Gunnar tirade that was not meant for her. However, when Gunnar shows up in her shop with an apology, and a request for her to cut his hair, the sparks begin to fly. 

Tyler is an educated and successful business owner, who is living with unresolved self-esteem issues caused by her weight, being dumped five years earlier by the love of her life and her mother’s abandonment when she was a child. Gunnar is hiding his fears of intimacy after his previous girlfriend overdosed while trying to stay thin in order to maintain a successful modeling career. I love the inter-action between the two characters as the get to know each other, and learn to love and trust again. The way that Gunnar supports Tyler in her efforts to lose weight, while letting her know that being full-figured and having curves is not a sin is heart-warming. 

In The Beauty Within, Ms. Frierson has created real characters whose reactions to life, stress and trauma is reminiscent of real-life struggles. This is a story that many will be able to relate too as you run the gamut of emotions through the progression of this story. The Beauty Within is a quick and enjoyable read. I would recommend giving a copy to the women you know who are having self-esteem issues, especially if they are weight related.

~4 stars, Marguerite Lemons, Romance in Color

Tyler Carver felt knew she was overweight and needed to lose in more than one area. Her sister’s boyfriend gave her a coupon for a personal trainer session at GD Gym and Fitness. Damon worked there and planned to work her into a personalized routine in a few lessons. However, the day Tyler finally got the nerve to go into the gym; Damon had gone home with food poisoning. Her first introduction to the owner of the gym, Gunnar Daniels, was less than expected.

Gunnar was in a bad, bad mood when he first saw Tyler. She was nothing like his usual interests. She had a big chest, a larger than usual stomach, and plenty of junk in the trunk. However, he had no excuse for the way he reacted to her. He couldn’t admit that he was immediately attracted to this full-size, caramel colored woman. He had dated all races, but usually he stuck to white women, especially Kaci, his latest “mistake” on legs. 

Ms. Savannah J. Frierson has written a delightful story about a woman who had very low self-esteem and had lost her heart to the love of her life six years before. She had never gotten over him. His excuse when he broke up with her was that the partners in his law firm thought she was too dark and too large to be a partner’s wife. 

This main couple was caught in a love/hate relationship which complicated all the other connections within the plot of this book. There were many other characters that supported Gunnar and Tyler. However, the interconnections were so crossed that if the author was not proficient in her writing style, it could have been quite complicated and confusing. 

These two characters were dynamic and attracted to each other almost immediately. That does not mean that the remainder of the storyline was boring. It was incredible how well this story flowed. There were so many other characters that it was impossible to get bored. 

This was a great book with a myriad of interaction. I highly recommend it to all.

~4.5 hearts, Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio

The Beauty Within was a book that took me on a emotional rollercoaster. I found myself in the story going threw the trials with Tyler and Gunnar. This story hits so many real issues with me as a woman myself have gone through and continue to go through. 

Savannah Frierson hit so many spots with this book, all in a good way. I have never come across a story I personally could relate to. When I say this book is worth the read it's an understatement. Let's not forget the romance in the bedroom was sizzling as well and had me tingling all over. 

Savannah Frierson has become one of my favorite authors this story has found itself among my favorites. This book deserves this GUSHING KITTY KAT RATING...ladies, this is a must essential read for you if you need a story of a touch of personal feel to it with a dash of inspiration.

~Keshia Wills,
Mocha's Erotic Review Head Reviewer

In 1953, a white man in love with a black woman was unheard of, or shall I say never mentioned in mixed company. However, Benjamin Drummond and Coralee Simmons were an exception to the rule. At seven and four-years-old, respectively, Benjamin made known his intentions to marry Coralee. To keep things from progressing any further, Benjamin's mother forbade her maid to bring her daughter, Coralee, to work with her again.

Fast-forward fifteen years, Benjamin and Coralee are united again, this time attending the same college. Segregation, now sugarcoated as desegregation, forced them to become passing strangers in the night. However, after one chance encounter, the love they shared years ago turned into an undeniable lust, neither of them could control. So they fall in love all over again. Only this time, they plan to keep their relationship a secret...Or will they?

My hat goes off to Savannah J. Frierson for a job well done. The love affair found within the pages of this novel is awe-inspiring to say the least. Benjamin's love for Coralee was so strong, he wanted the whole world to know. I would recommend couples involved in interracial relationships to read this book. It will serve as a testament that no matter what others may think or say, true love conquers all.

~Pamela Bolden, The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rated: The Whole Bottle of Champagne—These books far surpass 5 flutes of champagne. This is for exceptional works only.

Being Plumville mainly explores two people's emotions and how society can play a huge part in deciding someone's destiny. That outside influences, other people's opinions, and a general 'That is not allowed' can make the weaker person cower down and act in a manner others feel they 'should' act in. But love is a strong emotion and, despite what other people say, sometimes, following your heart is the only option, whatever the outcome may be.

A charming novel, one that made this reader think: What is colour?

A fabulous read. Being Plumville will make you angry, make you cry, and also make you laugh a little. What a wonderful package!

~White Russian, Cocktail Reviews

Romance Junkies gives Being Plumville 4.5/5 stars!

The characters and plotline are fully developed and feel like the real world with real people. I made an emotional connection to Ben and Coralee and felt their love and pain in equal measure. The obstacles these two admirable individuals must overcome are realistically presented, making me feel like I was right there beside them all the way. Author Savannah Frierson captures the essence of Southern rules and bigotry with flair; she made me recall what it was like as a child growing up in the South. Full of tension and tenderness, racial tension and romance, author Savannah J. Frierson captures the essence of a turbulent time in our nation's history. BEING PLUMVILLE is a novel I plan to purchase for several friends.

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Scarlet

Night Owl Romance gives Being Plumville 5/5 hearts!

This is not an ordinary read—it is an amazing one! Savannah J. Frierson transcends barriers of time, culture, and race to create a love story which could be real. Historically accurate, pertinent, and with painstakingly correct dialogue, this book places you in the South in the 1950's and 1960's. The childhood friendship between Coralee Simmons and Benjamin Drummond has always been special but held within the confines of societal and cultural dictations of the time. The tension builds slowly, leading to an amazing climax. Frierson fearlessly wrestles not only with blatant racism, but also with issues at the core of humanity; acceptance, change, equality, and growth. She skillfully explores conflicts between a person's being and doing. With expert finesse, she deftly probes painful unconscious influences cast by culture and society and how they dictate roles and behavior, creating a caste system still written about today. Frierson is an author that I would, without a doubt, read again. I expect great things from her in the future. Romantic yet edgy, not only does she weave a wonderful story, but her characters are human, wrestling with humanity and authenticity in the deepest of ways. This reviewer has three final words—You Go, Girl!

Lisa, Reviewer