From Publishers Weekly
The three novellas in this collection by African-American women explore Terry McMillan territory, each examining the problems of friendship, dating and parenthood in the lives of professional black women. In Bunkley's "At the End of the Day," 37-year-old Micere's new soul food restaurant is on the brink of success, as is her new relationship with Billy Dee Williams look-alike Conrad. Unfortunately, she must contend with the threats of her rich, arrogant ex-husband, who wants to take away both their daughter and Micere's business. Careening from a clich?d romance involving a helicopter ride with champagne and purple prose ("she was ready to give all of her love to Conrad, releasing the pent-up passion that dwelled in her heart") to a stale courtroom drama, this novella's scope is too wide to be successful in a short format. Also flawed is Rutland's "Choices," in which main characters Millie and Becky, who spent their childhoods together in the projects, now inhabit a more affluent world and have conflicting perspectives on their poverty-stricken pasts. Millie, an upper-middle-class lawyer, has become obsessively status oriented and hounds the more earthy Becky to embrace her social ambitions. Though the novella tackles the compelling topic of upward mobility in the African-American community, Rutland flatly symbolizes Becky's class struggle as a choice between a boorish, smug, rich man and a charming, loving plumber. "The Heart of the Matter" by Kitt best exemplifies the collection's feel-good message of sisterhood, with a warm realism lacking in the other two stories. Katherine, a widow raising an 11-year-old son, finally reenters the dating scene at the same time that her girlhood best friend moves back to town, withdrawn and depressed after a bout with cancer. Both tender plots in this tale develop without the melodrama or forced tone of the other two novellas. (July) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
Through Think and Thin Money problems. Kid problems. Man problems. Even when the going gets toughest, you've still got your friends. You may not always see eye to eye, but your friends are beside you through it all--health and sickness, marriage and divorce, wealth and poverty, and more. Now, three acclaimed African-American novelist--Anita Bunkley, Sandra Kitt and Eva Rutland--introduce you to some wonderful new women in poignant stories that touch the heart. Filled with hope and forgiveness, laughter and understanding, tears and love, these stories capture the wonderful, resilient bond that transforms women into sisters--the bond that makes us.... Girlfriends

About the Author
Anita Richmond Bunkley is the author of numerous novels including Black Gold, Starlight Passage, and most recently, Balancing Act. She lives with her husband in Houston, Texas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Through Think and Thin

Money problems. Kid problems. Man problems. Even when the going gets toughest, you've still got your friends. You may not always see eye to eye, but your friends are beside you through it all—health and sickness, marriage and divorce, wealth and poverty, and more. Now, three acclaimed African-American novelist—Anita Bunkley, Sandra Kitt and Eva Rutland—introduce you to some wonderful new women in poignant stories that touch the heart. Filled with hope and forgiveness, laughter and understanding, tears and love, these stories capture the wonderful, resilient bond that transforms women into sisters—the bond that makes us....

Girlfriends

Author Biography:

Anita Richmond Bunkley is the author of numerous novels including Black Gold, Starlight Passage, and most recently, Balancing Act. She lives with her husband in Houston, Texas.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly