black issues book review   July-August 2002

fictionreviews

Karen E. Quinones Miller launched her
literary career with her self-published novel
Satin Doll which was picked up and released
by Simon & Schuster last summer. In her
stunning debut novel, Miller introduced the
world to the troubles of Regina Harris and
gave readers a taste of her witty and hypnotic
writing style. With her sophomore effort, I'm
Telling, Miller brings yet another mesmeriz-
ing tale to fiction lovers.

The novel centers on Faith Freeman, a
successful literary agent, and her life juggling
a career, comfortable relationship and a
dysfunctional family. After a young Faith
witnesses her stepfather and her twin sister,
Hope, engaging in sex, she comes face-to-
face with her fears and what's she's suspected
all along -- that her sister is willingly taking
part in the illicit affair. Disobeying her stepfa-
ther's threat, Faith tells her mother what's
been going on anyway. Ultimately, it does
more harm than good.

The relationship between mother and
daughters becomes more troubled. While her
family problems mount, Faith finds herself
in the midst of a very important book deal
with a famous author.

Miller offers refreshing relief from the
usual player-brotherman characters with
Henry, a good-hearted, supportive and suc-
cessful black man who is Faith's significant
other. While they are quite comfortable in
their steamy and very loving relationship,
family and friends continue to push the idea
of marriage. But Faith's sister Hope can't
quite seem to stay out of trouble. To help her
sister turn her life around, Faith moves Hope
into her home, much to Henry's dismay.

Miller has an art of satisfying readers with
intriguing characters, great imagery and
haunting accounts that stay with her audi-
ence long after the book is done.
--Althea Lenore Honegan is an editorial
assistant at ESSENCE and a freelance
writer living in Brooklyn.