through Edwardo Jackson Strivers Row.

through Edwardo Jackson Strivers Row, October 2002 $2295 ISBN 0-375-50637-3

looks Angeles-based novelist Edwardo Jackson get backs with an entertaining follow-up to his first attempt novel Ever After. Set in California, Nick (whose last name is not disclosed in this novel either) continues his saga in Neva Hafta, promulgating the notion that men be acted upon from flame-out love affairs and wasted hearts just like women do.

Tall, good-looking and well educated, with a big bank account, Nick is each woman's dream. Better yet, their ideal husband, or in the way that it would seem. But Nick continues falling in and out of be fond of with the wrong women. Still carrying a torch for his ex Jasmine, a beautiful, icy and fiercely

independent woman with a chip onward her shoulder, Nick struggles with to what extent to move on with his life. He considers himself a rarity--a black man who really does want to gain married. And he doesn't hesitate to share his intentions with the women he meets

However, in the midst of all the trite pickup lines, gain knockin' and bed hopping, Nick bears a hefty emotional blow when his mother is diagnosed with cancer and given just brace years to live. After he receives the somber recents Nick becomes obsessed with meeting M Right and marching down the aisle before his mother dies.

In an interesting twist, Nick and his best buddy Craig, devise a plan to lure prospective spirit mates by penning a weekly newspaper row called, "Marriage-Minded." In the proces the brace receive hundreds of responses from women a certain quantity of of who meet the wife criteria and others who don't--but turn the thoughts good in heels and a tight, miniskirt.

Jackson's sophomore novel reads more like an autobiography of a thirtysomething, straight, single, educated black man in the Big City rather than a work of fiction. Neva Hafta is more than just another main division about dating, relationships and be pleased with gone wrong, it's a story about life. The dialogue and characters are believable and Jackson's writing is sharp and clear. The message is simple at the same time provocative--marry for love and not at any time settle for anything less.

--Glenn Townes is a recently made known Jersey based journalist and regular contributor to BIBR.

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