"A more overwhelming and suspenseful tale of romance awaits readers in this second installment"
In the heartwarming follow-up to Friends 2 Lovers, readers can look forward to childhood friends Claude and Kelly’s new encounters and their ebb and flow of emotions as they begin life together as a couple. Friends 2 Lovers Part 2 gives fans of the first book a new twist to look forward to as closed doors begin to open and unbelievable things happen.
The novel begins as Claude and Kelly bid their goodbyes to old acquaintances and very close friends. After spending a year in New Jersey, they start their journey back down to Miami, Florida to be close to their families. They encounter many new things and strive to keep their bond strong and unbreakable. However, past relationships and misunderstandings catch up with them, threatening the special connection they already have together. In addition, a more haunting past troubles them, risking both their lives and loves.
Blending suspense, murder, revenge, love, lust, Friends 2 Lovers Part 2 is a compelling and emotive read that will still leave readers overwhelmed, hanging, and asking for more.
http://www.facebook.com/friends2lovers
http://www.jonathanburkett.com
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
All For One
All For One
Nurturing, Providing, and loving you passionately
May that be, my number of responsibilities
As one to the end, forever more
That’s how long I desire, our love to last for
Providing for you many loving and joyful memories
In hours of darkness, as well as brightness
I plan to supply for you
For your love for me and happiness
Is all that matters to me
http://www.facebook.com/Friends2Lovers
Nurturing, Providing, and loving you passionately
May that be, my number of responsibilities
As one to the end, forever more
That’s how long I desire, our love to last for
Providing for you many loving and joyful memories
In hours of darkness, as well as brightness
I plan to supply for you
For your love for me and happiness
Is all that matters to me
http://www.facebook.com/Friends2Lovers
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The African American Literature Book Club (AALBC) Book Review for Friends 2 Lovers
Friends 2 Lovers By Jonathan Anthony Burkett
The African American Literature Book Club (AALBC)
Review by Emanuel Carpenter
Who doesn’t remember their first love? And what about the girl next door? Or how about the boy you cared for in school only to end up in the friend zone? In Jonathan Anthony Burkett’s new novel, he attempts to capture that feeling young people get when the bonds of friendship mature into something stronger.
“Friends 2 Lovers” is the story of high school best friends Claude and Kelly that spans over a two and a half year time frame. Though they have been best friends for many years, everyone from their friends, family, and the protagonists themselves know that they are destined to be together. After all, the best romantic relationships start off as friendships anyway, right? Even Kelly’s mother loves Claude like a son. However, it’s the actions that transpire with Claude’s family that could threaten this relationship and even his life.
Claude’s dad Charles has a past that catches up to him at the very worst time for Claude, when his future looks the brightest. That past results in an all-out brawl involving Claude, Charles, Claude’s brother Troy (a 20-year old high school senior), and a father and son pair of thugs named Stanley and Robert. When the unthinkable happens, Claude must muster up the strength to either pick up the pieces and move on, or simply just end it all himself. His solution may surprise you.
Give newcomer author Jonathan Anthony Burkett credit for penning a novel meant for a younger generation and the realities of the world many of them deal with today, such as school violence, friends in love, suicide, and tumultuous family relationships. The author was on the right track with the idea of a story of a patriarch whose past not only catches up with him but affects the lives of those who love him most. Plus the idea of young people who want to be together for the sake of love and not just pleasure is refreshing in this day and age. Perhaps he will find his audience in die hard romance readers, those who enjoy books with somewhat of a Christian theme, and those who can appreciate the PG nature of the language.
Still, there are far too many issues with the book to call it a must read. This includes a predictable ending (the title pretty much sums it up), lazy narration that tells readers what happens instead of showing them, and awkward dialogue, including proper-speaking thugs (“They wanted payback badly, Dad. I guess the kind of payback that they thought would be the best was to get me while I was by myself, Dad…”). And this character is supposed to be hard? Not only that, but many of the characters are underdeveloped and are rarely described physically. And the plot, which gets off to a fairly decent start, meanders into Nytol territory.
The final result is a finished product that reads more like a workable early draft instead of something readers should plop down their hard-earned money to buy. But just because one person doesn’t love it, doesn’t mean another won’t at least like it.
The African American Literature Book Club (AALBC)
Review by Emanuel Carpenter
Who doesn’t remember their first love? And what about the girl next door? Or how about the boy you cared for in school only to end up in the friend zone? In Jonathan Anthony Burkett’s new novel, he attempts to capture that feeling young people get when the bonds of friendship mature into something stronger.
“Friends 2 Lovers” is the story of high school best friends Claude and Kelly that spans over a two and a half year time frame. Though they have been best friends for many years, everyone from their friends, family, and the protagonists themselves know that they are destined to be together. After all, the best romantic relationships start off as friendships anyway, right? Even Kelly’s mother loves Claude like a son. However, it’s the actions that transpire with Claude’s family that could threaten this relationship and even his life.
Claude’s dad Charles has a past that catches up to him at the very worst time for Claude, when his future looks the brightest. That past results in an all-out brawl involving Claude, Charles, Claude’s brother Troy (a 20-year old high school senior), and a father and son pair of thugs named Stanley and Robert. When the unthinkable happens, Claude must muster up the strength to either pick up the pieces and move on, or simply just end it all himself. His solution may surprise you.
Give newcomer author Jonathan Anthony Burkett credit for penning a novel meant for a younger generation and the realities of the world many of them deal with today, such as school violence, friends in love, suicide, and tumultuous family relationships. The author was on the right track with the idea of a story of a patriarch whose past not only catches up with him but affects the lives of those who love him most. Plus the idea of young people who want to be together for the sake of love and not just pleasure is refreshing in this day and age. Perhaps he will find his audience in die hard romance readers, those who enjoy books with somewhat of a Christian theme, and those who can appreciate the PG nature of the language.
Still, there are far too many issues with the book to call it a must read. This includes a predictable ending (the title pretty much sums it up), lazy narration that tells readers what happens instead of showing them, and awkward dialogue, including proper-speaking thugs (“They wanted payback badly, Dad. I guess the kind of payback that they thought would be the best was to get me while I was by myself, Dad…”). And this character is supposed to be hard? Not only that, but many of the characters are underdeveloped and are rarely described physically. And the plot, which gets off to a fairly decent start, meanders into Nytol territory.
The final result is a finished product that reads more like a workable early draft instead of something readers should plop down their hard-earned money to buy. But just because one person doesn’t love it, doesn’t mean another won’t at least like it.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Friends 2 Lovers Book Review by Karynda Lewis
Without warning, Claude’s life is changed forever when his father, brother, and close friend are all shot and killed – and his mother and another friend commit suicide. Were it not for the undying love and support of Kelly, his best friend from childhood, Claude may not have made it through the devastating tragedy intact. Consequently, as time goes on, the bond between Claude and Kelly grows and deepens, eventually transforming into something neither of them ever before imagined: genuine romance. However, when unforeseen challenges soon darken the horizon, can the new lovers maintain their burgeoning passion without losing their lifelong friendship in the process...?
Throughout the pages of Friends 2 Lovers, author Jonathan Anthony Burkett explores the depths of what makes for true, lasting friendship. In Claude and Kelly, Burkett has crafted highly relatable characters whose everyday trials and tribulations readers are sure to find more than familiar. Flawed though they may be, the lifelong friends’ virtues far outweigh their shortcomings, and Burkett does a commendable job of highlighting just how important it is to learn to transcend the petty differences that divide us in favor of our shared common humanity. The road of life is rife with cumbersome obstacles, but if we trust ourselves within the open, supportive arms of our loved ones, we may be surprised to learn just how much easier the journey can often be.
Engaging, heartrending, and deeply emotional, Friends 2 Lovers is a touching tale of learning to give – and receive – real, lasting love. A recommended read.
Reviewd by Karynda Lewis
4 stars
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