Anyone Who Has a Heart

By Jacqueline Powell

This novel from Jacqueline Powell, author of Someone to Catch My Drift, takes a look at the dilemmas of three young black professionals who share the ups and downs of trying to find love at an age when most of their friends have long since settled down.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 044653174X
• ISBN13: 9780446531740
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.3" x 6.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up

Customer Reviews

great read

Don't be fooled!!! this was a great book written with passion. Ms. Powell tells a wonderful story that will touch everyone that reads it. Good Job!!! Hurry up with your next title.

Great book! Real page turner.

This book was filled with drama, but it also showed that everyone on this earth can make mistakes and that no one is perfect. I really wanted Vince to get himself together, but also thought Theresa should have truly listened to him. I think this book should have a sequel to it. I would like to see some unfinished issues be complete.

Life Lessons The Hard Way

What do you do when your debut becomes an Essence best seller? Write another one. ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART by St. Louis native Jacqueline Powell is the sophomore release imbued with complex characters experiencing real life situations. The story toggles between three primary characters searching for freedom, healing and self-discovery in everything and everyone but themselves. Zenobia has transformed "Discretion" into the hottest nightclub in St. Louis, without receiving her fair share of ownership from her abusive ex, Payce, and relentlessly strives to gain full custody of their daughter, Zaire; Theresa, a young elementary school teacher plagued by nightmares of her deceased fiancé, Don, mourns not with tears, but in a bottle of vodka while failing to convince her lover, Vince, he holds the key to her heart; Vince, a freelance editor, tires of watching Theresa self destruct and competing with a dead man, finds himself compromising his relationship, sexuality and health with a tryst which may prove deadly. ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART is a provocative tale with universal themes. Zenobia is the single mother who decides she wants more for herself and her daughter and struggles to break free from an abusive and manipulative ex husband; Theresa finds redemption when accepting the loss of a loved one and confronting her estranged relationship with her mother; and Vince is a classic example of the disproportionate number of men engaging in acts with the same sex, while grappling with their sexuality. Regardless of race, gender or sexual preference, Powell's characters are identifiable to everyone on some level. The "down-low" theme is sure to strike impassioned discussions within bookclubs, especially those with co-ed memberships. Powell's growth as a writer is evident from her first novel "Someone To Catch My Drift." I recommend ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART as not only entertainment, but an enlightening story full of introspection. Reviewed by Nicki LancasterAPOOO BookClub

Heart to Heart

ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART explores the lives of three interconnected characters: Theresa, Zenobia, and Vince. The author seamlessly allows each character to speak to readers directly by organizing the book in such a way that each chapter is told from one of their points of view. Each of the characters is trying to find true love while dealing with their own unique issues which serve as roadblocks in their quest. Theresa is struggling to get over a past relationship, to raise her son, and to determine whether or not her significant other, Vince, is sincere and will really be there for her through thick and thin. Vince strives to maintain his relationship with Theresa and feels that he is in a no-win battle with her past. He wants to do whatever he can to help catapult her out of the prison of her past, so that the two of them can have a real shot at a relationship. But Vince also has some skeletons in the closet of his past, which at times has him questioning his very identity. Zenobia is also a single mother, but she seems inextricably connected to her baby's father in an almost dependent way. Haunted by her past mistakes and lacking the confidence to truly free herself from this relationship, she is stuck in a rut. As she searches for a true love of her own, she must deal with her general distrust of men, as well as her own insecurities. Readers will find themselves turning pages as they follow these characters on their respective journeys to find love.Jacqueline Powell has done it again with her latest novel, ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART. In this book she tackles many difficult topics including, the search for love, infidelity, HIV, alcoholism, and dealing with past hurts. Through her characters she reminds readers that anyone who has a heart will make mistakes and at times get hurt. The characters are well developed and readers can easily relate to them. I found myself understanding and empathizing with the mistakes the characters made and cheering them on when they made good choices. Ms. Powell tackles so many real life issues in the story, yet she does it in such a way that the powerful lessons and messages are implied, rather than coming across as preachy. Reviewed by Stacey SeayThe RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Good read

Single mom Theresa still suffers nightmares and needs alcohol to help her sleep though several years have passed since her lover Don died fighting a fire. Don never knew he sired a boy. Theresa realizes she must move on with her life, but drifts as she has no idea where she wants to goHer first lover since Don's death Vince wants Theresa to clean up her act, but has identity problems of his own. He wants to be the great lover, but is not sure with which sex though he hides his male trysts behind heterosexual prowess. Zenobia, Theresa's friend is also a single mom having divorced her abusive former husband Mike, but shares joint custody of their daughter Payce and their business. However, she wants all ties ended with Mike starting with sole ownership of the business, the most in-club in St. Louis. Still she knows if she makes her bid, the risk is great that she can lose all inlcuding her beloved Payce.Jacqueline Powell provides readers with a strong look at the African-American middle class professional community through the rotating narration of three delightful characters. Each one faces a crossroad of decisions that will impact friends and family, but especially themselves for the rest of their lives. This strong character study will entertain the audience as it reaches inside to the essence of the trio. Regardless of gender or race, ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART that has not read Jacqueline Powell is missing out on one of the deepest character-driven authors on the market today.Harriet Klausner