First Fridays

By Cherlyn Michaels

Book Overview

A bright new talent in African-American fiction returns with her second novel, filled with smarts, sass, and sex . . . Naja's on a nine-month countdown--for her baby, but not the kind you'd expect. Naja's baby is an Internet caf (c)the entrepreneurial dream she's been pursuing secretly while working in a St. Louis office. When she's laid off, Naja finds herself looking for new ways to network; at her best friend's suggestion, she attends a First Fridays get-together. To her surprise, she meets Russ, a handsome, charismatic man who offers to back her venture. Soon enough, he wants more, but Naja is reluctant to mix business with pleasure. However, resisting Russ's charms is trickier than she imagined . . . Watch Cherlyn Michaels's fan base grow as fast as the sexual tension in the pages of this fun, intelligent novel.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401308147
• ISBN13: 9781401308148
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Book

Cheryln Michaels is an excellent writer. First Fridays was a page turner. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book. However, in the end, I wanted Chaney and Naja to committ to one another, but maybe that will be in another book.

Awesome

Cherlyn has brought an realistic approach to First Fridays showing the importance of following ones dreams, but yet the pitfall of mixing business with "pleasure". The story is captivating, encouraging and a wonderful read. Once I started reading First Fridays, it was impossible to put it down. Yolanda Buick-Author of Indiscretions

Great read!

I loved First Fridays, Cherlyn Michael's sophomore literary offering. Strong characters and good plot development...nothing was lacking. It didn't end the way I wanted it to, but all in all, it was a great read, and I look forward to reading Michael's next book. Renee Williams

Stay true to you

Naja's best friend Vlora has been hounding her to attend one of St. Louis' First Fridays networking events. Naja, thinking it would not be helpful to her, always turned her down. As Naja works to bring her dream of owning an Internet café to fruition, she realizes Vlora may be right since she needs a business partner. What she doesn't realize is she may meet not only her business partner, but also her life partner. FIRST FRIDAYS follows Naja as her dream comes true, but shows her not all things that look good are good for you. Meeting Russ King at one of the First Fridays was the answer to Naja's prayers. They worked together marvelously, they complimented each other's strengths and were able to open Exodusters 1879 in record time. However, while working so closely together, Naja and Russ start to develop more than friendly feelings towards each other. Naja, not wanting to violate one of her rules by dating someone she works with, tries to keep the relationship platonic. Of course this is easier said than done. What each finds is someone with whom they could find everlasting love, but what they also actually find are two people who are totally opposites. Russ is more controlling and domineering and Naja losing all the strengths she once possessed, as well as a few friends along the way. Will she find her way back to her true self before it is too late? FIRST FRIDAYS was an interesting story of how a woman gets so caught up in a man, she loses the essence of who she is. There were several interesting subplots within this novel with the secondary characters, which added depth. With topics involving family, community and literacy, Michaels gives homage to their importance in the characters' life. The pacing in the beginning was a bit slow, but it does pick up fairly quickly. I liked the realistic ending and the message of finding true happiness. There were a couple of things left dangling in the story, but nothing to distract from the message being delivered. Overall, Michaels will continue to have a loyal following with her latest effort. Reviewed by Cashana Seals of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

An Entertaining and Page-Turning Novel

"First Fridays" is a phenomenal book that kept my attention from the first page until the last. Although this is author Cherlyn Michaels' second novel, the reader would never know it because this novel undoubtedly reads as if a veteran author has written it. The character development was excellent and the story line was great and refreshing. The story follows the life of protagonist, Naja Rodgers, whom like many people, was laid off from her job without any warning and finds herself somewhat perplexed and uncertain of her next move. At the suggestion of her best friend, she attends a First Fridays monthly gathering for those African American persons within the St. Louis area, although she's cynical and reluctant at first about the idea. This event proved to be the catalyst that helped Naja decide to embark on her lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur. From there "First Fridays" takes on many twists and turns watching Naja's personal and business lives unfold. "First Fridays" is indeed an entertaining and page-turning novel with memorable characters. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading other novels in the future written by this talented author.