| REVIEWED BY FROST |
| "Ashaki's Beauty Parlor" by J. L. Foster |
| ISBN: 978-1-4303-2987-9 www.lulu.com/jlfoster Rating: 5 Swords Reading several of J. L. Foster's works, both book-length and short pieces, has taught me to "expect the unexpected." The reader doesn't know with any new work what is going to be found in its pages, but the assurance remains that whatever the story contains, it's going to be memorable. Such, as always, is the case with Mr. Foster's delightful Ashaki's Beauty Parlor. The beauteous and magnificent {and truly larger-than-life} matchmaking beautician Ashaki is on top of her world, convinced that boyfriend Terrance is just about to propose. At last, the woman who has made tons of couples happy by bringing them into proximity with each other has found a love of her own, one who returns her emotions! Well, not quite so: Terrance has actually provided an expensive outfit and dinner at an upscale Miami restaurant, not to propose, but to tell Ashaki goodbye. What he doesn't remember until it's too late is Ashaki's voodoo power, which she wastes no time putting into play in cursing his sorry, cheating, self. If the disentangling of her emotions and her relationship wasn't bad enough, the end of that boyfriend and the subsequent announcement of his new engagement deliver a sudden blow to Ashaki's economic well-being. Regular customers begin to fall away, and the evil creature who stole Terrance back tries to hire Ashaki to do all her bridesmaids' hair! What else can a Voodoo Queen/Witch Doctor's daughter do--but work the voodoo magic to put Mizz Regina, the once and future wife, straight on out of the picture forever? Mr. Foster demonstrates an erotic turn, as he illustrates Ashaki's sensual dancing, cigarette love-making, and her very sensuous nature, fully embedded in her character, as much innate in her as is her relationship wisdom. By the end of the story, the reader will have gained both an education in Ashaki's West African background and culture, and an improved appreciation for her motivations and character. Hats off to J. L. Foster for yet another don't-miss winner! If you would like to be Reviewed by Frost, send an email to frost@jlfoster.biz or reviewed_by_frost@jlfoster.biz with the subject line "Submission." Include the author's name, title of book, publishing house, genre, page count, and an excerpt. |
