Between Lovers.

Between Lovers by Eric Jerome Dickey Dutton, July 2001, $23.95 ISBN 0-525-94603-9

Without question, author Eric Jerome Dickey has deftly carved a niche for himself in contemporary African-American fiction. Between Lovers follows the path of the creative storyteller's previous books and loudly discusses the trials and tribulations of relationships between men and women. However, this time Dickey adds a new twist to the storyline by spicing up the already sex-laden narrative with the issue of bisexuality.

Between Lovers focuses on a grand diva named Nicole, who flits from one relationship to another and steps on many hearts along the way. A frustrated Los Angeles writer, who is also a casualty of the bed-hopping Nicole, tells the story. Nicole falls in love with another beautiful woman named Ayanna, who rocks her world and introduces her to the sensuality and taboo world of woman-to-woman love. Despite her sexual bravado, Nicole still occasionally yearns for the touch of a man and she surreptitiously coaxes her ex-lover back into her life.

One element that makes the book an engaging read is Dickey's mastery of description and entertaining dialogue. In one paragraph, for example, he writes about how one man relentlessly pursues the beautiful Nicole at a bar. In an especially emotional scene, the author describes an intimate encounter between Nicole and Ayanna. He writes, "I blink and see me making love to Nicole. I watch them, and for a moment, that's the illusion I see. Nicole does to Ayanna the same things I've done to her, saying the same things I've said to her hundreds of times. She's taken what I've given her, all I've taught her and given it to someone else."

Dickey has unwittingly become an expert at writing stories that seem to hit home with readers by highlighting issues that always seem to infiltrate even the most sexually fulfilling relationship. Between Lovers, will keep Dickey's unbroken streak of best-sellers intact and delight his fans!

Glenn Townes, an award-winning journalist and writer is a regular contributor to BIBR and is featured in the anthology The African-American Writer's Guide to Non-Fiction Writing and Publishing, to be published in October 2001.