Gotta Keep on Tryin': A Novel (ISBN 1416531688)

The Doll Business Caught Hooked Me:
I read this book at the suggestion of a fellow doll collector. As a black-doll enthusiast, the backdrop of the main two characters' Ell and Me doll business piqued my interest. Gayle and Pat have been lifelong friends. They form a doll company inspired by Gayle's teenage daughter Vanessa, who could care less about the business or about her mother's feelings. Gayle, a single parent, is troubled by her self-centered daughter's rebellious nature and other issues. Poor Gayle copes with her troubles in a rather unhealthy manner. Gayle's childless friend and business partner, Pat, is married to a sports promoter. Looking from the outside in, Pat and Marcus seem to have the perfect life. They, however, become distracted by past and current events and must work together to confront the issues that cause their separate distractions. The book has its ups and downs and can at times be predictable. Overall, I considered it a good, light read. The characters were believable and some of the lows were emotion stirring. Written as a followup to Tryin to Sleep in the Bed You Made, the friends continue to overcome obstacles in this book. The need to overcome even more is inevitable.

Gotta keep on Trying!:
"Gotta Keep on Trying" was the first Deberry & Grant novel that I have ever read. It was given to me by a dear friend and I promised to read it with an open mind. I won't say that this was one of the best book that I have read lately, but it wasn't the worse either. I think where the story fell flat for me (at times) was the attempt to tackle so many issues, while there were a lot of themes or plots that remained "unresolved" in my opinion. However, what I did like about the novel was the attempt to address several issues that are relevant to today's family, like gambling addiction, domestic violence, greed, celebrity, infidelity, high school dropout issues and eating disorders (just to name a few). Pat and Gayle are long-time friends and business partners (owners of Ell & Me). Ell & Me has become a phenominon and centers around books about Gayle's daughter, Vanessa. Now with the fame of the series, Pat and Gayle have an opportunity to get into the toy business by making Ell, a doll that every little girl wants. So of course, just when everything appears to be going right in their professional lives, wouldn't you know that there personal lives are about to be tested. Pat, married to ex-professional baseball player turned agent, has been faced once again with his past. Like a tornado, Tiffani has come into Pat's life claiming to be the possible illegitimate child of Marcus. Pat finds herself attracted to a business associate, and she has grave misgivings about having children. Meanwhile, Gayle is having trouble controlling her doubts about the future and controlling her teenage daughter, Vanessa, all while hiding a secret that could possibly destroy her life. I won't give all the storylines away, but I will say that there were several topics that meritted discussion. But there were also plots, like the one dealing with Gayle's ex-husband Ramsey, that could have been discussed more. But overall I give this book a three, I just wished that the authors would have explored some things more, and others less.

Divas Read 2 Book Club:
Best friends since childhood, Pat and Gayle struggle to deal with the complications of family, friends and the success of their growing business. As this story unfolds, we are treated to a cast of characters that are so easily identifiable that this story is very relatable. "Gotta Keep on Trying," the sequel to "Trying to Sleep in the Bed You Made" does not disappoint. (...)

Another Great Write from this Dynamic Duo.:
Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant's sequel to "Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made" is a sensational, heart wrenching story. From friends, to marriage partners and live-in lovers. This story teaches that even when you feel like you are sick of trying to make things work between you and a loved one, if that relationship is worth having it's worth saving. Plus, you won't mind the hard work that goes into making amends.

A strong narration by the authors:
Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant's GOTTA KEEP ON TRYIN receives a strong narration by the authors as it tells of two lifelong friends, close as sisters and reunited as adults, now co-owners of a business. Each must face issues from the past in order to come to grips with the future in this moving story.