Strapped (Book) - 11/4/2010 3:34:57 PM
REVIEWED BY SISTAHS ON THE SHELF (sistahsontheshelf.com)
Stud-on-Stud Love, August 10, 2010
This review is from: Strapped (Paperback)
If you're a stud, you're not supposed to fall in love with another stud - right?
Who says? This is the premise of Sharon D. Smith's STRAPPED, a fast-paced novel following the attraction between masculine-appearing women, Silk and Taz. The pair have well-worn identities as dominant females, and date typically feminine women accordingly. This stud-femme dynamic is turned on its head when Taz - rocking baggy jeans and a Black and Mild between her lips - moves into Taz's neighborhood.
Taz notices her next-door neighbor's swagger, and they quickly become hanging buddies. While they watch sports and hit the clubs, their friendship grows despite not knowing that much about each other's pasts. It all comes out in a game of basketball when Silk reveals her true feelings. She has always had a thing for butch women. And while Taz tries to understand her friend's seemingly-odd attraction, she eventually succumbs to it when the pair is thrown into a crisis situation.
Taz and Silk find themselves in love and in trouble. Taz believes she's losing her edge and doesn't know if she can handle the type of love that dare not speak its name in the lesbian community, while Silk's past comes back to haunt her new relationship with Taz.
Smith's Strapped shows the conflict some black lesbians experience with labels. Femme, stud, stem, bisexual - it all means nothing when it comes to how one feels inside. Taz and Silk had to leave the pressures of sexual roles behind to discover a comfortable home in each other. Their affair is unpeeled layer by layer, realistically so. With that being said, while Strapped does a good job getting in Taz's head, but doesn't delve enough into why Silk loves studs. I guess that will be explained further in Smith's next novel.
So get ready because Strapped will challenge all your perceptions of what love and labels really mean.
Strapped (Book) - 8/3/2009 9:13:54 AM
Sage Sweetwater endorses Sharon Smith as a woman of color contemporary lesbian author who is contributing positive cultural identity material to our society. Sharon, it is an honor to be a member of your Strapped forum over at ning and all of the other online venues where we are associated with one another. I've read the story excerpts to Strapped. This is upper tier lesbian writing at its best and boldest. I wish you well on your Strapped book sales as well as Love and Liberation. Congrats on your engagement with your beautiful lady. You two make a pretty couple. Be well.
Love,
Sage
Strapped Excerpt (Short Story) - 8/3/2009 9:21:06 AM
Sage Sweetwater endorses Sharon Smith as a woman of color contemporary lesbian author who is contributing positive cultural identity material to our society. Sharon, it is an honor to be a member of your Strapped forum over at ning and all of the other online venues where we are associated with one another. I've read the story excerpts to Strapped. This is upper tier lesbian writing at its best and boldest. I wish you well on your books sales of Strapped as well as Love and Liberation. Congrats on your engagement with you beautiful lady. You two make a pretty couple. Be well.
Love,
Sage
The Milk Is Sour (Short Story) - 8/31/2007 12:28:39 AM
Everyone grows at different levels and leaving them! YOU just know in your heart! In my heart, I go by Love and RElationships, for a REASON, a Season or a LifeTime! and it's true, if you think of everyone around you and for how long, they are with you or in your heart deeply!
I liked this short story of honesty!
WE "must" go through SAD, and weakening moments, to strengthen us! I know I have! If you read in my "Poems" about #55 or so down, "My Mom's Husband" BEWARE, strong and blunt but HONEST! and about #44 or so down, "The Name DAD Should be Love" and I have others, and uplifting too, but, the torture brought me through to the light! but you know... In your story and the pastor speach, Expiration date of the relationship at hand, my feelings is how do YOU KNOw, you feel it, and you know it hONEstly! and you feel you can no longer GROW in that relationship and you feel distant and the relationship just ends inside, I could say more but not writing a book! LOL - YOu wrote all your feelings out, really well here. ONE word I find in all relationships is "RESENTMENT" and that can build, if you allow it - Or get out while you still can, so your soul doesn't fester!
STay Positive!
STay SAFE!
Happy and Healthy!
WArmed in Inner Peace, LOVE, Light and Wisdom! Warrior Purple Lady Sheeeoox
Always! Believe in your 1st. Instinct, and FOLLOW It! I do, and it works! FAITH and HOPE= LOVE
Women Do It Better (Short Story) - 8/6/2007 3:36:23 PM
Women may do it better, but is that good? Sharon, you've offered a great view into a side of life many avoid. The constant that remains is that too many try to do it better with someone else. You've done a good job here and there is more that could be said.
Cheers
Dan
Women Do It Better (Short Story) - 8/5/2007 12:19:12 PM
I found the subgect sour to taste at 1st, due to much a installed victorian up-bringing. But having the focus to read on I actually ..liked your article.and ended up in agreement. so well done to you. Good pen! But" men do ,Do it just as well!!! just.. not as much. lol. be safe Steve.
Sexy Bitch! (Poetry) - 7/7/2009 8:51:54 AM
Powerfully expressed. Well done! Thank you for sharing your perspective in very real terms. Love and best wishes to you,
Regis
Sexy Bitch! (Poetry) - 12/9/2007 7:27:27 PM
This line is the most seductive line in the poem Sexy Bitch!
"Your mind alone is worth a million-mile journey "
Damn, this reads like a rap song...Queen Latifah and Sharon Smith...some girls grabbin' the mattress and Sweetwater gettin' it all on parchment firebrand style! Good stuff, SS...did you recognize our initials are the same! No wonder this is a hot quill!
Sage
Revenge (Poetry) - 12/9/2007 6:50:12 PM
A lesson in rhyme and reason, Sharon...reminds me of the Kevin Costner movie 'Revenge'. This is a well thought-out piece of poetry...like written from someone who has been on the receiving end of revenge. This is reflective of what should be posted near the bathroom mirror and looked at several times daily...Sharon, it's always a pleasure to be in your company at the many other venues on the Internet of which you and I are friends and network with each other. You are a valued friend and peer in this business...thank you, Sharon...Happy Holidays to you and your family...Blessed Be.
Love,
Sage
33 Hours (Poetry) - 9/10/2007 12:45:51 PM
Giving thanks in all circumstances is truly divine, keep the faith and keep sharing your poetic talent.
God Bless You and Your Loved ones
My Woman (Poetry) - 9/1/2007 2:23:02 PM
Dear Sharon;
This is a strong and heartfelt declaration of love.
Doc
33 Hours (Poetry) - 9/1/2007 2:18:52 PM
Dear Sharon;
This is interesting. Did they actually incarcerate you without clothing and shoes? The verse seems to indicate that. Such treatment is inexcusable, especially for a misdemeanor. Also, I am curious as to why you refer to Goliath as "she"...? Nice write. Very emotive of your feelings.
Doc
Lied (Poetry) - 8/31/2007 12:18:38 AM
LOL! Very good! GET it OUT Sharon!
I loved the flowwwwww here!
I write out my feelings too, when confused! It really helps!
Your writing style is unique, honest and strong!
Hang in!
WArmly, Warrior Purple Lady Sheeeoox
STay Positive!
STay SaFE!
If you have time, come read my heartfelt lines! You may be touched deeply by my meanings! I do hope...
Enjoy! your day in wonderful and exciting ways!
33 Hours (Poetry) - 8/31/2007 12:15:15 AM
OMG what sad intense memories you have Sharon!
My heart goes with you daily!
Always!
sTay Positive, as I find in your lines in this wonderful empowering poem!
WE must shine our warm light outward, as you are graciously doing in your writing!
Write On!
WArmed in Inner Peace, LOVE, Light and Wisdom! Warrior Purple Lady Sheeeoox
STay Positive!
STAy SAFE!
I am touched by your deep and loving heart, *(even while being tainted by others, as mine has been terribly, but we persevere, Survivors and sTrong ones do) I started Tracking/Following your heart and soul as of tonight, and I am glad to be able to heart/mind travel with you! Thank you for your treasures! PEACE, Love and Light! -She-
33 Hours (Poetry) - 7/29/2007 10:35:43 AM
Nice write filled with sad memories.
Peace,
Dan
My Woman (Poetry) - 7/29/2007 10:24:28 AM
Well Sharon, I don't know if you would die, but you've done a wonderful write in describing your woman. Well done!
Peace,
Dan
