In My Sister's House

December 14, 2009
The bond of sisterhood for African-American twins Storm and Skylar Morrison becomes stronger when sorely tested in Welch’s engrossing latest. After Storm serves a three-year prison term for her part in a botched robbery, she asks for a job at Skylar’s successful Philadelphia night club, Legends. Reuniting with encouraging old family friend Nettie Flowers, and knowing she has an inheritance from her father who died while she was incarcerated, infuses Storm with hope. But she makes a big mistake in hooking up again with her two-timing thug boyfriend, DuBoy. Welch (The Bachelorette Party
) weaves fascinating supporting characters into his mad and wise morality play—including Lovely, a nurse-by-day/Legends dancer-by-night; June Alvarado, Nettie’s young Latina lesbian lover; and third-rate comic Flynn Wilson—although Gidget, a rude white dancer at the club, is a blatant stereotype. As tragic events pile up, including the fatal stabbing of Nettie, Welch scores a winner with the two sisters discovering the extraordinary power of forgiveness.

December 17, 2009
Recently released from jail, Storm Morrison reunites with her twin sister, Skylar, who runs Legends, a popular nightclub for the Philadelphia culturatis. Their father had left the club to both siblings, but Skylar has been keeping the family legacy, while Storm served her prison sentence. Now Storm wants to reclaim her birthright, but her sister is not quite ready to share the reins. To add to the drama, club colleagues hold secrets that threaten to break the sisters' fragile bond and Storm's renewed trust in matters of the heart. Verdict This second novel (after The Bachelorette Party) by the popular producer of African American plays a la Tyler Perry is more of a "sistah lit" novel (a subgenre of chick lit), but it has story elements relatable to street lit, with the characterization of the protagonist as an ex-convict trying to reclaim her life. Well written and well constructed, this will appeal to readers who enjoy the glamour of the black Hollywood set.-Vanessa Irvin Morris, The iSchool at Drexel Univ., Philadelphia

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