Men, Money and Gold Diggers-Je’Caryous Johnson

Men, Money and Gold Diggers
Je’Caryous Johnson
Grand Central, Apr 16 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780446541084

In Houston African-American investment banker Caleb Peterson wonders why he always meets gold diggers. Recently, there was cheating Kendra; before her was Vanessa who used his credit card to buy boobs for her mom; and before her was Liza who still drives the Mercedes. His latest Asia proves the opposite but she is too nice, uneducated, and Josephine six-pack. He pulls a stunt with “Water Melon” to dump her.

In Houston, former model Paisley Terrell has been with Bobby for a year and a half, but thinks he is stepping out on her. She arranges for the “Busted” reality TV show to prove her claim and they do. She ends it on the air.

Caleb and Paisley meet at a club with most nursing their latest relationship failures. They hit it off and become engaged, but their friends warn each of them over whether to have a pre-nuptial agreement or not. Meanwhile Dedra ends her abusive relationship with violent Marcus while also falling in love with Caleb while Paisley’s ex sports agent Bobby Trumane is back in town ready to pick up where he left with Paisley.

This novelization of the author’s play is a well written tale of love that though the reader will know is an adaptation will appreciate anyway due to the cast. The lead couple is a fascinating pairing as each is going through relationship-karma as they learn what love is all about. With the exception of Dedra, the support cast is never fully developed though they play key roles. With a terrific final spin on what’s love, Je’Caryous Johnson provides an engaging novelization of his play MEN, MONEY AND GOLD DIGGERS.

Harriet Klausner