The Critics Have Spoken (at least some of them)

Here's what Booklist magazine had to say about If These Walls Could Talk:

Following the tragedy of 9/11, three African American families contemplate moving from New York City to the suburbs. As different as they are, when all three families see an ad on television promising affordable new homes 100 miles away in Pennsylvania, it seems like an answer to their prayers. Milo and Dawn Young have good jobs, and they jump at the salesman’s pitch to upgrade their dream home without investigating anything regarding construction, financing, or the commute. After inheriting money, Reuben and Camille Curry also succumb to the persuasive salesman, but Norman and Veronica Lee take their time, looking into the job situation and financing. After moving, all three families meet on the bus, having discovered the harsh realities of their long commutes. Griffin offers a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of hasty home ownership in a compelling drama about three families striving for the American dream. —Patty Engelmann

And here's what RT (Romantic Times) Bookclub magazine had to say about If These Walls Could Talk:

The pace of Griffin's latest is slow for the first half of the book. Fortunately, the second half shows more spice, complicity, dysfunction and perseverance as we follow three couples who leap from renting in the inner city to owning in the suburbs. Once the uniqueness of each family's situation becomes more notable, this evolves into an enjoyable novel.

Summary: While paying rent for apartments in New York City, Reuben and Camille, Milo and Dawn, and Norman and Veronica see the same commercial for affordable homes in the Poconos and decide to buy. But all is not paradise. Hours of commuting takes a toll on their finances and marriages. The cracks that quickly surface in Milo and Dawn's backyard spread to their home. How prepared each of the three couples is to face the nightmare that sometimes accompanies the American dream determines whether they move up or just out. (Dafina, Jun., 320 pp., $14.00) ‹Robin R. Pendleton

I'm feeling pretty good about these. Now I'm off to see how I can master the art of establishing "the uniqueness of each family's situation" without slowing down the pace!

Writing. It's an ongoing evolution.

I love it.