Savor The Sweetness
Marchel Alverson
ISBN: 9781432718237
Outskirts Press
Reviewed By Regina Terry
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Celeste
Gray and Terri Hunter have little in common, save the lifelong
friendship that's sustained them throughout the peaks and valleys that
each has experienced over the years. Celeste is a wife and mother whose
husband eagerly fulfills her every need, and Terri, with a fierce
independent streak, wants for nothing as she makes her mark on the
world. The two women are the very semblance of strength, class, beauty,
and success, and their lives are striking examples of the best the
world has to offer.
Looks are often deceiving, though, and
such is never more true than with Celeste and Terri. Beneath their
polished facades, both women secretly crave change, longing to
experience the very lives that others would gladly exchange with them
if the opportunity ever presented itself. To paraphrase an old saying,
though, the grass may always seem greener on the other side, but the
true essence of life always lies in personal perspective.
Whether
she's ready for it or not, change ultimately – and tragically – comes
when Celeste's husband is suddenly killed in a hit-and-run accident,
sending her on an emotional tailspin that leads her to make one
ill-informed decision after another. For her part, Terri struggles to
comfort her ailing friend – a task made nearly impossible when Celeste
begins a lustful pursuit of Terri's barely-legal son. As the bond of
their friendship weakens further and further under the considerable
strain, the two women are forced to take deep introspective looks
within themselves – and one another – in order to come to a greater
understanding of the true nature of their relationship – as well as the
looming prospects for their quickly unraveling lives.
The second effort by Marchel Alverson, Savor The Sweetness
is a promising sign of a literary talent that continues to improve. Her
compelling tale of humanity at its most raw and vulnerable is all at
once arresting, inspiring, and engaging. Accentuating her storytelling
is her conversational writing style, which enables the reader to relate
to the women's travails on a personal level. Even though the women live
in the lap of relative luxury, the sagas of their lives unfold in the
depths of familiar human drama, which offsets the shallow opulence of
their existence.
Furthermore, by personalizing Celeste and Terri
so effectively, Alverson prevents the women from being demonized in the
eyes of the reader, which allows their actions – questionable though
they may be – to be viewed as natural byproducts of the simple
machinations of everyday lives with which we are all familiar.
Impressive and engrossing, Savor The Sweetness is a highly recommended account of the best and worst of the common human nature that binds us all.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Marchel Alverson (Savor The Sweetness)
Apex Reviews: Marchel, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Our reviewer noted that the old saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side" serves as a key factor behind the decisions that Celeste & Terri make. Why can't either of them realize the repercussions of their actions before they commit them?
Marchel Alverson: We are all born with a sinful nature that prones us to covet what others possess. Few of us, in this microwave culture, are content with what we have. Celeste and Terri are a prime example of this mindset. So, they don't recognize the repercussions because they are blinded by what they perceive will be this wild bliss on the other side of sin.
AR: In that same vein, much is made nowadays about the challenges that women face in finding a good man; yet, Celeste has a husband who indulges her every whim - and she's still not satisfied. What are your thoughts on why some women tend to under-appreciate good men?
MA: Basically, because our culture continues to glorify the "bad" guys and the "dogs" so to speak. Just look around us - it's all about the hardness of a man – the need for this tough exterior. Our movies, with a few exceptions, are centered around the "thugs," the crime lords and the rap moguls. But, what happened to the husband who goes to work every day and comes home to be with, and take care of, his family every night? That's not sexy enough anymore. Somehow we've devalued our "good" brothers, while in the same breath saying that they don't appreciate us.
AR: How could Celeste possibly think that pursuing her best friend's teenage son is a good idea?
MA: The thing about Celeste you have to realize is that she is not in her right mind at the time she seeks solace in her friend's son. She is so burdened by her grief and guilt that she is blind to the needs of others. She develops an addiction - much the same way as an alcoholic or drug addict - because many people don't realize that the need for love can become an addiction.
AR: Are any parts of the book autobiographical in nature?
MA: Yes. I have shared and continue to share similar struggles as Terri and Celeste. I think every author leaves some part of their spirit - their experiences - in their work. Now, which parts may be autobiographical in nature, well, that's between me and God.
AR: Your debut novel, Painted On Souls, continues to garner widespread acclaim. Please share a little more about it with our readers.
MA: Painted On Souls was my first novel, and it was published in 2006. It is a family saga about a biracial girl, Kasha, who comes of age in a world - a community - that isn't ready for her. Much like myself. It also touches upon the scars we as parents inadvertently leave our children with when we our grappling with our own issues instead of focusing on the ones who will continue our legacy.
AR: Your writing style is very conversational and fluid. How long have you written?
MA: Thank you. I think I was born with a pencil and notepad in my hand! Seriously, I can remember as early as being in first grade and writing poetry for my peers and teachers.
AR: Who have been some of your chief writing influences?
MA: When I was a senior in high school, I had an English teacher, Mrs. Tews, who took an interest in me and my writing. She saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself at the time. In college, it was Mrs. Kinder who continued to hone my skills - to push me to write more and give readings and to dream. On a less personal note, the list of authors that I love is endless. We are truly a talented bunch of people.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with Outskirts Press?
MA: It's been good. It's still hard to be a self-published author though. But, it's getting better. I'm seriously considering becoming a true self-published author and doing it all from scratch with my third novel – and there will be a third soon!
AR: What are your future writing aspirations?
MA: I have a deep love affair with the written word, so my goal is plain and simple - to continue writing until I physically or mentally can't anymore, or until God calls me home.
AR: How/where can people learn more about your writings and other efforts?
MA: There are a few short stories that I've written on my web site at mysite.verizon.net/resuw2kc and you can find me at www.outskirtspress.com/marchelalverson. Also, on my web site, I have a contact link, so I can be easily reached with questions or requests.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
MA: I would just like to thank Apex Reviews and everyone else for their amazing support. It's hard to be a writer, it's twice as hard to be a black writer – but we're building a wonderful community of authors and readers that can only get better with time.
AR: Thanks again, Marchel, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!