Divas Don't Yield: A Novel

by Sofia Quintero

What starts out as a pilgrimage to a women’s conference turns into an unexpected journey toward self-awareness for four dynamic, sexy women. Jackie confronts her vulnerability as she falls for a handsome lawyer, while Hazel makes the toughest confession of her life. Lourdes stands up to her conservative mother, and Irena faces her demons. As they make their way from town to town, laughing, fighting, crying, and bonding, they learn more about one another, and themselves, than they ever bargained for–and turn plenty of heads along the way. . . .

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Sofia Quintero is the author of several novels and short stories that cross genres. Born into a working-class Puerto Rican-Dominican family in the Bronx., the self-proclaimed Ivy League homegirl earned a BA in history-sociology from Columbia University in 1990 and her MPA from the university's School of International and Public Affairs in 1992. After years of working on a range of policy issues from multicultural education to HIV/AIDS, she decided to pursue career that married arts and activism. Under the pen name Black Artemis, she wrote the hip hop novels Explicit Content, Picture Me Rollin and Burn. Sofia is also the author of the novel Divas Dont Yield and contributed novellas to the chica lit anthologies Friday Night Chicas and Names I Call My Sister. As an activist, she co-founded Chica Luna Productions (chicaluna.com), a nonprofit organization that seeks to identify, develop and support women of color who wish to create socially conscious entertainment. She is also a founding creative partner of Sister Outsider Entertainment, a multimedia production company that produces quality entertainment for multicultural audiences. Sofia is presently working on her first young adult novel Efrains Secret which will be published by Knopf in 2009. To learn more about Sofia and her work, visit blackartemis.com, sisteroutsider.biz or myspace.com/sofiaquintero."

Reviews

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just remember, when you read this review, It is me writing it, so you take it w/ a grain of salt:

This is a book I wanted to like, I really did.... Sounds like fun four chicas/amigas out on a Road Trip!

I didn't like the women in the book, I didn't like their families, I didn't like their attitudes.... I don't like jealous b.s. games, I don't like the book....

"Tons of Baggage" is the operator here....... Oh my, 4 pretty, single college "chicas"..... Doing their best to live their lives.... One has a b.f. whose wife wants him back, one is a Lipstick Lesbian in love w/ one of the gals who happens to be her best friend, one is attempting to heal herself from a traumatic experience via spirituality. They battle their lovers, ex-lovers, mothers, fathers... in middle of their battles, they all get up and go on a road trip to San Francisco, and have to deal w/ each other!

Personally, I just didn't care about these chicas.... So sad, too bad!

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was a dollar tree find and it was good enough. The writing was unimpressive and the story line had no surprises, but it was a good filler book - easy to read and pleasant. I was probably too old for it - the theme is more of a coming of age post-college figuring out who you are and forming friendships and making career choices, etc.

[Layne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys chick lit stories--it's a really interesting take on the genre. I loved the character of Jackie especially; she is a great heroine.

[Evelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book had a little bit of a slow start and a sudden ending, but I really enjoyed the middle. The characters were enjoyable- I loved getting to know them.