SOMETHIN' EXTRA by Patty Rice is the story of sassy, cynical Genie Gatlin. First-time novelist Patty Rice uses humor and pain to boldly illustrate how life can be distorted by past experiences, and how we must face our fears in order to ultimately move beyond them.

A slew of bad relationships causes twenty-something Genie to believe men are good for only two things: their bank accounts and their bedroom skill. Her no-strings attitude leads her to date married men. And it's the perfect setup -- or so she seems to think. David Lewis is the man who enters Genie Gatlin's life and forces her to second-guess her theory. David appears to have it all -- money, looks, prestige. But beneath the surface are a midlife crisis and a failing marriage that make Genie's youth and charm irresistible to him.

Through much introspection, both Genie and David learn about love, themselves and letting go of the past.

Patty Rice is co-founder of My Sister Writers, a writers' group for African-American women. A poet as well, she has published a chapbook, "Manmade Heartbreak". Her second novel is Reinventing the Woman. She resides with her two daughters in Maryland.

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