Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Sistahs On The Shelf Reviews "Two And A Possible"

Rating: 4½ out of 5

Love military style is the order of TWO AND A POSSIBLE, the debut novel by Dahni McPhail, who writes a sensitive, insightful story of a black lesbian in the Army.
With the main character of the same name as the author, the life of a private is shown in great detail as she falls in love for the first time against the backdrop of basic training. Dahni leaves home for the first time at 18, headed for an army base with dreams of glory. Drawn to the structure and professionalism of the military, she immediately aspires to climb the ranks as an officer.
That is until Dahni meets her own drill sergeant of pain, Sergeant First Class Jones aka the Jackal. After that, her life is never the same. The Jackal puts Dahni through her paces, torturing her and her fellow privates - christened the Kru - who soon become her sisters-in-crime. Jones gives them hell every single day, and Dahni will never forget the merciless woman.
While being tormented, Dahni manages to have a love life - as much as you can have in the military with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” laws. After surmising her inexperience, Private Sealyn Scott teases Dahni unmercifully with questions. Their flirtation takes a new level when they celebrate graduating basic training; she savors the sweet taste of a woman, but it leaves her confused about what it means about herself and her sexuality. She can’t be attracted to women…can she?
Not helping matters is the fact that she may never see Sealyn again. After being transferred to Germany, Dahni is on her own, with no friends or love in her life. She meets her firecracker roommate, MiMi, a Black-Korean beauty who gets her out of her shell and out of the closet. MiMi shows her that she can love a woman without being scared. It goes effortlessly until Sealyn reappears. Whom will she choose: her first love or her new one?
McPhail has a masterpiece on her hands with Two and a Possible. It combines a love story with a subject she knows well, as she served in the armed forces herself. It’s so finely portrayed you feel like you’re there. The drama is engaging, without being too scandalous. McPhail is definitely a writer to watch, and one I’ll make room for on my shelf.

Reviewed February 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009 THE WORD IS OUT: Reviews.

Dahni, I stayed up all last night until I was finished. The book was excellent. You had me laughing and I was so engrossed in the book I couldn't put it down. You are definitely, to me, up there with the top best sellers. All in all I loved your book. I can see your sense of humor in it because Dahni sounds like you, for real. I'm going to purchase a few more copies for my friends who I think may enjoy it. You have a winner!
--J.B. & S.J. of RekLes Entertainment. www.reklesent.com

--Incredible Journey
by Sexyseed on Saturday 03 of May, 2008 14:14:54 UTC
Dahni is one of my favorite authors because she writes from a perspective that allows the reader to stand in her shoes. You experience the story through her eyes. While reading this book, I wanted to shake Dahni at times and say "girl what are you thinking." There were other times that I wanted to hug her becuase I felt so bad for her. The characters in this story are so real that the reader becomes invested in what happens to them. It took you from humor, to sadness, to anger, to shock. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotion. You didn't know what you were going to come up against next but you know it would be exciting. I suggest that everyone strap in and enjoy the ride! www.seedis..com

--by zipporah.sherald on Monday 28 of April, 2008 12:32:38 UTC
Dahni - I must say that I have read many books but none came close to the level of Two and a Possible. You have done an outstanding job with this book. It has everything that a person like myself is looking for when reading a book. It took me from being naive in certain things to becoming well diverse and openminded. It was full of suspense, drama, funniness, and sadness. I prejudge T before reading all of the book and now regretting that I ever did that. Which means that this book contained lots of reality in the world today. Again I tip my hat off to you for such a marvelous job.

--Awesome Book!
by angelchavis1 on Monday 28 of April, 2008 12:20:17 UTC
I must say that this book is AWESOME! I have read a few lesbian books before, but this book takes "lesbianism" to another level. It's funny, touching, inspirational, and dramatic. I have never read a book that brought tears to my eyes, both happy and sad! "Two And A Possible" book did it! Thank you Dahni, this has been a nostalgia for my earlier years.

Outstanding Debut!
This book is excellent...there were times where I would just smile and reminisce...or be like damn!!!...i couldn't wait for the next chapter just to see what was next...and to see if I could relate...I damn sure could in a lot of areas :) when i was close to the end...and my last tear fell (yeah I shed one or two)...i didn't want it to end...this is definitely one I will recommend to all my friends...the ones that are family, str8 and unsure...there is something in there for all of them... --F.G. Editor

Memoirs of a Dahn

Since she was in a relationship, I wasn't sure I was receiving her transmission correctly. It seemed like she was coming on to me. I was lying on the floor watching TV and minding my own business. When she came over and sat on my stomach, I still thought she was just playing. The look on her face wasn't very serious. I figured she wanted to tumble. You know, have some fun.

I continued to think that until she looked deeply into my eyes and bent down to kiss me. It was a nice, sweet kiss. Her lips were warm and moist. She lifted her head and I saw that her eyes had this smoldering flame type look in them. She cocked her head to the right and smiled at me. When she did that, her hair fell down on her face, adding to her beauty. She tossed her tresses to the side and kissed me once more--passionately. Her tongue slid into my mouth and began searching for…..something. I responded to her and at that moment, decided to see if I could take this situation all the way.

I maneuvered her onto her back and continued the kiss. I made love to her mouth with my tongue, darting it in and out... These actions were a prelude to what I planned to do in other places. I received the "go ahead" in the form of a moan escaping from the depths of her throat….

No need for clothes. Buttons unbuttoned and her blouse fell away exposing beautiful brown skin. Hurriedly, I pulled her bra to the side and took one and then the other chocolate nipple into my mouth--sucking them... licking them... tenderly…forcefully. I reached behind and with a snap and a pull freed her nipples from their restraint. My mouth helped them celebrate their joyful release.

That's some fancy writing, huh? Well let me tell you what happened next. We were so heated from the fact that we'd wanted each other for forever—but couldn't get together--, we came out of the rest of our clothes in no time. I positioned my nakedness on hers and opened her legs. Her body began to push against mine. She was hot. She winded her hips and I moved with her. I could feel the warmth of her wetness on my thigh... Her thrusts let me know what she needed… "Don't worry baby", I thought... "I'm going to give it to you..."

I attacked her nipples again, devouring them. She was begging me to do more... She grabbed my hand and started pushing it toward her heat. I wanted to slam my fingers into her right then...

But... no. I kissed her hand and started a trail of kisses down her stomach, her navel. As I got closer to my destination, she opened her legs and lifted her body toward me. Not yet.

I kissed the crevice of one thigh... then the other... I slid my face across her mound and smelled her sweet essence.... My lips kissed her lips.... Then, I parted her gently with my tongue and took her entirely into my mouth...

"Aaaaauunngggghhh"... Indeed. I explored her folds with my tongue, making sure I tasted every part of her. I raised her legs and turned my head so I could have a straight shot. I thrust my tongue deep inside her and listened as she praised my accomplishment.

"Aaaaoooohhh yes... Yes, baby".... "Baaa beee"... Her hips moved in concert with my tongue's attack. I knew it wouldn't be long before she exploded, but I wanted it to last a little longer. I backed off. She grabbed my head and pushed her hips toward me begging me to take her there.

I tried to wait. But I'd been secretly dreaming about this for so long, I was weak. I had to!

I dove face first into her hot, wetness and went after her button with renewed intent... "Dahni, yes. Don't stop!" Time for the rodeo! I slid my fingers inside her, filling her canal to the hilt. "Is this what you like, girl?" I felt her walls tighten.

"Dahni... Please! Baby, I'm..." The magic words! I lifted her bottom in the air, and slammed into her repeatedly, endlessly. "That's what you wanted, right? Huh?" She writhed under my finger's assault. "Yes! Harder, Dahni! Yes!" I felt her legs locking around my head… "Oh, gaaaaaaahhhhh!"

It was all over nearly as quickly as it started. I felt her grip loosen. I listened as her breathing calmed....I lay there while she ran her fingers through my hair. Then, I looked at the clock to see how much more time there was before she had to leave.