Brooks, Thompson, Johnson, and Harrison, four of the most common names in the United States. Yet, these young men, at the beginning of their bridge to manhood, are anything but ordinary. They are also the cream of the crop of men who make up the Next Generation Series. And so, it begins…
The journey into manhood for four friends, James, Elliott, Calvin, and JC is not what one would expect. As sons of the leaders of the United States, their lives are under a microscope, surrounded by secret service. When they decide to take a journey around the world, the experience alters their lives in ways none of them expected. For James Avery Brooks Jr., he discovers a persona that leads to his code name PANTHER.
James has come to a crossroads. He is about to graduate from college and enter law school, and is still contemplating his career. Should he step into his father’s shoes and choose politics, or find his own passion? James would probably take the safest route. However, Panther would take the path of protecting people, by any means necessary.
Princess ZsaZsa Ashro was brought to the United States for safety after she was kidnapped in her country of Emure. Yet, her love for the people of Emure has not diminished. On the contrary, her desire to improve the lives of women in her country is paramount in her mind.
The moment their eyes meet, James knows ZsaZsa is the woman for him. He was captivated by her exotic beauty, but it is her mind and dedication to her country and its people that had him captured. Whatever he must endure to have her as his own, he was willing to do, even if it meant challenging a king for her hand in marriage.
It all comes down to country, family, and love.
Cynthia Medley (verified owner) –
I enjoyed The Next Generation: Panther! This was book was everything that I expected. I loved watching James and ZsaZsa fall in love. I enjoyed watching the young men grow, mature, and continue to have each others backs. There was action, suspense, and romance all rolled into one. I can’t wait to read more from this series. I can’t wait to see how the next book beings because that ending!!! Whew…. Job well done.
LaShon H –
Five Starts and Beyond….
I love me some Iris Bolling books, but let me tell you!!!! This one right here!!!! It had so much in it, in the beginning Iris takes us on the journey on how James & Princess Zsa Zsa met then continues on through their relationship building us up for what is to come. She takes us through their thought process and how James and Zsa Zsa come to find their passion in life, then she takes us for a loop – yep that’s all you’re getting from me! I am not going to spoil it for you, you need to read this one to get the full effect. How Iris Bolling’s mind works is amazing. You will not see all that is coming, you will get snippets or nuggets for what to look for in the future and you will get an amazing story that you don’t want to put down. Definitely a 5 star read!
Martha Spearman Ruff (verified owner) –
PANTHER by Iris Bolling is smorgasbord of literary genius at its finest. She has a way of filling our plates to capacity but still leave her reader craving more!!!
Everything about this story was well written; we had a chance to watch James Jr. and Princess Zsa Zsa relationship start off as a friendship and grow into a forever love that would stand up against whatever obstacles placed in its way.
Zsa Zsa stepped into the role she spent years preparing for, all while making her voice heard to the people who should have loved and protected it her.
We were able to see James Jr. come into his own; accepting all facets of his life including being the James Jr Brooks that best fit HIM and what he wanted for HIS life.
Finally, it wouldn’t be an Iris Bolling story if there wasn’t action… and Panther has that in spades!!! We get to see our beloved favorite characters from the Iris Bolling literary universe kick butt all while giving us the comedy that we have come to expect from them.
She loves throwing curveballs and dropping bread crumbs for us readers to try and decipher; brilliantly setting us up for the next story.
I found myself slowing down towards the end of the story because I didn’t want it to end, however I’ll be rereading it again this weekend looking for those bread crumbs… awesome job Mrs. Iris!!!
Tracey Wright (verified owner) –
New Iris Bolling readers do not feel that you have to go back and read the previous novels. Bolling does an excellent job of building the background of the main characters. Old readers will appreciate getting reacquainted with the boys at the threshold of manhood. You will talk out loud, laugh, hold your breath, and swoon. But, you will go back and read the previous novels. Enjoy the adventure! Iris Bolling is not done.
*Personal Note – Let’s support our Black Authors. Purchasing a book from our authors’ website directly supports them.
Antionette Gates (verified owner) –
Wow! Wow! Wow!
The NG series comes out on the prowl to woo new readers,gather seasoned IB readers, and young adult readers, with James Jr and ZsaZsa leading the way.
The Next Generation has young men and women stepping into not only new careers but their purpose as well as destinies. Romantic word foreplay, plot twist, foreign and domestic villains, superhero action, along with humor surround this sweet couple throughout the novel.
Definitely a book for the summer vacation totebag. Excellent storytelling!
Nicole Walker (verified owner) –
I did not want the story to end. I so enjoyed this book. James/Panther is nothing to play with. Zsa Zsa is a Tracy #2. She speaks her mind. That Raheem cares about nobody but himself. I hope to hear more from Jabari. I can go on and on so I’m going to stop, but they done messed with another one of Brian’s. This is goi g to be interesting. Loved it!!!!
Velva Seay(Josie Seay) (verified owner) –
Panther was so good. It starts with us being reacquainted with how James Brooks Jr met his love Princess Zsa Zsa Ashro. We watched as they fell more in love as they matured. James Jr and his friends Elliot, Calvin Jr and JC were still the best of friends. We saw their adventures and saw how they grew into their purposes in life. This book had absolutely everything. Iris Bolling is a genius. I am so looking forward to the rest of the next generation while still seeing the OG’s in action.
MERCEDES HENDERSON (verified owner) –
I thoroughly enjoyed this next generation. I can’t wait for the rest of THE KITTENS.
MamaToni (verified owner) –
Dang! Dang! Dang! Double Dang!
How do you review a book that was astounding from start to finish? You ask questions.
1. Was there danger? Yes!
2. Was there Romance? You know it.
3. What type of humor was there? It made you laugh out loud, then reread the sentence to laugh again.
4. Could you feel the connections between friends? Yes, to the highest degree.
5. Were there dumb mistakes made by some of the characters? Oh, heck yes.
6. Reading: were there times when you feared what would come next? Yes, holding my breath as I go to the next scene.
The next generation carries its own weight. I am so looking forward to JC, Calvin, and Elliott’s stories.