***Rides bike down Wordpress Avenue, ringing bell, “Se!x for sale, Tinkerbell. Love too. Rakim’s version and Ella’s as well”***

There wasn’t much hype surrounding Karrine Stephens’ new book “The Vixen Diaries” (release date 9/25/07).

 It didn’t end up on the New York Times bestseller for the week of Sept 30, 2007, as “Confessions” did on its debut a couple of years ago. Black popular culture blogs don’t even mention Steffans’ sophomore tell all. But I knew that she would be my first “ Come Back Girl” blog entry. Not for the fact she completely typifies what I imagined as a woman on the comeback, she has reinvented herself as all Come Back Girls do. (However, when I complimented her on her reinvention in Q&A she graciously thanked me but stated that it was growth rather than reinvention. Why do people love to hate the word “reinvention”?

And for the fact that she appeared in Bowie, Maryland (a wealthy black suburb outside of DC) last night at Border’s Book. She was only scheduled to talk for about 15 minutes. But 15 minutes of question and answers turned into closer to an hour. The district manager seemed a little nervous about turnout about an hour prior to her arrival. He even asked little old customer me with sweaty palms “do you think a lot of people are going to show up between his constant mic checks. The location was perfect in my estimation. Wealthy, black educated (PG County) was the best possible location. There is certainly dollar power to purchase the book. And educated people at least give you a chance to talk (sometimes) before launching attacks (which usually don’t get physical). And physical threats seem to be the constant question-given her outing her R&B and Hip-Hop married men pursuits.

Karrine arrived (looking understated in jeans, empire sweater and Gucci-esqe flip flops) and commented that the 200 or so people was her largest book signing ever. Prior to her arrival there were a few naysers-I polled the crowed. And even more who were conflicted by her ability to flip the script-but wondered if she was all that reformed given her recent sexual exploits. VH1 recently profiled hip-hop wives, and she seemed to me to be slightly invigorated when the wives would come after her in Vegas—in her infamous “check him not me” retorts. And she didn’t appear all that retrospective or changed in the episode. This was my only bone to pick.

 “Vixen” was not as scandalous as “Confessions” (and it’s been rumored that Harper Collins pressured her to tell more). I was more fascinated with the infamous Norwood (who is homosexual) and has been profiled on BET, VH1 and MTV as the eccentric R&B singer/songwriter-with a dyed to match pink manicured poodle (or was it blue). Steffans stated that they bonded and what he revealed (which she wouldn’t discuss even though this was a tell all), was that they were kindred spirits. My mind immediately thought about Norwood and Steffans having sexual conquests in common. Perhaps this name drop would have put her on the NYT bestseller list.

There were two people in particular who were ready for her. They sat in second row front and center. He looked like a frustrated marine to me, who also claimed to be a school teacher. He began to talk to us pre-Steffans arrival. He stated that there was an unwritten rule about kissing and telling-you just don’t do it. I was slightly annoyed because there is a double standard in sexual encounters and last time I heard casual sex didn’t have rules. The other woman who sat behind me wanted to know how a “hoe could write two tell alls. Hadn’t she gotten everything off her chest the first time.” They both were poised for verbal attack.

Karrine shut them all down to the tune of one “Amen” from the frustrated marine. She came in and did a PR slick move. Steffans stood the whole time as we sat. She talked about women who resented her saw something equally repulsive in themselves (DEEP). She talked about wanting to write children’s books. And that writing these tell alls were strategic-because she’s disclosed everything-and no one could come after her in the future and say “but weren’t you the Superhead” giving Mr. Marcus major pleasure in the x rated videos 7 years ago.