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African-American
Fiction - New Reviews
5.0 Books = Classic | 4.0 - 4.5
Books = Impressive | 3.0 - 3.5 Books =
Noteworthy
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5 out of 5 books |
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Eric Jerome Dickey
Pleasure
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Nia Simone Bijou is
a successful Trinidadian writer who has everything that a
woman could want. She is a recent L.A. transplant that has
moved to Atlanta so that she can be as free as she wants to be
without being under her successful Hollywood mother's shadow.
But the one thing that Nia is searching for seems to be
unobtainable: sexual pleasure. She's still trying move on from
the break-up of her ex-boyfriend Logan, but he won't take no
for an answer. Nia's thirst for pleasure is quenched when she
meets not one, but two lovers named Mark and Karl. Soon Nia is
swept into a world where all of her carnal desires are
satisfied by both of these men. She enjoys Mark and Karl for
different reasons and she can't pick just one. But when this
love triangle spins out of control and borders on obsession,
will Nia be brave enough to make the best decision for her
life without sacrificing her own wants and needs?
Pleasure is a seductively spicy novel by Eric Jerome Dickey.
Dickey eloquently draws the reader into Nia's quest for sexual
pleasure from the very first page. You will see the complexity
of Nia's character as she battles with two sides of herself.
There's the sensible side who knows that partaking in this
kind of sexual behavior is risky. Then there's the more
free-spirited side that says having these kinds of adventures
is just what she needs. Fans of Dickey's previous work will
still find his signature thought-provoking writing style in
this story. But please remember that this novel is
straight-up, in-your-face erotica. So if you're a diehard fan
of EJD but not a fan of erotica, then this story will not be
for you. The sex scenes are so steamy that you will find it
hard to look away from the pages and may need to either drink
a cold glass of water or take a cold shower to cool off.
Dickey also flexed his creative muscle by telling this story
in a female point of view and mixing in key elements of Karma
Sutra and Anais Nin into this story. There is also a
disturbing underlying theme of twisted obsession and
competitiveness that will have you scratching your head.
Pleasure is deliciously erotic and addictive. Eric Jerome
Dickey once again proves that he has that golden touch, no
matter what genre he writes in.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
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4 out of 5 books |
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Bad Blood
is a new and exciting werewolf tale by L.A. Banks; author of
The Vampire Huntress Legend Series. This saga begins with the
tale of Sasha Trudeau, a woman who knows all too well about
working beneath the shadows. While the world is unaware of the
things that go bump in the night, Sasha is all too familiar
with them. Why is she familiar with them? Because she is a
member of a highly trained Special Ops Unit who works for the
government. Her unit's mission is to keep the world in the
dark about the paranormal. Sasha and her team all have one
thing in common: they're an elite group of individuals who are
survivors of werewolf attacks and are trained to be loyal to
each other and the government. Things go terribly wrong for
Sasha when she returns from a solo mission and finds out that
her team has mysteriously gone missing. In the search for her
missing team, nothing will prepare Sasha for all of the
conspiracies she'll uncover and the double-dealing vampires
that she'll have to deal with. Also, when she discovers who
and what she really is, it's only the beginning....
L.A. Banks' take on werewolves is new and refreshing. One of
the reasons that I like this tale is because it gives a
different spin on werewolves. If you're looking for the same
old stale tale of someone getting bit and turning into a wolf
or a silver bullet being the only thing that can kill wolves,
then this is not the story for you. Ms. Banks introduces a new
breed of wolves that are capable of more than shape shifting.
Oh, and don't get me started on the two potential male love
interests for Sasha! Even though Silver Shadow is very
mysterious, Max Hunter is definitely my favorite. Be warned
that this is the first book in a L.A. Banks series, so expect
this book to be a ground laying book. So make sure you pay
attention to the details in this book, because I'm sure they
will come into play in the second book in the Crimson Moon
Series,
Bite the Bullet. If you're into werewolves and want a
fresh, new, action packed story to read, then Bad Blood
is definitely the book for you because it is a really good
read!.
Reviewed by LaShonda Bates for
Urban-Reviews.com
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4 out of 5 books |
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Brenda Jackson
Her Little Black Book
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Courtney
Andrews is a 29-year-old single, attractive woman who is
not sure that she will ever find true love. Her parents
have been married for 30 years, and Courtney has witness
nothing but infidelity from her father and her Uncle Joe
during that time. Both men have shown her and her
soon-to-be-married cousin Sonya Morrison how not to trust
men. Sonya is tough, going through men like water and does
not have a shameful bone in her body. She finds the man of
her dreams and gives up the belief that all men are like
their parents. She accepts love and decides to go ahead
and give marriage a try. Passing her legendary black book
to Courtney to help her get the ball rolling on finding
her dream man, Sonya makes Courtney promise to call some
of the men and go on dates.
After the wedding, Courtney decides she will call a few of
the men. Disaster after disaster has Courtney questioning
whether she is able to find a decent man, or if she should
throw that little black book away and give up altogether.
Sonya and her new husband return to the states for a
welcome home party thrown by one of Sonya’s closest
friends Brandy Masters. Also attending the party is
Brandy’s brother in-law Lake Masters.
Lake Master is a 39-year-old successful, handsome man who
is the second oldest of the Masters men and the only one
not married. Married to his job with a "no tolerance
level" for drama, Lake only deals with women on an "as
needed" basis. Spotting Courtney on her way to work one
day, Lake knows he has to find out who that woman is that
has his mind all in a blur. Meeting at Sonya’s welcome
home party, Lake tries to convince Courtney they are meant
to be on their first meeting. Courtney thinks Lake is
completely out of his mind, but the way her body is
responding to this man has her questioning if she is the
one out of her mind and not Lake! Going on their first
date has both Courtney and Lake all shook up. Deciding she
would give it a try with Lake, Courtney can’t believe he
is really all the things she’s ever wanted in a man.
I must say, Brenda Jackson once again delivers a wonderful
love story that has you questioning if there really are
men out here like the characters she creates in her
novels. This isn’t necessarily a continuation of the
Masters series; however, the main character is a Masters
brother. I enjoyed reading about the new characters added
on and reading a little about the old characters. One
thing that Ms. Jackson did come with was the Drama! I
think anyone will enjoy Her Little Black Book.
Reviewed by Angie for Urban-Reviews.com
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5 out of 5 books |
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Jessie
Bell Holt was an ambitious 18-year-old who used her beauty
and charm to get what she wanted out of men. Her father,
Reverend Holt, was completely ignorant to what his
daughter was up to. But her mother knew better since she
taught Jessie Bell everything she knew about the art of
manipulation. Jessie Bell wanted so desperately to get out
of the small town of Mayville, GA that she would do
anything to make sure she would get her freedom. She
finally found her way out and his name was Pastor Traynor
Deveraux Jr. Even though he was young, Traynor was such a
dynamic preacher that when people heard him bring the Word
of God, they knew he was touched by the spirit. He was so
touched that he could not see that he was being
manipulated by Jessie Bell.
Completely lost in her beauty and her knowledge of the
church, Traynor was smitten with Miss Holt and married her
immediately. Jessie Bell was finally free from the hick
town she was born and raised in, and finally on her way to
Atlanta, GA. Throughout their marriage, Jessie Bell made
sure Traynor was recognized as the great preacher she knew
he could be. With a little help from Jessie Bell's
tactics, Traynor became a super star that was acknowledged
all over the world. Everyone wanted to hear Pastor
Deveraux preach because they knew he was God-inspired. In
spite of all of the things that Jessie Bell did to get her
husband to the top, she soon finds out that you reap what
you sow.
In the vein of the biblical story of Jezebel, author
Jacquelin Thomas put a contemporary twist on it. Jacquelin
Thomas puts forth a deep look into what can happen when
temptation gets the best of you. Lead character Jessie
Bell is a perfect example since she learned at a very
young age how to mislead men into getting what she wanted.
The storyline also shows how even with the worst sins
committed, there's always a second chance at redemption.
Jezebel will prick your heart and get you to think
about some of your own little evil ways. If you're an avid
reader of Christian fiction, then this is the book for
you. Happy Reading!
Reviewed by Jackie for Urban-Reviews.com
Check out our
Exclusive Audio Interview with Jacquelin Thomas
in the On The Line section.
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Jacquelin Thomas
Jezebel
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5 out of 5 books |
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Marissa Monteilh
Something He Can Feel
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Marina Maxwell is a successful news anchor in Atlanta. She is
adored by her many fans that watch her on the news and through
her volunteer activities. Marina has some extreme anger
management issues towards men since high school and believes
that she can control herself when the right man comes along.
Marina soon meets a sexy police officer name Mangus
Baskerville who loves her so much that they quickly end up
getting married. With Marina being a lady in the street and a
tiger in the bedroom, Mangus thinks he has the perfect woman.
Mangus gets a rude awakening when he discovers
Marina's
anger and physical abuse towards him. To make matters worse, a
sexy new neighbor named Maxine extends an olive branch to
Mangus to try to get him out of his abusive situation. Will
Mangus break away from Marina?
Something He Can Feel is a thought-provoking and daring
novel by Marissa Monteilh. Monteilh masterfully brought a tale
of spousal abuse at the hands of a woman. The storyline was
innovative because you rarely hear of the plight of men who
are physically abused by their wives. This subject was
presented in a very precise and clear manner that will
definitely connect with readers. You will see how much of
Marina's
fractured childhood and young adulthood lead to her extreme
anger and physically abusive demeanor towards men. You will
feel for Mangus as he tries to deal with this issue on his
own. The irony in this story is that Mangus is a police
officer whose job is to protect and serve, but he needs to be
protected from his own wife. There is a healthy dose of erotic
sex scenes between Marina and Mangus, but it ties in well with
the whole control and abuse aspect of this story. Something
He Can Feel is a classic, emotionally-charged tale.
Marissa Monteilh has once again elevated her supreme
storytelling skills to new heights.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Check out our
Exclusive Audio Interview with Marissa Monteilh
in the On The Line section.
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3.5 out of 5 books |
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Kalil can already
taste his freedom, as it has been four long years since he’s
been down. While Kalil may have been a bona fide boss in the
streets, he’s already made it up in his mind that those days
are long gone. Kalil’s main focus is on making up for all of
the missed time with his baby girl Jada. Unknowingly, Kalil is
shocked beyond his wildest imagination as he learns that the
love he assumed was waiting for him may belong to someone
else.
London is stuck in an empty, abusive, and loveless marriage.
While she may have high fashions, jewels and a luxurious auto,
her heart is cold and empty. London has always wanted to
dance, but her husband has kept a tight reign on everything,
treating London more like a possession rather than his wife.
When Kalil stumbles upon London, sparks immediately fly and he
knows instantly that she is without a doubt his other half.
London is married, yet she yearns for another man. Can this
love affair make it?
Ashley & JaQuavis are up to book number four, and like so many
before them, they are now characters inside of their latest
novel The Trophy Wife. Admittedly, I loved the title
but felt as though a lot was missing. In certain places, the
story just didn’t add up, and I was sick to death of the
redundancy. I wanted so much more from the characters and the
story. This is a story that is being filtered over and over
again in the hood. In my opinion, if you’re going to attempt
to tackle it, then it’s time that someone douses it with their
own special blend. With a duo, especially ones on book four, I
expected more! Double eyes should lessen the mishaps and
multiply the surprise. Where was the imagination? I hope that
the conclusion, The Cartel, rejuvenates this story.
Reviewed by Nardsbaby for
Urban-Reviews.com
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Ashley & JaQuavis
The Trophy Wife
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3.5 out of 5 books |
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Shelia Dansby Harvey
Aww Sookie Sookie: Omar's Revenge
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Raven Holloway is back with even more drama than ever. Raven
is now in the mist of a nasty divorce from her soon-to-be
ex-husband Michael, but that's the least of her problems.
All hell breaks loose when Raven is forced to team up with
her nemesis and ex-lover Omar on a difficult case. They have
to keep a seemingly mousy housewife Antonia Tyler out of
jail. Did Antonia really try to stab her husband Ty's
mistress, or was it just a big misunderstanding? Omar
becomes distracted with getting revenge against Raven and
having secret sexual rendezvous which may lead him to
self-destruct. Raven has her hands full with a number of
potential male suitors and trying to keep her eyes on Omar.
Will Raven and Omar be able to coexist long enough to win
this case?
Aww Sookie Sookie
is an entertaining novel by Shelia Dansby Harvey. Dansby
Harvey immediately pulls readers into this story about a
mysterious court case. You will definitely feel the
confusion of Raven and Omar as they try to get to the bottom
of what really happened between Antonia and Ty's mistress.
You also feel the tension of Raven and Omar as they try to
stay two steps ahead of each other. Of course this novel
wouldn't be complete without a healthy serving of Raven's
outrageous behavior. Readers are encouraged to read
Illegal Affairs and Bad Girls Finish First to get
a more complete history of these characters. Aww
Sookie Sookie is fast-paced and exciting, which makes
this a wonderful conclusion to this series.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Shelia
Dansby Harvey
in the Inside Out section.
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5 out of 5 books |
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Amanda Bell Brown is a forensic psychologist that is in dire
need of some fun and excitement. Amanda is all set to spend
another birthday alone until her sister drags her out to a
birthday dinner. Amanda's world is sent into a tailspin when
she suddenly ends up at the scene of a murder. She thinks she
knows who the killer is, and she’s trying to do everything
possible to solve this case. Things become a little more
interesting when the lead detective of the case named Jazz
asks her out. But as Amanda becomes more involved in the case,
the more dangerous it becomes. Will Amanda be able to solve
this crime without becoming a victim herself?
Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man is a riveting mystery from
Claudia Mair Burney. Mair Burney expertly created an
intriguing mystery with colorful cast of characters. This
storyline pulls readers in deep into the twisted world of the
cult and how it can be detrimental to its members. You will
feel the heart-stopping drama as Amanda gets closer to solving
this disturbing case. You also feel the romantic sparks
between Amanda and Jazz. Mair Burney does an excellent job of
illustrating the inner religious conflicts of Amanda and Jazz
as they become closer to each other. There is also a good dose
of humor that makes this novel all the more enjoyable.
Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man is a suspenseful
page-turner that is the perfect start to the Amanda Bell Brown
mystery series.
Reviewed by
Radiah
Hubbert
for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with
Claudia Mair Burney
in the Inside Out section.
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Claudia Mair Burney
Murder, Mayhem And A Fine Man
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5 out of 5 books |
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Claudia Mair Burney
Death, Deceit, And Some Smooth Jazz
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Amanda Bell Brown is back with another complex case. But first
she needs to mend her broken heart after distancing herself
from Jazz. This proves to be a difficult task when Jazz shows
up wanting Amanda to give him another chance. Jazz has even
bigger issues when his ex-wife is found murdered in his
apartment. The pressure is now on Amanda to solve this case
and to figure out if Jazz is guilty or innocent. When Amanda
finds herself in a life or death situation, will Jazz be there
to pick up the pieces? Can Amanda really fully trust Jazz?
Death, Deceit, & Some Smooth Jazz is the perfect sequel
to Murder, Mayhem, & a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney. Mair
Burney once again pulls you back into Amanda's story. You will
feel the conflict that Amanda has with her feelings for Jazz
and with finding out the real truth about who murdered his
ex-wife. This mystery is pulled together so wonderfully that
readers will feel the same shock and surprise that Amanda
feels when the killer is revealed. Some of the old characters
like Rocky, Carly and Jazz are back along with some new ones
that are an integral part of this story. There are also some
of the same quirky romantic and comedic elements as the first
novel that will surely delight readers. This can be read as a
stand alone novel but readers are encouraged to read the first
one to get the full background on Amanda and Jazz.
Death, Deceit, & Some Smooth Jazz is engrossing and
awe-inspiring. Claudia Mair Burney proves once again that she
knows the perfect formula for creating a superb mystery.
Hopefully this won't be the last time that we see Amanda and
Jazz.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with
Claudia Mair Burney
in the Inside Out section.
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3.5 out of 5 books |
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What do you do as
the Mayor of the country's capital city when your town is
under siege?
When the President of the United States contacts you
regarding all the murders going on three blocks away from
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, the chief of police is at a lost and
all eyes are on you. The President says it flat out; either
clean up crime or lose your job...take your pick Mr. Mayor.
Now at his wit's end, Mayor Larry Wellington comes up with a
plan of his own to get rid of all the major players in the
area and buy the police time to get themselves back on a
better track before the next round of killers, drug pushers
and addicts materialize. Mayor Wellington puts together a
team of six 'Ghostface Killaz' as he calls them with a
strong arm force. It’s either get down or lay down, and all
the candidates get down verses having their personal affairs
aired out on national television. With 72 hours to pull this
off, every one is given cell phones, navigational watches
and a list of the most influential criminals in all of DC to
take out. Will they be able to pull it off and get the
nation's capital city out of the news and from under siege?
I am not sure how I felt about Ghostface Killaz. I
understood the concept of the story; however, it just took
too long for the whole story to tie together. Don’t get me
wrong, there’s certainly plenty of action and crimes being
committed throughout the city that all tie into each other
eventually. It just seems to get boring waiting for the
story to pick up and get to the point of it all. Mr. Fields
definitely has a talent, and I look forward to reading
anything he puts out in the future.
Reviewed by Angie for Urban-Reviews.com
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Anthony Fields
Ghostface Killaz
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4.5 out of 5 books |
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Derek Vitatoe
Deacon's Circle
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Detective
Madeline Harris is back with one of the toughest cases ever.
Now moving up from sex crimes to the homicide division,
Madeline is knee deep in the case of a murdered child
prostitute. But as she gets further into the case, she finds
out that everything is not as it appears to be. Madeline is
also trying to solve the case of a serial killer that is
seeking revenge against a group of child rapists. As she
gets closer to solving these crimes, Detective Harris hits a
number of road blocks. Someone is trying to stop her from
bringing these killers to justice. The question is: Who?
Deacon's Circle is an outstanding novel by Derek
Vitatoe. Vitatoe brought us a classic urban mystery with a
creative plot. Although this is the sequel to With These
Hands, this story does so well as a stand alone novel that
you don't have to read the first book in order to read and
understand this one. This multi-layered tale features two
different cases which made this novel all the more exciting.
You will literally be glued to the pages as this story
unfolds. You will also be in complete disbelief when you
find out who the killers are. Vitatoe ultimately leaves the
reader with a shocking cliffhanger that will hopefully lead
to another installment. Deacon's Circle is a
fast-paced and suspenseful novel that will have you highly
anticipating another book from Derek Vitatoe.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
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5 out of 5 books |
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Cameron Johnson is a
Detroit
teen just trying to make it out of the hood. He faces many
challenges, especially when his mother is more concerned
with getting her next hit of crack. Cameron's life changes
forever when he suddenly sent to Huntsville, Alabama to
live with his Aunt Momma D. Aunt Momma D helps Cameron
with the transition from the big city to the country by
providing him with the most stable home life that he has
ever known. He learns the importance of education and
self-respect that carries him through his college years.
But Cameron's struggles have just begun when he is forced
to make ends meet while going to college full-time without
the support of his mother or absentee father. Cameron's
best friend Rayshawn is there to give him encouragement to
do better. But Rayshawn has his own issues that he needs
to deal with in order to become a strong man.
Things In Between
is an awe-inspiring novel by Nathanial Portis. Portis
expertly delivers a coming-of-age story about a young
black male trying to beat the odds. This novel is not your
typical getting out of the hood story. Most hood stories
involve the characters getting out of the hood by any
illegal means necessary. But in this story, Cameron is
trying to get out of the hood by focusing on college and
rising above getting involved in illegal activities which
really makes this novel standout. You will literally root
for and want Cameron and Rayshawn to make it. There are
many timely issues in this novel such as self-love and
self-preservation. This novel is truly a must read for not
only adults but for college age young adults as well.
Things In Between is a thought-provoking read that
puts a refreshing spin on an urban tale.
Reviewed by Radiah
Hubbert for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with Nathanial Portis
in the Inside Out section. |
Nathanial Portis
Things In Between
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5 out of 5 books |
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Trice Hickman
Unexpected Interruptions
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Victoria Small is a successful senior director at a
telecommunications firm who has taken a year-long hiatus from
men. Although she has enjoyed the benefits of excelling in her
career,
Victoria
is planning on leaving her job to start her catering and event
planning business. Meeting another man isn't even on her to-do
list until she meets Ted Thornton and Parker Brightwood. Ted
is a powerful white CEO that becomes a friend to Victoria but
longs for something more. Parker is a surgeon that helps
Victoria to heal her heart from her past relationship.
Victoria
is in a state of confusion when she develops different strong
feelings for both of these men. Victoria now has to decide if
she should take the safe way out and be with Parker or to
explore something new with Ted. Who will she choose?
Unexpected Interruptions is an engaging novel by Trice
Hickman. Hickman effortlessly told the story of how an
African-American woman can find love and friendship in
unexpected places. What really makes this novel soar is
Hickman's storytelling skills. You can really identify with
and feel the emotions of not only Victoria but with Ted and
Parker as well. The moral of this story is that you really can
not control who you fall in love with. Hickman did a wonderful
job of incorporating the issues of race as it relates to the
world of dating and long-term relationships. The eclectic mix
of secondary characters, which includes Victoria's best male
friend Tyler, her wild friend Gigi and her close white
girlfriend Debbie, adds just the right amount of variety to
this story. There's a good dose of humor and steamy romance
that makes this novel soar. Unexpected Interruptions is
filled with marvelous, multi-faceted characters and a powerful
storyline that will be a sure delight for readers. With this
debut novel, Trice Hickman is definitely ready to take the
literary industry by storm.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Trice Hickman
in the Inside Out section.
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5 out of 5 books |
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Celia
and Khalil Alexander had the ideal marriage and two
beautiful children named Kaleia and Caleb to show for it.
Little did Celia know that Khalil had a little dark secret
that he's hidden from her for over fifteen years. After a
business trip cut short, Khalil's dark secret was
revealed. Even though Khalil tried to deny it on so many
different occasions, God made sure that Celia's eyes would
see Khalil for who he was...dark and twisted. Celia is
determined to make sure Khalil pays for his crimes, but
Khalil goes through great lengths to keep her silent.
Celia tries to gain strength through God to get over the
obstacles that have been placed before her. Celia will
soon find out that with God, all things are possible.
T.N. Williams has done an outstanding job with this story
of betrayal and what it really means to put all of your
faith in the Lord. In
Something On The Inside,
it seems like you can feel every emotion that Celia goes
through. You will see the heartache that Khalil puts her
through, and the revenge she sets out to get once she
realizes what demonic acts Khalil has committed. With each
character, the author did a good job explaining how each
person was affected by the betrayal and the separation
that happened.
In this day and age, we as a community frown upon seeking
professional help with matters that occur with our
families. T.N. Williams went into great detail on how we
need to embrace going to God for help, but seeking
professional help is not such a bad idea either. I commend
the author on this book. With reading
Something On The Inside,
you will soon learn how certain topics are not mentioned
in our community, church, or even in our families. This
was a great read, and I would highly recommend this to
anyone.
Reviewed by Jackie for Urban-Reviews.com
Read
our exclusive interview with T.N. Williams
in the Inside Out section.
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T.N. Williams
Something On The Inside
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4 out of 5 books |
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Mikal Malone
Pitbulls In A Skirt
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Clad in fur coats, skin-tight
designer jeans, and stilettos are four of Emerald City's
deadliest and sexiest divas. They are strapped and
representing one of D.C.'s deadliest and most lucrative
housing projects for the love of their thuggish men. Mikal
Malone has penned a stimulating and fierce read centered
around the gatekeepers of Emerald City, and the loves of their
lives: the original hustlers. These four ladies are the
epitome of loyal, dedicated, and ferocious when it comes to
their duties to oversee the profitable drug game that they've
been lured into and have this business humming like a well
oiled machine. Money flowing, everybody eating, and when
someone steps out of line, they're on point to get them back
to their assigned posts and responsibilities. Mercedes,
Yvette, Kenyetta, and Carissa are sizzling, sexy, and sassy as
well as hopelessly devoted to their men, and they play their
positions to the hilt.
Determined to get out of the projects and still please their
men, Mercedes (Cameron), Yvette (Thick), Kenyetta (Dyson), and
Carissa (LaVelle) are introduced in the midst of the murder of
their best friends Dex and Stacia. Mikal Malone guides readers
down a fascinating path as each step leads the residents of EC
through the drama and revelations that they may not want to
encounter.
Pitbulls In A Skirt is an exciting read that captivates
the reader with the realistic daily scenes revolving around
the central characters. Mikal Malone does a wonderful job of
endearing the heroines as they each struggle through troubling
situations with their loved ones. The title is indeed trendy
yet heartfelt because these four ladies are rare jewels that
embody tenacity, strength, steadfastness as well as empower
genuine beauty gracefully. Pitbulls In A Skirt is an
awesome read! Mikal has most definitely acquired a faithful
fan base with this read and we are anxiously awaiting the
second installment to this remarkable tale of life in the hood
and the people that call it home by omission or commission!
Kudos to you, Mikal Malone!!
Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye for
Urban-Reviews.com
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4 out of 5 books |
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"To the death of
us, me and my confidantes"
Since the story starts with a Reasonable Doubt line
by Jay-Z, I figured why not use one as my review title. I
will say I was disappointed that the author didn’t get the
line right; especially when using it in the text of the
story. The basis of the story was built around this line: If
every n*gg* in your clique is rich, your clique is rugged,
nobody will fall because everyone will be each other’s
crutches. Had the line been printed correctly, I would have
really loved this story.
Inch is a typical hood dude who comes from nothing. Instead
of getting things the right way, he gets them the ski mask
way. The only difference is that Inch doesn’t use ski masks.
Tatiana is a beautiful, sexy woman who finally found the
perfect man to marry. Regardless of love, her mother always
taught her to use what you got to get what you want, and
she’s finally found it in NFL star Devon Edmonds.
Monique (a.k.a. Mo) is a young fly chick in her shell toe
Adidas shoes. She's raising her son alone while the only man
she has ever loved is his father Isaiah (a.k.a. Iz),
who's in the Feds doing 15 years.
Malcolm, the skinny scrawny book worm of the crew, grew up
to be the hottest thing on the street...Wall Street that is.
According to Malcolm, he can make any deal believable.
Quinton (a.k.a. Q) is young and rich, and he's not looking
to be famous. He just wants to be a father to his twin
daughters anyway he knows how.
The bond between the friends was solid, whether they agreed
with everything each other did or not. They still held each
other down through the best and worst of times. The drama,
the love, and the laughter was all there. You really could
identify with one or all of the characters in Grown &
Gangsta. I picked that title of my review because all of
the friends really were each other’s confidantes, and
whatever secrets they shared was an unwritten law that they
would take to the grave.
Reviewed by Angie for Urban-Reviews.com
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Jacki-O
Grown & Gangsta
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4 out of 5 books |
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Karen Williams
Harlem On Lock
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Introducing Harlem, born in New York, but bred in California
to two junkies that are always chasing a high. Harlem has
had to fend for herself since forever and did things a kid
shouldn't be exposed to in order to support her mother's
habit. As if life wasn't cruel enough, upon her mother's
death due to an overdose, Harlem is subjected to an even
more horrible act masterminded by her father. Chief, the
neighborhood kingpin, ends her abuse at the hand of her
father and is depicted as a hero.
Living with Chief, Harlem is introduced to a lifestyle that
she couldn't even fathom in her dreams. But, as Harlem has
learned early in life, all is not what it appears to be. In
the midst of Chief's dissatisfaction and brutal mental and
physical abuse, Savior, Harlem's childhood love, reappears
and his disapproval of her is blatant. Love has never found
a home in Harlem's life, will she accept love from the
wicked Chief of which is certain and known, or will she risk
her life for a love that she's never had the chance to
experience?
In Harlem On Lock, Ms. Williams locks her readers in
with heart-wrenching scenes as you become captivated with
Harlem's misery and root for her to prevail. Albeit a common
storyline, the execution of which she conveyed Harlem's
story was very commendable! Karen Williams' debut novel is
undeniably an impressive read, and I believe that her
literary skills will only improve with each project. Great
job!
Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Karen Williams
in the Inside Out section.
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4.5 out of 5 books |
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From being
raped and molested, Rachael has had one traumatic
experience after another. She had to deal with issues like
being abandoned by her mother, physical and mental abuse,
and never knowing who her dad was. With two failed
marriages and a suicide attempt, she comes to a crossroads
in life and is unsure of which way to go. Rachael's new
found love for the Lord keeps a light burning strong
within her. She then realizes that there's a force
stronger than she is. Soon she understands that God has
great plans for her life. Throughout her constant
downfalls, a voice enables Rachael to stay true to God and
embattle the storm.
From the Extreme shows the reader that you can
repent, be delivered, and be healed from whatever is going
on within your life. What I mainly enjoyed about this book
was that no matter what obstacles that was put in front of
Rachael, she pulled through them and pressed her way
through. Author Renea Collins continued to make God an
intricate part of the story that was profound. There are
scriptures quoted and prayers prayed throughout the
different parts of this book. You may try to imagine
yourself as Rachael and try to figure out what you would
do if you were in these situations. She takes you through
all of the issues that the main character goes through and
how she depended on no one but God to bring her out of the
storm. From The Extreme will make you think about
your life in terms of how well of a relationship you have
with the Lord.
Reviewed by Jackie for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with Renea Collins
in the Inside Out section.
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Renea Collins
From The Extreme
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4 out of 5 books |
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Sherrie Walker
Mistress of the Game
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Mistress of the
Game is a fascinating novel focused on three young girls
that became best friends because of tragic life experiences.
Elise, Aparis, and LaKiesha each have experienced heartbreak
at early ages, but they demonstrate strength, loyalty, and
courage to triumph through all of their horrific ordeals.
A blessing in disguise was the placement of these three
orphans at St. Henry's Orphanage, where they had to develop
and cultivate their intelligence to overcome all their
stumbling blocks and conquer the harshest situations. Their
allegiance to each other is unfaltering and commendable. As
they triumph over life's circumstances, a link from their past
continues to plague and torture their rise to the top! Deeming
themselves 'Three the Hardway', they dominate the drug game
under the leadership of LaKiesha's brother and Elise's soul
mate Que until fate abruptly roars through and demolishes
their happiness once again. Will their friendship be able to
survive the torrential storms that they're seemingly cursed to
endure?
Sherrie Walker did a fantastic job with Mistress of the
Game. It's a captivating tale, the characters are
endearing and very likable, and the scenes are intriguing. She
adds just the precise amount of mystery to keep you turning
the pages and wishing for the troubled three to triumph over
life's unfair adversity. Great job Ms. Walker!!
Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Sherrie Walker
in the Inside Out section.
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4 out of 5 books |
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Spirit of the Wind is the tale of a 16-year-old boy
named Sun who was raised in Baltimore, MD. Sun always felt
that he was different and was an outcast to most of the
kids he went to school with. He didn't believe in a lot of
things, but there was one thing he did believe in and that
was that Angels and Demons existed. After being killed at
an early age, Sun finds himself standing in between heaven
and hell on a journey where he has no clue of his final
destination. While on this journey, Sun meets a Spirit
Guide that shows him his life through a series of
memories, as he walks down the Road of Forgiveness. In his
past, Sun encountered demons that he didn't know were
lurking beneath the surface, and he's hit with the reality
of Spiritual Warfare. Will Sun overcome the obstacles and
make his way to heaven or will he fall victim to the devil
and go to hell?
I read the jacket of this book expecting a farfetched,
made up story about demons; however, what I read was
anything but. This book touched upon the aspects of
learning to forgive those that do harm to you, and it
teaches you why you shouldn't be so judgmental. This
lesson is very important because sometimes it is very hard
to forgive a person when they've done harm to you mentally
or physically. What I liked most is that even though many
of us have heard these lessons preached in church, they
were backed by scriptures that teach you where to find
some of God's word. Spirit of the Wind is a
definite must read...not only because it shows you how to
be selfless, but it also shows how to spot a wolf in
sheep's clothing. If you weren't a spiritual person before
you read this book, you will be after you read Spirit
of the Wind.
Reviewed by LaShonda Bates for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Eric Coleman
in the Inside Out section.
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Eric Coleman
Spirit of the Wind
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3 out of 5 books |
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Blue Gambino
Whatever Starts In The Streets...Stays In The Streets
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Blue Gambino paints an
intense picture of a world where each individual has to abide
by the motto: What Starts on the Streets...Stays on the
Streets. Drugs, sex, violence, federal investigations,
snitches, and gun fights in the streets is the essence of this
hood tale.
Doc, Wally, Blaze, and Flame are the initial characters
amongst numerous other gangs and corner boys wilding out in
the streets of Chester, PA. Slanging dope, flossing in Benzes,
Volvos, Lamborghinis, sexing women, drinking Dom Pérignon, and
living life fast and furious. With the police hot on their
trail and the challenges of obtaining corners for more drug
trafficking, everyday is unpredictable. They all must survive
by thinking fast and reacting quickly because if they're
caught slipping, that day might very well be their last.
There are too many characters, senseless vendettas,
treacherous murders, chaos, jealousy, and shadiness in
abundance. The beginning is slow with no definitive plot, no
valid development of the characters to stir up genuine
feelings between the reader and central characters.
However, I did see more organization and an improvement in the
style toward the conclusion of the story. If you're looking
for a story with a 'Boys in the Hood' mentality, What
Starts on the Streets...Stays on the Streets would be the
read for you.
Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye for
Urban-Reviews.com
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