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African-American Fiction - New Reviews
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Darnella Ford |
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Vanessa Claville is in a place that she doesn’t want to be. She going through a divorce, just lost her housekeeping job, and living in low income housing in the middle of El Mirage, AZ. The only good thing in Vanessa’s life is her musically gifted 12-year-old daughter Kennedy. Kennedy is auditioning for an acclaimed music academy that Vanessa can’t afford. Time is running out because Vanessa has to come up with the tuition money for the academy or let her daughter’s dreams become a distant memory. She realizes that she will need to sacrifice her own dreams for her daughter’s. With the help of her neighbors Anese and Yolie, Vanessa is reluctantly introduced into a way to make the money that she needs. But is she willing to sacrifice her morals and dignity for this new profession? Choke is an enthralling novel by Darnella
Ford. Ford captured the realness of a single mother’s journey and the
sacrifices she has to make for her child. I like the interesting location
of where this novel took place, and the interesting mix of characters. I
really felt the inner conflict of Vanessa as she was trying to come up
with the tuition money. There is also a unique twist
toward the end of the book that will leave readers pleasantly surprised.
Choke is widely entertaining, inspirational, and humorous. Darnella
Ford is truly a gifted author. |
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V. Anthony Rivers |
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Leesha Tyler’s main goal is to leave LA. She wants to leave the hopelessness of her childhood which her own mother is a part of. Leesha and her mother are always at odds especially when her mother runs after no good men. When her mother decides to move in her latest loser boyfriend, Leesha decides its time to move on and make something of herself. She wants to move to Atlanta but first she needs the cash to do it. Leesha soon comes up with a dangerous bank robbery plan and involves two of her close male friends to get the money she needs. All of those plans could change when she finds out a devastating secret about a close family member that will change her perspective on life forever. My Life Is All I Have is a powerful novel by
V. Anthony Rivers. Rivers did a masterful job in telling this story
through the eyes of Leesha Tyler. I felt the frustration of Leesha about
her home situation and how through it all she still wanted to make
something of herself. I also felt the anger and sympathy she felt for her
mother. I would love to see if Leesha makes it on her own and if her
mother ever comes to her senses. This author really showed how the making
the right or wrong decisions can determine the path of your life. This
novel has the perfect blend of grittiness and deep emotion that grabs the
reader from the first page and doesn’t let go. My Life Is All I Have
is gripping and insightful. V. Anthony Rivers is definitely an author on
the rise. |
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Janine A. Morris |
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Dakota, Chrasey, and Jordan have been best friends since college. They think they have seen and been through it all until they have to deal with some very adult drama in their lives. Dakota is a successful marketing executive who has everything and believes in no-strings attached relationships. Her music industry mogul man Tony likes the way things are between them but now Dakota is ready to settle down. But Tony isn’t ready to make that step. Dakota has to decide if this really is the man of her dreams. After a happy nine year marriage and two children, Chrasey feels that her husband Keith is pulling away from her. She feels neglected but is willing to stick to her marriage vows until she gets tempted by a younger man. Chrasey now must decide if she should work on her failing marriage or go along with the excitement of an affair. Jordan who is the leader of the bunch has her own problems. She’s a successful entertainment attorney whose career is taking a huge toll on her household. Jordan just can’t seem to juggle being a career woman, wife, and mother. It doesn’t help matters that her husband Omar feels she is spending too much time with her male best friend and colleague. Jordan now has to decide what matters most in her life. That choice will change her life forever. Diva Diaries is a daring debut novel by Janine
A. Morris. Morris expertly showed the drama and complexity of the
relationships of these three women. I like how this was not the typical
“girlfriends done wrong by men” novel. The women in this story did have
relationship problems but there were other factors such as demanding
careers and low self worth that played a part in their issues. Dakota,
Chrasey, and Jordan also played a huge role in their relationships turning
sour. This story is about real women making real choices and real
mistakes. This novel shows that no matter how successful you are in your
career, anybody can make stupid mistakes when it comes to relationships.
Diva Diaries has thought provoking issues, high drama, and tough life
lessons. Diva Diaries is a stunning debut by Janine A. Morris. |
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Meta Smith |
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Desiree Mirabella Torres Jackson (aka Dez) is a young runaway who dreams of a bright future. She begins working as a stripper at Miami’s famous Rolexxx Club as a way to pay the bills before pursuing her dreams as a rap superstar. Dez soon meets veteran stripper Ginger who teaches her how use her beauty to get what she wants. Dez gets all of the material things but gives up her innocence in the process. After struggling as a video model and backup singer, Dez hooks up with the world hottest hip-hop superstar Bentley and his label Titanium Records. Bentley is instantly attracted to Dez, and his brother Sparks immediately notices her talent and signs her to the label. Dez is on top of the music world but her painful past and a deadly jealous rage may cause her world to crumble. The Rolexxx Club is an exhilarating debut
novel by Meta Smith. Smith gives the reader an inside look into the wild
entertainment industry. You will definitely feel all of the energy and
excitement as Dez makes her rise to superstardom. I thought the storyline
was realistic and the scenes were so descriptive that I felt like I was
actually there experiencing everything with Dez. This novel captured my
attention from the very first page. Even though this is an excellent
coming of age story, there is a good dose of drama, suspense, and murder.
This author also dealt with the issue of a woman’s self worth and how that
can influence the decisions she makes in her life. Readers will also be
surprised at the unique twist of this story that will surely leave room
for a sequel. The Rolexxx Club has glitz, glamour, and street savvy
that will surely satisfy its readers. Meta Smith is ready to take hip-hop
lit to the next level. |
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A Spotlight On Writers Who Deserve Their Shine Too!
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Tammy Merkison |
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James “Blue” Jackson left Miami long ago to escape his family’s legacy of criminal activity. Blue went on to become a successful attorney often putting away criminals for the types of activities that his own brother Willy is involved in. Blue carved out a good life for himself and virtually cut all ties to his family until he gets a phone call that will change his life forever. Willy is in some big time trouble and only his estranged brother Blue can save him. Blue comes back to Miami and (along with his partner Fran Roe) becomes head of a drug empire. Blue doesn’t want this life forever but the fast money and lavish lifestyle keeps him in this dangerous game. Blue better be careful because the Feds are closing in on him. Miami Reign is a thrilling debut by Tammy
Merkison. Merkison brought a unique storyline and characters. I liked
how this story was set in Miami Beach in the mid 1980s when the drug trade
really started to become an epidemic. You not only get an exciting story
with this novel but also a history lesson about the early days of the
criminal activity that went on in Miami Beach. I also enjoyed the complex
characters in this story. Blue was not your typical drug dealer, and Fran
was not the typical girlfriend either. Fran was the one that introduced
Blue into the business. This author does a wonderful job of keeping things
moving with non-stop, movie-style action sequences. This novel also leaves
one to question on how far should you go for your family. Miami Reign
is a perfect mix of suspense, grittiness, and drama that will delight
readers until the very last page. Tammy Merkison is well on her way to
reigning supreme in today’s fiction market. |
A Spotlight On Writers Who Deserve Their Shine Too!
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Derek Vitatoe |
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Madeline Harris is a six-year veteran of the Detroit
Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit. She proves herself to be a rising
star within the department by catching a high profile assailant. But
Madeline is about to have her toughest case yet as she goes undercover to
catch a serial killer known as the Midwest Strangler on a college campus.
She may be in for the fight of her life as this killer is dealing with
childhood secrets and a score to settle due to a devastating lie. |
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A Spotlight On Writers Who Deserve Their Shine Too!
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Alastair J. Hatter |
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Jay and Bee have been making major power moves on the
streets of Memphis. They have money and power but are overprotective of
their adult younger sister Dee Dee. Jay and Bee are thrown into the big
leagues of the drug game when they hook up with a new profitable
connection. Things go downhill when the brothers are thrown in jail. Now
it is up to Dee Dee to use the tools that her brothers taught her to take
over the empire. Dee Dee quickly learns how dangerous the drug game is and
the difficulty of earning respect on the streets. She better learn fast or
she could end up behind bars herself. |
Other Books Worth Checking Out
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Javon64 |
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The Naked Truth by Javon64 is a collection of deliciously erotic and sexy poems. Javon64's use of seductive and descriptive words will satisfy the erotic reading audience. The poems run the gamut from two touching poems dedicated to his mother and grandmother, to a woman’s plea for a good man. Some standout poems from this collection include: "Dirty Talk," "Role-Play," "Joyride," and "Head Doctor." The Naked Truth by Javon64 is a tantalizing entry into the world of erotica. Check out the website at www.trimaxxpublishers.com or his Myspace site at www.myspace.com/javon64mrerotica for more information. |
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