|
|
|
|
|
T |
|
African-American Fiction - New Reviews
5.0 Books = Classic | 4.0 - 4.5 Books
= Impressive | 3.0 - 3.5 Books = Noteworthy
|
Tracie Howard |
|
|
|
Paulette, Gillian, and Reese are all a new breed of gold diggers that won’t let anything stop them from getting what they want. Paulette’s cousin Lauren doesn’t have to resort to these tactics due to being born to wealthy parents. Paulette is the daughter of the family black sheep and will do anything to get the social status that she deserves…even if it means sleeping with Lauren’s husband. Lauren is stuck in a deteriorating marriage and wants out. Gillian does not want to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a gold digger. But when she has a chance for superstardom in Hollywood, Gillian may have to set those feelings aside. Reese is a seasoned basketball groupie turned NBA wife. All that glitters isn’t gold when her husband is involved in a potentially career-ending situation. Gold Diggers is a deliciously
titillating tale by Tracie Howard. Howard eloquently dives readers
in head first into the glitz and glamour of New York’s elite.
Readers will find how a simple thing like family pedigree can make
you a “have” or a “have not”. On the surface, these characters
seem to be different people wanting different things, but they are
all very much the same. This author did an awesome job in
illustrating how each of these women were gold diggers in their
own way. This story will definitely change your perception of what
you think a gold digger is and isn’t. There’s also a heavy dose of
shocking drama and scandalous secrets revealed that you won’t be
able to flip the pages fast enough for. Gold Diggers is an
addictive mix of fast-paced drama and sex that makes this book
hard to put down. Tracie Howard has graced us with another
sizzling page-turner. |
|
|
Gloria Mallette |
|
Nadirah Lewis has been living a hellish life being a servant to her mean and heartless Aunt Stephanie. Stephanie blames Nadirah for causing an accident that has left her wheelchair bound. Out of guilt and duty, Nadirah has lived with Stephanie for 17 years but it is having a negative effect on her personal well-being. But when a lie about Stephanie’s accident comes to light and another lie threatens Nadirah’s career as a teacher, she’s going to need all the courage she can muster to get through this unscathed. Nadirah is also dealing with the welfare of one of her troubled students name Bree and fights for guardianship. Will she be able to keep Bree out of the foster care system and save her career? Nadirah also finds out a shocking revelation about her new handsome landlord Austin. Stephanie’s daughter Lynn seems to be living a picture perfect life as a wife and mother but there is a secret shame that’s she’s hiding from everyone. Who will suffer the consequences from all of these lies? Living, Breathing Lies is a phenomenal
novel by Gloria Mallette. Mallette expertly brought us a
multi-layered storyline with intriguing characters. Living,
Breathing Lies is the perfect title for this novel because
each of the characters are impacted either directly or indirectly
by someone’s lies. This author does a wonderful job of creating
characters that you will care about and root for. Readers will
find themselves literally crossing their fingers for Nadirah as
she tries to get her life together. There is also a twist to this
story that’s so shocking that you’ll have to pay close attention
or you’ll miss it. Living, Breathing Lies has all of the
drama and raw emotion that fans of this author have come to know
and love. This novel is another fine example of why Gloria
Mallette is one of the master storytellers of our time. |
|
|
Dywane D. Birch |
|
|
|
Shattered Souls by Dywane Birch
details the lives of four friends, Britton Landers, Indera Fleet,
Damascus Miles and Chyna Littles, whove been physically abused,
abandoned and severely scared. As each tries to move on in their
journey, the sting from their past rears its ugly head. Can these
friends continue to mask their pains of long ago? |
|
|
Miasha |
|
Fifteen-year-old Angel Washington grew up in one of Brooklyn, New York’s worst neighborhoods with the support of her mother Carmina and her older brother Curtis. But Angel’s life changes in an instant when Curtis gets shot. Carmina turns to heroin for comfort, leaving Angel and her siblings to fend for themselves. Determined to put her family back on track, Angel gets a job illegally at a strip club to make ends meet. Angel is supposed to be doing this temporarily but the money is too tempting to give up. She’s also hiding this secret life from her boyfriend Jamal. Angel is soon caught up in a life of drugs and sex that she is too young to be prepared for. Mommy’s Angel is an intriguing novel
by Miasha. Miasha skillfully tells the saga of a young girl’s
fight for survival in the hood. You are immediately drawn into
this story from the very first page. This author touched on a lot
of timely issues in this novel such as teen pregnancy, sexual and
drug abuse. Readers will feel the strong emotional presence
of this story when Angel struggles to be the provider for her
family. You’ll also see how Carmina’s actions have a devastating
influence on her household and children. Although the ending
seemed a little rushed and abrupt, Mommy’s Angel is still a
good read that Miasha’s growing legion of fans will hopefully
enjoy. |
|
|
Teresa Rae Butler |
|
|
|
Coraz Sade Singleton has been through the wire with men, especially black men. With three kids by different fathers at the age of thirty-two, Coraz just wants to find somebody to love her and to be a positive male role-model for her children. So she decides to swear off black men totally and to focus on snagging a successful white man. Things seems to be going to plan until Coraz meets a twenty-six-year old black college student name Mill. Mill is smitten with Coraz and wants to give her the love that she deserves. But will Mill be able to break down the wall surrounding Coraz’s heart? Coraz also has to deal with the growing disciplinary problems of her thirteen year old daughter and trying to inspire her students on a daily basis. What will the future hold for Mill and Coraz? Don’t Even Trip is an absorbing
novel by Teresa Rae Butler. Butler does a wonderful job of
bringing the struggles of a single mother to life in this story.
You’ll feel the frustration of Coraz as she tries to not only
raise her children but also tries to find real love. This author
showed great vision when incorporating the value of education,
self-worth, and self-preservation into this book. There’s
also a good dose of humor mixed in for good measure. Readers
will also be surprised to see Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the
backdrop of this story which is a welcome change. Don’t Even
Trip is a novel that entertains as well as educate. With her
unique writing style, Teresa Rae Butler is well on her way to
taking the fiction industry by storm. |
|
|
Nyema Taylor |
|
Nineteen-year old Skyzzae Raxton thought she had it all. After ending an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend Slim, Skyzzae is ready to leave her wild South Philly neighborhood and go on to college. Her plans take a quick detour when she meets first round draft NBA pick Tykey Tyson. Soon Skyzzae and Tykey become a couple living the high life heading towards a bright future. But their future could turn tragic when Slim comes back into the picture. Slim will do whatever it takes to get Skyzzae back…even murder. Will Skyzzae ever be able to get away from Slim? Who will survive in the end? Love and Consequences is a thrilling
novel by Nyema. At first glance, this book seems like a typical
“girls in the hood” coming of age story but it’s so much more.
What made this novel stand out was the fact that Skyzzae was
actually trying to get out of the hood by heading to college and
she came from a stable two parent household. What’s more, Tykey
was not some guy just hustling out on the streets but an NBA draft
pick. These two elements alone made this novel a joy to read.
Readers will also find a twist in this story that’s so shocking
that you won’t believe what you’re reading. This author does a
wonderful job of tackling the sensitive topic of obsessive and
abusive relationships. There is also an important lesson in this
story: Take every threat seriously. Love and Consequences
is engaging and dramatic. This is a great start to hopefully a
long writing career for Nyema.
Check out our exclusive
interview with Nyema Taylor in our Inside Out section. |
|
|
Grace Octavia |
|
|
|
Troy is a successful law student who had everything, including her doctor boyfriend Julian. Troy hears wedding bells in her future until Julian says that he needs a break. Heartbroken and devastated, Troy calls her best friends Tamia and Tasha for the break-up party. “The 3T’s” are back in full effect dancing and drinking the night away on behalf of Troy’s break-up. Troy is feeling no pain until she sees Julian with a new girl on his arm. Now the break-up party plan shifts to the “Take Her Man” plan. Troy will do everything in her power to get her man back but is Julian really worth all of this plotting and scheming? Things get even more complicated when Troy’s father introduces her to his business partner Kyle. Will Kyle be a temporary distraction or could he be something more than what Troy bargained for? Take Her Man is a widely entertaining debut novel by Grace Octavia. Octavia created an engaging storyline with fun characters. One of the many good things about this book is the camaraderie between “The 3Ts” (Troy, Tasha, and Tamia). Troy is the main character but Tasha and Tamia’s stories are just as interesting. You’ll share in the laughter, tears, and drama of these women just like you would with your own best friends. Readers will be pleased to find real-life rules, regulations, and even drink recipes to help you become the “It Girl” that you choose to be. Take Her Man a light and enjoyable read. This is the perfect book to grab for those long, relaxing days of summer. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com |
|
|
Cereka Cook |
|
Has there ever been a time in your life that
you thought you found the “one,” and he or she turns out to be
your worst nightmare? That is what happened to Chanel. Chanel had
been dating Donnell for sometime now, and she just knew sooner or
later he would pop the question, until she heard him on the phone
saying he would be a “Playa for Life.” With that being said, her
life began to change. He begins to act differently towards her.
There’s always an excuse not to spend time with her. Finally, he
betrays her trust, and now it’s time for her to decide what’s best
for her. Even though Chanel was going through a lot with Donnell,
she had nothing on her best friend Janai. Janai was a “true
playa.” She was living with her man, and dating everybody else’s
men at the same time. Janai thought she was living the high life.
Her live-in boyfriend was paying all of her bills, plus his. She
is dating a married man that is giving her the world as well. She
thought she was living the high life until all of her misdeeds
caught up with her. Will she able to redeem herself with the man
she loves or will she suffer with all of the extreme circumstances
she has encountered?
Check out our exclusive
interview with Cereka Cook in our Inside Out section. |
|
|
Kesha K. Redmon |
|
|
|
Kaylondria “Kaye” Parker is still reeling from a terrible break-up and is not focusing on dating. She just wants to concentrate on herself and her career. That is all about to change as far as Kaye’s best friend Tori is concerned. Tori wants her friend to get out of the relationship rut she’s in by introducing her to her husband’s best friend Jalen Matthews. Jalen is the running back for the Atlanta Panthers and is living the whirlwind celebrity life. But he sees something different in Kaye. When Kaye and Jalen share an intimate weekend, Kaye finds herself in a potentially life-changing predicament. Can she really take a chance on an unsure future with Jalen? Is Jalen really ready to settle down with one woman? On My Own is a marvelous debut novel by Kesha K. Redmon. Redmon brought us an interesting story about one woman’s journey of self-discovery. You feel the resistance of Kaye trying to move forward due to a bad past relationship and Jalen’s uncertainty about their future together. Readers will find that Kaye and Jalen go through some trials and tribulations that make them better people in the end. There is even a little room for a sequel or for these characters to pop up into another book. This novel shows that you have to move through the bitterness of lost love in order to make room for new love in your life. On My Own is a gripping and emotionally-charged novel that will leave you begging for more from Kesha K. Redmon. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com |
|
|
N'Tyse |
|
Sand and Rene are a young African-American lesbian couple who have been dating since they were seventeen. Sand is so focused on her own upcoming business ventures that she leaves Rene feeling lonely and neglected. Rene is getting tired of her alternative lifestyle and the drama that it brings. While Sand’s away, Rene finds what she’s looking for in the arms of a man. Unbeknownst to Sand, Rene is ready to live the straight life and is living a double life. But what will happen if Sand and Rene’s new man Vincent find out? Will Rene be ready to face the consequences? My Secret Your Lies is an
electrifying, spicy thriller by N’Tyse. N’Tyse masterfully created
a novel with a unique storyline and characters. This book pulls
the reader in from the first page when you are introduced to Sand
and Renee. The author did a wonderful job with providing the
necessary backstory for these two main characters. By doing this,
readers will actually find themselves caring and sympathizing with
Sand and Rene. Things do get a little intense and crazy toward end
of the novel so you need to pay attention. My Secret Your Lies
is a perfect mix of erotica and intrigue that will leave you
begging for a sequel.
Check out our exclusive interview
with N'Tyse in our Inside Out section. |
|
New Reviews:
Books -
Hip-Hop -
R&B /
Archive /
Inside Out /
On The Line /
Excerpts /
Media Center /
Extras /
Mailing List /
Contests /
Calendar
New Releases:
Books -
Hip-Hop -
R&B /
Author Connection /
Guestbook
/
Forum /
About Us /
Submission Guidelines
/
The Pinnacle (UR Blog)
© Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Contact us at info@urban-reviews.com |
3.5
out of 5 books