Bebe Moore Campbell 72 Hour Hold

5 out of 5 books

What would you do if your daughter suffered from a mental illness? Wouldn't you try to do everything in your power to save her? This is what Kerri is facing in 72 Hour Hold, the latest novel by Bebe Moore Campbell. Kerri is a mother who is trying to save her 18-year-old daughter Trina from a dangerous life by forcing her to deal with her bipolar disorder. Due to this mental illness, Trina becomes a violent stranger in her own home. Kerri tries to get Trina the best care possible but the bureaucracy of the mental health system is standing in her way. It also doesn't help that her ex-husband refuses to accept Trina's mental illness. Kerri learns that a seventy-two hour hold at a mental health facility is the only help you can get with an adult mentally ill child. After the hold, Trina can sign herself out and Kerri doesn't have to be notified. Kerri decides to sign up for an illegal, Underground Railroad-type intervention program ran by a group of radicals. When a potentially dangerous situation occurs during this program, Kerri has to decide if she should pull Trina out of the program. 72 Hour Hold is a compelling, emotionally-charged novel. Bebe Moore Campbell brings the complex  topic of mental illness to the forefront with this story. She tactically shows the never-ending fight and obstacles one may face when trying to deal with a mentally ill relative. Campbell doesn't sugar coat anything in this novel. The realness of Trina's violent, erratic behavior due to the bipolar disorder really hits home with readers of how serious this illness is. Mental illness is a topic that is widely misunderstood, especially in the African-American community. Bebe Moore Campbell once again proves that she is an extraordinary novelist by bringing readers another rich, thought-provoking novel.

 

UPDATE!!!  WE HAVE OUR WINNERS FOR THE NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY! Idrissa U. of New Jersey,  Adrienne D. of Connecticut,  Jennifer I. of Wisconsin,  Nikki A. of Pennsylvania,  Denise H. of Illinois Each of them will receive a free copy of Angela Benson's The Amen Sisters.  Congratulations to them all!!!

Angela Benson The Amen Sisters

4 out of 5 books

Francine Amen thought she found her true calling when she became a ministry leader with an up-and-coming church. She publicly denounced everyone who she thought didn't believe in God enough, including her former church, family and friends. Francine even left her hometown and boyfriend to join this traveling ministry. When Francine's close friend Toni told her that the pastor is sexually abusing her, she turns her back on her. When Toni commits suicide, Francine feels responsible. Francine comes back home to live with her sister Dawn Amen-Ray. She now has to face the same people she shunned before, including Toni's family. Dawn is glad her sister is returning home but the timing couldn't be more wrong. Dawn just found out her husband Sly had an affair. Will she be able to forgive him?  Sly is dealing with his past mistake and trying to keep the family funeral home business from being bought out. The Amen Sisters is a remarkable novel by Angela Benson. Benson masterfully tackles an often taboo subject: Pastors preying upon women parishioners. This novel not only shows what happens when these women try to come forward with their stories, but also shows the lack of support the church gives these women. The pastors are forgiven and the women are not. Francine and Dawn are the central characters of this story but there are also excellent supporting characters. Angela Benson showed great creativity when including the funeral home business into the novel. The Amen Sisters is an engaging, powerful Christian novel that will leave you saying amen.  Read Angela Benson's interview with us in our Inside Out section.

 

Toschia You Wrong For That

4 out of 5 books

After divorcing a cheating husband, Rhea thought she would be living the single life forever until she meets sexy businessman Davis Hickman. Rhea believes Davis is the man of her dreams until she finds out about his two baby mommas. Rhea has to decide if staying with Davis is worth all the drama. She also has to keep her brother Toussaint, who has ties to the Haitian underworld, from killing Davis. You Wrong For That is the perfect title for the debut novel by Toschia. The antics of some of the characters will have you screaming the title of this book out loud! This story shows that even a successful, college-educated, career women like Rhea can get mixed up in some ghetto, Jerry Springer-type drama.  You Wrong For That has drama, sex, and humor...everything you could ask for in a novel. Toschia's witty, in-your-face writing style is what keeps this novel moving. What also stood out was the creative way the author incorporated Haitian and Caribbean culture into the story. You Wrong For That is a book that you will be wrong for passing up.  Don't miss our exclusive interview with Toschia in our Inside Out section.

Kendra Norman-Bellamy Crossing Jhordan's River

4 out of 5 books

Firefighter Jhordan Adams has a loving wife, beautiful daughter, and an unshakable spirituality. Jhordan seems to have it all, but the pain and suffering from his past is pushing his wife Kelli away. Will he be able to let go of his past and move on? Kelli has been a patient and loving wife but she can't seem to break down the wall that Jhordan is putting up. She stays prayerful but feels her prayers are unanswered. When  successful divorce attorney Stuart McMillan comes into her bookstore offering a shoulder to cry on, will he be the friend that she prayed for or will she become Stuart's prey? Sadonia Burton left her ex-husband Jhordan and her daughter Jazmin long ago for a man with money. Now that relationship has ended and she now regrets leaving the best thing that has ever happened to her. Sadonia now wants Jhordan and Jazmin back into her life but Kelli is standing in the way. Crossing Jhordan's River is an extraordinary novel by Kendra Norman-Bellamy. You feel the struggle of Jhordan and Kelli as they try to remain faithful and prayerful. Norman-Bellamy skillfully illustrates that marriages need God and each other to survive. This novel has a bit of intrigue as well. Putting Stuart and Sadonia into the storyline added just the right touch of drama to make this a widely entertaining read. The reader will be glued to the pages wondering what Stuart's true intentions are, if Sadonia will ever get Jhordan back, and  if Jhordan and Kelli can repair their marriage. Crossing Jhordan's River is Christian fiction but you don't to have be a person that necessarily reads Christian fiction to enjoy it. Kendra Norman-Bellamy wrote this novel in a way that this story can be enjoyed by all. Crossing Jhordan's River is a novel that you should not be afraid to come across. After reading Crossing Jhordan's River, you'll be happy you took the plunge. Check out Kendra Norman-Bellamy's interview in our Inside Out section.

(Book Selections From Outside The Fiction World!)

Tymira Mack The List.

5 out of 5 books

Order Tymira Mack's The List directly from her site!

The List. is an autobiography by author and motivational speaker Tymira Mack. Beginning at the age of fourteen, Mack tells how ten years of sexual promiscuity had a detrimental effect on her life. You get a bird's eye view of Tymira's life as she makes horrible judgment calls in a host of situations. You witness the downward spiral of her life and how she eventually saw the light. This is not just another book about someone outlining their sex life. This book is about using past mistakes as a learning tool so that young women and teens won't have the same fate. Tymira Mack has an outstanding, candid, and emotional story. Mack pulls no punches when she talks about her sexual past. What's interesting about The List. is that she does not use the actual real names of the people in the book. This was a good method to use so the message doesn't get lost. Tymira also reveals the consequences of her actions in the form of a permanent sexually transmitted disease. The List. also includes an extensive self-help portion for one to confront their own list. Tymira Mack teaches how abstinence until marriage for teens and young women can help them re-value their own bodies. There's even a separate section of small group discussion questions to engage teens. The List. is an important educational and inspirational book that should be read by all. Check out Tymira Mack's interview in our Inside Out section.

(A Spotlight On Writers Who Deserve Their Shine Too!)

Meisha C. Holmes Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange

5 out of 5 books

Sex, money, and murder set the stage for Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange, the exciting debut novel by Meisha C. Holmes. Rock Candy is a beautiful diva that expertly juggles three men in her life. She has her sights on one man but becomes confused when the wrong man proposes marriage. What will she do? Rocky is also dealing with a horrible phobia that may turn deadly. Tony is a college-bound teen who gets distracted when he and his best friend Kahmelle try to get initiated into Brooklyn's Finest, BK's most notorious gang. Kahmelle is ready to do anything to get in, but Tony is now having second thoughts. Tony's older brother Malik is keeping his eye on him, but he has his own issues. Malik has left the street life behind and is trying to get into law school. He's also the mailroom manager at a law firm. Malik is delivering more than mail when he has a steamy affair with one of the law firm's top white attorneys Susan Eden. Susan's husband is the owner of the Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange. Officer Joann Nunuez lures Yanick, a young single mother into a lesbian affair, but Yanick wants a serious relationship. Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange is a thrilling novel. Meisha C. Holmes created an engaging story and characters. Holmes does a masterful job at not only developing the many characters of this novel but also linking them all together effectively. You'll be glued to the pages and laugh at some of Rocky's antics. Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange is  a jewel of a novel. The wonderful writing of Meisha C. Holmes is like a precious gem you'll be glad you discovered. Check out our interview with Meisha C. Holmes in our Inside Out section.

Nancey Flowers No Strings Attached

4 out of 5 books

Felice is a successful partner of a financial consulting firm with her ex-husband Bedford Jackson. Their marriage ended when Felice walked in on Bedford and another woman. After the divorce. Felice meets sexy basketball player Aaron Carter. She thinks he's "the one" until she discovers a devastating secret. Having been burned twice by men, Felice decides to engage in physical relationships with a "no strings attached" philosophy. She is living the fabulous single life until her past catches up with her. Felice has a secret that she now has no choice but to face. Felice's closest friends have their own problems. Sylvah is in the middle of a divorce from her longtime husband Blaise. She's also trying to make sure the emotional needs of her college-age children are being met. Sylvah's daughter Kenya is taking it all in stride but her son Zaire is not. Zaire's failing grades and depressed state causes Sylvah to be concerned. On top of all this, Sylvah is juggling two men. Hunter and Jason are both successful business men. The problem is one of them is white and the other one is 13 years her junior. Who will she choose? Candace has a loving husband and two children. When she goes to Jamaica and makes a bad decision, she is left with regrets. Candace becomes worried when threatening mysterious phone calls and letters show up at her home. Alana is single, alone, and jealous of Candace. She brings nothing but drama and unhappiness to everyone's lives. No Strings Attached is an edge-of-your-seat page turner by Nancey Flowers. Flowers does an excellent job of plot and character development. The characters are real and honest. Even though Felice is the central main character of the novel. Sylvah and Candace's stories are just as pivotal. Candace's own saga even continues in Nancey Flowers' upcoming book "One Night Stand" set to be released sometime in 2006. No Strings Attached is a superb novel for the blooming career of Nancey Flowers.

Books You Might Have Possibly Overlooked!

 

Kathleen Cross Schooling Carmen

3.5 out of 5 books

Carmen DuPre is a beautiful woman, and she knows it. She loves dishing out heartless treatment to any man who makes a fool out of himself over her. Carmen feels her beauty entitles her to all of the finer things in life, but the result of a routine medical exam may knock her off her high horse. Carmen's not sure if life is worth living without beauty, which is why she is risking her life by ignoring her doctor's advice. She also deals with less than supportive family members when an incident at the workplace ends in a lawsuit. Carmen gets schooled when a sexy stranger brings faith, hope and love into her life. Will she be ready to receive it? Schooling Carmen is an engaging novel by Kathleen Cross. It shows how you can find love and hope in unexpected places. This story also shows that sometimes people have to learn life's lessons the hard way. The reader will feel the transformation and self-actualization that Carmen experiences in this story. Kathleen Cross mixes unexpected characters and circumstances that makes this a truly delightful read.