Mary Monroe In Sheep's Clothing

4 out of 5 books

Have you ever wished you could be someone else for a day or two? How about taking exotic trips, buying expensive clothes, dinners filled with lobster and champagne all on someone else’s tab? That’s exactly what Trudy Bell does in the novel In Sheep’s Clothing by Mary Monroe. Trudy’s life has been pretty mundane living with her dad and in a 10-year relationship with her boyfriend James. After being robbed while working at her father’s liquor store, Trudy quits and gets hired as a secretary for a travel agency. As the secretary, Trudy has access to the company credit card in order to pay office expenses. She decides to have a little fun and treats herself to lavish lunches and designer wardrobes at the company’s expense. Since using the credit card is so easy, it’s time to take it to another level and focus on her boss Ann Oliver. Ann is classy, elegant and stylish, everything Trudy wants to be. But when Ann treats her as a second-class citizen, Trudy plots the ultimate revenge and takes her identity.  But Trudy may have more than she bargained for, as becoming Ann Oliver could turn deadly. Mary Monroe does an incredible job of bringing this tale of identity theft to life. In Sheep’s Clothing has humor and edge-of-your-seat drama. Mary Monroe always features real characters that always find themselves on the wrong side of the law and drags their friends down with them. Trudy is no different because she drags her best friend into this web of deceit as well. Monroe’s characters also cross that very fine line between right and wrong, which makes her novels stand out. She consistently brings novels that are pleasurable reads. While reading this novel, you’ll keep wondering if Trudy will ever get caught, and what will happen if her dad and boyfriend find out. With In Sheep’s Clothing, Mary Monroe once again brings us a timely, suspenseful, and exciting story full of rich characters that she is known for.  Check out Mary Monroe's interview in our Inside Out section.

Geneva Holliday Groove

4.5 out of 5 books

Groove, the latest novel by Geneva Holliday (a.k.a. Bernice McFadden), is about the drama-filled lives of four friends: Geneva, Crystal, Chevy, and Noah. Geneva is a single mother of a teenaged son and is living paycheck to paycheck. It doesn’t help that she also still sleeps with her remarried ex-husband. Crystal is the head of a successful non-profit agency. She has a long-term relationship with her very rich boyfriend Kendrick but soon learns a very dark secret about him that will turn her world upside down. Chevy has champagne dreams on a beer budget. She spends every dime on high-end material things and is always one step away from being penniless and homeless. Chevy doesn’t care because there’s always a rich man she can snag to finance her lifestyle. But when she gets mixed up in some illegal activities, only her friends may be able to save her. Noah is an openly gay male in a long distance relationship. Things get a little sticky when he starts craving and sleeping with women. Groove is a nice change of pace for Bernice McFadden, who usually doesn’t write “mainstream” fiction. Sometimes when an author decides to breakaway from their normal writing, it doesn’t work out. This doesn't hold true for this novelist. Bernice McFadden shows her versatility as an author by not only being able to write thought-provoking literary works, but entertaining, spicy mainstream fiction as well.  Hopefully her readers will give her a chance to expand her horizons and Bernice won’t be apprehensive about doing more novels like this in the future.

 

Mary B. Morrison Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This

5 out of 5 books

The saga of Fancy Taylor, Darius Jones, Jada Diamond Tanner, and Wellington Jones continues in Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This, the latest novel by Mary B. Morrison. After having his company snatched away by his parents, Darius now has to find a job and go to college to start his road to the NBA. But he does have a few potholes that need to be filled first. He has a pending divorce from his pregnant wife Ciara and has to deal with the pregnancies of two other women, one of which is his half-sister Ashlee. Darius thinks women are gold-digging tricksters and love is for suckers until he meets his match in Fancy Taylor. Fancy is tired of looking for men to sponsor and love her. She’s working on getting her own real estate business off the ground and taking a celibacy break from men. Fancy may rethink that when Darius crosses her path. Jada and Wellington have their problems too. Wellington wants to continue to control Darius’ company and Jada wants to give it back. She also becomes suspicious of Wellington’s sudden and extended late night  meetings as well as his inattentiveness. Mary B. Morrison has done it again with this novel. To be able to write a satisfying sequel is a task in itself. But her ability to write the fifth book of a seven part series and still keep it as captivating as the first truly shows that this author has a remarkable talent.  Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This has all of the drama and erotic elements of her previous novels. Morrison has characters that you’ll never grow tired of. It’s almost a shame that this story is such a page-turner because at the end of the book you’ll want to dive right into part six of the series. In case you didn’t know, the series should be read in this order: Soul Mates Dissipate, Never Again Once More, He’s Just A Friend, Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top, and Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This. Parts six and seven will be When Somebody Loves You Back and Our Little Secret. All of Mary B. Morrison's novels are highly recommended.

Rita Ewing Brickhouse

4 out of 5 books

Brickhouse is the latest novel by Rita Ewing that centers on a Harlem fitness superstar named Nona Simms.  Nona has made Brickhouse one of the hottest gyms in the city.  Celebrities, politicians, and athletes all faithfully come to workout to get that “Brickhouse” physique.  But the walls of Brickhouse could be tumbling down due to corrupt city officials who want Nona’s gym out and a new mall in. Nona also has to deal with her own daughter’s body image issues and an unexpected love interest. It will take all of Nona’s strength and willpower to fight against the demise of Brickhouse in Harlem.  Nona will fight to the end with the help of her friends.   But her friends have their own issues.  Nona’s business partner Allen Wade is trying to hide a terrible secret that could spell the end of both of their futures.  Lelia is dealing with her failing marriage to a New York Knicks superstar and an affair with a politically powerful man.  Anna is still reeling from the death of her son and trying to keep her marriage to the mayor afloat. Rita Ewing brings forth a delightful and interesting novel.  Brickhouse uncovers a plot that a lot of businesses in the real world have to deal with, namely gentrification and big business moving into historic neighborhoods such as Harlem. Rita Ewing showed immense creativity in developing the Nona Simms character. Ewing’s writing style is refreshing and proves that she can hold her own in this first (and hopefully not last) solo effort.

Maryann Reid Marry Your Baby Daddy

3.5 out of 5 books

Marry Your Baby Daddy, the latest novel by Maryann Reid, is about three sisters named Giovanna, Keyah, and Fatima who learn that their late Grandma June left them three million dollars in her will. But there is one catch: They have to each marry their baby daddy within six months after the reading of the will. Each sister has a complicated relationship that may lead to anything but marriage. Giovanna is a successful attorney and independent woman. She has a longtime relationship and daughter with Douglas, but she has no desire to marry him. Douglas is trying to run away from a devastating secret. Keyah's boyfriend Jag put an engagement ring on her finger years ago but doesn’t want to take the next step. Fatima’s rocky relationship with Dune and his own baby momma drama has her rethinking her role in his life. Marry Your Baby Daddy was interesting novel with a lot of twists and turns. The whole plot was different and entertaining. What made this novel stand out was that the sisters had to try to convince the men in their lives that they were worthy of marriage without letting them know about the money. Marry Your Baby Daddy also shows that sometimes people get too comfortable in relationships. Maryann Reid does a good job of depicting the struggles of the whole baby daddy scenario. Even though the outcome was a little unrealistic, Marry Your Baby Daddy was still a satisfying read.

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Patty Rice Somethin' Extra

4 out of 5 books

Twenty-something Genie Gatlin only needs men for money and sex…that is until she meets David Lewis, a married man in a mid-life crisis and failing marriage. Genie’s friends warn her about embarking on this potentially disastrous relationship, but she listens to her heart instead. She also has to fight some of her own personal demons. David thinks that Genie is the spark that he needs in his life. But can he just walk away from his own marriage? Somethin’ Extra is a classic tale of what can happen when you get involved with a married man. Patty Rice does an extraordinary job of outlining the emotional drama of such a relationship.  Somethin’ Extra shows that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

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D. L. Moore Friend Or Foe

4 out of 5 books

Is it better to be feared or to be respected?  Corey “Cee” Banks has to answer this question and more in Friend or Foe, the debut novel by D.L. Moore.   Cee has been a fair and respected hustler but not necessarily feared.  When his longtime girlfriend Keisha gets killed in a robbery attempt, Cee realizes that someone is taking his kindness for weakness.  Cee is trying to find out not only who killed his girlfriend but who is trying to take him out as well. He also learns that the very friends he trusts could become his enemies. Friend Or Foe is a stunning debut for D.L. Moore.  The story grabs you from the very first page and won’t let go. Starting the novel with a robbery and murder sets the right tone for this fast paced novel.  Friend or Foe also had some unexpected twists and revelations that will keep the reader glued to the pages. D.L. Moore’s wonderful storytelling ability created a perfect mix of urban grittiness and suspense. Moore not only created a wonderful main character but the supporting characters were fascinating as well.  Cee’s cousin Dreama and his sidekick Blue were great entertaining elements to the story.  Friend or Foe will hopefully be the jumpstart to a long and successful career for D.L. Moore.  Check out D.L. Moore's interview in our Inside Out section.

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Brenda L. Thomas The Velvet Rope

4.5 out of 5 books

Hot publicist Tiffany Johnson launches Teaz Entertainment and decides to open a club.  She wants to be the queen of Philly nightlife but she might get more than she bargains for in The Velvet Rope, the latest novel by Brenda L. Thomas.  Tiffany enlists the help from her fiancé Malik, her sister Kamille, and her friend DJ Essence.  When Tiffany finds out Kamille and Malik had an affair, she goes on a downward spiral of her own and into the clutches of two powerful, conniving men. In the mist of all this, Kamille is trying to search for her real birth parents. More drama unfolds when there might be some suspected illegal activity that could shut the new club down indefinitely. Will Tiffany be able to get her head above water before it’s too late? Brenda Thomas has once again brought us a high-quality novel.  Thomas has the knack of creating entertaining stories and characters with healthy doses of eroticism, humor, and drama. She even brings back Sasha, the sexy protagonist of Fourplay and Threesome for a brief moment in this novel. There is also a cliffhanger type ending that could leave room for a sequel.  The Velvet Rope is a novel worth standing in any line for and certainly won’t leave you with rope burn afterwards. Check out Brenda L. Thomas' interview in our Inside Out section.